Sheffield United derby-day hero opens up on form drop-off after detailing honest "conversations" before timely reminder
Last season, he was a relative revelation as he helped Sheffield United come within 15 minutes of promotion to the Premier League. The current campaign, though, has not been as straightforward for Harrison Burrows.
The left-back was United’s first-choice for virtually the entirety of last term, culminating in that play-off final defeat to Sunderland and another huge what-if moment in United’s recent history at Wembley.
Burrows’ wonderful season looked to have been capped when he scored at the national stadium to put the Blades 2-0 up - only for a lengthy VAR check to rule the goal out for offside. That gave Sunderland a second wind, and two late goals saw them go into the Premier League at United’s expense.
The hangover was substantial at Bramall Lane, with a bizarre summer change of manager not helping and several players - including Burrows - struggling as a result. It didn’t help that his main rival for the left-back spot, Sam McCallum, began to show the sort of form that had earned him a move to United in the first place.
But Burrows sent a timely reminder of the quality he still possesses with a fine strike to put United 2-0 up in their Steel City derby win over Wednesday at Bramall Lane yesterday, which proved to be pivotal after the Owls pulled one back in the second half.
Sheffield United derby-day hero opens up on form drop-off after honest "conversations" before Sheffield Wednesday moment
It was enough to win Burrows the supporters’ man of the match award but also showcased the ability and technique that impressed Unitedites last season, driving forward down the left before lashing past Seny Dieng with a well-struck effort that curved away from the debutant Wednesday goalkeeper.
With Sunderland loanee Leo Hjelde breathing down his neck after McCallum’s unfortunate season-threatening injury he sustained at Millwall earlier this year, the hope is that Burrows can now build on his magic derby moment and recapture the consistent form of last term.
“Yeah, I think so,” he admitted, when asked if he was getting back to those levels. “It’s a game by game thing but obviously, it's not been in the best form of my career. So, there have been conversations, and just reminding myself of the player that I am and how to get back to the level that I know I can get to.
“I’m just looking forward, really. And reminding myself, in my own head, the player I was last year. What I can achieve and what I want my career to look like at the end of it. So, that's the motivation for me.”
United, who are back at Bramall Lane on Wednesday night to face league leaders Coventry City, moved to within six points of the play-offs after beating Wednesday, although seven teams sit between them and sixth-placed Wrexham.
“Yeah, it is mathematically there,” said Burrows of the play-offs. “And like I said, we're just taking game by game. Obviously, our end goal is to get into the playoffs - and we're going to keep working as hard as we can and strive for it.”
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