Sheffield United were 'fearing the worst' after big player blow - Blades urged to sign 'improvement' | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit has said they would like to see an improvement on Adam Davies signed this summer

Sheffield United are set for another year in the Championship, with their 1-0 away defeat to Bristol City on Monday all but confirming the Blades' second-tier status once again for the next campaign.

After undergoing a dismal run of form, Sheffield United's hopes of a top-six finish this campaign have faded, with the Blades instead checking over their shoulder, with the club statistically still not safe from relegation.

However, it would take something to go cataclysmically wrong at Bramall Lane for relegation to be a serious threat at this stage, with the likelihood that they will be a Championship club next year looking exceedingly high.

Their 1-0 loss at Ashton Gate on Monday means Sheffield United are now six games without a win, with Wilder coming under increased pressure ahead of a big summer rebuild in South Yorkshire.

Coinciding with this poor run of form has been the injury of number one goalkeeper Michael Cooper, with Welsh international Adam Davies stepping in between the sticks in his absence.

Adam Davies has failed to impress since replacing Michael Cooper in goal for Sheffield United

33-year-old Adam Davies has been Sheffield United's backup option ever since joining the club from Stoke City in January 2022, but has recently found himself in the firing line following an injury to first-choice keeper Michael Cooper.

Davies first served as deputy to Wes Foderingham before Cooper, and has never really challenged for the starting berth between the sticks in that time, with his recent performances not helping his case.

The Welshman has failed to keep a clean sheet in any of his last six league games, and though Cooper hasn't had the best of seasons, Davies has not been able to improve the side with his presence.

Football League World's Sheffield United fan pundit, Jimmy, has shared their thoughts on whether Cooper needs some stronger competition than Davies heading into next season, or whether the Welshman has been a fine deputy in his absence.

Jimmy said: "I'm going to push back a little bit on that. I think Michael Cooper's clearly the standout number one, and I would like a closer number two. That's the first thing I have to say. I think we need better competition for Michael Cooper.

"When Cooper got injured and went to deal with what I think has been a niggling injury for some time now, because he hasn't quite been up to his usual levels this season, and Adam Davies came in, I think a lot of us were fearing the worst because whenever we've seen him, it's not always gone well.

"However, I have to say, and I think his reputation goes before him a little bit at the moment, he's been fairly solid for us. He's not being brilliant, but he's been fairly steady. And I think to give him the majority of the blame for some of the goals conceded during this period is harsh and unnecessary, to be honest.

"So yes, I would like an improvement, somebody that can genuinely push Michael Cooper because Adam Davies is undoubtedly a number two, but I think I've got to push back on Davo getting such a stick because he's been okay for us during this really difficult period."

Chris Wilder must ensure improvements are made in the goalkeeper area at Sheffield United next season

It's been quite a mess of a season for Sheffield United, and one that Blades fans will likely be pleased to see the back of.

Across the pitch, there have been few standout performers, and that exception is not made for either of their goalkeepers, with both Cooper and Davies having struggled.

According to FotMob, only West Bromwich Albion's Josh Griffiths has allowed in more goals than expected than Cooper's 6.8, whilst Davies has kept just one clean sheet in each of his eight league appearances thus far.

It makes for particularly grim reading, especially considering that Cooper was among one of the Championship's best shot-stoppers last season on Sheffield United's way to Wembley.

Wilder must ensure that his goalkeepers are much improved heading into the next campaign, and with it likely that Cooper retains his place between the sticks, a competent and strong backup must be sought after to challenge the former Plymouth man for his place in goal.

With Davies now 33 and set to turn 34 before the start of next season, there are legitimate doubts surrounding his long-term capability in South Yorkshire, and Wilder must address this should he remain in charge of the Blades next year.