Time for Tom Cannon to take next Sheffield United step after flashes of promise justify belief in £10m man
Tom Cannon’s first full season at Sheffield United has brought frustration as well as flashes of promise, but the striker now faces a big opportunity to justify Chris Wilder’s faith and establish himself as a key figure next term.
He came in for a big fee and with a big reputation, but it’s probably fair to say that Tom Cannon has not quite fully fired in a Sheffield United shirt yet. There have, though, been glimpses of what he can offer.
The latest came with a vital goal on the final day of the season at Derby County as United came from behind to end a disappointing season on a high note. A lovely curled finish which should have made the points safe at home to Swansea, before familiar defensive issues saw two more points dropped.
And, of course, that goal away at Hillsborough in the derby rout over Wednesday. Six goals in 37 appearances is not the return either player or club would have hoped for in the summer but there have been highs as well as lows.
One saw him omitted from the United squad entirely, with a very public challenge from boss Chris Wilder to add more aggression to his game. He certainly took it on board, occupying defenders a lot more. United’s goal away at Norwich leaps to mind as one caused by his perseverance.
Strikers are judged on goals, though, and when they don’t flow freely then scrutiny and criticism inevitably do. Cannon is still only 23 years old, though, and still seems to be searching for his place in this United set-up.
The hope is that the final-day finish will give his confidence a further boost, followed by a return to the Republic of Ireland set-up - albeit a rather second-string one also featuring United teammates Mark McGuinness and Chieo Ogbene.
But he also cannot afford to let it become another false dawn. With uncertainty over Tyrese Campbell’s form, fitness and future, there is an opportunity for Cannon to stick up his hand and become Wilder’s go-to option when he looks for a stretch player to partner Patrick Bamford.
For all concerned, it’s one he has to be ready to take. “We've still got young players,” said Wilder after the Derby game. “I look at the age and experience of our group, compared to the likes of Coventry's group and Middlesbrough's group.
“Tom's 23. Femi Seriki is 22. Sydie and Blaster [Oliver Arblaster] are playing in there. Brooksy [Andre Brooks] is still to come back, Ryan One comes back next year. Harrison Burrows is a young player and he's had to deal with a bit of disappointment.
“These boys have had to deal with a little bit of disappointment this season, when it's been on top. They've played in pressure situations and it's been a real test of character for them. But they'll be better for the experience.
“Tom’s got a good career ahead of him. When we were making the substitutions [not long after his equaliser], we felt that was the right thing to do at that time. And it gave us a little bit more control. But Tom's a good player and hopefully we’ll get a good pre-season into him. We've got some good options at the top of the pitch.”