This season, both Harrison Burrows and Sam McCallum have contended for the left-back position at Sheffield United, but neither has established themselves as the exclusive occupant.
Chris Wilder was fired as head coach after losing the play-off final against Sunderland last season, and he was replaced by Ruben Selles, who had previously managed Reading and Hull City.
However, after only six games, all of which ended in defeat, the Spaniard was fired, and the Blades were left with their tails between their legs when they re-appointed Wilder shortly thereafter.
Their form has improved since his return to Bramall Lane, with their most recent defeat to West Brom snapping a five-game undefeated streak and placing them 18th in the table after 21 games.
The Blades will undoubtedly have hopes of breaking into the top six this season, despite the fact that they are 11 points outside the play-off spots, but will take comfort in the league’s closeness this season, particularly in the upper echelons, and will fancy their chances.
Wilder must be consistent in his team selections in order to develop the essential chemistry and understanding on the pitch, which was badly lacking in the early months of the season, with the left-back position in particular being a difficult decision.
Chris Wilder has yet to decide whether Harrison Burrows or Sam McCallum is the primary left-back at Sheffield United.
This season, both Harrison Burrows and Sam McCallum have played a balanced number of minutes at left-back for Sheffield United, with neither able to claim the position.
Burrows has made 20 league appearances this season, 12 of which have been starts, while McCallum has made 14 league appearances, with only nine starts.
Burrows has just about earned the nod more frequently than McCallum at this point, but the latter was obviously second choice in the early portions of the season under Selles and has only seen his game time improve since Wilder’s return.
Interestingly, both were signed in the summer of 2024, with Ben Osborn and Max Lowe leaving the club at the same time, while Rhys Norrington-Davies was out of favour.
Burrows, who came for £3 million from Peterborough United, was the favored option most of the time last season. He made 43 Championship appearances for the Blades last season and performed admirably in a consistent campaign.
The Englishman has struggled to reach the heights of last season, with McCallum, who signed for the Blades on a free transfer from Norwich City, proving to be a worthy competition in that position.
Wilder has yet to decide who will be his primary left-back option moving forward this season, despite both making excellent cases for the position.
Chris Wilder must make a decision in the 50/50 shout over Sheffield United’s left-back position.
Wilder appears to be settling on the side he will primarily deploy at Sheffield United this season, switching from a back three to a back four, eliminating Chiedozie Ogbene from the starting lineup at wing-back, and reinstalling Femi Seriki at right-back.
Japhet Tanganga and Ben Mee or Mark McGuiness appear to be the most likely combo moving forward this season, though possibilities may be changed around during the January transfer window.
It’s then down to the most disputed position, left-back, and on the surface, Burrows appears to be the most probable candidate to secure a spot in the side, but with him not hitting quite the same levels as last season, it’s not a guarantee.
Wilder has played both him and McCallum extensively throughout his stay at the club, both this season and last, and appears to be torn between the two.
While rotation is totally acceptable, given how many games the season throws at the clubs, Wilder needs to be more consistent in his position selection in order to develop consistency throughout his team.
If anyone can save Sheffield United’s season, you’d put your money on Wilder, however he simply must select between Burrows and McCallum in the long run if the Blades are to present themselves with the greatest possible possibilities of clawing back a top six finish following a dreadful start.
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