If there’s one thing that Chris Wilder has been fond of, it’s been rotation up front.
If you just take a look at the numbers, whilst players like Chris Basham and George Baldock have started 37 and 36 games respectively this year, the most starts by a forward this year has been Oli McBurnie with 22.
Perhaps that’s why the return for goals has been so low this season, Lys Mousset leading the way with just six in all competitions, it’s hard to get numbers like that up when you don’t get a consistent run in the team.
But according to Wilder, someone like Mousset needs to make the job of picking him a lot easier to do with his performances. Speaking ahead of this weekend’s game with Chelsea, the Blades boss made it absolutely clear that it’s down to the Frenchman to give him a reason to make him a regular.
“Lys needs to do more and he needs to do better. When he has an opportunity, he needs to take it. We can do everything we can for him but he’s also got to help himself. The boys are desperate for him to do well. He’s contributed out there. But there’s more to come from him. A lot more as far as I’m concerned, and Lys is the only one who can make sure that we all see it.”
Where does the blame lie for Mousett's lack of production?
Wilder
Mousset
Which kind of puts us in a chicken and egg situation.
What is going to come first? Mousset giving more when he’s on the pitch, or Wilder giving him more of an opportunity to showcase what he can do?
At the moment, Mousset is only averaging around 42 minutes per appearance, and having been substituted into the game 17 times so far this campaign, is that really enough time for him to make a fair contribution to the team all things considered?
At the same time though, he’s currently bottom when it comes to his shot on target percentage amongst all the forwards in the team, so there is certainly some work to do on his end whenever he is given the chance.
What about you? How do you think we need to solve this little problem? Who needs to blink first as it were?
Wilder. The way he sets out his team makes it difficult for strikers. Playing not to lose is ok but it means we cannot counter quick enough due to lack of pace. Sharp and Musset are the two capable of breaking quickly. Mcgoldrick and mcburnie are slow. Ziv may be ok, not seen enough. Musset has too much pressure on knowing he has to diliver in sub appearances of 20 minutes or so.