Sheffield United’s first season back in the Premier League was as good as it gets for a team freshly promoted from the perils of the Championship. They survived to tick one box; caused plenty of upsets to tick another and, unexpectedly, broke into the top half of the table at the first attempt to tick the biggest box of them all.
The definition of dream season springs to mind when looking back on the Blades’ last campaign, but, as we know by now, a Premier League dream can soon turn into a nightmare when second season syndrome strikes.
Huddersfield Town were brutally hit with it in 2019; many teams have been hit with it in years before. Now, Sheffield United must ensure the avoidance of catching the relegation bug as they look to continue the Premier League dream and much much more; a dream Rhian Brewster will no doubt help keep alive and kicking.
Brewster Signing Should Keep Sheffield United Well Away from Relegation Fears
Sheffield United’s Start a Worrying One
For the most part of last season, it was the prevention of goals that took Sheffield United to the crucial points. With each whistle to signal the beginning of a new challenge came another resolute defensive performance.
And, yes, the attack deserves some credit for scoring the odd goal at the other end. But, the reality is, the sight of nets bulging has never been a regular occurrence at Bramell Lane. Last season, the Blades scored the least amount of goals in the top half, often relying on the fourth-best defence to see out wins.
The issue, however, is that when that defence stops preventing the goals, and the attack remains despondent, the margins become much finer between the safety of mid-table and the relegation zone; something Sheffield United are already finding out this season.
Already, the Blades have slipped to 18th after three losses from three and a grand total of zero goals scored. The symptoms are beginning to show of second season syndrome.
The net is failing to bulge; the results, failing to come, and, the goals, unable to be prevented. The only way to avoid potential disaster was through the transfer market. And that’s where Rhian Brewster comes in.
Brewster a Welcome Sight at Bramell Lane
Following a successful spell in the Championship with Swansea City, scoring 10 times in 20 appearances, Rhian Brewster returned to Liverpool ready to take his chance. That opportunity never came, however, with the queue of goalscorers too big to jump ahead of.
So in came Sheffield United; in came the £23 million fee; in came Rhian Brewster’s long-awaited Premier League chance. The young forward has proven his talents in the past to back up the price, too, and should hand Sheffield United the goalscorer they so desperately crave.
His ability to play a classic number nine poachers role, alongside his sensational ability to seemingly score from just about anywhere, should provide the Blades with an extra edge in their bid to become a constant feature in the top flight.
Brewster should slot straight in, too, ahead of the goal-shy David McGoldrick; ahead of Oli Mcburnie and into Chris Wilder’s unique United side. The arrival of Brewster will come as a relief for Sheffield United fans who were previously set to watch McGoldrick and McBurnie who had accounted for a total of 8 Premier League goals combined last season.
Brewster, in just 20 Championship appearances, netted 10. The quality is so clearly there; now Chris Wilder must aid Brewster’s development, and, in doing so, secure Sheffield United’s short and long term future in the top flight of English football.
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