Sheffield United have had a disastrous start to their season, but all’s not lost for Chris Wilder’s side.
On May 24th, Sheffield United faced Sunderland with 90 minutes between them and a place back in the Premier League.
Under the stewardship of club legend Chris Wilder, SUFC looked to be a team on the up again after a dismal previous season in the top-flight. They amassed only 16 points whilst conceding a record 104 goals.
Image courtesy of: SCOTT HEPPELL/REUTERS.
However’ a 95th-minute Tom Watson goal condemned the Blades to a stay in the second tier, and things have gone from bad to worse ever since.
An underwhelming summer transfer window where the Blades brought in 17 new players for just under alongside the sacking of a club favourite in Wilder has led to Sheffield United’s worst start to a season in over 30 years.
The Blades have so far lost nine out of their opening 10 matches in all competitions. Their 1-0 defeat to Hull City in the last game before the international break has left Sheffield United rock bottom of the Championship table, below even their crisis-stricken neighbours Sheffield Wednesday.
Now, in his second stint in just six months following the hiring and firing of Ruben Selles, Wilder has to draw from the magic he has been able to capture in seasons gone by in order to help SUFC climb the table once again. For a squad lacking in confidence after suffering such a turgid start to the season, it’s paramount he gets his main men back up to speed again.
One of the few mainstays in his previous side that achieved 92 points last campaign, Gustavo Hamer, will be key to the sides revival under Wilder.
The Brazilian was pivotal for Sheffield United last season, playing almost every game under Wilder while racking up an impressive 18 goal contributions from midfield.
Image courtesy of: JASON CAIRNDUFF/REUTERS.
What’s gone wrong for Gustavo Hamer this season?
Hamer’s form was so impressive last campaign that it led to him being awarded the Championship Player of the Season award. However, under Selles, the Brazillian was moved around the pitch as the boss prioritised a 4-3-3 system, which attempted to focus more on width and counter-attacking.
This stylistic change from Wilders 4-2-3-1 system has led to a severe drop off in form for Hamer.
The Midfielder has only contributed one assist and was even left out of the XI for Sheffield United’s trip to Ipswich Town, in which they lost 5-0. Whilst Hamer has still racked up over 780 minutes so far this season, he’s shared his time on the pitch far more than last season.
He hasn’t been the main man like he was under Wilder, and he will have to put right as he looks to build some form of momentum.
Image courtesy of: ANDREW BOYERS/REUTERS.
Sheffield United’s main difference-maker?
Harmer is an immensely talented player. He is arguably Sheffield United’s most gifted player and he needs to be deployed as such.
Wilder will know how big his goals and assists will be as SUFC try and salvage something from their season after one of the worst starts in the club’s history outside the top flight.
Gustavo Hamer’s Sheffield United stats – via Transfermarkt
With Hamer deployed in the midfield alongside academy graduate Sydie Peck, the attack-minded Callum O’Hare can be freed up to join the attack knowing the space behind him is covered by two very talented players. This could be the change that ignites the Blades’ season, O’Hare is an extremely creative player who has the ability to bring in wingers whilst also acting as a second striker when the Blades dominate possession.
Getting Hamer into the right spaces could be the key to finally kickstarting this disjointed and dysfunctional Sheffield United side who are staring at what could be a truly disastrous season.