Sheffield Wednesday transfer raid would have given Sheffield United ideal ‘alternative to O’Hare’ | OneFootball

Sheffield United’s FLW fan pundit has commented on the Blades’ failed swoop for former Sheffield Wednesday forward Josh Windass.

Sheffield United may well be having one eye on next season as their play-off hopes drift away.

The Blades continue to sit mid-table in the Championship standings, with the gap between the top six growing wider as the weeks go on.

However, the situation could have been a lot worse given the Yorkshire outfit were rooted to the bottom of the table after six opening defeats this term, with Chris Wilder doing a respectable job to galvanise the group and get them looking up the table rather than over their shoulders.

But inconsistent results and performances have prevented them from going on a meteoric rise, with Wilder seemingly needing a full season to see where he can take these players.

Meanwhile, a development has emerged on the Blades’ transfer activity last summer, with a report by the Sheffield Star detailing that former Sheffield Wednesday forward Josh Windass’ representatives had reached out to the other side of the Steel City over a potential move, before the 32-year-old linked up in South Wales with Wrexham.

It would have been a dramatic move on Yorkshire way, with Windass seemingly prepared to betray the Owls and move to their bitter rivals, but a move didn’t end up materialising.

With this in mind, FLW’s Sheffield United fan pundit has reacted to this update involving Windass and revealed whether he would have liked to have seen the 32-year-old represent the Blades.

Sheffield United regret outlined over failed Josh Windass swoop

Speaking to Football League World, Sheffield United fan pundit Jimmy (AKA Blades Ramble) believes Josh Windass would have “complimented” the Blades’ squad if he had joined last summer and been the ideal “alternative” to help Callum O’Hare manage his minutes.

Jimmy told FLW: “On Josh Windass, I think he’s a good player. We have had players cross the divide for much more successful times in red and white over previous years. I think Windass would have complimented our squad well and I think he’d be a great alternative to Callum O’Hare.

“O’Hare is one of the fittest players in the league, but he’s played a lot of football, and now it looks like it’s starting to catch up with him a little bit. If we had a rotation option like Josh Windass, then I do think it’d be beneficial for us, but obviously that ship has sailed.”

Jimmy also hinted that he would be keen to see the Blades reignite their interest in Windass this coming summer, particularly if Wrexham secure a dream promotion to the Premier League.

Jimmy added: “Who knows what will happen in the summer. I’m not sure if Wrexham, should they be promoted, would take him to the Premier League with them, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens over the next few weeks.

“But he’s a good player at Championship level and I’d definitely take him.”

Josh Windass would be a handy option to have at Championship level

Josh Windass would certainly have tarnished his legacy at Hillsborough by switching allegiances in the Steel City, but you can understand the Blades’ interest given how reliable he is at Championship level.

After helping Wednesday to promotion out of League One back into the second tier, he notched six goals and two assists during the 2023-24 season, which guided the Owls to Championship safety.

Windass then went on to produce his best ever second tier return last season, scoring 13 goals and producing five assists as Wednesday landed a comfortable top-half finish, while he is closing in on another double-digit return in his debut term with Wrexham.

At 32, Windass seems to be thriving in the second tier, showcasing both his goalscoring instincts and ability to create opportunities in abundance, while the attacking midfielder certainly has more years to come of being a potent force in the final third.

If the Blades are to land Windass, then they must hope that Wrexham achieve the unthinkable and get themselves promoted to the top-flight, with the Hull-born midfielder surely receiving very few opportunities in the big time and bound to be a sought-after player by many Championship clubs.

But after previous interest in linking up at Bramall Lane, you would make Sheffield United the favourites to land his signature, while the squad would really benefit from some added depth and creativity behind the forward line.

Windass is a player a lot of Championship outfits would want in their ranks given his pedigree, and you definitely feel the Blades' promotion chances would take a sharp increase if a deal was to get over the line.