Alan Shearer says a lack of crosses into the box is the reason Sheffield United aren’t scoring goals.
The Blades have lost six of their seven Premier League matches so far this season following a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City.
United are the joint lowest scorers in the division alongside Burnley with just three goals. Two of those came from the penalty spot.
While analysing the loss to Man City on Match Of The Day, Shearer says the problem is simple.
“As a centre forward it would drive you absolutely bonkers that these balls are not coming into the box,” the 50-year-old said.
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“The first thought is to knock it sideways. Not once do they look. It’s not as if they’re not committing men into the box. There’s no point the forwards being in there if the ball’s not going to go in.
“You’ve got two £20m strikers in (Rhian) Brewster and (Oli) McBurnie who had no service whatsoever because of the reluctance to put balls in.
“That’s why Sheffield United won’t score goals if they keep playing like this. They have to change.”
Alan Shearer is right about Sheffield United
(Photo by Rui Vieira – Pool/Getty Images)
Manager Chris Wilder has continued to defend his tactics and formation after picking up just one point so far in 2020/21.
In fairness to Wilder, it has resulted in two promotions and a ninth place finish in the top flight during his four-and-a-half years in charge.
Even last term, when the Blades impressed many with their performances, they weren’t scoring lots of goals. Only three sides in the division netted fewer than their 39 and two of those were relegated.
Yet what they did have was dynamism in attack. They utilised the overlapping centre-back system that has become synonymous with Wilder and United.
The ever-present George Baldock and Enda Stevens provided the width and they stretched many teams. It resulted in impressive wins against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
They relied on a solid back line, with the fourth best defensive record in the Premier League in 2019/20. That still remains, but they are blunt in attack.
It’s something Wilder and his coaching staff need to address. And quickly, before they’re cut adrift at the bottom of the table.
