The Owners Have Hung Sheffield United Boss Out to Dry to Start Season – Opinion

Saturday could not have gone any worse for Ruben Selles’ competitive debut as Sheffield United manager. A 4-1 defeat at Bramall Lane, against a team in Bristol City that were smashed 6-0  aggregate in the Championship play-offs back in May.

In truth, it’s short-sighted to even compare the results from a few months ago, but naturally some supporters will do that. Firstly, the opening match of the season is always a difficult one to judge up and down the country because some clubs are suffering hangovers from the previous campaign and bedding in new players etc. In this case, both teams are getting used to a new style of play under their new coaches.

Another point is, for United, they’ve lost a few key players from last term, most notably losing Anel Ahmedhodzic just days before the season kicked off, which proved costly.

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This brings me to my next point. Why does every single summer at the Blades feel the exact same? Lose key players, don’t replace them. End up missing out on targets which would instantly improve the squad, some of which were great deals from a financial point of view (Harry Darling and Jimmy Dunne).

I have seen plenty of posts online over the last 72 hours stating that Selles is out of his depth. Interesting take; what do you seriously expect him to do with one right-back in the squad, only two natural centre-backs – one of which was set to leave the club before the Ahmedhodzic sale materialised – and no natural defensive midfielder to select.

It was a recipe for disaster, but Selles hasn’t exactly been given the ingredients to start the season off well, has he? And if you think otherwise then I’d love you to explain why!

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Reflecting on the game, it was nowhere near a 4-1 defeat type of game. I personally really enjoyed that first half. You can hold your hands up when you get beaten by a superb free-kick into the top corner. I was impressed with how United rallied almost instantly after the goal and set pressing traps, which eventually led to the Tyrese Campbell goal.

After that goal, Sheffield United had a few chances to go ahead. However, as is the nature of the Championship, a goal came against the run of play in transition. Looking at the goal, Harrison Burrows was caught high up the pitch, and as he’s running back, Rhys Norrington-Davies is caught in that awkward area around the edge of the box; should he stay with the man on the ball, or should he be playing for the overlapping runner and signal for another player to close down the ball? Tough to say, but that is the type of thing that becomes instinctive in training sessions and in games when you’re a natural centre-back.

The third goal just seconds after half-time is where the real damage was done, and it was easily avoidable. Norrington-Davies with his first big mistake of the game saw him misplace a mid-range pass up field, and he became over-eager to win the ball back. He moved out of his left centre-back area and charged out to the left-back spot, but Emil Riis Jacobsen burst past him and a couple of other players in close proximity.

Because Norrington-Davies was out wide, for no fault other than his own, there was a gaping hole at the near post where Anis Mehmeti ghosted into and side-footed Riis Jacobsen’s cross home. Question marks over Tyler Bindon; could he shift over to the front post area? Well as a right centre-back with the ball on the right flank, you don’t expect your left centre-back to steam out to the left and leave the near post area completely unprotected.

The fourth goal, again, Norrington-Davies attempts to play a ball down field under no pressure whatsoever, but it was easily intercepted. And within a few seconds, Scott Twine receives the ball on the edge of the box and unleashes a speculative effort which takes a wicked deflection off Bindon and into the net.

For me, the game was still in the balance before a poor lapse in judgement from Norrington-Davies cost the Blades a third. If that doesn’t happen, I would’ve been confident in the attack to get us back level and maybe even go on and win it.

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Needless to say, I don’t like to see United lose, especially at home. But sometimes you have to accept moments of brilliance, like the Twine free-kick for example. Make them work hard for their goals. You can’t say that for either of the second, third, or fourth goals. And that’s the most frustrating part of that game.

Can this be addressed? Yes, quite easily. We have a natural number six in the squad finally in Djibril Soumare. Unfortunately, he’s nowhere near up to speed yet. Having Soumare come in and play instead of either Sydie Peck or Callum O’Hare will instantly improve the screening of the back line. Lastly, the owners need to get some business done. We need at least two centre-backs in. Three, if Jack Robinson does end up leaving.

Ben Godfrey on a season-long loan covers right-back and right centre-back. Splash the cash on someone like Charlie Hughes; not only is he already good Championship quality, but he’s got huge potential to increase in value, especially if he wins a promotion with the Blades. Hughes coming in would allow Bindon to move to left centre-back, which is probably his ideal position.

At the time of writing this, The Star have reported that Queens Park Rangers are interested in Rhys Norrington-Davies. This isn’t a reaction from Saturday, more so because of his Blades career in the last two or three years, but I’d move him on. He offers nothing to the squad. He isn’t depth, he’s just a number. There’s a difference. With depth you can rely on a player to do a job. I’m afraid you can’t say that about the Welshman anymore.