Sheff Utd show lack of Premier League quality as Aurier proves himself to be…quite good at football | OneFootball

Serge Aurier celebrates Nottingham Forest's win against Sheffield United.

Taiwo Awoniyi scored a record-equalling goal thanks to a wonderful Serge Aurier assist as Sheffield United were exposed for their lack of Premier League quality in their 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

At the start of last season, Bournemouth and Fulham were written off by everyone and their dog. This season’s written-off pair are Sheffield United and Luton Town, who seem destined to return to the Championship unlike the aforementioned duo, who stayed up comfortably. The Blades and Hatters will hope for an identical outcome in 2023/24, though the former did not show much to prove the doubters wrong on Friday evening.

Writing a club off after two games is a very silly thing to do but when you look at that Sheffield United squad you have to fear for them. From the goalkeeper to the striker, there are barely any Premier League footballers in there and you get the impression they are settling for going down and being in a strong position to come straight back up.

There are money problems at Bramall Lane and that has greatly hindered their transfer window when it comes to both incoming and outcoming transfers. Losing Ilman Ndiaye before a ball was kicked was a huge blow and only added confidence to those who have tipped them to go down.

On Friday night against Nottingham Forest there was one man who showed a piece of individual brilliance befitting of an Our League player. Signed from Coventry City last week after a superb 2022/23 campaign, Gustavo Hamer started for the Blades and scored an absolute peach in what was a decent performance. His curling effort ended up meaning nothing, however, thanks to an early header from Taiwo Awoniyi and a late header from Chris Wood.

Awoniyi is a player who has proven himself to be a handful for any central defender, scoring his eighth goal in six Premier League appearances, which is not a statistic that should be taken lightly. His thunderous third-minute header gave Wes Foderingham no chance and while he did not do much afterward, he once again led the line with purpose and continues to make the £17million Forest paid look like a bargain.

Awoniyi’s header made it six consecutive Premier League appearances with a goal, the longest streak for any Nigerian player and equalled a club record set in March and April 1995 by Stan Collymore. Not bad, that.

And there was one big thing both Forest goals had in common: they came from a Serge Aurier assist. Where was this player at Tottenham? He put two crosses on a plate for two different target men. The first, Awoniyi couldn’t miss – although the finish was still brilliant – and for the second Wood had a bit more to do, steering a more awkward cross into Foderingham’s goal.

When Aurier was at Spurs he was known for being a liability, someone who was rash in the tackle, and did not offer much defensively or going forward; but for Forest, he has been a leader, shown incredible energy down the right flank, and is contributing with assists in crucial games in the Premier League. Is it too early to say this one was a six-pointer?

The signing of Aurier was no doubt laughed at by rival fans and probably some Forest fans as well but it has been a justified risk, just like keeping Steve Cooper in charge was. Cooper was staring down the barrel countless times last season and should keep Forest in the Premier League again with his newer players a lot more settled, especially No. 9, Awoniyi.

Sheffield United, on the other hand, are in trouble. They do not have the money to reinvest which makes their relegation feel like a foregone conclusion. As touched on, writing a team off this early is something only a mug would do, especially after Bournemouth’s 22/23 campaign, but…write ‘mug’ on my forehead because it is bloody hard not to when you look at Paul Heckingbottom’s squad.