Minus the obvious blip of losing to Leeds United at Bramall Lane, Sheffield United are currently deep in a purple patch of form that should see automatic promotion to the Premier League become a reality.
The Blades have impressively won five of their last six games in the competitive Championship, with a narrow 2-1 win away at Queens Park Rangers last time out strengthening their grip on the top two alongside Daniel Farke’s table-topping Whites.
But, not everything is unbelievably rosey involving £10m buy Tom Cannon, who had to make do with another unmemorable bench appearance at Loftus Road.
Cannon's poor performances at Sheffield United
Everyone in South Yorkshire would have expected the former Leicester City man to instantly hit the ground running considering he was just fresh off an explosive nine-goal loan stint at Stoke City.
But, it hasn’t worked out like that at all for the 22-year-old, with zero goals coming his way across six largely underwhelming displays, away from assisting fellow new signing Ben Brereton Diaz back at the start of February.
The Irishman hasn’t been helped by his own injury issues getting in the way, but the drab performances when he has been fully fit haven’t exactly boosted his first-team chances moving forward.
Indeed, Cannon has had to make do with cameos here and there in the last few games, with his 31-minute showing in the aforementioned blockbuster clash against Leeds leaving a lot to be desired as the former Potters attacker made just one sorry accurate pass.
Whilst the statement buy has failed to live up to his wild £10m price tag, another of United’s striker additions in the summer has quietly gone about his business as a more shrewd acquisition, having arrived at Bramall Lane as a free transfer.
Sheffield United's bargain capture has been better than Cannon
The promotion-chasers did utilise the free-agent market well before the 2024/25 campaign kicked into gear, with Callum O’Hare entering the ranks with a reputation for being a full-throttle attacker in the number ten role, having collected 22 goals and 30 assists on the books of Coventry City.
He has two goals and six assists next to his name under Chris Wilder’s wing this season, with Tyrese Campbell also up to the same amount of goal contributions himself as another inspired signing.
Seven of that ever-growing tally has resulted in Campbell hitting the back of the net, with a stunning strike last time out seeing the revitalised 25-year-old secure a slim 2-1 win for his side to further live up to his previous billing as being a “great finisher” by his former Stoke manager Michael O’Neill.
Having had to overcome his own injury demons to get to this point – with this season already seeing Campbell miss seven games due to a hamstring concern – it was a risky pick-up on the end of Wilder and Co but one that looks to have paid off already, considering not a single penny was splashed out for him and his electric form when at the top of his game.
24/25
23
7
1
23/24
23
3
1
22/23
41
9
5
21/22
26
4
1
20/21
16
6
5
19/20
33
9
2
18/19
3
0
0
Looking at the table above, Campbell has already matched his Championship appearance total from last season, with the potential there for him to eclipse his best goal haul in a single season.
Whilst the United number 23 aims to nail down a starting spot for good, Cannon will be desperately hoping for more first-team chances soon, with Wilder no doubt having to call upon his £10m addition down the line for some firepower when the season draws nearer to its tense conclusion.
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