Sheffield United are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Leeds United. Chris Wilder’s side are Middlesbrough bound on Tuesday and need to pick up three points.
What effect will the Leeds loss have?
The Blades are currently sitting in fourth place, despite receiving a two point deduction prior to the opening of this campaign. Leeds, with this victory, moved ahead of Sheffield United in the table on goal difference and sent a message to Wilder’s side about the competitive nature of the Championship this season.
However, it is now United who are sending out a warning, as their character will be tested once again in a trip to Boro tomorrow. Having kept six clean sheets in a row before this defeat, Wilder’s team will be keen to return to this impressive form with the knowledge that the capability to do so remains.
Middlesbrough themselves suffered a 2-0 defeat on Saturday to Bristol City and have been in mixed form heading into this match-up. Michael Carrick’s side are ninth at the moment, but cannot seem to string a thorough run of wins together.
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One man who has been on fine form for Sheffield United this season, is Michael Cooper – who arrived from Plymouth Argyle in the summer. A fantastic stop against Leeds United wasn’t enough to continue on to a seventh clean sheet in a row. Although, the 25-year-old will be fired up for the Blades’ next encounter and hope to add to his personal tally.
Chris Wilder sends fierce message
Following the Leeds defeat, the former Middlesbrough manager offered his insight on the matter to the club’s media team and also hinted at his side’s mindset when they face his former team tomorrow.
“We’ve had a fabulous run, but it wasn’t our night tonight. We have to lick our wounds and get back down the M1 and go again for next week.
“We’ve got plenty of that in my opinion, from looking at the group. It’s still a young group. Some of these players have maybe not experienced that type of environment but we weren’t good enough on the night and it’s how you react to disappointment that defines you as a player.
“We’ve had a fabulous start and this is our first little bump in the road. So we will, and I will, stick together internally and work our way through it.”
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Writer’s View
The sheer quality that the Blades have exemplified so far this season make them a force to be reckoned with. It will be up to Middlesbrough to prevent an onslaught from Wilder’s side, who are now riled up and ready to improve.
With six clean sheets already this season, and Boro not managing to find the net against the Robins, this will be a great opportunity to get back into the swing of things defensively and stake their claim as promotion favourites.
