It’s going to be one long season, but with a tricky handful of fixtures to begin with, an opening day win against Birmingham would put Sheffield United on the right track

Sheffield United kick off their 2021/22 Championship campaign under the lights on Saturday evening as they host Birmingham City in front of the first full capacity crowd at Bramall Lane since early March 2020.

The Blades find themselves back in the second tier of English football after a dismal campaign last year saw them finish rock bottom of the Premier League after accumulating just 23 points.

The South Yorkshire side’s relegation was swiftly followed by a managerial appointment after academy coach Paul Heckingbottom oversaw the final two months of last season following Chris Wilder’s departure.

Former Watford and Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic was appointed on a three-year deal in late May, with the Serbian boasting two promotions from the Championship on his CV.

Time will tell regarding how the 52-year-old fares in S2, but Jokanovic was certainly high up, if not at the top, of United’s list of potential suitors.

It’s fair to say that pre-season preparations haven’t exactly gone to plan with just two friendlies played. However, the Blades looked calm at the back, composed in the middle and dangerous going forward in a 3-0 win against Gibraltar side Europa Point and a 4-0 win at League One outfit Doncaster Rovers.

Jokanovic’s men were scheduled to host newly-promoted Norwich City last Saturday but a couple of positive COVID-19 cases in the Canaries’ camp saw the fixture called off.

New players have also failed to follow the new manager to the Steel City, with United yet to make a signing at the time of writing.

It is believed, however, that Sampdoria midfielder Ronaldo Vieria could join on loan before Saturday night’s clash against Blues. Whether he’d be involved seems unlikely.

The game against Lee Bowyer’s Birmingham City should be seen as a decent opportunity to kick off the campaign with three points.

After hosting the St. Andrew’s club, United travel to play-off finalists Swansea City and fellow promotion favourites West Bromwich Albion. Victory would be invaluable ahead of two tough fixtures.

No disrespect to Birmingham though. Blues looked dead and buried before former player Lee Bowyer left Charlton Athletic to take over the reins from Aitor Karanka in mid-March.

Bowyer’s side won five of their last ten matches to secure an 18th place finish. They’ll certainly be looking to extend that form into the new campaign and avoid a similar predicament to the one faced by the Englishman’s Spanish predecessor.

In terms of how the Blades approach this first test, Jokanovic has a choice of either sticking to his preferred 4-3-3 system or operate with a back three that was both a success and failure during his predecessor’s top-flight tenure.

Basing off of what was seen during the pre-season friendlies, the Serbian will use a 4-3-3 formation; who will start in it remains to be seen.

There are some obvious choices. Aaron Ramsdale has remained professional whilst subject to interest from elsewhere and thus there’s no reason as to why the ‘keeper wouldn’t start in between the sticks with back-up Wes Foderingham well below in terms of quality.

Captain John Egan is arguably United’s best defender and will most likely have Chris Basham alongside as has been the case for the past three seasons.

There’s slight uncertainty in regard to full-backs with Jayden Bogle, Jack Robinson and Max Lowe decent options, but the experience of Enda Stevens and George Baldock will most likely overshadow the three Englishmen.

However, the midfield could also see a variety of combinations with it likely that long-term servant John Fleck will be a regular once again. Sander Berge could be off by the time Saturday comes around, or choose to play until a move does materialise.

Luke Freeman scored in pre-season whilst Oliver Norwood was a success under Jokanovic at Fulham. Ben Osborn is also an option as is Regan Slater.

The way in which the frontline will look is also unknown. Rhian Brewster and Oli McBurnie have enjoyed football at this level with Swansea, whilst Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick are EFL veterans.

Lys Mousset was arguably United’s best player in the two friendlies whilst Oliver Burke also found the back of the net.

Sharp and McBurnie, however, are expected to miss the game through injury, meaning that the front-three could be Burke, McGoldrick and Mousset.

Predicted lineup: Ramsdale, Baldock, Egan, Basham, Stevens, Berge, Fleck, Norwood, Burke, Mousset, McGoldrick

It’s going to be a tough opener, but Jokanovic will be well aware of how vital a strong start is…an area in which the Serbian has struggled to succeed with previous clubs in the division. The Blades should have enough to kick off the season with three points.

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