Sheffield United

Rob Staton
BBC Radio Sheffield reporter

Image source, Shutterstock

Sheffield United might have gone out of the FA Cup at the weekend to League One Mansfield but the news of Patrick Bamford's contract extension should outweigh any disappointment.

The 32-year-old striker has shown he still has plenty left in the tank and the stats back that up.

He's scored five goals in 10 league appearances (six starts) and he bagged another in the cup on Sunday. His goals scored per 90 minutes is 0.93 – nobody has a higher mark in the Championship currently.

This has clearly impacted United's overall scoring rate. The Blades are the top scorers in the second tier over the past eight games with 19 goals.

No team has accrued more points than United in the past 10 games either and they've claimed a 70% share of total xG. This has enabled United to jump to fourth in the league for xG.

Manager Chris Wilder made a point of highlighting the need for a number nine upon his arrival. With Bamford secured, the results are evident.

There are still improvements to be made defensively. Only three teams have conceded more, with United having played a game fewer than most. Yet as an attacking force, the Blades are now a different animal.

It's another example of Wilder's ability to create an environment for individuals to excel. David McGoldrick is the best of numerous previous examples. And Bamford is the latest. The boss has a keen eye for an opportunity then making the most of it.

Having waited patiently for the right opportunity this season after a barren spell in front of goal to end his time at Leeds, the one-cap England international has now returned to the form that helped the Whites to promotion in the past.

You could argue there might not be a more impactful Championship addition during this January transfer window.

There's still work to be done and further deals to be completed by the Blades. With Bamford leading the line though, there's evidence United can continue to move up the table.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder wants to keep 24-year-old left-back Harrison Burrows, who is reportedly a £3.5m target for Turkish side Trabzonspor. (Yorkshire Post, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.

Pundits Dion Dublin and Phil Jones join host Kelly Somers to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's FA Cup ties.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to selected full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Derby County 1-3 Leeds United

• Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal

• Norwich City 5-1 Walsall

• West Ham United 2-1 Queens Park Rangers

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder was left "disappointed" that the side he selected was unable to beat Mansfield as they were stunned by the in-form League One outfit in a thrilling 4-3 defeat at Bramall Lane in the FA Cup third round.

Wilder made 10 changes from the side that comfortably beat Leicester City on New Year's Day before their planned match against Oxford United was postponed just two hours prior to kick-off last Sunday due to a frozen pitch.

He told BBC Radio Sheffield: "Incredibly disappointed. I said I think the players might be a little bit bored of me going after them – this was an opportunity.

"I picked a team today to win a game of football, the changes that we made, we had to make. I'm not resting anybody - that team I picked, should have been good enough to win.

"I feel sorry for Adam Davies. The goals that we conceded are ridiculous. The centre forward has dominated the two defenders all afternoon.

"Today was an opportunity for people to stick themselves right in front of me and go, 'why aren't I playing?'.

"[Andre] Brooks just played where he wanted to play, Femi [Seriki] didn't do what he needed to do. Pat [Bamford] came on and made a big difference."

There are eight third-round ties in the FA Cup on Sunday - as Premier League and Championship teams enter the competition - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Derby v Leeds (12:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Derby & BBC Radio Leeds

• Portsmouth v Arsenal (14:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live & BBC Radio Solent

• Hull v Blackburn (14:30) - BBC Radio Humberside & BBC Radio Lancashire

• Norwich v Walsall (14:30) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2, BBC Radio Norfolk & BBC Radio WM

• Sheff Utd v Mansfield (14:30) - BBC Radio Sheffield & BBC Radio Nottingham

• Swansea v West Brom (14:30)

• West Ham v QPR (14:30) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Radio London

• Man Utd v Brighton (16:30) - BBC Radio Manchester and BBC Radio Sussex

Kick-off times GMT

Follow all of the action and reaction here

And find out how to follow the FA Cup across the BBC this weekend here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Derby County v Leeds United" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Portsmouth v Arsenal", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

Sheffield United are set to take Wolves' Dutch defender Ki-Jana Hoever, 23, on loan for the rest of the season. (Express & Star - subscription required, external),

The Blades are also keen on signing Republic of Ireland and Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone, 25, who impressed on loan at Millwall before suffering an injury in October. (SportsBoom, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Thursday's gossip column here.

Rotherham United are also considering a loan move for Sheffield United forward Ryan One, 19, with the Scotland Under-21 striker's fellow Blade Jamal Baptiste performing well at New York Stadium this season. (The Star), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.