Sheffield United boss, Slavisa Jokanovic, admitted that what he had seen on the training ground this week convinced him to play the XI he did.
United ran out 6-2 winners against Peterborough United at Bramall Lane as the Blades well and truly found their stride. Goals from Iliman Ndiaye (2, Ben Osborn (2), Morgan Gibbs-White, and John Fleck ensured a resounding win for Jokanovic’s men.
Eye-catching
Of course, it was the blistering displays of Ndiaye and Gibbs-White that caught the eye the most. The pair were deployed behind Billy Sharp – supported by Ben Osborn – and duly delivered.
And speaking to the Yorkshire Post following the game, Blades boss Jokanovic admitted it was down to training why he picked the line-up he did.
“We tried different things in training. We had some links between them and they looked a good combination. This is what I saw on the training ground,” the Serbian admitted.
“We showed many creative things we have missed. Billy ran into the space and this kind of movement gave us a lot of options.”
Ndiaye and Gibbs-White linked up well throughout. Both laid on goals for each other, while Osborn and Sharp’s energy were infectious.
Our View: What a difference a few weeks makes
And emphatically so. Not one Sheffield United fan would have seen this coming just a few weeks back. The Blades were lacking energy, sharpness, and struggling to create anything of note.
But today was like watching a Jokanovic team of old. Full of flair, pace, and power from midfield, United simply overwhelmed Peterborough on the day.
It’s clear that a few things have happened. First, Jokanovic has had time on the training ground. Secondly, a bit of fitness and match sharpness has returned for these players. And finally, it appears the additions have had a positive impact on the squad as a whole.
Of course, it’s now vital United take this into midweek with Preston. But for now, United fans should enjoy a huge win and look forward to some scintillating displays from some of their younger contingent.