Did the 5-4 Championship defeat to Fulham show that Sheffield United will miss Paul Coutts or can John Lundstram step up?
Manager of Sheffield United Chris Wilder looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match against Hull City.
Sheffield United lost their first home match in the Championship since September 16 when Fulham finished on top in a 5-4 thriller at Bramall Lane.
Ryan Sessegnon scored a hat-trick and Sheyi Ojo netted the other two for the Cottagers, while Leon Clarke also had a treble and Samir Carruthers was on target for United.
Leon Clarke (L) of Sheffield United celebrates scoring his fourth goal during the Sky Bet Championship match against Hull City.
While it was a thrilling match and the hosts were applauded off at Bramall Lane after almost pegging the visitors back after being 5-2 down until the 86th minute, does the result suggest the Blades are already missing Paul Coutts?
Coutts was stretchered off with what turned out to be a broken leg during last Friday’s (November 18) 3-1 victory at Burton Albion and will miss the rest of the season.
Part of the foundation of success for Chris Wilder’s newly promoted men this season has been consistency in selection and the midfielder had only missed one league match this term due to suspension.
Lucas Akins of Burton tackles Paul Coutts of Sheffield Utd during the Sky Bet Championship match.
Against a sluggish Burton, substitute John Lundstram slotted into Coutts’ position in the middle without affecting things too much, but against stiffer opposition the absence of the 29-year-old was more obvious.
The former Derby County man’s solid partnership with John Fleck in central midfield has been vital in a Wilder 3-5-2 that shifts the ball around with pace and purpose and it remains to be seen whether Lundstram or Carruthers can fill the void.
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