Don Goodman, a Sky Sports analyst, has cautioned Sunderland and Sheffield United about one Blades player they must keep quiet about at Wembley as they get ready for the Championship play-off final.
“They couldn’t handle him”—Goodman emphasises the significance of Kieffer Moore
Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Goodman was asked who Sunderland should be most concerned about ahead of the Championship play-off final.
“I think the answer to which Sheffield United player Sunderland need to be aware of is Kieffer Moore,” pointed out Goodman.
“I believe you only need to look at the two play-off semi-finals versus Bristol City. “They couldn’t handle him.” “They couldn’t handle his physical presence; he was just an absolute handful.”
Moore was instrumental in Sheffield United’s emphatic victory against Bristol City, scoring the first goal in the second leg to give the Blades a 4-0 aggregate lead. He used his physicality and experience to perfection.
Moore’s absence proved expensive during Sheffield United’s promotion campaign.
Goodman cited a critical period in the season when Sheffield United’s promotion prospects dwindled, suggesting Moore’s absence from the starting lineup may have played a role.
“It was interesting to note the week that cost them any chance of automatic promotion, when they lost to Oxford, Millwall, and Plymouth.” Kieffer Moore didn’t start any of those games,” Goodman observed.
“But he was brought into the fold against Burnley, in a massive game, and he acquitted himself well.”
| Kieffer Moore last 5 Championship seasons (as per Fotmob) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Games | Goals | Assists | |
| 2024/25 – Sheffield United | 23 | 6 | – | |
| 2023/24 – Ipswich Town | 18 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2021/22 – Cardiff City (Bournemouth) | 26 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2020/21 – Cardiff City | 42 | 20 | 1 | |
| 2019/20 – Wigan Athletic | 36 | 10 | ||
While Moore, at 32, is no longer a prolific goalscorer, his link-up play and ability to hold the ball up have made him a valuable option for Championship managers, as Chris Wilder discovered during Sheffield United’s run-in and subsequent two-legged play-off semi-final.
Moore would earn his second promotion in a row if Sheffield United won the play-offs, having previously helped Ipswich reach the Premier League a year ago.
Sunderland must be ready for a physical confrontation.
Heading into the all-important play-off final at Wembley Stadium, Sunderland must be cautious of Moore’s presence, as well as Sheffield United’s overall quality following their Premier League relegation last season.
With Sunderland in mind, head coach Regis Le Bris has been able to instill a strong feeling of maturity through the arrivals of Wilson Isidor, Chris Mepham, Alan Browne, and Enzo Le Fee, with whom Le Bris had worked at Lorient.
All of this knowledge and game management will be necessary against the Championship’s third-place team.
Following a stunning victory over Coventry earlier this week, attention now shifts to a Sheffield United team with exceptional technical and athletic abilities.
If target man Kieffer Moore starts for the Blades under the Wembley arch, the Black Cats must keep a tight eye on the experienced Welshman.
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