Pundit spots 'alarming' Sheffield United problem under Chris Wilder | OneFootball

Sheffield United tactical issues have been highlighted from the first five games of the Championship season

Sheffield United have been warned by EFL pundit Ali Maxwell regarding the number of shots they are taking and facing in these early stages of the new season.

The Blades have had a mixed start to the campaign, winning one, drawing three and losing one of their opening five games.

Chris Wilder is hoping to lead the club back to promotion contention this year after the Yorkshire outfit finished 13th in 2025/26, 13 points adrift of the play-offs.

Sheffield United reached the 2025 play-off final, and the expansion of the competition to now include the top eight offers the team an extra opportunity to get back into the promotion fight.

But a 3-1 loss to Norwich City last weekend has left the team 15th in the table, with just one win to their name in the Championship.

This inconsistent form comes off the back of an underwhelming summer in which an off-field dispute involving the owners overshadowed much of their preparations for 2026/27.

Sheffield United offered tactical warning sign

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Maxwell has highlighted the lack of shots taken by Sheffield United this season, with the club ranking bottom in the Championship for their total through the first five games, suggesting that this squad should be doing better.

He believes that this is quite alarming given the squad at Wilder’s disposal, even if the quality of the shots they’ve taken has been a little higher than some of their rivals.

“The Sheffield United situation doesn’t feel great to me,” said Maxwell, via Not the Top 20 on YouTube.

“And it’s not just because of the off-field confusion and the headline and the transfer window, which suggested that all was not well on that front.

“But the team aren’t playing particularly well either, and just purely statistically, there are some big red flags for me.

“Sheffield United have taken the fewest shots in the league so far.

“Now, of course, not all shots are created equal, and they have been creating relatively good shot quality for each of their shots, but even so.

“That’s pretty alarming for a Chris Wilder side with the starting XI that they have, it should still be far better than that.”

Maxwell has also picked out the number of shots faced, which is the third most of any team in the division, as another warning sign for Sheffield United, suggesting that these two statistics are quite concerning.

“And then, in defence, well, they have faced the third most shots in the league,” he added.

“So, how is it that this Sheffield United side, with Wilder at the helm, with the starting XI that they have, is facing almost as many shots as anyone in the league, and taking fewer shots than anyone else in the league?

“It’s a little bit alarming, a little bit concerning because I’m not sure things are going that well.

“And I’m a little bit concerned.”

Sheffield United’s statistical profile

Sheffield United’s shots on target total improves their standing in the division, but only slightly, with the team ranked 20th by this metric (stats from Fotmob).

The Blades have also created the 17th most expected goals (xG) with a total of exactly six, while having also scored six times.

But, concerningly, Wilder’s side have also conceded the fourth most xG against, at a total of 8.5.

Next up for Sheffield United is a trip to face Blackburn Rovers this evening in a 7.45pm kick-off, where fans will be hoping to see an improvement from the team.

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Sheffield United aren’t playing like promotion contenders

Sheffield United came into the new season with the aim of fighting for promotion again after a disappointing 2025/26.

But the Blades look more or less as they were last season, failing to create enough chances to consistently get the better of their opponents.

Their defensive issues remain a concern, and the fact they’ve only won one game is an obvious warning sign for the club.

Wilder needs to figure out something fresh, as it’s clear that his current ideas aren’t working, and Sheffield United do not look like contending for a top eight finish in these early weeks of the new season.