Chris Wilder may have found a new undroppable for Sheffield United.
The idea of Ben Mee starting three games in eight days for Sheffield United before their 1-0 victory over Oxford United last month seemed a little unrealistic given that he hadn’t booted a ball in anger since March.
But after working with the Blades for weeks, the former Burnley and Brentford player was signed on deadline day. He defied expectations by starting against Oxford, Southampton, and most recently, Hull City. The 36-year-old, who has a wealth of experience, played 90 minutes against Oxford and Hull in addition to finishing a very respectable 83 minutes in last Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to Southampton at Bramall Lane.
The Blades had given up seven goals in their last three games before Chris Wilder added Mee to the starting lineup. They have only given up three goals in their last three games since he joined the team. Naturally, the Blades have not seen a dramatic change in form since Mee joined the squad; in fact, he has lost two of his first three games. But ever since he was selected for the starting lineup, they have been more cohesive. A guy with Mee’s level of experience at the back is crucial because United is in a rut. He has made more than 150 appearances in the Championship and nearly 280 Premier League games.
After a rush of defensive additions towards the end of the transfer window, Wilder seems to have decided on his preferred backline, switching to a back-three for the losses to Hull and Southampton. Mark McGuinness started in the middle, Mee was on the left, and Japhet Tanganga played centre back on the right side.
On paper, United has one of the best first-choice defences in the competition. It has a good balance of height, power, pace, and experience. Mee offers plenty of the latter. Mee, who was making his debut at the Kassam Stadium, received a lot of praise for his performance when he helped United win their first and only game of the season at Oxford nearly two weeks ago. At full time, Wilder also shoved him in front of the away end to make sure the travelling supporters gave him his flowers.
Mee’s first start since last December, when Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion drew goallessly the day after Boxing Day, came in the triumph at Oxford. Mee’s subsequent admission that he felt “a little bit rusty” was scarcely shocking. “I was a little rusty at times, but things will get better for me, I’m sure,” he said on BBC Radio Sheffield.
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