Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder celebrates. (Getty Images)
Sheffield United’s season has been off to a solid start. Following their 2-2 draw against Rotherham United this past weekend, Chris Wilder’s men are currently stationed 4th in the EFL Championship standings, with 34 points from 19 games (W10, D3, L5), four points off of leaders Norwich City.
The hopes of promotion are burning bright at Bramall Lane, given the start that the Blades have made. But the fact that they have won just two of their last six Championship outings indicates the fact that there is still plenty of work to be done for Wilder and his team.
It is also evidence enough that the club could do with some reinforcements in the January transfer window, given the long and arduous nature of the Championship coupled with their involvement in the FA Cup moving forward. To that end, here are two areas on the pitch that Sheffield United would benefit most from strengthening in the winter;
The striker position has been an issue for the Blades despite club captain Billy Sharp’s excellent form. The 32-year-old has netted 11 times in 17 games in all competitions but hasn’t been supported well enough at the top by his strike partners.
David McGoldrick, who arrived in the summer from Ipswich Town, has netted just five times in 19 matches and missed a crucial penalty in the derby against Sheffield Wednesday prior to the international break. Leon Clarke, who was the third-highest goal-getter in the Championship last season, has found the net just twice, while Conor Washington is yet to open the scoring.
This has left Sharp to carry the majority of the goalscoring burden for Sheffield United and an injury to the captain could leave them exposed. Hence, to ease some pressure off the 32-year-old and add more firepower to their attack, a new centre-forward would be a smart addition for the Blades.
Mark Duffy has had to shoulder the creative responsibilities in the middle of the park for the Blades this term. But, given that he is 33, Wilder needs to manage his workload and cannot afford to risk burning him out, especially with the promotion battle at stake.
Ben Woodburn was signed on loan from Liverpool but the teenage sensation has struggled to make much of an impact at the Bramall Lane. The Wales international has just featured 7 times in the Championship, only one of which has come from the start, and has failed to score or assist a single goal.
With a return to Liverpool in the January window on cards for the 19-year-old (h/t Wales Online), Sheffield United must look to add another midfielder who can provide the creative spark in the attacking third in the January transfer window.
