“Dangerous” Sheffield United man’s challenge ahead of Sheffield Wednesday derby despite open transfer secret
“Dangerous” Sheffield United man’s challenge ahead of Sheffield Wednesday derby despite open transfer secret
Femi Seriki has been challenged to cement his place in Sheffield United’s side for the foreseeable future - even if his position is one of the key areas the Blades will look to strengthen in the January transfer window. The 22-year-old returned from a spell out of the squad for Saturday’s goalless draw with QPR.
He showed United what they have been missing in that position of late by offering them some real attacking threat, including a second-half run down the middle, which combined pace and power before he shot just wide of the away side’s goal.
His return coincided with a more composed display from Japhet Tanganga to his left, the Blades skipper having to operate in a hybrid role of late with Chieo Ogbene deployed in a makeshift right-wing role, while United at least got through the game without conceding the avoidable goals which have plagued their recent results.
On another day they could have ended their three-match losing streak with three points, forcing at least two excellent saves from away goalkeeper Ben Hamer and hitting the post later on through Sydie Peck’s deflected effort.
But it was a sign that things are moving in the right direction, with Seriki certainly putting his hand up to keep his place for the Steel City derby against Wednesday next time out with an impressive display.
“Dangerous” Sheffield United man’s challenge ahead of Sheffield Wednesday derby despite transfer admission
“We talked about it positively, in terms of the changes we need to make,” said Wilder, detailing conversations last week with chief executive Stephen Bettis about the moves United plan to make in the January window. “We'll work with the players there, but there are certain situations and positions that we need help in and an upgrade in. But we want to be that attacking team.
“I thought Femi was outstanding. But he’s got to realise as well that he hasn't done enough, because I'm not daft. I pick players on form, I pick players that are doing the business. He's had an opportunity. He should have had an opportunity earlier, but he hadn't done enough.
“I think we are working our way through it as well, in terms of what works and what doesn't. We haven't got a natural right back at the football club, apart from Femi, who's a young player in his second season.
“Femi isn’t going to take you to the top of the division. Femi isn’t going to pay 46 games for you in the Championship. But when he contributes like he has done, he's a dangerous player. Like he was last year. So he can take the confidence of him coming through that game.”
While Seriki had to bide his time out of the United matchday squad before returning, fellow academy graduate Peck has featured in every game so far this term and is set to continue that run at Hillsborough after avoiding the booking against QPR that would have ruled him out of the derby clash.
“I know there's been a touch of negativity regarding him,” Wilder added, “but I'm scratching my head to see why, because he gives everything. He's a young player coming into his second season in the Championship, going away with the England under-21s.
“He made a horrific mistake last week [against Derby, sending Carlton Morris through on goal just seconds into the second half] and came through it. He played well at Coventry and is working his way through, getting back to form, as a few of them are.
“There's stuff to work on the training ground, there's stuff to work on in terms of what needs to happen in January. It's about the details now, and that little bit of quality that we need when the bullets are flying. And this is a critical period to find that bit.”