'That's on me' - Chris Wilder makes Sheffield United shape admission as Romelle Donovan point made
Romelle Donovan has not started either of Sheffield United’s last two Championship matches.
Manager Chris Wilder has suggested Sheffield United’s recent switch to a three-at-the-back formation contributed to Romelle Donovan being left out of the starting line-up for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Stoke City.
The Brentford loanee, 19, was left out of Wilder’s starting XI for the second Championship game running amid the latter’s recent decision to change his side’s shape. The Blades chief went to a back three against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, and it instigated an improved performance.
Understandably, Wilder stuck with that system for the second league game running at the bet365 Stadium, and for a time, it looked as though it would be enough to seal all three points following Kalvin Phillips’ opener.
However, Stoke flipped the game on its head with two outstanding strikes in the final 12 minutes, meaning they sealed all three points via goals from Jack McGlynn and Sam Gallagher. Following the latter’s effort with 86 minutes on the clock, Donovan was introduced two minutes later, replacing Jamal Baptiste with the instruction of trying to haul United back into the game.
Having earned just two minutes of football in the last two league games, some Blades supporters have questioned why Wilder has overlooked the winger. However, the Blades boss has highlighted that he is happy with the current shape of his team.
“The shape and the shape of the team was good,” Wilder said. “Yes, we're not absolutely overloading teams, we're not creating a massive amount, but we have to have a base to go from at this particular moment.
“So that's on me, but we still looked good enough. The shape was good out of possession. We know Rom can make an impact, but obviously, when you get to ten minutes to go and you're in a really good position, you don't really need to open a game up.
“So, yes, Tyrese [Campbell] was left out for that.”