If many of United's recent away games are anything to go by, Kevin Blackwell, the Blades' injury-hit manager, will start with a 4-5-1 formation tomorrow (Tuesday). The likes of West Brom away have epitomised why 4-5-1 away from home is simply not working anymore.
United may have started with one up front many a times last season - the lone striker being Darius Henderson. But this season teams have figured out Kevin Blackwell's plan, and one up top is unsuccessful, with last season's 15-game unbeaten run on away patches being a distant memory.
When the gaffer has made changes midway through the second-half, this gives the game and the Blades' performance a whole new perspective.
Now, I'm a massive fan of Darius Henderson, and always have been, even before his days in a red and white shirt, and was chuffed when he signed for the Blades, but am extremely disappointed with Kevin Blackwell, a man who I hold in high regard for his achievements last season. Blackie has been quoted saying 'if players are playing well, the shirt's theirs to lose'. Does anyone agree that Ched Evans and Richard Cresswell were both forming a formidable partnership before the return of Hendo? I'm sure most do. And this is what infuriates me. Hendo has walked straight back into the team at the expense of Ched, thus leading to a rather pear-shaped last few games.
Perhaps playing 4-5-1 tomorrow night (Tuesday night) against our play-off semi-final opponents last season will come off. Did we play 4-5-1 at Deepdale in the first-leg last term? No. Did we virtually outplay PNE? The answer to that is yes.
Up the Blades!
The image used on this article is copyright to Action Images
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