Deadbat
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2025/26 SUFC SEASON REVIEW / SCHOOL REPORT
Disclaimer: I won’t be doing quite as detailed any end of season review sadly (hurrah some might say!) as I have in seasons past but still will be a review and weighty but less stats and more opinion based probably! It takes a long time and work/family/life means I may struggle to put together anything as detailed again but still want to summarise the season, go through each department of the team and then rate players individually, as I have done before. I will also look at next season as I discuss the contract situation and where we may go from here. If there are any issues with contract situations I state, please come back to me as some are uncertain on length of contracts remaining.
To be released over the next week will be -
Part 1 : Season Review/Stats (below)
Part 2 : Board / Club / Managers
Part 3 : Playing Squad - Goalkeepers
Part 4 : Playing Squad - Defence
Part 5 : Playing Squad - Midfield
Part 6 : Playing Squad - Attack
Part 7 : Academy / Development / Women
Part 8 : Conclusions / Summary / Award
Part 1: Season Review/Stats
The previous season had seen the heartbreaking playoff defeat after a 90-point season where the Blades missed out on automatic and a second opportunity in the playoffs but no one perhaps saw the changes that followed. The ensuing summer reshuffle that saw Chris Wilder leaving and Ruben Selles being appointed, had certainly courted controversy. A positive preseason of performances and results meant that despite the huge change and losses of key players, most in football, still felt we would be pushing for promotion again when the season commenced despite the club going in a different direction.
August
The opening day saw sunshine but a disastrous defeat at home to Bristol City where United played some good football but got hit for four goals as a rather naïve set up exposed the weaknesses of the new approach. A Hamer special in the cup at Birmingham was not enough in another defeat before the Blades meekly surrender at Swansea the next weekend, making it three defeats from three. A further home defeat at Millwall saw pressure already on the new man. Newcomers had arrived in Tanganga, Ings, Matos, Godfrey, Mee, Chong and McGuiness, in a busy window but the Blades lost again at Middlesborough with the manager’s position already in real jeopardy.
September
A crushing defeat at Portman Road saw the board act and dismiss Selles after only 5 games but 5 defeats and the Blades rock bottom, left no choice for the new owners. The surprise return of Chris Wilder, only 3 months after he left, failed to yield an instant result – as the Blades lost at home to Charlton. Finally, a win came – on the road at Oxford – thanks to O’Hare but another Lane defeat – at home to Southampton made it four defeats from four at home.
October
United should have taken something at Hull but a missed penalty from Burrows meant it was yet another defeat and Wilder’s return seemed to be going sour quickly. However, a vital win against Watford – the Blades first points at home – with O’Hare on target again – stopped the rot. United then followed this up with a good performance at Blackburn to score three goals and win. The defensive frailties had not gone away though and after conceding two goals on the road here, they coughed up a two-goal lead to lose at former manager Heckingbottom’s Preston side.
November
Two defeats started the month – with some horrific defending seeing Derby win 3-1 at the Lane and then the same result at league leaders Coventry in the week. A dull draw at home to QPR at least saw a point on the board before the Sheffield Derby saw some delight at last for the red half as United hammered a sorry Wednesday side 3-0 with Campbell continuing his goalscoring form against the old enemy. The Blades then finally put some form and results together – hammering Portsmouth 3-0 and then racing into a three-goal lead at Leicester and holding on. The goals were now coming with popular midfielder Sydie Peck scoring his first goal for the club and following it up with another at the King Power Stadium.
December
United’s best performance of the season saw them rout Stoke 4-0 with some of the best football seen for a long time at the Lane. A much-changed side could not hold on against a struggling Norwich side and then a poor performance ended the unbeaten run at the Hawthorns. The Blades were looking strong at home and the free scoring form continued as Birmingham were beaten easily with another three goals coming. A bad second half in North Wales saw Wrexham and former Blade Kieffer Moore, turn around a deficit, to score 5 goals as the defensive issues continued. United ended the year with a better showing on the road – as they beat Stoke 2-1.
January
United began the New Year with another excellent home display, with Leicester well beaten but the inconsistent form continued with a defeat at home in the FA Cup to Mansfield – four more conceded and then a dreadful afternoon at the Valley – as two were sent off before half time in a 1-0 defeat. A lethargic performance – at Southampton – saw any hopes of a late playoff charge consigned to the ‘very unlikely’ category. Two better showings ended the month. There was a rare win against one of the league’s better sides, Ipswich – and a decent performance at Millwall – earning a draw.
February
A scrappy win against Oxford was followed up with arguably a better overall performance against high flying Middlesbrough but the away side were the best team seen at the Lane and good value for their win. United’s ill-discipline saw another man sent off – following on from Bamford’s at home to Ipswich – as Rothwell departed only minutes after making his first appearance for the club. United were fortunate to get a late smash and grab win at Portsmouth, who had been the better side most of the game with Brooks continuing his ascent and goalscoring form. The Sheffield Derby saw United complete the double double and relegate their city rivals but it was harder work than it should have been after the Blades had charged into an early two goal lead. Phillips unnecessary red card was the latest of the ill-discipline shown at the club. Another entertaining game at the Lane against a top side, Coventry, saw United miss out again as they switched off at key moments – despite dominating for long spells and leading. They ended the month winning at a poor QPR side with Campbell back in the side and scoring after a poor spell.
March
The month began with a flat showing at home to West Brom and this was followed up with another fadeout – this time at Norwich – who came back and won. A better effort – despite another red card – saw Bamford get a point at Birmingham. The second half fall aways and inability to hold leads had been a feature in recent times and it happened again, as once again United controlled a home game but failed to put a team away and Wrexham came back to score two quick goals and take the points.
April
The Easter period of games saw United take only a single point – they looked out of sight at home against Swansea but threw away a lead again to draw 3-3 before a drab game at Bristol City saw United lose 1-0 despite creating lots of chances in the 2nd half. The poor run ended when it was United coming back from trailing to score two late goals to beat playoff chasing Hull City. We followed this up with a comfortable 2-0 away win at Watford, with two clever Bamford finishes against an appalling Watford side to see United jump into the top half. However, the reality of the frustrations of the season came to the fore again as an awful showing at the Lane, saw Blackburn got 3-0 up at the half and the Blades were booed off. Only a few days later and another lacklustre showing saw another Lancashire side race beat the Blades, scoring three goals again.
May
United ended their season on the road, at Derby, with the home side having a shot of the playoff still before kick-off. The Rams stormed into an early lead and it looked like been another rotten afternoon to end the campaign. Goals from Cannon and Peck, in a much improved second half saw the Blades end with a win – and deny Derby any chance of the Playoffs.
Final League Position: 13th
Won = 18
Drew = 6
Lost = 22
Points = 60
PPG = 1.28PPG
Home PPG = 1.35
Away PPG = 1.26
Goals scored = 66
Goals conceded = 66
Player Stats/Appearances/Goals
Leading Scorer: Patrick Bamford 12
Most Appearances: Starts – Japhet Tanganga 42 / Appearances Callum O’Hare 45
Minutes played – Japhet Tanganga = 3735
Most Assists: Gus Hamer 12
Appearance totals - Starts (sub appearances) – League only
Japhet Tanganga 42 (0 subs)
Callum O’Hare 41 (4)
Sydie Peck 36 (4)
Michael Cooper 34 (0)
Harrison Burrows 30 (14)
Andre Brooks 28 (11)
Femi Seriki 29 (11)
Gus Hamer 27 (10)
Tyrese Campbell 21 (13)
Patrick Bamford 22 (6)
Tyler Bindon 22 (3)
Mark McGuiness 21 (4)
Tom Cannon 19 (17)
Jairo Riedewald 20 (5)
Sam McCallum 15 (5)
Ben Mee 14 (1)
Adam Davies 12 (1)
Djibril Soumare 13 (12)
Oliver Arblaster 9 (12)
Chiedoze Ogbene 10 (5)
Tahith Chong 7 (14)
Danny Ings 5 (18)
Ki Jana Hoever 5 (10)
Louie Barry 6 (3)
Joe Rothwell 4 (6)
Tom Davies 3 (7)
Alex Matos 3 (5)
Ben Godfrey 4 (0)
Leo Hjelde 2 (6)
Kalvin Phillips 2 (1)
Jack Robinson 2 (1)
Rhys Norrington Davies 1 (0)
Ryan One 0 (6)
Jamie Shackleton 0 (3)
Disclaimer: I won’t be doing quite as detailed any end of season review sadly (hurrah some might say!) as I have in seasons past but still will be a review and weighty but less stats and more opinion based probably! It takes a long time and work/family/life means I may struggle to put together anything as detailed again but still want to summarise the season, go through each department of the team and then rate players individually, as I have done before. I will also look at next season as I discuss the contract situation and where we may go from here. If there are any issues with contract situations I state, please come back to me as some are uncertain on length of contracts remaining.
To be released over the next week will be -
Part 1 : Season Review/Stats (below)
Part 2 : Board / Club / Managers
Part 3 : Playing Squad - Goalkeepers
Part 4 : Playing Squad - Defence
Part 5 : Playing Squad - Midfield
Part 6 : Playing Squad - Attack
Part 7 : Academy / Development / Women
Part 8 : Conclusions / Summary / Award
Part 1: Season Review/Stats
The previous season had seen the heartbreaking playoff defeat after a 90-point season where the Blades missed out on automatic and a second opportunity in the playoffs but no one perhaps saw the changes that followed. The ensuing summer reshuffle that saw Chris Wilder leaving and Ruben Selles being appointed, had certainly courted controversy. A positive preseason of performances and results meant that despite the huge change and losses of key players, most in football, still felt we would be pushing for promotion again when the season commenced despite the club going in a different direction.
August
The opening day saw sunshine but a disastrous defeat at home to Bristol City where United played some good football but got hit for four goals as a rather naïve set up exposed the weaknesses of the new approach. A Hamer special in the cup at Birmingham was not enough in another defeat before the Blades meekly surrender at Swansea the next weekend, making it three defeats from three. A further home defeat at Millwall saw pressure already on the new man. Newcomers had arrived in Tanganga, Ings, Matos, Godfrey, Mee, Chong and McGuiness, in a busy window but the Blades lost again at Middlesborough with the manager’s position already in real jeopardy.
September
A crushing defeat at Portman Road saw the board act and dismiss Selles after only 5 games but 5 defeats and the Blades rock bottom, left no choice for the new owners. The surprise return of Chris Wilder, only 3 months after he left, failed to yield an instant result – as the Blades lost at home to Charlton. Finally, a win came – on the road at Oxford – thanks to O’Hare but another Lane defeat – at home to Southampton made it four defeats from four at home.
October
United should have taken something at Hull but a missed penalty from Burrows meant it was yet another defeat and Wilder’s return seemed to be going sour quickly. However, a vital win against Watford – the Blades first points at home – with O’Hare on target again – stopped the rot. United then followed this up with a good performance at Blackburn to score three goals and win. The defensive frailties had not gone away though and after conceding two goals on the road here, they coughed up a two-goal lead to lose at former manager Heckingbottom’s Preston side.
November
Two defeats started the month – with some horrific defending seeing Derby win 3-1 at the Lane and then the same result at league leaders Coventry in the week. A dull draw at home to QPR at least saw a point on the board before the Sheffield Derby saw some delight at last for the red half as United hammered a sorry Wednesday side 3-0 with Campbell continuing his goalscoring form against the old enemy. The Blades then finally put some form and results together – hammering Portsmouth 3-0 and then racing into a three-goal lead at Leicester and holding on. The goals were now coming with popular midfielder Sydie Peck scoring his first goal for the club and following it up with another at the King Power Stadium.
December
United’s best performance of the season saw them rout Stoke 4-0 with some of the best football seen for a long time at the Lane. A much-changed side could not hold on against a struggling Norwich side and then a poor performance ended the unbeaten run at the Hawthorns. The Blades were looking strong at home and the free scoring form continued as Birmingham were beaten easily with another three goals coming. A bad second half in North Wales saw Wrexham and former Blade Kieffer Moore, turn around a deficit, to score 5 goals as the defensive issues continued. United ended the year with a better showing on the road – as they beat Stoke 2-1.
January
United began the New Year with another excellent home display, with Leicester well beaten but the inconsistent form continued with a defeat at home in the FA Cup to Mansfield – four more conceded and then a dreadful afternoon at the Valley – as two were sent off before half time in a 1-0 defeat. A lethargic performance – at Southampton – saw any hopes of a late playoff charge consigned to the ‘very unlikely’ category. Two better showings ended the month. There was a rare win against one of the league’s better sides, Ipswich – and a decent performance at Millwall – earning a draw.
February
A scrappy win against Oxford was followed up with arguably a better overall performance against high flying Middlesbrough but the away side were the best team seen at the Lane and good value for their win. United’s ill-discipline saw another man sent off – following on from Bamford’s at home to Ipswich – as Rothwell departed only minutes after making his first appearance for the club. United were fortunate to get a late smash and grab win at Portsmouth, who had been the better side most of the game with Brooks continuing his ascent and goalscoring form. The Sheffield Derby saw United complete the double double and relegate their city rivals but it was harder work than it should have been after the Blades had charged into an early two goal lead. Phillips unnecessary red card was the latest of the ill-discipline shown at the club. Another entertaining game at the Lane against a top side, Coventry, saw United miss out again as they switched off at key moments – despite dominating for long spells and leading. They ended the month winning at a poor QPR side with Campbell back in the side and scoring after a poor spell.
March
The month began with a flat showing at home to West Brom and this was followed up with another fadeout – this time at Norwich – who came back and won. A better effort – despite another red card – saw Bamford get a point at Birmingham. The second half fall aways and inability to hold leads had been a feature in recent times and it happened again, as once again United controlled a home game but failed to put a team away and Wrexham came back to score two quick goals and take the points.
April
The Easter period of games saw United take only a single point – they looked out of sight at home against Swansea but threw away a lead again to draw 3-3 before a drab game at Bristol City saw United lose 1-0 despite creating lots of chances in the 2nd half. The poor run ended when it was United coming back from trailing to score two late goals to beat playoff chasing Hull City. We followed this up with a comfortable 2-0 away win at Watford, with two clever Bamford finishes against an appalling Watford side to see United jump into the top half. However, the reality of the frustrations of the season came to the fore again as an awful showing at the Lane, saw Blackburn got 3-0 up at the half and the Blades were booed off. Only a few days later and another lacklustre showing saw another Lancashire side race beat the Blades, scoring three goals again.
May
United ended their season on the road, at Derby, with the home side having a shot of the playoff still before kick-off. The Rams stormed into an early lead and it looked like been another rotten afternoon to end the campaign. Goals from Cannon and Peck, in a much improved second half saw the Blades end with a win – and deny Derby any chance of the Playoffs.
Final League Position: 13th
Won = 18
Drew = 6
Lost = 22
Points = 60
PPG = 1.28PPG
Home PPG = 1.35
Away PPG = 1.26
Goals scored = 66
Goals conceded = 66
Player Stats/Appearances/Goals
Leading Scorer: Patrick Bamford 12
Most Appearances: Starts – Japhet Tanganga 42 / Appearances Callum O’Hare 45
Minutes played – Japhet Tanganga = 3735
Most Assists: Gus Hamer 12
Appearance totals - Starts (sub appearances) – League only
Japhet Tanganga 42 (0 subs)
Callum O’Hare 41 (4)
Sydie Peck 36 (4)
Michael Cooper 34 (0)
Harrison Burrows 30 (14)
Andre Brooks 28 (11)
Femi Seriki 29 (11)
Gus Hamer 27 (10)
Tyrese Campbell 21 (13)
Patrick Bamford 22 (6)
Tyler Bindon 22 (3)
Mark McGuiness 21 (4)
Tom Cannon 19 (17)
Jairo Riedewald 20 (5)
Sam McCallum 15 (5)
Ben Mee 14 (1)
Adam Davies 12 (1)
Djibril Soumare 13 (12)
Oliver Arblaster 9 (12)
Chiedoze Ogbene 10 (5)
Tahith Chong 7 (14)
Danny Ings 5 (18)
Ki Jana Hoever 5 (10)
Louie Barry 6 (3)
Joe Rothwell 4 (6)
Tom Davies 3 (7)
Alex Matos 3 (5)
Ben Godfrey 4 (0)
Leo Hjelde 2 (6)
Kalvin Phillips 2 (1)
Jack Robinson 2 (1)
Rhys Norrington Davies 1 (0)
Ryan One 0 (6)
Jamie Shackleton 0 (3)
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