Gus Hamer shows what Sheffield United would miss but recent dip might work in their favour
Alan Biggs on the return to form of Sheffield United talisman Gus Hamer
Pre-match at Bramall Lane last Saturday a media room chat with colleagues firmly concluded that, off form or not, Gus Hamer was still Sheffield United’s likeliest match-winning talent.
No smugness over what followed - Hamer’s starting role in victory over Ipswich - because I think we all know the truth of the statement.
More significantly, though, it showed what the Blades will lose if any of the attacking midfielder’s suitors hit what Chris Wilder calls “the number” that would force him to understand “the financial aspect.”
Which is realism and certainly not wishful thinking because no other player at Bramall Lane can provide Hamer’s sort spark; his vision and technique to split defences.
The stirring Ipswich triumph was a timely reminder of that. But Wilder is also cleverly using it as a nudge to the player himself.
Chris Wilder on Gus Hamer
“He’s a huge player for us and he hasn’t been,” the Blades boss told me. “We have to have that from Gus every week.
“He helps me, his team mates and the club when he produces performances like that. It’s what we’re after and I’m sure he is as well.
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“Everybody wants to see that type of performance from him because he can light it up.
“If he’s here when the window shuts and he produces performance like that, it’s going to make my life easier and make us a better team.”
When we spoke Wilder had “heard nothing” from chief executive Steve Bettis about any window decision to make. He hopes it will stay that way.
Recent dip could work to Sheffield United’s advantage
You’d really struggle to replace Hamer like-for-like. In that sense, he’s in a similar bracket to other Blades’ stars of recent years, Morgan Gibbs-White and Iliman Ndiaye.
Staying, regaining top form consistently and signing a new deal would be the best outcome. Maybe Hamer’s recent dip could even work to United’s advantage.
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