Sheffield United ace ‘saved’ Ruben Selles as Blades told solution to Gus Hamer problem

Add as preferred source on Google

Positives were in very short supply once again for Sheffield United and Ruben Selles last time out, the Blades’ dismal start to the Championship campaign continuing at Middlesbrough.

While a difficult start to the Selles era was always a possibility following a difficult summer, the departure of the legendary Chris Wilder, and with that play-off final hangover still lingering, even the most pessimistic Sheffield United supporter did not see this coming.

Tommy Conway’s well-taken winner at the Riverside maintained Middlesbrough’s 100 per cent start. At the other end of the table, meanwhile, sit Sheffield United, rivalling neighbours Wednesday for the title of the Steel City’s crisis club.

This is now Sheffield United’s worst start to a non-Premier League season since 1995/96. EFL pundit Jobi McAnuff described the Ruben Selles reign as a ‘disaster’ after they conceded 15 shots – eight of which hit the target – at the Riverside.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to disagree.

And speaking to Sky Sports ahead of another daunting clash on Friday – Sheffield United travel to pre-season promotion favourites Ipswich Town – Andy Hinchcliffe believes that Ruben Selles might not even be making the trip to Portman Road if it wasn’t for Japhet Tanganga.

Andy Hinchcliffe thinks Japhet Tanganga saved Ruben Selles at Sheffield United

Reportedly signed from Millwall for up to £10 million, Japhet Tanganga appears Sheffield United’s standout signing already, only one game into his Blades career.

While Ben Godfrey, Tyler Bindon and Harrison Burrows were left chasing shadows, Tanganga provided what resembled a one-man blockade in front of Michael Cooper’s goal.

Hinchcliffe cannot help but feel that Selles’ Bramall Lane tenure would have been over already if the former Tottenham Hotspur youngster had not been on hand to prevent Middlesbrough racking up a scoreline more reflective of their dominance.

“If not for Japhet Tanganga, they would have lost four or five against Middlesbrough,” says former Man City, Everton and Sheffield Wednesday defender Hinchcliffe.

“Had that happened, I doubt Selles would still be in a job. Losing by a single goal probably saved him.”

Tanganga’s standout moment came when he denied a dithering Delano Burgzorg what looked to be a certain second goal on the banks of the Tees.

The Blades are missing Vini Souza and Anel Ahmedhodzic

Hinchcliffe feels that 35-year-old Ben Mee, signed on a free transfer, can also help to plug the cavernous holes in Sheffield United’s leaking hull. Though there is only so much two central defenders can do when left as exposed as they were at Middlesbrough.

“They have lost key men like [Vini] Souza and Anel Ahmedhodzic but, on paper, this squad should still be performing better,” he adds. “I am not sure the dressing room is convinced by Selles. The body language does not look right. Something is clearly wrong.

“It is not just about defenders. Keeping clean sheets is a team effort. Middlesbrough showed that, as even their attacking subs were working hard off the ball. United’s wide players did not track back, leaving the full-backs exposed. A simple 4-5-1, solid for the first 25 minutes away from home, would have made more sense. Instead, players seemed to just follow instructions blindly, without asking questions when they were being overloaded.

“New signings like Ben Mee and Tanganga need teammates around them pulling their weight. At one point Tanganga made two big defensive blocks and shook his head, as if to say, why is all this pressure on me? That tells you everything.”

Ruben Selles told to take a leaf out of Chris Wilder’s book with Gus Hamer

Perhaps the most worrying thing of all is that Ruben Selles is struggling to get a tune out of the Championship’s reigning Player of the Year. Hinchcliffe suspects their Gus Hamer problem could be solved, though, by restoring him to the role where he wreaked so much havoc last season.

“When it comes to Gus Hamer, against Middlesbrough, he often dropped between the centre-halves just to get touches,” he explains. “That never happened under Wilder, because there was a proper midfield base behind him.

“A player like Hamer should be high up the pitch, in the final third, creating chances. Instead, frustration is dragging him deeper.”

EFL Analysis were informed a few days ago by chief football correspondent Graeme Bailey that Sheffield United have no plans to sack Ruben Selles just yet. But should Ipswich consign them to a sixth defeat from six, any lingering confidence in the former Hull City and Southampton coach will dwindle ever further.