There is an adage that states every game in the Championship is a hard game. However, there are certain fixtures which look extremely difficult, and some would say borderline impossible. Sheffield United away in midweek ticks that box.
From the last five meetings the Blades have won three and lost one, the other match was a draw. That’s since 2019. Within that run the tomorrows hosts have won 3-0 and 4-0 in the last two fixtures at Bramall Lane. Sheffield United sit in sixth place and the Swans in ninth. Last Sundays game against Bristol City (1-1) could have seen the Swans on equal points with the Blades, but the traditional Swansea monster reappeared in the second half to assist the visitors to gain a point. They could have had all three.
Sheffield United haven’t lost over their last five games this season, winning three and drawing two, the Swans have lost once during that period. In fact the Blades haven’t lost this season, winning four and drawing three with a total points tally of fifteen. Does that sound odd ? Well, yes, but it is easily explained. There was a penalty imposed on the club. ‘That penalty relates to the Blades defaulting on payments to other clubs during the 2022-23 season, at the end of which they won promotion from the Championship to the Premier League. A further two-point deduction has been suspended until the end of the season in which the initial deduction is enforced, and will only be imposed if the club defaults on further payments’
Had this not been imposed the Blades would be putting pressure on West Bromwich Albion at the top of the league. Gustavo Hamer stands out as the Blades top goalscorer with four, but assists from Callum O’Hare and Andre Brooks have produced four goals from seven games. Swans summer target Tyrese Campbell isn’t making a huge difference to the United squad, he is yet to make his full debut seeing out the last three games on the bench. He did make an appearance as substitute during the first game of the season away to Portsmouth in a 0-0 draw.
The dangers that Sheffield United possess are all over the pitch, and at Championship level this very much looks like a squad which will return to the Premier League. Welsh Internarionals Rhys Norrington-Davies and Kieffer Moore also feature at the club. Davies has made one sub appearance, and is currently viewed as back up playing in the ‘less important’ games’ and the Premier League Cup. Moore on the other hand has one goal from six appearances, he has though been subbed in three of those. The thirty two year old has very decent performance stats, over 7/10. Another old face to the Swans is Rhian Brewster, he hasn’t started this season and spends most of his time on the bench. Rhian has played fifty five minutes of football this season.
Swansea City have had some excellent away attendances this season in the Championship, albeit bar Middlesbrough which saw some five hundred plus travel. Coventry and West Bromwich Albion has seen travelling supports of 1,800 at West Brom (below) and 1,300 at Coventry. For tomorrow evening it’s a nigh on five hundred mile round trip from Swansea, that usually takes around nine hours return without factoring in delays. At least a half day from work, college etc, and little sleep when getting home is in the mix too. There will be another decent Jack Army turn out for such a long journey, but it could well be the lowest travelling support of the season so far. Mind you, would you do it ?
Blades manager, Chris Wilder has his side finely tuned already this season, no Championship losses signify that. Swans head coach, Luke Williams spoke immediately after the draw with Bristol City on Sky (the Sky broadcast, not the club edited Swans TV feature) and was openly angry. We have to question why, yes the game didn’t go well, but we feel, and information indicates it goes far beyond that. Three contracts are yet to be confirmed for Liam Cullen, Harry Darling and Ben Cabango. There are also promising U21 players in the same boat.
We reported on a conversation with Andrew Coleman on the weekend.
⚽️ Thats here —> Andrew knows ?
Nelson Abbey, on loan from Olympiacos is yet to make a start, this game feels a bit too much for him at this stage, however, his career total over the last four years is thirty six games, and some of them have been in cup competitions. Do the Swans risk that to exchange him for Harry Darling or Ben Cabango ? At Sheffield United ? There has been mention of him playing in Josh Tymon’s position, a left sided defensive role, again Abbey has only played in that position once in his career. He does prefer a left sided position though.
Isn’t that a square peg situation again ?
The other general view is that Ronald is given a rest, it isn’t happening for him this season so far, not all the time, maybe we should see Florian Bianchini ? There’s a few conundrums for Luke Williams, not least the quality he has in players like Sam Parker. Ben Cabango has commented on the game as well. "We 100 per cent want to keep that unbeaten run going. We know it will be a tough test, and we know they are going to be a top team. They have just been relegated from the Premier League and it is going to be a really good test for us. Hopefully we can go up there and give a good performance and get a result.”
⚽️ Fans Info
Generally Sheffield United do open up for ‘Pay on the day’ for visiting supporters. Check before the game. Parking is really difficult, we suggest you book the closest car park, APCOA Car Park
Eyre Street, Sheffield, S1 4QW. If you download the APCOA app and put in the code SUFCDAY there is parking for £8, could be less.
⚽️ Fancy a pre match drop ?
Sheaf Island (a Wetherspoons pub located on Eccleshall Road) accepts both home and away fans. The Beer Engine (located on Cemetery Road) and the Globe (located near the railway station) have also been mentioned as possible options for away trips. But again check latest info.
More on this game and the build up later on the Indy.