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Manchester City travel to Bramhall Lane on Saturday, hoping to inflict a Halloween horror show on struggling Sheffield United.
The Blades have taken just a solitary point for their opening six fixtures and are second from bottom in the Premier League table, just above Fulham on goal difference only. United have scored just three goals so far this season and picked up their point in their home match against Fulham two weeks ago.
This time last season, the newly promoted Blades had won eight points after six matches, beating Crystal Palace at home and Everton away and drawing at Bournemouth and Chelsea and their only defeats came at home to Leicester and Southampton, but this season is already proving to be a big test of the Sheffield steel.
Who’s In And Out?
The Blades had a busy transfer window, bringing in eight new signings, with the most recent addition being Rhian Brewster from Liverpool. Other arrivals have seen Aaron Ramsdale join from Bournemouth, Max Lowe and Jason Bogle from Derby, Oliver Burke from West Brom and Kacper Lopata from Brighton. Ismaila Coulibaly arrived in September from Sarpsborg 08 then immediately went out on loan and Wes Fotheringham made the journey south from Glasgow Rangers. Centre back Ethan Amadu has also signed for the club on loan from Chelsea.
Fourteen players were released by the club since July, while two, Jake Young and Christopher Farrugia were allowed to leave on a free transfers to Forest Green Rovers and Santa Lucia respectively. Only Callum Robinson’s transfer to West Brom was an actual sale.
Danger Men
David McGoldrick, Billy Sharpe and Sander have all scored a Premier League goal each, but McGoldrick did score against Burnley in the League Cup. McGoldrick has had eight shots in seven games, but his accuracy is only 38% and his goal conversion rate is just 25%.
Assists have fallen to Max Lowe and George Baldock, with the latter posing the biggest threat. Both have one assist each, but Baldock has attempted more passes, 166 in total, completing 134. Lowe has made just 34 passes, completing 24, however he has only played two games so far this season.
Who’s The Boss?
Sheffield United fan Chris Wilder is in charge of his boyhood team, and has been at the helm since May 2016. Wilder signed a three year extension to his contract in July 2019, before signing a four year extension in January 2020.