Sheffield United may be second in the Championship table but there is one statistic that no team can beat them in.
This season no other side in the second tier of English football has kept more clean sheets than the Blades.
Following their 3-0 win at Hull City on Easter Monday, Chris Wilder’s men have now kept an impressive 20 clean sheets in the league.
Their closest rivals are Middlesbrough, who have 19, while Stoke City have 17 and Leeds United 16. United have also conceded the fewest goals in the entire division with 39 – this time tied with Boro.
It means that in a little under half of their 44 Championship outings this term, the Blades have not conceded a goal.
Defensive solidity
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Wilder has built an impressive tactical system at Bramall Lane that effectively revolves around the defence. The three centre-backs are not only tasked with keeping the ball out of their net, but play a significant role in trying to put it in their opponents’.
When in attack, the central defenders will overlap and are often the furthest player forwards. On several occasions the likes of Chris Basham or Martin Cranie have cut it back for a teammate to score.
Yet, with the best clean sheet and defensive record in the league, this does not hinder United defensively. This is credit to Wilder and his coaching staff.
As well as their fine form at the back, the Blades have also been prolific going forwards. Whereas Boro’s defensive prowess has compromised their attack (only three sides have scored fewer than their 45 goals) United’s goals in the ‘for’ column are only bettered by three others.
Wilder’s team have 74 goals so far in 2018/19. Only leaders Norwich City (89), fourth-placed West Bromwich Albion (84) and fifth-placed Aston Villa (80) have more.