Sheffield United are looking to bounce back from a dire performance at Stoke City at the weekend by seeing off QPR at Bramall Lane tonight.
Defeat against the Potters pushed the Blades back down and outside the playoff places in the Championship. But a win tonight could see Paul Heckingbottom’s charges go back up as high as fourth. Such is the nature of the playoff race, that every three points from here on in is massive.
United have seven games – five of which are at home – to get the points required. And in what is a huge game against the R’s tonight, Blades boss Heckingbottom has hinted that we could see a debut for new signing, Filip Uremovic.
Speaking in his press conference yesterday, Heckingbottom admitted that the only way the Croatian will get going is by playing games.
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“Filip’s last game was 7th March so not too long ago. Aerobically fit and it’s just a case of him getting up to speed with the Championship and building relationships with our players. That only comes with game time,” Hecky told his presser.
United’s injury problems have seen the back five altered more than once recently. At the weekend, the middle three were Ben Davies, John Egan, and Jack Robinson. However, the in-balance of two-left footers was apparent.
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As Heckingbottom notes himself, it’s not like Uremovic isn’t fit, it’s just a case of bedding in. But there’s only seven games to go, so he either throws him into the mix now or it’s a pointless signing.
As good as Ben Davies has been at times, his fitness issues have hampered the Blades at times and at the weekend it was clear to see we lacked anything on that right side in terms of building from the back and pushing Stoke back.
Uremovic is a Croatian international and good enough to step in. If the time isn’t now, then it probably won’t ever be.
Certainly, Heckingbottom’s mention of game-time being needed does suggest he’s considering Uremovic for a Sheffield United debut tonight.
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