Sheffield United have had a horror start to this season with Chris Wilder returning to the side despite being sacked just five months ago.
Sheffield United’s season has started disastrously. SUFC find themselves at the foot of the Championship table, a shadow of the side that came so close to Premier League promotion last season.
Chris Wilder has returned to Bramall Lane for his third spell in charge following the sacking of Ruben Selles. The former Hull City boss failed to win any of his first six games, prompting the club to make a quick change.
Since Wilder’s comeback, United have recorded just one win and suffered two defeats, a sign that there is still a lot of work to be done to restore their dominance in the second tier.
After being just fourteen minutes away from top-flight football last season, the Blades’ decline has been significant. The team has underperformed across the board and Wilder must find a way to reignite the spark in the remaining 35 games.
One way Wilder could do this is by returning to his promotion-winning formula of 2019. With the player selection available to him, Sheffield United may have the building blocks to do this.
The summer activities have given Wilder the players to replicate his success
Wilder has had so much success when Sheffield United played with a three-man backline. His 2019 promotion side was a real gamechanger with the overlapping centre-backs of Chris Basham and Jack O’Connell.
SUFC have made many defensive additions in the summer, as evidenced by the fact that their current three players are made up of new signings. One of them, Japhet Tanganga, is ready to play that overlapping role under Wilder.
He has played many games at wing-back and has the physical attributes to cause problems as another attacking option. Ben Mee, on the other hand, is a natural left-footer who is more than comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Ben Mee’s career in figures – via Transfer market
With the excellent Michael Cooper between the sticks, SUFC have real quality at the back. If Wilder can find that balance again at Sheffield United, he can help them move up again.
Finding balance in midfield will be key to any success for Sheffield United
In the summer, Sheffield United lost Vini Souza to Wolfsburg from the Bundesliga. His loss was huge for SUFC, and the club has yet to find true balance without him in the team.
Alex Matos has come in, but he hasn’t formed a real partnership yet alongside Sydie Peck. The return of Oli Arblaster could be the key, but after being injured for so long, they can’t really rely on him.
With that in mind, Wilder has already signed a contract Jairo Riedewald joined the club on a free. Perhaps he can be Souza’s replacement and the man to help Sheffield United this season after their terrible start.
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