Eight games into the season and Sheffield United sit on nine points and as low as 17th in the Championship. The Premier League was once their reality, but that is beginning to become more and more of a fantasy land for Chris Wilder’s side.
The Blades have now picked up one win in their last five games in all competitions and it sums things up that Stoke City came from behind with two excellent goals on Saturday.
How Stoke City compounded Sheffield United’s misery
The Bet365 Stadium was the place to be for wonder goals this weekend. Kalvin Phillips opened the show with a fantastic free-kick from range, catching Viktor Johansson, who believed the Manchester City loanee was about to cross from the angle.
The midfielder’s effort seemed to signal the Stoke revival in an action-packed second-half. Leaving it late, Jack McGlynn struck the Potters’ equaliser from distance in the 78th minute, before substitute Sam Gallagher found the winner in stunning fashion just eight minutes later.
In less than 10 minutes, Sheffield United lost all three points to sum up their recent woes. Alas, there can be no complaints from the visitors. When full-time arrived, the Blades had taken fewer shots and enjoyed just 38% possession. Stoke simply got what they earned in the end.
Speaking after the game, Wilder admitted that it was a tough result to take – telling reporters: “Two wonder goals. We did a lot of things right, out of possession, but needed to be a little bit better in possession.
“Key moments. Fine details and fine margins have decided the last two games. I’ve doubled down in what I’ve said about that team today. A team that I can trust, that’s given everything.
“I’ve been in the game a long time and can see into players’ eyes. They put everything out there. We got our noses in front and had a couple of opportunities. We always know that, as the home team, they were chasing the game and trying to get back into the game.”
For all his hope, however, there’s no denying the fact that Wilder has some big calls to make, starting with one player who was anonymous against Stoke.
Why Wilder must drop disappointing Blades star
It doesn’t take much to realise where the problems start for Sheffield United. Patrick Bamford has scored just two goals in seven Championship games so far this season.
Considering the Blades’ promotion ambitions, which look increasingly unlikely to be matched every week, they need more from their forward.
At 33 years old, the former Leeds United star has been past the peak of his powers for a few years now. It’s no surprise that he was marked out of the game against Stoke and limited to just six passes. Whilst the service was not there, neither was the quality to get himself involved in play.
|
Patrick Bamford vs Stoke City |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes |
80 |
|
Touches |
18 |
|
Shots |
0 |
|
Pass success |
6/9 |
It was about as anonymous as it gets from the Englishman, who was arguably the worst player on the pitch, registering just 18 touches in all, the fewest of any starting player for either side. Just when Wilder needed a routine moment rather than a goal from distance, as was the trend of the afternoon, his striker went missing.
Where the manager goes from here is the big question. If Bamford is not going to get the service, then he’s the wrong profile of striker to drag Sheffield United out of their current woes.
In possession, he has completed just one dribble all season in the Championship. Add on the fact that he’s won just 29.5% of his duels, and it’s clear that the forward is not successful in any form of hold-up play. With 38% possession against Stoke, that was the last thing that Sheffield United needed on Saturday afternoon.
Wilder has it all to do if the Blades are to get back to their best and he must start by dropping Bamford in ruthless fashion.
