Gab Sutton column: Sheffield United a long shot for the top two?

EFL pundit Gab Sutton takes a look at Chris Wilder's return to Sheffield United in his latest exclusive Odds Now column.

Wilder's return could prompt seismic turnaround at Sheffield United

Now Chris Wilder is back at Bramall Lane, I’m having the 16/1 in some places on Sheffield United finishing in the top two of the Championship.

Let’s look at this from a mathematical standpoint: under his guidance, the Blades accumulated 92 points from 46 games last season, which is two points per game.

That form, over 41 games this season, would get them to 82 points, so it wouldn’t be an enormous stretch for them to reach the mid-80s tally that might give them a sniff.

Continuity could be key

Six of their best XI from last season are still at the club in goalkeeper Michael Cooper, left-back Harrison Burrows, midfielder Sydie Peck, playmaker Gus Hamer, attacking midfielder Callum O’Hare and selfless forward Tyrese Campbell.

Meanwhile, the athletic Japhet Tanganga is a fantastic addition to that group in central defence, after starring at Millwall last season, while Cheo Ogbene offers searing pace on loan from Ipswich.

And though there have been departures, like that of influential midfielder Vinicius Souza, they do have alternatives, like the tenacious Alex Matos or the physical Djibril Soumare, with Wilder-favourite Oli Arblaster to return from injury just before Christmas.

The man for the job

Although it’s been a disastrous start for United, it’s clear to see the impact Wilder’s return has had on the fans, who revere him because he’s one of them, and the players, with whom he’s also extremely popular.

And, with that kind of positive energy around the place, it’s easy to conceive how the Blades could find some momentum, especially with the fixtures between now and December looking on the kinder side.

Plus, it’s not as if the other promotion favourites have started on fire. Ipswich’s 5-0 thumping of them on Friday was their first win. Southampton are winless since the opening day. Birmingham have just suffered successive defeats.

Whereas, the teams with double-figured points tallies right now – Middlesbrough, Stoke, Bristol City, Leicester and West Brom – are all sides United could reasonably catch over 41 games, with the teams initially expected to fly still within touching distance.

Start with back-to-back wins over Charlton and Oxford, and Sheffield United fans will find themselves looking upwards very quickly.