Heading into this season, the left-wingback position was one of the areas where Sheffield United supporters wanted to see improvement. It’s fair to say Max Lowe has done just that.
In pre-season, Heckingbottom gave Enda Stevens and Max Lowe an equal opportunity to stake their claim for the shirt. Both players have suffered soft tissue injuries which has led to the pair getting a run in the side at different stages.
But the former Derby County man, Lowe, has made that left-wingback spot his own, demonstrating tremendous athleticism and showing off his excellent technique.
In the 11 appearances Lowe has made in the Championship this season he has registered 5 goal contributions, 4 of them being assists.
This is something United fans wanted to see more of coming into this season: quality delivery from the left-hand side of the pitch.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to anybody that Max Lowe has already achieved more assists in this campaign than what Enda Stevens got last campaign, and Lowe has already missed many weeks due to a hamstring injury.
My Analysis
I think the main thing that sets Stevens and Lowe apart is the clear difference in athletic ability. Although Stevens is a veteran of the game, he has never been a left-back blessed with the pace that Lowe has. He can use that in so many ways.
Starting Lowe at left-wingback allows United to play aggressively and more efficiently with the pressing because Lowe has the pace to get out to his opposite number, ultimately halting the build-up and potentially stealing the ball.
Another way United benefits from playing Lowe is in transition. Not only does he have the pace to run away from people, but he has an incredible engine, we have seen him already make 60 or 70 yard sprints to be involved in counterattack moves this season.
Below is an example against Stoke City. Lowe gained position of the ball on the halfway line, and he played a pass outside to Sharp, and made a lung-busting run to the near post.
Whilst I note his athletic ability, he has technical ability to go with it. His close control and vision can be seen when United formulate a triangle out wide and that’s when United’s pass combination play is at its best.
But here is an example of him being the overload player. McAtee fed the ball into Lowe’s path, so he doesn’t have to break stride. Now, it’s all about the decision making in the cross selection, and the execution of the cross. Lowe gets both perfect and it leads to the opening goal.
That sort of situation is what largely frustrated the supporters last season; the quality from out wide, especially on the left, was not particularly good.