Sheffield United’s Yellow Card Issue Part 2 | OneFootball

It’s been three months since, I first looked into the yellow cards earnt by each of Sheffield United’s players. At the time the Blades sat 4th in the Championship’s yellow card table and now have moved down to sixth.

Whilst the rate of yellow cards appears to have slowed down, Gustavo Hamer’s two-game ban shows the danger of totting up too many yellows.

So, what is the current state of each of United’s players current total yellow cards?

Yellow Cards Per Game

Sheffield United have so far received 63 yellow cards in the Championship. Three months ago, the Watford game at Bramall Lane was the standalone for most yellow cards received in a game (5).

Since then Sunderland’s visit to Bramall Lane saw the record beaten with six players. Jack Robinson, Gustavo Hamer, Harry Souttar, Tom Davies, and Ryan Oné each receiving a yellow card as promotion rivals clashed. Although, the six is a technicality. With Souttar sent off for two yellow card offences. The game even saw Chris Wilder receive a yellow.

From four to one yellows per game

The games including four yellow cards were Hull City, Stoke City, West Brom away, and the most recent game against Swansea.

Five games have included three yellow cards; Derby County, Portsmouth, Swansea City, Burnley, and West Brom. Interestingly, the first three games featuring three yellows were consecutive. Equally, it seems something about Swansea and West Brom brings the yellow card challenges out of the Blades.

Eight games have included two yellow cards. QPR, Norwich City, Luton Town, Leeds, Blackburn, Bristol City, Coventry City, and Millwall. With Coventry seeing a straight red for Anel Ahmedhodzic.

The remaining seven games featuring one yellow card were Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, Oxford, Cardiff, Sunderland away, Watford, and Norwich at home.

There have been two. Yes. Two Championship games without yellow cards for Sheffield United this season. The opening day against Preston North End and the Plymouth game on 14 December. Perhaps, Michael Cooper asked the Blades to go easy on his former teammates.

In the cups, Sydie Peck picked up a yellow against Wrexham in the League Cup. Louie Marsh got one against Barnsley in the next round. Finally in the forgettable FA Cup game against Cardiff, no yellow cards were given.

On average, all of this means that the Blades are currently receiving 2.25 yellow cards per game. With the average decreasing from 2.58 yellows per game in the October article.

Yellows per player

The most recently banned player Gustavo Hamer leads the Blades on ten yellow cards. Closely followed by Vinicius Souza and Anel Ahmedhodzic on six. With Souza’s injury keeping his tally lower than it likely would be.

The next closest are Alfie Gilchrist and Sydie Peck on 5, although the pair are safe from suspension as their fifth yellows came after Game-week 19.

Other Yellow Card Holders

The only player on four yellow cards is Jack Robinson. An impressive showing from the Blades captain as he’s only played 17 Championship matches so far.

In the three yellows club are; Harry Souttar, Tom Davies, Oliver Arblaster, and Andre Brooks. Although from Soutts’ perspective, we’d rather have the big man back than care how many yellow cards he might tot up.

Those with two yellows include; Harrison Burrows, Tyrese Campbell, Callum O’ Hare, Ryan Oné, and Michael Cooper.

The singular yellows are Rhys Norrington-Davies, Femi Seriki, Kieffer Moore, Rhian Brewster, and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.

With only five players who have played in the Championship for United this season receiving zero yellows. Adam Davies, Jamal Baptiste, Sam McCallum, Jamie Shackleton, and Ben Brereton-Diaz. Although, Ben still has a lot of minutes to catch up on in his race to claim Hamer’s crown.

What does it all mean?

It’s a better position than before game-week 19. But, on the split side the likes of Souza, Ahmedhodzic, Peck and Gilchrist could be in danger of joining Hamer in the two-game sin bin. With all four players halfway to ten yellows and playing roles that offer increased yellow potential.

The rest of the squad should probably be okay. Although the number of ‘mass confrontations’ fines, the Blades have encountered this season. Are quite rightly a cause for cautious optimism when hoping for no more yellow-induced two match bans. Rather than any strong belief more players won’t end up like Hamer.

Ultimately, some have argued that Hamer’s absence from Hull City and Derby County is the best case scenario. As many see the two games as winnable. Whilst, this is true compared to him missing February’s rematch against Leeds. The Championship isn’t exactly a league full of teams ready to rollover. The first-half against Swansea a reminder that without your strongest team things can quickly go wrong. Any amount of time without Hamer isn’t ideal. His ten yellows should be avoided at all cost by other Blades’ players.