Sheffield United fans given glimpse of what’s to come as Leeds United promotion influence becomes increasingly clear
Sheffield United’s win at Watford on Saturday offered more than just three points, with signs of a shift in approach ahead of what has been earmarked as a big season at Bramall Lane
Sheffield United fans will hope that they have been given a taste of what last season will look like by the result from Saturday’s trip to Watford. But there may have been more than one eye on the future in terms of the Blades’ team selection at Vicarage Road as well.
For the first time in 10 games, the name of Sydie Peck was not included in United’s starting XI as they returned north with a deserved 2-0 victory. Instead boss Chris Wilder placed his faith in experience, with Joe Rothwell and Jairo Riedewald lining up in the middle of the park.
And it paid dividends with United, apart from a couple of chances and half-shouts for a penalty from the hosts, enjoying almost complete dominance of the game from start to finish. United’s season may be petering out in terms of the league table but a noisy away following enjoyed every moment at Vicarage Road.
Sheffield United fans given glimpse of what’s to come as Leeds United promotion influence becomes increasingly clear
They already know that Riedewald is a player who absolutely oozes class, having seen the former Dutch international help turn United’s season around after signing a short-term deal last year. He dropped deep to get on the ball against Watford, directing the likes of Mark McGuinness and Harrison Burrows around with the air of a man who knew what was coming next before anyone else.
Rothwell, it seems, took a little longer to win over some Unitedites after arriving from Rangers in January. He got sent off on his debut with an over-exuberant tackle after a period on the sidelines at Ibrox but in the last few games he has shown exactly why he was so instrumental in helping Leeds United win the Championship title last term.
He makes the game look simple, keeps United ticking. He doesn’t look the type of player to beat a couple of men and stick it in the top corner - although there were signs of that with one mazy run in the previous game against Hull City - but already his influence is clear.
Crucially, you can also tell his teammates trust him completely with the ball in tight areas. At their best since Wilder first walked through the door 10 years ago this summer, United have always had that sort of figure in the middle of the park.
Initially it was Paul Coutts, who helped them storm to 100 points in League One by, as supporters sang, never giving the ball away. Ollie Norwood was the upgrade who helped them into the Premier League and, for a spell before Covid-19 struck, on the brink of Europe.
Last term it was the more imposing presence of Vini Souza, the type of player conspicuous by his absence, who allowed first Oliver Arblaster, and latterly Peck, to roam, helping United to the play-off final.
Souza’s departure in the summer was not addressed sufficiently and in the early part of the season, Peck was left effectively trying to do the job of two or three teammates. With the likes of Rothwell and his fellow former Leeds man Patrick Bamford in the building next season, the early blueprint of experience and knowhow looks like it’s being put into place.
“I’ve said before, we lost eight or nine leaders and characters after last season,” Wilder said. “For the young players that they brought in at the start of the season, it's a tough gig playing in the Championship.
“We need experience. We've got enough young players. We've got good young players, and we need those guys. When you can get them in pre-season, you can get the narrative, you get your messages over.
“When they're coming in in January, they've got to hit the ground running. And they’re not really up to speed. But Joe, Jairo, Pat, they’ve got a huge part to play for us next season. Joe has shown over the last couple of games what he's about, and we’re delighted for him as well.
“He kept it ticking in the middle of the park. He’s not played a lot of football, and he just cramped up a little bit towards the end. He's had a couple of games now where he's played a lot of minutes.
“And I’ll say it again, there’s a big pre-season ahead of them. There's more in the tank for them. There's more in the tank for Brooksy [Andre Brooks] and Femi [Seriki] and Harrison [Burrows] and Gus [Hamer] and all the boys.
“To be fitter and stronger and more powerful, going into the second part of the game. Being strong and feeling strong. We understand that. Then having a pre-season away with us is key as well.
“Going away on pre-season tours and just being around us. Knowing what the narrative is like from the first day of pre-season. Them absolutely getting it. I think they're understanding it now, what we're after. And them showing their leadership skills as well is going to be really important.”