Will recent defensive frailties push Slavisa Jokanovic to make changes at the back as Sheffield United travel to Hull City?

Sheffield United face newly-promoted Hull City at the MKM Stadium in the early kick-off on Saturday. The Blades have scored eight goals in their last two league outings, but still look fragile at the back, conceding four in that period.

Tuesday night’s game against Preston should’ve been a more simple affair than how it actually played out, with the South Yorkshire side conceding a 95th-minute equaliser with the last kick of the game to draw 2-2.

Having taken the lead twice in the game, particularly late on with Sander Berge’s goal six minutes from full-time, to not take three points was a kick in the teeth.

However, three days prior, an emphatic 6-2 victory against Peterborough United ignited hope amongst the United faithful after a drab opening five games.

When you score six goals in one match for the first time in 21 years, it’s easy to forget the part where you conceded twice; both of the Posh goals were sloppy as were Preston’s on Tuesday.

The major scapegoat for Sheffield United’s struggles at the back has been Jack Robinson. The 28-year-old was at fault for allowing Jack Marriot through on goal to equalise for Peterborough and mistimed a header that eventually saw Preston equalise on Tuesday evening. Two examples of poor defending.

It seems that Blades fans are crying out for the return of their beloved Chris Basham at left centre-back. The 33-year-old has never been left out like this before in his six years at Bramall Lane.

Whenever fit and available, Basham has started. However, the Englishman seems to have fallen down Jokanovic’s pecking order, sitting on the bench in the last two games whilst the Serbian has operated with a back-four.

The defender has been a regular fixture at the club for six seasons and is certainly the preferred option amongst the fanbase.

On the attacking front, United fans will certainly crave more of the same and hope that Saturday’s contest plays out in a similar fashion to their last game against newly-promoted opposition. Hull though will certainly prove robust opposition.

Tigers boss Grant McCann was entrusted with the Humberside club’s revival following their relegation under the stewardship of the former Doncaster boss in 2020. The task proved more than doable as Hull romped League One last term to win the title and secure an instant return to the second-tier.

Their return to the Championship, however, is yet to pick up genuine steam.

After an impressive 4-1 win away at Preston on the opening day, Hull have failed to score in the six games that have followed, earning just two points in goalless stalemates with Bournemouth and Swansea.

Whilst City fans will desire a calm first season back in the second-tier, choppy waters were always going to have to be overcome in order to maintain their Championship status.

Northern Ireland striker Josh Magennis and English winger Mallik Wilks are certainly threats having scored a combined 36 goals in League One last term.

Despite the hosts firing six blanks in a row, the Blades defenders will have to be on the top of their game. They’ve proved that they can score goals now, it’s about plugging the gaps at the back.

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