What Sheffield United have shown in pre-season thus far ahead of final test | OneFootball

Sheffield United are preparing to play their final friendly of pre-season tonight, they travel to West Yorkshire to face League One outfit Huddersfield Town.

The Blades have won every game throughout pre-season and each match has been a step up in intensity as well as in terms of the opposition. And Friday night will be no different.

Chris Wilder’s side began their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 win at York City, then followed was a visit to Chesterfield where the Blades won 3-0. United then easily dispatched Harrogate Town 4-1, and then their recent game was a 2-1 victory against South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United.

There has been a clear way of playing throughout these four games: the Blades have adopted a 4-2-3-1 system where the front four have had the licence to interchange positions – while a couple of the drop in the pockets and drag a defender out of the back line, the other players time a run into the space they have created.

The number ten has carried the ball often, but you will notice most of their runs on the ball have been towards the left or right half-space. I believe this is a tactic to basically try and create an overload out wide: ideally you will have the number ten in the half space, the wide player takes up a position where the full-back has the option to either overlap or underlap the two. And this is where I think they’ll be some very neat and fancy football being played this season, especially with the athleticism we now have in the team.

The full-backs, particularly Sam McCallum, have had the option to tuck inside during build-up play which has allowed a free pass into McCallum who is in all sorts of room in the left half space. Because he has a good touch with very good agility and is very quick at short distances, he is able to receive the ball on the half turn and progress the ball quite easily from that situation.

The main double pivot has been Vinicius Souza and Oli Arblaster, and the duo have been taking it in turns to drop to receive the ball from the back line, while the other rotates in midfield ten yards in front of the other to find space for himself but it can also be used as a tactic to pull the opposition midfield away from the centre of the pitch so Anel Ahmedhodzic or Souza have the option to carry the ball forward into a free lane so to speak.

Kieffer Moore has been the main striker since coming through the door and it’s easy to see why. Moore provides United with the option to go direct to his head, chest or feet, and because he is technically very good he can link play up well. He is also deceptively quick for his size so he can offer a pass to feet (as a decoy) and then quickly spin in behind the defence.

Another thing United have done throughout pre-season is press as soon as they turn the ball over, and they’ve been doing it in multiple waves with several players involved – it has been very effective so far.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Sheffield United – Premier League WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 25: Rhian Brewster of Sheffield United during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United at the Molineux.

Sheffield United team news for the visit to Huddersfield Town

This will be Sheffield United’s final pre-season game ahead of their first Championship game, next Friday night away at Preston North End. It will be interesting to see if they can put in another high energy and fast tempo performance.

For Friday night’s game they will unfortunately be without their big Welsh striker Kieffer Moore, who has suffered a whack to the face, according to The Star.

This means that Rhian Brewster will be the only recognised senior striker that will take part in this game for the Blades.

Speaking to Sportsboom ahead of the opening kick-off against Preston North End next Friday, Chris Wilder is well aware of the significance of the upcoming campaign for Rhian Brewster.

Wilder, who originally signed Brewster for a club record fee, has full confidence that the former England youth international will find his form and start performing at his best for the Blades.

The 24-year-old, now entering the final year of his contract, has had a challenging time at Bramall Lane. The former Liverpool youth standout has struggled to maintain a consistent run of games due to recurring injuries, which have affected his sharpness in front of goal. Over 77 appearances for United, Brewster has managed to score only five times.

Wilder will have another player less at his disposal because trialist Andre Dozzell has not been offered a contract by Sheffield United, therefore he will not be travelling with the squad to face the Terriers on Friday night, per The Star.

Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest – Premier League LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 07: Jesurun Rak-Sakyi of Crystal palace in action during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park on October 07, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Blades one of several teams keen on Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

In other news, it has been reported by Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas that Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has several clubs interested in acquiring him on loan for the season. Burnley, Leeds United and Sheffield United are amongst the keen parties from the Championship.

Meanwhile, recently promoted Southampton have made formal bids to try and sign the winger permanently, but Palace are reluctant to sell him just yet, especially to a fellow Premier League team.

Rak-Sakyi’s sole loan spell was during the 2022/23 campaign, where he lit up League One with Charlton Athletic, scoring 15 goals and providing eight assists. His dazzling performances earned him the Supporters’ Player of the Year award. Unfortunately, his career momentum was disrupted last season by a hamstring injury.

With United set to sell Will Osula to Newcastle United, who has been deployed down the left in pre-season and scored two goals, they now need a wide player for the left. Rak-Sakyi would be a perfect fit for the Blades.