Sheffield United hope social media can be a way of providing their players with support, but there are dangers involved

The decision to continue staging matches behind closed doors, the refusal of government to contemplate allowing spectators back inside stadia until the spread of the Covid-19 virus subsides, has had consequences for the nature of footballing debate.
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Rather than taking place in pubs, clubs and on the terraces, where views can be challenged because they are expressed in public, discussions about performances are now staged almost exclusively on social media - an echo chamber which allows folk to avoid those with conflicting opinions and, in some instances, become increasingly intolerant or lack perspective. Internet services providers encourage this process by tracking what their users like to read and then bombarding them with suggestions about who to follow.

Sheffield United have been exposed to this phenomenon in recent weeks. Having started the new season in disappointing fashion, losing seven and drawing one of their eight games so far, Chris Wilder’s players have gone from being heroes to zeros in the eyes of some Twitter, Instagram and Facebook users as they struggle to rediscover the form which saw them finish ninth last term.

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Much of the criticism has focused on two or three in particular. And, having noted they fall into the age group which tends to spend more time on these platforms than others, older members of United’s squad have begun to express concerns privately that the constant stream of negativity being directed towards their accounts is hampering the team’s attempts to improve its results.

“I’m not a lover of it, as everybody knows,” Wilder admitted earlier this term, when asked to provide his thoughts on a game-wide survey which revealed the abuse footballers receive on social media. “If it was up to me, I’d tell people to delete their accounts. But you can’t do that in this day and age.”

Supporters are entitled to express an opinion. Managers, coaches, owners, players and directors can not bask in the limelight when things are going well and then expect others to stay silent when they go wrong. But in order to reach an informed judgement, one must consider the bigger picture. Which, in United’s case, involves identifying where they stand in the grand scheme of Premier League football, examining the choices Wilder made during the summer transfer window and recognising why.

Aaron Ramsdale, signed to replace the excellent Dean Henderson following his return to Manchester United, was identified as someone capable of filling the goalkeeper’s position for many years to come. Wilder knows he is far from the finished article. Indeed he admitted as much after luring the youngster back to Bramall Lane following four years with Bournemouth. Then again, neither was Henderson whose errors against Liverpool and Arsenal and near post vulnerability have been conveniently forgotten by those making unfavourable comparisons between Ramsdale and his immediate predecessor.

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Speaking before the defeat at Chelsea earlier this month, when Ramsdale was admittedly responsible for one of the four goals the hosts’ scored, Chris Basham inadvertently revealed how others within Wilder’s side view the 22-year-old’s contribution so far. The fact the defender’s comment was unsolicited, expressed during a conversation with journalists about the firepower at the Londoners’ disposal, made it resonate with even greater power than would otherwise have been the case.

Many Sheffield United players are active on social media, using it to interact with supporters who still can not attend gamesMany Sheffield United players are active on social media, using it to interact with supporters who still can not attend games
Many Sheffield United players are active on social media, using it to interact with supporters who still can not attend games

“We owe Aaron a clean sheet,” Basham said, arguing a player who Gareth Southgate expects to eventually challenge Henderson for the role of England’s number one is actually in credit since returning to the club where he started his professional career. “He’s done really well I think.”

Rhian Brewster is another player United recruited not only to make an impact now but also to develop. Centre-forwards who have proved themselves at the highest level are, at this stage of their evolution, beyond the club’s financial reach - commanding salaries in excess of £100,000 a week. One who appeared on United’s radar during the close season is known to have been earning more than £70,000 every seven days, even though his wages had been reduced when the club he represented was relegated.

Brewster, aged 20, was not Wilder’s second choice. On the contrary, United’s scouting department had spent 12 months compiling an extensive dossier on the former Liverpool marksman before persuading Jurgen Klopp to sell for a fee which could eventually rise to £23.5m.

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The fact that price tag made him the most expensive player in United’s history, coupled with the fact scoring goals had been an issue for Wilder’s squad ever since they climbed out of the second tier, inevitably increased the pressure on Brewster to hit the ground running. The only trouble was, after making a cameo appearance against Fulham to try and improve his fitness, his first three starts for United have come at Anfield, Stamford Bridge and Bramall Lane - when Manchester City were the visitors. Brewster, who Klopp rates highly enough to have insisted upon inserting a buy-back clause into the deal which took him to South Yorkshire, was never going to enjoy a plethora of chances - or even see much much of the ball - against the reigning champions and last two holders of the title.

Sheffield United have struggled for results this season, with Chris Wilder admitting his players are missing their usual support: RUI VIEIRA/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesSheffield United have struggled for results this season, with Chris Wilder admitting his players are missing their usual support: RUI VIEIRA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Sheffield United have struggled for results this season, with Chris Wilder admitting his players are missing their usual support: RUI VIEIRA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Max Lowe and Jayden Bogle, signed as a pair from Derby County, and to a lesser extent Oli McBurnie also fall into the category of what Wilder might view as long-term projects with the potential to provide short-term gains.

With fans still barred from attending fixtures in the flesh, another barrier has been placed between them and the players they follow. Social media provides a way of overcoming it and, with Wilder acknowledging United have “been hit harder than anyone” by the loss of the backing supporters can provide, an opportunity to provide them with the type of encouragement he insists fuelled their journey out of League One and into the top-flight. Or, as some of those under his command can testify of late, undermine the confidence of younger colleagues. Those who use it have a choice.

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