Sheffield United facing fresh Gus Hamer concern ahead of defining nine days in play-off push
Sheffield United facing fresh Gus Hamer concern ahead of defining nine days in play-off push
Gus Hamer, the Sheffield United star, is walking something of a suspension tightrope as the Blades look to avoid losing another key men at a crucial phase of their season. United have also suffered the big blow of Michael Cooper’s season being ended prematurely by a knee issue.
They have also seen important players such as Patrick Bamford, Kalvin Phillips and Japhet Tanganga miss games through suspension in recent weeks and months, but their squad is shaping up strongly heading into the last 11 games of the season.
As they look to cut the nine-point deficit between them and sixth place, the availablity of the reigning Championship player of the year will be vital. And there were some fears that Hamer may miss the next two games after picking up his 10th booking of the season in Saturday’s 2-0 win at QPR.
Ordinarily reaching that mark before the 37th game of an EFL season - or a 32nd in the Premier League - triggers an automatic two-game ban. But one of Hamer’s cautions this season came in the EFL Cup at Birmingham City, meaning his league tally sits at nine.
Sheffield United facing fresh Gus Hamer concern ahead of defining nine days in play-off push
That means he needs to get through United’s next two games - against West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City in the next nine days - without going in the notebook to avoid the threat of suspension, with the next threshold then moving to 15 bookings by the end of the season.
That 15-card mark is rarely reached but there was a chance Hamer could have triggered it last season, before he ended the regular campaign on 13 yellows. He was banned for two games last season after reaching 10 before the cut-off point.
Unitedites absolutely adore Hamer for what he is capable of doing with a football and there is no suggestion that he is in any way a “dirty” player. But so many of his cautions have been picked up for avoidable issues and should he miss yet more football at a time when United are looking to hunt down the top six, it will only lead to more frustration.