Chris Wilder might have already hinted at Patrick Bamford's Sheffield United role
Sheffield United have beefed up their attacking options by adding Patrick Bamford to their ranks on a free transfer.
Depending on the outcome of Norwich City’s trip to Birmingham City next Saturday, the first Steel City derby of the season at Hillsborough next Sunday could see the Championship’s bottom two collide.
Sheffield United, who signed off for the international break with a goalless draw against QPR last weekend, are currently 22nd in the table, one point ahead of 23rd-placed Norwich, while Wednesday prop up the division on -4 points after recently being hit with a 12-point deduction for going into administration.
Following a summer of chaos and carnage at Hillsborough, Wednesday’s predicament has not come as a surprise to anyone, whereas nobody expected United to be languishing in the position they currently find themselves in, meaning Chris Wilder and his players are under immense pressure to turn things around as quickly as possible.
MORE: Sheffield United have taken a risk with Patrick Bamford signing - but it's a gamble worth taking
Although the summer’s transfer window was busy at Bramall Lane, featuring plenty of incomings, the impact of United’s new arrivals have had has been minimal. As a result, Wilder has already highlighted the importance of the January window.
Until the window opens just after Christmas, though, Wilder is having to try and get the best out of what he’s got. Unfortunately, his team has not been good enough at either end of the pitch so far this term, scoring just 11 goals and conceding 26 in their opening 15 Championship outings this term.
In a bid to try and improve their attacking output, United, on Thursday, confirmed the signing of Patrick Bamford on a short-term deal. The striker was available on a free transfer after leaving Leeds United in August.
Concerns about his injury record and how long it might take United to get him up to speed have been shared, but signing him represents a gamble the Blades, at this juncture, are within their rights to take as they search for a solution to their goalscoring troubles.
Scoring 69 goals in his Championship career, Bamford does boast a respectable record at this level, meaning United will have identified that as a strength when weighing up a move for him.
Wilder has recently switched his formation
Recently, in an effort to try and improve United’s hit rate in front of goal, Wilder has tweaked his system to accommodate a front-two. Tyrese Campbell was supported by Tom Cannon up front against Coventry, while Ings came into the team at Cannon’s expense to partner Campbell against QPR.
A change in shape did, although United failed to beat either of their two aforementioned opponents, losing 3-1 and drawing 0-0 respectively, trigger an upturn in performance levels. The Blades competed well between both boxes against Coventry and had the best of the chances against QPR, meaning a system that features a front-two, opposed to a lone frontman, could remain Wilder’s blueprint in his search for a change in fortunes.
It remains to be seen how long it may take for Bamford to get up to speed after not kicking a ball in anger since May, but once he is deemed fit enough to be considered as a starter, he might find himself forming a partnership with Campbell, who has started all but one game since Wilder returned to the club in September.
MORE: Link-up play, injuries and workrate - an expert view on Patrick Bamford's Sheffield United move
Campbell, who excelled in his first season in S2 last term, is a striker that likes to play on the shoulder of a defender and use his pace to run in behind, whereas Bamford’s personal game is more about his link-up play and bringing others into the game.
With that in mind, they could develop a partnership that offers a blend of different qualities that gives United a variation at the tip of their attack. Wilder’s recent switch to a front-two, first with Cannon and then with Ings, suggests he wants to implement a system that will see Campbell get some much-needed support up front.
For much of his Leeds career, Bamford often found himself playing up front on his own, spearheading Leeds’ attack in a 4-2-3-1 system. However, Wilder’s recent tactical switch suggests he might find himself operating alongside a strike partner at Bramall Lane.