DAVID CONNOLLY
Our columnist examines Sheffield United’s promotion credentials
SHEFFIELD United were one of my tips at the start of the season to have a strong campaign – and they have certainly lived up to expectations.
I see no reason why they can’t improve on their top ten finish in their first season back in the Championship last term.
It looks as though they could cement a place in the top six, if not higher, judging by their performances of late.
Their 3-5-2 formation, which has been refined over the last couple of seasons, is functioning really well and manager Chris Wilder must be delighted with how his team are performing.
Their midweek win at Blackburn was a highly professional away display. David McGoldrick crossed for captain Billy Sharp to slide home the opener, while the same man headed home the second from a cracking cross by Enda Stevens.
I also watched the men from the Steel City show some real mettle in coming back from 2-1 down at Millwall last weekend to secure a fantastic three points with two late goals.
Despite Sharp missing an early penalty, United continued playing their way with real incisive passing and movement with both wing-backs high and the outside central defenders carrying the ball into the next line to overload in midfield. The interplay between the midfielders and forwards was excellent.
Mark Duffy came up with two outstanding assists with fantastic link play on the corner of the box leading to two brilliant balls into the box for first Sharp, and then McGoldrick, to apply the finishing touches. Kieron Freeman and Duffy linked superbly for Sharp’s opener and this bright, clever play is a hallmark of this Blades side.
Allied to this is the superb dead ball delivery from Oliver Norwood, who can put the ball into an area for the big central defenders to get on the end of. The Blades have a real cutting edge up top.
Strong
The bench is also strong with proven Championship performers such as Richard Stearman, Leon Clarke, Conor Washington, John Lundstram and Marvin Johnson to name a selection.
The signing of Johnson is a nod towards the system Wilder employs, with the excellent Freeman currently raiding down the left as a wing-back and Johnson is a player in a similar mould.
Wilder’s signings have been solid, some may even say they were a slight gamble. However, they have strengthened all areas of the pitch.
In goal, Wilder pulled off a major coup by managing to take goalkeeper Dean Henderson on loan from Manchester United.
The 21-year-old was outstanding for Shrewsbury last season and the Blades would have beaten off some stiff opposition to take the stopper on loan.
At the back, John Egan joined for a club record fee from Brentford in another good bit of business.
In midfield, Norwood arrived from Brighton, and again there were a host of clubs who would have taken the 27-year old on loan again.
Norwood helped the Seagulls to promotion in 2016/17 and Fulham last season. He sits in front of the back four looking for ways to make the team tick. As previously mentioned, his set-piece delivery is of very high calibre.
Talented
Up front Wilder added Washington and McGoldrick, who is a very talented footballer.
Although McGoldrick has suffered many injuries, as I did in my career, he has ability other forwards don’t and what he may lack in a yard or two of pace at the moment across the ground, compared to what he had previously, he more than makes up for in his brain.
There is no doubt Wilder took a risk signing McGoldrick but his faith has been repaid with late winners against Millwall, Preston and Norwich allaying any of those fears, and he is the ideal foil for Sharp.
The skipper came to Southampton when we were on the way to the Premier League and, after I injured my knee against Burnley and sat out the final few months, I watched on as Sharp helped fire the Saints to promotion.
I was really pleased for him because he is great lad who got on with everyone in the dressing room and who is a terrific finisher, a real fox in the box.
If the Blades can continue to show the same steel as they have done of late, they will have a real chance of promotion to the Premier League.