Football League World
·18 October 2024
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsFootball League World
·18 October 2024
Kieffer Moore's performances for the Blades are put under the spotlight
This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Sheffield United return from the international break looking to continue the fine form that has seen them pick up more points than anyone in the second tier during the opening nine league games of the season.
If it wasn’t for a two-point deduction handed to them before the campaign began, the Blades would be out on their own at the top of the table, but as it stands, they sit level with leaders Sunderland on 19 points, and still remain unbeaten.
With just three goals conceded so far, the Steel City outfit have been doing the business at the defensive end of the field, while the attacking unit has been efficient, with 12 goals enough to secure six victories and three draws.
With that in mind, we spoke to Football League World’s Sheffield United fan pundit Jimmy - from Blades Ramble - about his views on summer recruit Kieffer Moore, and his impact so far in the final third.
Moore has established a reputation for himself in recent years as a player who can help lead a side to Championship promotion, having played his part in AFC Bournemouth’s success in 2022, before getting Ipswich Town over the line in the previous campaign.
Therefore, it was seen as a shrewd move by Chris Wilder to pick up the striker this summer, with the Welsh international signing a three-year contract at Bramall Lane.
Since then, the 32-year-old has featured in every league match for the Yorkshire outfit, with his work rate up top creating space for his teammates to exploit as play enters the final third.
His selflessness gives the likes of Gus Hamer, Callum O’Hare and Ollie Arblaster the chance to strut their stuff going forward, while his considerable frame makes him the perfect base to aim balls towards and build from.
As a result, he is a player who is never going to have the most prolific goal returns, as his one strike so far against Queens Park Rangers proved, and his efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by Jimmy, who has been pleased with what he has seen from the recent arrival so far.
When asked about Moore’s impact since joining, the Blades fan said: “Kieffer Moore has been an excellent signing for Sheffield United so far.
“It is a really difficult job being a lone striker in any team, only Erling Haaland makes it look easy, so it is tough being up there on your own, but Kieffer Moore can do a little bit of everything.
“His goalscoring record probably isn’t what he would like it to be, but he has been involved in a lot of our goals this season.”
Although the Blades continue to rack up the points, there will be a demand to improve their return of just 12 goals from their nine league matches, especially if their impressive defensive numbers start to falter.
While the backline stays firm, the issues at the other end of the pitch won’t be in the spotlight, but if their remarkable run of clean sheets come to an end, there will be more emphasis on producing the goods at the other end of the pitch.
While that doesn’t fall on Moore precisely, Jimmy is aware of the issues at hand and he is of the belief that the summer signing will bring out the best from his teammates as his understanding develops.
He continued: “We do need to improve on our goal output, but that is something we are working on collectively, and it is not necessarily seen as just Kieffer Moore’s job.
“But the way he holds up the ball, brings others into play, I think he has been a fantastic signing, and for those who can’t see his impact, hopefully he will continue to work hard and leave a lasting impression on those that aren’t quite convinced yet.
“But I think most of us are already convinced with Kieffer Moore: Great signing.”