One particular Sheffield United issue needs to be fixed by Chris Wilder - It's glaring | OneFootball

Sheffield United once again failed to create many chances against Charlton Athletic

Chris Wilder's third stint as Sheffield United boss didn't get off to the best of starts, as the Blades lost their sixth straight Championship game against Charlton Athletic.

Many thought that a much more positive atmosphere around Bramall Lane now that Wilder had returned would lead to a much-improved performance and result. In the end, Tanto Olaofe's stoppage-time winner meant that Charlton left with all three points.

The result didn't come, and arguably, neither did the performance. The Blades were once again blunt in terms of chance creation, and whilst defensively they were well improved from a week ago, when they shipped five without reply against Ipswich Town, they still didn't create nearly enough to warrant a win at home against the newly-promoted Addicks.

A lot of the early-season frustration was pinned on Ruben Selles, and rightly so, but Saturday's defeat showed that a simple change in the manager won't see Sheffield United revert back to their showings from last term.

Sheffield United's lack of creativity showed once more against Charlton Athletic

It's been a frustrating opening six games of the Championship season for Sheffield United. Whilst they've massively underperformed their attacking stats, due to the sole goal they've managed in the league so far, their analytics don't exactly tell the story of a side that has created much but has been unlucky at putting the chances away.

The Blades rank 22nd in xG, 20th in big chances created and 24th in shots on target per game in the Championship, according to Fotmob, and that lack of attacking intent was on show in their latest defeat against Charlton.

Sheffield United created zero big chances against the Addicks, registering just one shot on target throughout the whole game, marking it the third time already this season that the Blades have registered one or fewer shots on target.

Granted, Charlton have been one of the better defensive sides in the Championship throughout the opening six games of the campaign, limiting Leicester City to two shots on target in their 1-0 defeat in August, and keeping clean sheets against the likes of Bristol City and Watford, too.

But even still, the inability to properly test Thomas Kaminski in a match which was built up with plenty of excitement surrounding Chris Wilder's return is extremely concerning, and something which needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later.

Improvements need to be seen soon at Sheffield United

Little patience was afforded to Ruben Selles at Sheffield United, and to many, his sacking was the right call, but making the decision so quickly indicates that the Blades' higher-ups still see this season as one in which the side can challenge in and around the top six of the division, despite the slow start.

If this is the case, then Chris Wilder needs to unlock the creative edge that this side had last season, and quickly.

Sheffield United were able to keep Gustavo Hamer past the transfer deadline, and Callum O'Hare is an experienced attacking midfielder at this level now, too. The addition of Chiedoze Ogbene as well means that, whilst you can argue that the Blades squad is weaker now than it was this time last year, they still have the attacking talent which should boost them out of this early-season slump.

The Blades are now cut adrift at the bottom of the division after both Sheffield Wednesday and Oxford United won for the first time this past weekend, and Chris Wilder's side's next outing sees them head to the Kassam Stadium to take on Gary Rowett's Yellows.

A seventh consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of one of their fellow early-season underperformers, would be a disaster for Sheffield United. But what would be more concerning would be yet another tame display in front of goal.

You can forgive a poor attacking output against a strong defensive unit against Charlton, but Oxford have conceded 10 in six games, so they should be easier to break down, even away from home.