Are Sheffield United equipped well enough to get their season back on track?

It has been well documented that Sheffield United’s start to the 2021/22 Championship season has been underwhelming, to say the least, with one goal scored and just two points to their name going into the international break.

Carabao Cup wins against Carlisle United and Derby County have softened the blow of three defeats against Birmingham City, West Brom and Huddersfield Town and two goalless draws against Swansea City and Luton Town in the league. However, promotion was the target for the campaign and the Blades have looked blunt in the early weeks of Slavisa Jokanovic’s tenure at Bramall Lane.

There was also a point where the transfer window was starting to look as bleak as the opening five league games with the acquisition of defender Ben Davies on loan from Liverpool the only completed deal going into the final two days of the window.

United were able to complete a loan deal for Irish midfielder Conor Hourihane from Aston Villa on Monday, a good addition with plenty of second-tier experience in a position that was struggling for quality.

The 30-year-old played a key role in Villa’s promotion back to the Premier League in the 2018/19 season and had a decent half-season at Swansea last term. Unfortunately for the attacking midfielder, game time at Villa Park was always going to be at a minimum and thus a Championship loan had been on the cards for the majority of the transfer window.

With just two additions going into deadline day though, the final 24 hours of the transfer window looked set to be hectic for the South Yorkshire club with numerous names linked with a move to Bramall Lane.

However, in the end, they were able to secure the signatures of two players on season-long loan deals making it four additions for the summer.

Deadline Day saw the signings of midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White from Wolves and goalkeeper Robin Olsen from Roma, both of whom boast Premier League experience with the latter playing at Everton last season.

The only outgoing of note was starlet striker Daniel Jebbison who headed to League One Burton Albion on loan.

Overall, there’s no doubt that the Blades have strengthened areas that were desperate for new recruits as well as improving the quality of the squad.

However, the lateness of the deals and the numerous misses that the club suffered can’t help but make you feel that the window could’ve gone smoother for United.

Overall though, there’s plenty of experience and quality there; it’s a squad that should be targeting promotion.

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