Chris Wilder on Sheffield United's defeat at Coventry
Solution to Sheffield United transfer “problem” seems inevitable with Chris Wilder’s January priority already clear
He may have been told he still has time to salvage his Sheffield United career but the minutes are rapidly ticking away for Louie Barry ahead of a potential parting of ways once the January sales begin. The Aston Villa youngster has endured a difficult time at Bramall Lane so far.
Signed to some fanfare in the summer, as he linked up with former boss Ruben Selles in South Yorkshire, there were promising early signs from the 22-year-old, even if the usual signs of inconsistency from young players were also evident.
But as the weeks went on and United’s struggles continued, Barry showed few signs of getting further acclimatised to his first real experience of the Championship. He has started one game for Chris Wilder since he returned to take Selles’ place, and was hooked before the hour.
His most recent outing for the Blades was in the U21s, scoring their only goal in defeat to Wigan Athletic earlier this week after being omitted entirely from the squad that lost to Derby County at the weekend.
The sight of a strong U21 side, including the likes of Ben Godfrey, Jamie Shackleton and Nils Zatterstrom as well as Barry, losing to Wigan will do little to advance their hopes of a recall to the first team ahead of a vital January window in which Wilder will look to wheel and deal, most likely by looking to free up a space or two on United’s loan roster.
The two obvious candidates at present would appear to be Godfrey - sidelined from the first team as he and United work through what has only been described as “a personal issue” - and Barry, with Tyler Bindon another temporary signing to have struggled for minutes since Wilder’s return to Bramall Lane.
Solution to Sheffield United transfer “problem” seems inevitable with Chris Wilder’s January priority already clear
Depending on the clauses inserted into the deals which saw them arrive in South Yorkshire in the summer, much may depend on the stance of the players’ parent clubs if United do seek to cut short any temporary spells. But Villa are not likely to be viewing Barry’s current situation with any fondness, and a mutual parting of the ways may prove best for all concerned.
"Louie Barry's situation is a problem," said former Villa and United man Lee Hendrie recently, as quoted by Football League World. "Ruben Selles brought him to Sheffield United and wanted to play a certain way.
"I'm not saying he can't play under Chris Wilder, but it doesn't seem to be working quite as planned. I spoke to him briefly at the start of the season. He was excited and upbeat about going there. As you would be.
"I think a lot of things have not just gone against Louie, but the club didn't start as they should've done. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster for Sheffield United, and their forwards have come under massive scrutiny.
"I've played at the club. When things aren't going well, as you can imagine, they've got a big expectation there and the fans take it out, like every team, because they want the best from their team and their best players to perform.
"There have been too many of those who have underperformed this season, hence where they are in the table. It might be that Villa recall him, it might not suit his way or style. It's looking that way because he hasn't played much since Chris came back.
"This is the good thing about having loan spells. You can go out, and if it doesn't work, you come back and go somewhere else in January, which I know a number of clubs would certainly be interested in him.”
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