The Opposition View with Vital Blades, Sheffield United

These are extraordinary times to be a fan of Sheffield United, as fan site Vital Blades told us ahead of Brighton’s visit to Bramall Lane.

The Blades have been the undoubted surprise package of the 2019-20 Premier League season. Chris Wilder’s side are well in contention for a top six finish and should Manchester City’s ban from European competition be upheld, United could even sneak a Champions League place.

How have they done it? What’s the best way to stop Wilder’s unique overlapping centre backs system? Should Brighton have made more of an effort to sign Sander Berge? And what can the Albion expect on their first visit to the red side of the Steel City for 14 years.

Paul Holland from Sheffield United site Vital Blades gives us some answers.

Last time we spoke to Vital Blades in December, you said Sheffield United fans were slowly starting to dream of Europe. With Manchester City facing the possibility of a European ban and your form showing no signs of slowing, is that becoming more realistic as we enter the final months of the campaign?
United are currently in a healthy position with Premier League status all but secured, and yes there has been the feel of excitement of possibly finishing in a European spot to add an extra flavour to our first campaign in the topflight for many years. In regard to Manchester City, there is the possibility that they could win an appeal and see the original decision overturned.

The last time the Blades were in the Premier League in the 2006-07 season, former chairman Kevin McCabe announced around November time that it was the club’s ambition to “get into Europe in five years.” This season is arguably the closest we’ve ever come in the club’s history to entering either the Europa League or the Champions League. It would be exciting and satisfying to play abroad in a ‘proper’ competition.

Can you sum up just how good this season has been so far for Sheffield United? What have been the highlights?
Since the Blades and Brighton last faced each other, we’ve faced Manchester City twice. Although both games were lost – 2-0 and 1-0 – United pushed City to their limits. In addition, the 1-0 victory at home to an unusual rival in West Ham United was most satisfying – particularly when the Hammers were denied a last-minute goal by VAR.

Who have been your star performers? We’re guessing there haven’t been many disappointments?
There haven’t been many disappointing players at all and at times its hard to choose a ‘star player,’ as they have all played a very good role and non seem to complain if they aren’t first on the team sheet.

The only disappointment thus far would be David McGoldrick’s non-scoring record. The closest he has come was in that win at Brighton when he did all he could to score but despite rounding the keeping, he still missed the target.

Sander Berge is a player that Brighton were heavily linked for in the summer before the price tag apparently put us off. What have you made of him in his brief Sheffield United career so far?
Berge had been linked with several clubs before United announced the signing of the Norwegian international, who at 21 has already played 20 times for his country. Considering the calibre of clubs linked with him, I thought that United were fortunate to sign him and the £22 million fee paid seemed cheap considering the potential he has been talked up to be.

With the winter break, he has only featured in two matches but was highly praised on his debut in a 1-0 victory at Place. He also put a strong shift in his home debut in, another, 2-1 victory after coming from a goal down.

This is our first visit to Bramall Lane since 2006. What can Brighton fans expect from their trip to the Steel City?
Brighton fans won’t expect much to have changed around the Steel City. Bramall Lane looks pretty much the same and Sheffield Wednesday fans still talk about how hard done to they are. The Blades have since built a profitable hotel in the South Stand car park since you last visited.

Sheffield United won the last meeting 1-0 at the Amex back in December. What did you make of the game that day?
The victory back in December – in our first ever visit to the Amex was a very good win. Until back-to-back fixtures at City and Liverpool, the Blades had gone almost 12 months without defeat away from home with the win at the Amex keeping that record ticking over. It’s something which is a difficult and proud achievement for us. Previously, it has been away form which had always destroyed our seasons.

United played well in Brighton, and probably should have scored more. John Egan saw a goal unfortunately disallowed inside the first five minutes, but the new handball rules prevented him getting on the score sheet. McGoldrick should have tallied his first goal of the season and with Neal Maupay’s disallowed goal, the game could have ended up with more goals.

What advice would you give Graham Potter tactically for taking something from the game?
Supporters don’t like to see any opposition team “park the bus,” but since Chris Wilder introduced this overlapping system in 2016 there have been some clubs who have been difficult to beat. In particular, during our season in League One, Walsall beat United thrice that season whilst Fleetwood did well at the Lane. Wednesday too have managed three 0-0 draws in succession, which they have seen more as a victory than a draw.

Newcastle recently claimed a 2-0 victory by playing two banks of four, playing deep in defence.

The title is pretty much sewn up. What are your predictions for the Champions League spots and who is going down?
The championship can surely only be Liverpool’s to lose, and whilst they have history of throwing away league titles, this time their name must be on it. Whilst pundits have been quick to ‘big’ Liverpool up, little has been said that this is how success can be brought to a club when they invest in a manager and give that manager time.

Whether City are expelled from the Champions League or not, they should still finish in the top four, whilst Leicester’s ten-point lead over fifth should be enough to get them over the line.

Tottenham may struggle and Chelsea and the Blades will try and take advantage over Harry Kane and Son’s absence with injury. Although I do believe that other clubs will be too strong for us over the course of the remainder of the season.

The relegation fight will be tough. Norwich look to need a miracle to stay up, and Watford and West Ham might have enough to retain their Premier League status for next season. That leaves a four-way battle with Villa, Bournemouth, Brighton and Crystal Palace – although I can somehow see the latter struggling to finish in the right side of the bottom three.

Finally, a prediction for the game please?
Without a fixture next week, owing to Villa’s League Cup Final, it is vital United place three points on the board. I’m sure that Brighton will be tough opposition. Maupay is still a player that us United fans would love to see at the Lane in red and white.

It would be great to see a United striker on the score sheet, maybe Oliver McBurnie again. I’d like to think United will come on top in a 2-0 win.

Thanks to Paul for answering our questions. You can keep up with Sheffield United and their unlikely push for a European spot on Vital Blades and via the Vital Blades Twitter account.