Friday night’s Premier League clash between Sheffield United and West Ham United offered several talking points beyond that of the Video Assistant Referee, some of a much more tactical nature. Chris Wilder has taken England’s top-flight by storm this season with his impressively drilled Blades defying belief in sixth position.
A 1-0 victory over David Moyes’ outfit under the Bramall Lane floodlights only further cemented how deserving of respect the Yorkshire side have been this season. The defeat for the Hammers also put an end to the Scotsman’s winning start with the London club.
This tactical analysis will break down the match between the two and highlight key tactics employed by the two sides while using analysis to explain how they led to the game’s outcome, a 1-0 victory for the home side.
Lineups
For the clash with the Hammers, Wilder deployed the formation which he has shown a clear and strong preference to all season. As shown by the Wyscout graphic, a 5-3-2, which it is, of course, when the Blades are out of possession but can be considered a 3-5-2 when they do have the ball. Following the home side’s 2-1 victory over AFC Fylde in the FA Cup, Wilder made 11 changes to his starting lineup for the return to league action.
In the away dugout, Moyes opted for his third different starting formation of his three games back in charge of West Ham. Perhaps showing tactical fluidity, or perhaps an unknowing of his best set up yet. Following the 3-1-4-2 that was used against Gillingham in the FA Cup, the Scot switched to a 3-4-3 for the trip to Bramall Lane. In terms of personnel changes, three were made. Issa Diop, Ryan Fredericks and Robert Snodgrass made way for Aaron Creswell, Pablo Zabaleta and Mark Noble.
