Sheffield United opened the 2015/16 season in terrible form, losing 4-0 at Gillingham. But having scraped a victory at Morecambe in the League Cup the Blades had made amends for any first day nerves, with wins over Chesterfield, Peterborough United and Blackpool they soon shot up the League One table.
Recently, results haven't been as great with supporters questioning the clubs ambitions in gaining promotion into the Championship. For a personal point of view, I believe that, like the majority of the Blades support, the board and the club itself are as equally desperate for promotion to a higher league as each other. During the 14 professional fixtures played so far this season, United had equally scored and conceded 20 goals, demonstrating that an issue with the back four is occurring all too often.
In pre-season Jay McEverley was named captain and Chris Basham vice-captain in his absence. The defence is swamped with injuries, with Nigel Adkins eagerly awaiting the return of John Brayford and Bob Harris to take up their natural full-back positions. Most recently the back-four has consisted of Freeman, Edgar, Collins and Kieran Wallace to protect Mark Howard's goal. Youngster Terry Kennedy came off the substitute’s bench at Port Vale last Saturday and Jay McEverley, who has been under some scrutiny by the fans should also be fit soon.
Statistics show (see table) that the Blades have on average, taken from all competitive games played this season, amount 12 shots on goal with 5 of these being on target in each game. And whilst the opposition have also amounted a similar average. Perhaps the more alarming statistic taken from this, was Bury's 4 shots on target, yet they scored 3 goals in the process.
Granted, some games are difficult to judge. For example, at Fulham, Nigel Adkins rested ten players, and in the following fixture at Swindon changed the entire XI which had lost at Craven Cottage. As represented, the Blades have had their fair share of opportunities to find the net, with the forward line pretty much doing okay so far this season.
Adkins has introduced a 4-4-2 formation to the squad, a formation which, under Nigel Clough, was a system that fans were calling out for. Whilst he was criticised for his lack of inventions, I believe that the former Nigel had the right blend of football. His idea of playing three centre-halves at the back, along with wing-backs, allowed the team to press forwards in attack. He was perhaps not too daring to continuous attacking the opponent and instead opted to defend once taking the lead - that was his only downfall.
Since Clough's departure there has barely been any new faces joining the team, Sammon and Edgar have joined on season long loans, leaving just Billy Sharp and Martyn Woolford has Adkins only signings this season. Clough's system of playing five at the back with three centres-halves worked a treat until he decided to defend a one-goal lead, the full-backs would act as wing-backs surging forward. Therefore, with Howard in goal I personally would play Edgar, Collins and Captain McEverley at centre-half’s which leaves Kennedy and McGahey as back-up if and when required. When they are fully fit, Brayford and Harris will make up the wing-backs positions. This is the most vital position in the formation, they will be required to defend when necessary, but attack like Trojans when up field.
In midfield Basham and Baxter take up the central roles, with either Wallace (when fit) or Reed as replacements. The wing positions can be supported by the wing-backs, these will be made up by Done and Adams who can move forward to create a three-pronged attack with lone striker Sharp. With this formation, I believe that United would be virtually unstoppable in League One.
Everyone will have their own method and system, that one was mine.
My Sheffield United Team (5-2-2-1);
Howard
Edgar - Collins - McEverley (c)
Brayford ------------------------------------------ Harris
Basham - Baxter
Adams ------------------------------------------ Done
Sharp
Subs: Long, Freeman, Kennedy, Reed, Woolford, Sammon, McNulty