After finishing 20th in the top tier the previous season, the Blades made a comeback to the Championship after Chris Wilder was unable to keep the team in the division.
Despite suffering a two-point deduction punishment from the EFL, the Yorkshire team has had a strong start to the season and is still in the running for an automatic promotion spot.
Due to Sheffield United’s hectic summer and high player turnover, Wilder had to change the team’s style of play.
The 57-year-old has switched to a more conventional back four configuration after years of playing in a back three formation.
Blades Ramble’s Jimmy, a Sheffield United supporter on FLW, responded favourably to a question on whether he enjoyed the team’s current style of play.
He thinks the present findings show that everything is functioning as planned, but that it may take another window or two to finish the switch.
Jimmy said to Football League World, “I do like the style that we’re playing.”
Since we’ve played three at the back for so long—a style that, strangely, Chris Wilder introduced to the team—it’s taking some getting used to from Blades.
“After that, we hired for years using the three-at-the-back formation—wing-backs, no wingers, etc.
However, he has essentially rebuilt our club’s philosophy and playing style because to the high player churn in the summer.
We play a 4-2-3-1, and Wilder has selected a four at the back, which is, I believe, what most clubs are doing these days in modern football. There has been a significant influx of new players.
“At this point, we haven’t really had the personnel to play it flush because we’ve only had one window to change the roster.
For instance, we don’t have a traditional left-winger.
But it’s winning football, so far, so good.
“So far, so good with the new style, even though I didn’t particularly like the style.”
Sheffield United league position
Due to a lower goal differential, Sheffield United is now in second place in the Championship standings, tied with leaders Sunderland on points.
The Blades had just defeated fierce rivals Sheffield Wednesday in a decisive derby day match going into the November international break.
After 15 games, Wilder’s team returned to the automatic promotion spots thanks to a goal by Tyrese Campbell in the 50th minute.
On November 23, Sheffield United will travel to play Coventry City.
Change in style is working for Sheffield United
When the Blades were promoted in 2019, Wilder’s inventive usage of overlapping center-backs garnered a lot of attention, and he gained a reputation for using a back three formation.
Particularly for a coach with his degree of experience, deviating from that approach carries a significant risk.
But so far, it appears to be working, as the club is playing well and achieving the outcomes necessary to maintain their automatic promotion hopes.
Wilder deserves praise for his ability to make this shift, particularly considering that his image in the game was considerably damaged by the last two roles he played before rejoining Bramall Lane.
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