‘Unlucky’ Sabiri set for spell on sidelines at Terriers
WHEN questioned about Sheffield United’s forthcoming transfer strategy in January, Chris Wilder’s message is unequivocally clear.
For the second year running, his Blades side find themselves well placed in the play-off spots after a stand-out first half of the Championship season, but Wilder is in no doubt what is required to possess the best possible chance of lasting the course.
Namely, topping off a highlycapable and talented squad with some ‘finished article’ signings who, in his words, can ‘make a difference’ and will not just flesh out his existing options. Resting upon laurels is not an option.
It is why his shopping list of New Year transfer targets is likely to be a pretty selective one.
The Championship’s reputation as a league of tight margins where moments of quality count has been further reinforced by events in 2018-19, with the jockeying for position in the top six as intense as it has ever been.
So much so that the likes of Aston Villa and Derby County are not currently in the play-off positions, with the relegated duo of Stoke City and Swansea City not even in the immediate vicinity.
But the coded warning to those who occupy top-six places is that standing still in the January window is fraught with risk.
Wilder, whose side are three points and two places worse than off than at the same stage last season, said: “Players have to come in now and be able to make an immediate difference. They have to.
“I think we are fishing in a different pond now. We have to be because we need players who can make the difference and improve our squad and existing players.
“John (Egan) is a great example and has come in and raised levels. Ollie Norwood has also come in and raised levels.
“We will still look and explore different areas, like the David McGoldrick and Conor Washington moves in January – proving the difference.
United must also handle the ex-factor element tomorrow in the shape of former striker Marc McNulty, who scored his first goal for the Royals since his summer move from Coventry City in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Stoke.
The Scot moved on loan to Bradford City for the first half of Wilder’s first season in charge – in the 2016-17 League One title procession – but despite continuing to be on the periphery when he returned, his positive input on a daily basis was duly noted.
The Blades chief added: “We looked at him and thought he would be part of that group, but he had decisions to make as well.
“We had Leon (Clarke), Billy (Sharp) and Matty Done was playing up front as well, together with Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the beginning of the season. He (McNulty) was around it for the secondhalf of the season. He was putting pressure on the likes of Billy.
“When players come in, it is always interesting to see the effect it has on other players. I think Ben (Woodburn) being here has lifted Mark Duffy. From Billy’s point of view, he had an unbelievable season. That was possibly aided by Marc being behind him.”
Tomorrow also promises to be a noteworthy day for another Reading player in Sam Baldock, who locks horns with his younger brother George, who will be in opposing Blades colours.
Wilder believes that the rivalry is likely to provide an extra spicy ingredient for both tomorrow – with club loyalty coming first.
He said: “I do not have a brother, but I have got to say, if I did, he would get booted. George is that type of guy as well. You must have the focus he has got to be doing what he has in his career.
“He has got to play well regardless of whether his brother is up front or his mum is up front. He would probably kick her during a game as well!” HUDDERSFIELD midfielder Abdelhamid Sabiri will be sidelined for two months after breaking his collarbone, manager David Wagner has confirmed.
Sabiri, 22, sustained the injury three minutes after stepping off the bench in the midweek defeat at Bournemouth.
“Hamid unfortunately has broken his collarbone and will be out for eight weeks,” Wagner said.
“It’s very unlucky for Hamid. I really feel for him. He worked hard to get his opportunity and some minutes, but after a very short time he got this injury. We will give him all the support we can.”
The injury is a huge blow for the German Under-21 international, who has struggled to force his way into Wagner’s starting line-up since arriving from Nurnberg for an undisclosed fee in August.
He was making just his second Premier League appearance of the season at the Vitality Stadium after replacing Terence Kongolo in the 75th minute, but an awkward landing in a collision put paid to his bid for game time.
Sabiri could have been in contention for his first league start at Arsenal on Saturday as Philip Billing sits out a one-game ban after reaching five yellow cards.
Wagner confirmed fellow midfielders Danny Williams and Juninho Bacuna are in contention to start at the Emirates Stadium.
Striker Steve Mounie will serve the second game of his three-match ban following his red card in last Saturday’s home defeat to Brighton.
The Terriers will be boosted by the return to the squad of German left-back Chris Lowe, after missing three games due to his own shoulder injury.
Huddersfield dominated possession at Bournemouth, but back-to-back defeats have left them a point above the dop zone. Neither Mounie or fellow striker Laurent Depoitre have scored this season, but Wagner is careful not to add to the pressure they are both under.
“I will still be patient,” Wagner said. “Anything else makes no sense, even if we know we need goals from them, as we do from other positions as well.”
The Terriers were thrashed 5-0 at the Emirates last season they lost 1-0 at home on the final day - and Wagner is keen for his side to show they are better than the scoreline suggests.
“I hope and I think we learned our lessons from our first game at the Emirates,” he added. “Now we have to show we have progressed and improved.”