Sheffield United travel to Norwich City this weekend looking to maintain their unbeaten away record.
Despite losing a fourth home game of the season on Thursday against Newcastle, the Blades still sit ninth in the Premier League table. Five points separate the Blades from the bottom three, while they are still only two off Manchester United in sixth.
This weekends opponents, Norwich, are currently second bottom. They have picked up just 11 points so far this season. However, they have had a number of injuries and Teemu Pukki has got back among the goals of late.
For Sheffield United, it looks like another crucial game. It’s the second fixture in a run of games that, on paper, look like winnable ties for Chris Wilder’s men.
But with tiring bodies, a busy schedule, and a loss in the books this past week, will Wilder look to make any changes to his team for the trip to Norwich?
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Site writer, Lee Connor, has given his thoughts on THREE potential changes Wilder could look to make.
Get the first-choice strikers back in
It’s a simple one to start with, but bringing back Lys Mousset and David McGoldrick is the obvious move.
Oli McBurnie and Billy Sharp toiled and worked hard. Indeed, McBurnie was unlucky not to score as he found Martin Dubravka in fine form.
But an away tie at Norwich is set up for Mousset, in particular, to cause havoc. His pace on the break and link up with McGoldrick has been key. Chris Wilder simply has to go back to his best pairing to try and get the three points.
A change to the bench
The bench has remained largely the same over the course of the season. But could there be a chance for Wilder to bring some fresh faces in?
Ravel Morrison is not getting a look in but offers something different off the bench. The former Man United man has had little chance this season to showcase his talent. The busy Christmas period, then, could be ideal for him to be let off the leash.
Ben Osborn is another who might warrant a place. Enda Stevens looked like a man who had played a lot of football in the loss to Newcastle. Having Osborn available would open up the option of giving Stevens a breather if needed.
Fresh legs in midfield
This is in no way a criticism of the three lads in midfield but Lundstram, Fleck, and Oliver Norwood can not simply go on week in week out, putting in the shifts they have been.
Something has to give. Luke Freeman is waiting in the wings to get another chance in the first XI while Mo Besic has stayed patient all season.
Lundstram, in particular, looked out on his feet near the end on Thursday. With just three days to rest between that game and the Norwich fixture, the midfield three is something Chris Wilder may well be considering changing.
Norwich City will see Sheffield United as a chance to pick up a big win. Wilder and his team, on the other hand, will be doing their utmost to ensure that doesn’t happen.