Sheffield United must resist the temptation to make changes and field their strongest starting eleven in this weekend's FA Cup tie at Bristol Rovers

In normal circumstances, Sheffield United would view this weekend’s visit to Bristol Rovers as a chance to rest some key players, scrape the ring rust off others and possibly reward those members of their youth system who have excelled in recent months with a cameo appearance in the senior team.
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But, as Chris Wilder and his squad have been forced to reflect countless times of late, there is nothing ordinary or conventional about the situation they find themselves in right now. Not because United entered the New Year propping up the rest of the Premier League, before slipping even deeper into trouble following the latest round of games. Although the optimism created by last season’s performances meant his warnings largely went unheeded, Wilder always suspected this term would prove much more challenging.

Rather it is the manner in which United have plummeted to the foot of the rankings, losing 15 and drawing two of their opening 17 games, which provides genuine cause for alarm. That and fact they enter Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie having failed to score in 10 of those outings and without a clean sheet since July.

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As United’s coaching staff search for ways to shake a club which finished ninth in the table only six months ago out of its malaise, a process which at various different stages has seen the manager wield a carrot, a stick and more recently both, the latest noises emanating from Bramall Lane’s boot room suggest they believe confidence, or to be precise a lack of it, is the biggest issue right now.

Antwoine Hackford could make his second senior appearance for Sheffield United at Bristol Rovers this weekend: Paul Terry/SportimageAntwoine Hackford could make his second senior appearance for Sheffield United at Bristol Rovers this weekend: Paul Terry/Sportimage
Antwoine Hackford could make his second senior appearance for Sheffield United at Bristol Rovers this weekend: Paul Terry/Sportimage

“The boys are together, they’re doing all the right things in training and their attitude is spot on,” Wilder said before last weekend’s loss at Crystal Palace. “It’s just what happens around both boxes, the decisions we are making, that seems to be costing us. The margins are slim.”

Given that United have seemingly forgotten how to win at football, those tasked with selecting a starting eleven for the trip to the Memorial Stadium should think carefully before making too many changes. Beating Rovers would not solve all of the problems they must address before Newcastle arrive in South Yorkshire on Tuesday. But a team which has not tasted success since brushing Chelsea aside towards the end of last term can not afford to be choosy about when, where or how a victory comes. The two promotions United have achieved under Wilder were fuelled by momentum, conviction and a complete and utter commitment to dismantling the opposition. The meeting with Paul Tisdale’s side, who languishing in the lower reaches of League One can hardly be described as being in scintillating form themselves, represents an opportunity for United to relearn some of the tricks which once made them such a formidable proposition. And rediscover the habits they developed during what was a remarkable march through the divisions.

Although doubts about the availability of Oli McBurnie, Oliver Burke and Billy Sharp means Antwoine Hackford will almost certainly feature in the travelling party again, the 16-year-old centre-forward, who made his debut at Selhurst Park, is unlikely to be accompanied by a huge swathe of his contemporaries from United’s Steelphalt Academy youth programme. In previous years, Wilder has used the competition to utilise those on the fringes of his plans - making eleven changes for last term’s meeting with AFC Fylde and 10 when Barnet made the journey north at the same stage two years ago. But United were in rude health at the time. Given the damage an upset would cause to their already brittle self-belief, not to mention professional reputations, Wilder can not risk similar gambles again. Expect the team which takes to the pitch in Horfield, the northern suburb of Bristol where Rovers play, to contain only a smattering of changes to the one he sent into action last weekend. Jayden Bogle, preferred to George Baldock against Palace, could step down while the latest controversial episode in Lys Mousset’s chaotic personal life means Hackford might be Wilder’s first port of call in the event of an attacking reshuffle. But, by and large, it would be advisable and indeed sensible for United to stick to tried and tested names.

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“Whenever you pull on the red and white shirt, it means something,” Wilder reminded before September’s EFL Cup tie at Burnley, responding to suggestions the tournament was not a priority. “There’s always something at stake. There’s no such thing as a free hit. You are representing this football club, what it stands for and the people who support it. Never, ever, forget that. Always remember it.”

Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, faces a series of huge selection decisions ahead of Saturday's FA Cup tie: Simon Bellis/SportimageChris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, faces a series of huge selection decisions ahead of Saturday's FA Cup tie: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, faces a series of huge selection decisions ahead of Saturday's FA Cup tie: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

With the reinforcements Wilder has requested in the transfer market unlikely to arrive before United make the journey to the south-west, there will be a temptation, however, to hand Hackford a more prominent role than the one he enjoyed in London. Wilder has spoken at length about the rejuvenating effect fresh faces would have upon his battle fatigued players. If none are sourced before the clash with Rovers, who are showing signs of finally getting to grips with Tisdale’s methods, Hackford’s presence could bring similar benefits. After failing to score in his first 13 outings for United following a high-profile move from Liverpool, it would raise eyebrows if Rhian Brewster was not given the chance to end that run against a Rovers defence which has been breached 27 times in its last 18 matches.

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