da fazobetai： This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
da apostebet： Sheffield United may have beaten Aston Villa on Saturday but John Egan was in remarkably poor form in defence.
On the chalkboard
The win moved the Blades into fifth in the Premier League, yet again emphasising the fantastic job that manager Chris Wilder is doing at Bramall Lane.
A brace from John Fleck gave United an important victory and, while they kept a clean sheet, Egan was something of a passenger in defence.
He has missed just one game in the league this season, the 3-3 draw with Manchester United, but against Villa he was carried along by both Chris Basham and Jack O’Connell in a back five.
Per WhoScored, he had 54 touches of the ball and failed to win a single tackle throughout the 90 minutes.
He made just two clearances – three fewer than O’Connell – while he also won just 33% of the aerial duels he attempted.
That is compared to Basham’s 75% and O’Connell’s 100%.
A poor show
Wilder has a decision to make here.
Playing five at the back has worked for the Blades throughout this campaign but, versus Villa, there was a clear weak link.
Calling all Premier League experts: Who do these unique statistics belong to? Find out below….
Egan is clearly not as good in the air as O’Connell, nor is he as adept at reading the danger as Basham.
United, therefore, may well have to switch formations or look for other options in the transfer market.
They have the luxury of experimentation; they are currently ten points clear of Villa in the drop zone.
With games against Brighton & Hove Albion, Watford and Manchester City to come over the busy festive period, the Blades need to make a decision over their defence.
After this display, Egan could be the major casualty.