From revelation to archaic red lantern: what’s the matter with Sheffield Utd? | Premier League

Bert Sterckx, football reporter for our radio editorial team, has a unique relationship with Sheffield United since an exchange project as a student. He names Sheffield’s problems this season.

“In terms of playing level, Sheffield started reasonably well, but that first victory was not forthcoming. It could have come, especially if you look at the statistics of the expected goals. Then they could have had at least 8 to 10 points more. Sheffield therefore forces. quite a few chances, but there is a huge scoring problem “, says Sterckx.

It turns out: Sheffield has managed to score barely 7 times in 13 games, half of what can actually be expected based on the expected goals.

“The second problem is the game system. Sheffield plays with a special system with advancing central defenders. Opponents could not adjust to that last season and Sheffield received a lot of praise for that.”

“But now the surprising thing is there and 2 decisive players for that system have been injured: Stevens and O’Connell. O’Connell in particular is difficult to replace. You notice that the system works less well if he is not there.”

Last season, only Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United took fewer goals against Sheffield.

Sterckx: “Last year Dean Henderson was in target and he took a lot of points, but he has returned to Manchester United. Massin is now under the bar. He is not bad, but is not such a big points packer.”

Sheffield is already 9 points behind Burnley, which takes the last safe place. “But there is still no resignation at the club”, says Sterckx. “The belief is still there that trainer Chris Wilder can still straighten it out.”

“Wilder is a saint in Sheffield, he could have had a statue. He has moved Sheffield United from a fairly hopeless position in third division to the Premier League in a few years and performed well there.”

“There is no panic yet, but the next five matches will be decisive. The opponents (Brighton, Everton, Burnley, Crystal Palace and Newcastle) are in principle feasible, but you have to be able to put down a series. If they happen in the coming weeks. does not come, it will of course be a losing battle. ”

Sheffield will have to put down that series without Sander Berge (ex-Genk). “Berge achieves a high level, even higher than last season. He is one of the strongholds in the midfield and there was even interest from larger clubs. But he has retired with a spline injury and may be out for a few weeks.”