When Jack O’Connell suffered a potentially season-ending injury in September, Sheffield United fans could have been forgiven for optimistically hoping that their side could have a successful season.
O’Connell missed just five Premier League games of the Blades’ inspirational 2019/20 campaign, while fellow defenders John Egan, Chris Basham, Enda Stevens and George Baldock missed only two between them – one of which was through suspension.
But the back five that were virtually ever-present in 2019/20 have been torn apart in 2020/21 by a combination of injuries and illness. Baldock and Stevens have only recently been able to return as wing-backs after persistent struggles in recent months, while Egan and Basham are currently in the treatment room.
Jack Robinson is also currently sidelined with a foot problem, leaving 38-year-old Phil Jagielka and Kean Bryan as the club’s only recognised centre backs. Bryan spent the second half of 2019/20 on loan at League One Bolton having failed to make an appearance for the Blades.
Versatile Chelsea loanee Ethan Ampadu has filled in as a centre back several times this season, while Baldock and Stevens have also moved centrally on occasion with the likes of Jayden Bogle and Max Lowe operating as the wing-backs.
Such instability as a defensive unit is virtually impossible to overcome at the highest level. While Chris Wilder was able to line his side up with a Premier League quality defence last season, sadly what’s been exposed this campaign is their Championship quality bench.
Make no mistake, their patched-up defence is not the only reason Sheffield United are going down this season. Their 16 goals scored after 28 games is worse than all but three sides in the history of the Premier League (Derby 2007/08 – 13, Huddersfield 2018/19 and Aston Villa 2014/15 – both 15).
If you struggle to score goals, and can’t field a consistent defensive unit, you will lose more than you win. That is what has happened to both Sheffield United and reigning champions Liverpool and shows no sign of letting up for either of them.
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