The time has come for Sheffield United to make the change and bring in a new manager to replace Paul Heckingbottom.
Yesterday’s home defeat against Bournemouth represented a new low this season and that is saying something. Yes, despite being hammered 8-0 by Newcastle and 5-0 by Arsenal, this defeat felt different.
Coming off the back of two positive results before the international break, there was a positive feeling among the players and fans.
What transpired, though, was a performance that lacked, well, anything. And ultimately, that is down to the manager.
Patience has run out
We have been staunch supporters of Paul Heckingbottom on this site. That should be made clear. The Blades boss has been dealt a rough hand and brought the club back to the top when Slavisa Jokanovic threatened to ruin all the good work done by Chris Wilder.
But while there’s been sympathy towards Heckingbottom in regards to off-field issues, transfer budgets, and the sale of key players, there is only so much fans can take before it becomes the manager’s responsibility.
Yesterday felt like a turning point. Against a team in the bottom three, United set up with just one forward and in the first half especially, barely touched the ball in the final third. Once again, Bournemouth could have had three or four goals with ease and Wes Foderingham’s mistake just before half-time just summed things up.
Half-time saw some boos ring out around Bramall Lane. While full-time was even louder. Clearly, the supporters feel it’s time for the board to act.
No clear plan
Ultimately, while we can look to board level – and rightly so we might add – performances on the pitch come down to Heckingbottom and his players.
Tactically, we are nowhere near. There is no clear vision. Stuck between sitting in a low block and then occasionally doing a half-hearted press, United are so, so easy to play against. Whether it be out wide, or down the middle, teams are just cutting through with ease.
Further, despite the limited budget, the signings have been bordering on woeful. Vini Souza looks nowhere near a PL player. Benie Traore cannot even get off the bench, Anis Slimane is nowhere to be seen, and Yasser Larouci might as well have not signed.
Luke Thomas is out of position on countless occasions, while Gus Hamer is just running around in midfield not knowing whether to come or go. Cameron Archer cuts a lonely figure up top, while Auston Trusty must be wondering what is happening with the amount of defending he’s having to do.
In the end, this is only going to go one way.
Heckingbottom was lucky to keep his job after the 8-0 mauling by Newcastle and in hindsight, the performances v Wolves and Brighton weren’t good, they merely papered over cracks by United getting some points.
Whether it be Chris Wilder returning or a brand new face, who knows. But unfortunately, it feels like Heckingbottom’s time is up at Bramall Lane.