The signing of Patrick Bamford this week raises concerns for Chris Wilder, which are unlikely to be rectified before the January transfer window.
Until then, he has to cross his fingers and hope for the best. Sheffield United’s current dilemma is so severe that a critical issue receives little attention.
When he wasn’t talking about geese or other topics, former Blades manager Nigel Adkins would remind reporters that “football is all about keeping the ball out at one end and scoring at the other end.” Thank you for that, Nige. The man who led United to their lowest League One finish in 33 years, 11th, before Wilder arrived to spark a spectacular turnaround. Adkins’ explanation of the fundamentals of football sounded as if he was addressing the first year of primary school. But it’s a fundamental that the older guys at Shirecliffe are trying to grasp.
The summer departure of Anel Ahmedhodjic left a significant vacuum at the back. So much so that United ended up signing six central defenders. That is clearly artificial and lacks intelligence. Ahmedhodjic, a Swedish-born retired Bosnian international, has expressed amazement that United sold him for just £7 million. Feyenoord, his new club, was supposedly willing to pay more. While the focus was on the backline, the attacking end of the pitch was overlooked. Danny Ings arrived late, after Kieffer Moore and Rhian Brewster had left.
This meant that Tyrese Campbell, United’s leading scorer last season, would lead the club’s anticipated promotion drive under Ruben Selles. Okay, fair enough. Assisted by misfiring Tom Cannon, inexperienced teenager Ryan One, who should be growing on loan elsewhere, and 33-year-old Ings.
He has a solid track record, but he also has fitness issues. Cannon and One have only scored one competitive goal each for United. Ings’ last goal was for West Ham 12 months ago. His only goal came in 17 appearances for the Hammers last season. His final appearance for them was in early March. Ings, who may be a game changer if he avoids injuries, made a brief appearance in United’s loss to Middlesbrough but has since been sidelined due to a fitness issue. On the surface, this does not look good for a club that is supposed to challenge for promotion. Which is why Bamford, who was rejected by Leeds United and decided to terminate a contract in its last year, appears to have entered the picture briefly. Wilder famously referred to the same striker as “a muppet” in a legendary spat. Bamford has scored 60 goals for Leeds in all competitions, although he went scoreless last season. Injury has limited him to only 18 games throughout his seven years at Elland Road, leaving a huge question mark as Leeds marched towards 100 points and the Premier League.
Bamford’s latest goal came in April 2024. So, if accurate, United’s stated interest could have been the result of any port in a storm. Bamford, meanwhile, is thought to be close to signing with Spanish top flight club Getafe. Wilder said that after losing at home to Charlton Athletic last weekend, his third homecoming to the Blades, he would have been content with a clean sheet. Something you would never have expected the manager to say at home to a club that competed in League One last season.
But given the horrific circumstances he has inherited, needs must. Priority is given to strengthening a leaky defense that lacks discipline – where is Jack Robinson when you need him? Giving up soft goals, nearly all 13 in the Championship, has become an unwelcome characteristic that Blades fans could not have predicted before the season began. It’s hardly the most serious issue, though. That is something that can be worked out on the training ground, ideally sooner rather than later. Japhet Tanganga, the club’s new addition, has shown that he is the foundation upon which to grow. It is primarily a matter of organisation and awareness.
United have a wealth of quality in a midfield that is still recovering from the ‘Selles effect’. Although this is critical to everything United wants to accomplish, it is not an issue to be overly concerned about. It’s too fantastic to fail if a solid plan is in place. Wilder and his coaching staff will make certain of that. No, the real issue is right up front. Campbell carries the weight of United’s universe on his shoulders. God forbid that he is wounded.
United’s owners, COH Sports, are solely accountable for a failure to perform, which has resulted in United finishing last in the table with no points and one goal following six consecutive league defeats. Their whole plan appears to be as imbalanced as their move into the final transfer window. Delay and obstacle to begin with, followed by scattergun hysteria near the wire. Despite his American bosses’ insane approach to recruitment, Wilder still has more than enough to work with, and the majority of the current issues can be handled. Hopefully beginning at Oxford United, when things began to go wrong in April with the first of three consecutive defeats that altered the trajectory of the season.
But for now, the thin red line up front is just that.
Ramos and that Bulgarian connection
It’s safe to say that most United fans were unaware of Bulgarian club Botev Plovdiv before the summer. They are now, but the relationship remains unknown. United named Guilherme Ramos, a “ex-Nottingham Forest” coach, as their new first-team coach this week. That is to put a positive spin on the 40-year-old Portuguese arrival.
Ramos last visited Forest’s training ground nearly four years ago. He worked briefly as Sabri Lamouch’s assistant before spending more time with Chris Hughton. Since then, he has accompanied fellow Portuguese Bruno Baltazar, who was on the coaching staff at Forest, to Rochester New York FC, Botev Provdiv – Radomiak Radom of Poland, and, most recently, a two-month stint at French club Caen. He was part of the cut when Baltazar was fired after failing to win a single point in his first seven games at the Ligue 2 club.
Wilder stated in what appeared to be a press release: “He’s a young coach, but he’s developed a remarkable CV working in different nations with some of the game’s most famous figures. I believe it is a progressive appointment for all sides, and he is someone we are thrilled to work with.” I don’t doubt the manager’s desire to shake up his backroom personnel, including usual No. 2 Alan Knill and coach Matt Prestridge. Jack Lester, of course, left for Brentford before Wilder returned.
However, I believe it is rather out of left field, and there is a question to be answered about the Bulgarian connection that keeps coming up. United recruited Christian Nwachukwu and Ehije Ukaki from Botev Plovdiv this year. The name of former professional gambler James Bord, who has no formal function at the Lane but appears to have a significant effect on United’s transfer activity, is also Bulgarian. Septemvri Sofia has a minority stake and is currently ranked last in the country’s top league.
He is the founder of analytics business Short Circuit Science and looks to be driving United’s American owners’ artificial data and AI approach. Bord, who was born in Britain and now lives in Las Vegas, became a joint owner of Scottish Championship club Dunfermline Athletic in January. He also owns a minority investment in the Spanish club Cordoba. United recruited Peruvian midfielder Jefferson Cáceres for an undisclosed sum in February, and he joined Dunfermline last month. There appears to be a web being woven here, which must be explained unless you believe in coincidence.
United appear to have snatched Ramos out of the ether, a man with a random and unknown career before and after his time at Forest who just happens to have a Bulgarian link. Of course, I could be incorrect. However, this does not look like a usual Wilder appointment. I genuinely hope that someone with no status at the club, and hence unaccountable, is no longer influencing a discredited ownership that should know better.
Bannon is too kind!
Sheffield United women’s team, like their male counterparts, are experiencing an uncomfortable start to the season.
Joint-bottom of the second tier, and recently appointed manager Ash Thompson “unavailable” with no explanation given. They too, are without a win and similarly have mustered one league goal, but at least have a point.
The latest defeat came at Portsmouth’s Fratton Park on Sunday, 24 hours after yet another struggling team from Sheffield sprung a surprise win on the same ground.
Barry Bannon, skipper of said side and particularly disliked by Blades fans, whom he enjoys baiting, and vice versa, had some genuine words of encouragement for Wilder as the manager was still processing the manner of the defeat to Charlton. “They find themselves in a tough situation as well [as us],” Bannon informed us. “I understand they have reappointed Chris Wilder. They have a good group, therefore I believe they’ll start collecting up points. The Blades manager admires Bannon, whom he describes as “a proper footballer”. Compliments don’t get much bigger in Wilder-speak. But I’m not sure he’ll be comforted by what appears to be a reciprocal compliment from a man who bleeds blue and white.
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