Callum O’Hare situation sparks Sheffield United debate after West Brom defeat | OneFootball

A debate around Callum O'Hare has been sparked by his absence from the starting lineup for Sheffield United.

Having started the season extremely poorly, leading to the sacking of Ruben Selles and the re-appointment of Chris Wilder, Sheffield United have steadily been improving as the season reaches the jam-packed festive schedule.

However, their recent, and perhaps surprising, 2-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns saw attacking midfielder Callum O’Hare, seemingly key to their recent form, brought on with just 20 minutes or so to go, sparking debate among the fanbase.

Sheffield United have eased themselves into the middle-of-the-table and will believe that a good run in the second-half of the season could see them pinch one of the top six spots and a play-off berth.

Prior to their loss at West Brom, The Blades had enjoyed a six-match unbeaten run of form with four successive victories sandwiched by relatively frustrating home draws against Queens Park Rangers and then Norwich City.

Those wins more than doubled their tally for victories in the Championship so far this season, highlighting just how far last year’s play-off finalists have regressed.

Having discovered some form, though, it was a surprise to see them then so comfortably beaten by the Baggies, especially with O’Hare sitting on the bench for so long.

Callum O’Hare has been key to Sheffield United’s form

Callum O’Hare, an Aston Villa academy graduate, may well divide opinion for many with regards to just what his level is, but it cannot be ignored that, on his day, he is one of the very best attackers in the second division.

The 27-year-old Solihull-born playmaker, who joined Sheffield United on a free transfer in the summer of 2024 after his five-year stint at Coventry City, has been one of the few bright spots in what has been a miserable campaign for United so far this season.

He has emerged as a real key man in Wilder’s 4-4-2, or 4-2-2-2, system of late, with the tactical flexibility and versatility to play as a narrow winger, supporting the attack, as well as someone who comes inside as the so-called ‘number ten’.

With four goals and six assists, O’Hare has been United’s most productive player in the final third this season and that has perhaps best been displayed in that improved recent run of form.

Following assists against both Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth, O’Hare then put in a stellar performance, featuring a brace of assists, in a 3-2 Blades win away at Leicester City.

Surprisingly, though, O’Hare was dropped to the bench and only came on with 18 minutes to go of their 4-0 hammering of Stoke City a week later, before starting again against Norwich in midweek.

Having once again been left out of the starting lineup against West Brom, for just the second time this season, a debate has been sparked within the Sheffield United fanbase.

Callum O’Hare situation provokes Sheffield United debate

The versatility and quality of O’Hare, as well as his effectiveness of late in contributing to Sheffield United’s form has sparked a debate within the Blades’ fanbase.

Popular Sheffield United-supporting X account, The Bladesman, were seemingly left bewildered mid-way through the second-half when O’Hare remained on the bench.

They stated: “I can not believe Callum O’Hare is still on the bench. #twitterblades #sufc”

In response to their post, several people agreed with the decision being a surprising one, especially given what his form has been like in the Championship of late.

Others, such as Luke Waddington, compared it to last season when O'Hare found himself in and out of the side. Just six of his 38 starts across the campaign came in the final 14 games of the season. In that time, United managed just seven victories.

Not only did the absence of O'Hare appear bizarre for some United fans as their form dipped last season and they underwhelmed against Albion, but it also led to added scrutiny on other first-teamers, such as Gustavo Hamer:

However, there was speculation from other users that the creative attacker has been dealing with a bit of a knock, which hasn't necessarily been something discussed by Wilder.

Others suggested that the knock, suggested to be a 'tight calf' by Steven West, has restricted him from playing a full 90 minutes, which may explain why he was surprisingly dropped to the bench during a period of good form for both himself and the side.

Wilder has not touched upon that or mentioned an injury concern, with his most recent comments on O’Hare being to shower him with praise in the aftermath of their victory against the Foxes and, weirdly, discussing how he was confident he would continue his form against Stoke before dropping him to the bench.

If Sheffield United are to continue their improvement in the last month or so for a sustained period of time and challenge for the top six, then an in-form O’Hare is expected to be key to that and so, whatever the reason for him dropping out of the eleven in two of the last three matches, a solution could do with being found.