Decisions to make as Sheffield United head for Bristol City amid tough schedule and suspension
A fatigue and right-back crisis: What could Chris Wilder do?
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has hinted that he will reshuffle the pack against Bristol City on Saturday, and he’s got the added concern of coming up with a solution to the right-back issue.
The Blades have only taken six points from their last five games, which doesn’t quite tell the full story for Wilder’s men.
Fans hoped to kick start a winning run after their 3-0 victory over Lincoln City on Saturday. However, Hamza Choudhury’s controversial red card - which is prompting a club complaint to the EFL - left the Blades facing an almost impossible task, though they nearly secured a result.
United’s gaffer said the lineup against Bristol City on Saturday could see some changes after Wilder named the same eleven at Pompey that played against Lincoln last weekend.
Speaking ahead of Bristol, he said, “I always look at a three-game week, especially when the midweek game is on a Wednesday," he continued. “I think more changes to be made in the last game than the game in the middle.”
Unitedites shouldn’t get too bogged down on the lack of points, although three wins out of ten so far in the league is damning, performances have been better than the results suggest.
The main issue the Blades boss needs to solve is who plays at right-back. Femi Seriki has still not regained his fitness, and back-up option Choudhury is suspended.
This could prompt Wilder to move back to three centre-halves with Tahith Chong as right wing-back, where the Curaçao international did spend the second half at Fratton Park on Wednesday.
The alternative is that Wilder sticks with his 4-4-2 and plays skipper Jaseph Tanganga at right back.
With Sydie Peck and Sam McCallum playing 90 minutes against the Imps and Pompey, Kalvin Phillips is expected to start on Saturday, with some involvement from Harrison Burrows also anticipated.
Patrick Bamford was substituted against Pompey, so he’s likely to lead the line against Bristol City.
If United can get through their third game in seven days, they are set for a run of fixtures that could see some ‘easier’ points picked up over the back end of October into November.
Saturday 17th October: Bristol City (A)
Saturday 24th October: Derby County (H)
Friday 30th October: Wrexham (H)
Tuesday 3rd November: Preston (A)
Saturday 7th November: Charlton (A)