Premier League: How Sheffield United Beat and Missed Expectations
Sheffield United’s primary weakness is on the offensive side of the pitch. More specifically, being able to convert goal opportunities efficiently.
The Blades have an expected goals (xG) of 36.65, 14th in the Top Flight, and have scored 30 goals. Their offensive goal conversion rate is -6.65, which is 15th in the league. Their non-penalty offensive goal conversion rate of -7.1 is ranked 18th.
The club’s top four goal scorers, Lys Mousset (five goals), John Fleck (five), Oliver McBurnie (four), and John Lundstram (four), have a combined offensive conversion rate of -1.7. David McGoldrick has no goals for a rate of -5.6.
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Sheffield’s difficulties in converting goals are a result of poor shooting. They are 19th in the league in percentage of shots on target. Their struggles in this area came despite having a non-penalty xG per shot of 0.12, third in the Top Flight.
Chris Wilder’s charges also have difficulty in creating goalscoring opportunities. They are 16th in shot-creations per 90 minutes, 17th in key passes, 18th in the progressive distance of passes, and 17th in pass completion percentage in the Premier League.
Sheffield United’s offensive woes are likely a product of being in their first season in the Top Flight. For example, their two best goalscorers from last season, Billy Sharp and McGoldrick with 38 combined goals have scored only three this season.
However, there is a reason for hope. The Blades have the least number of dispossessions of the ball in the Premier League. They are also fourth-best in the division at controlling the ball.
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Chris Wilder has been able to implement his defensive-minded tactics to near perfection. He has been one of the best managers at playing the hand he has been dealt with all season. The Blades’ current position in seventh in the Premier League is a credit to how well his tactics have played out on the pitch.
If you look solely at league position, Sheffield United have exceeded expectations. For their fans, I suspect it’s the only expectation that matters.