Sheffield United: Blades star hails tactical switch

And the former Blackpool midfielder, who has also featured as a centre-half since arriving at Bramall Lane from Bloomfield Road two years ago, insisted he is not surprised by United’s improved results after adopting a 3-5-2 formation earlier this term.

“It’s a good position for me because it lets me play to all my strengths,” Basham said. “Without bigging myself up, I’m fit so I can get up and down and attack. I’m also tall and good with my head so that gives us an outlet too because I’m usually taller than the full-back I’m up against.

“I’ve played as a winger before but never a wing-back. Thinking about it, though, it lets me do all of the things I’m good at.”

With United entering today’s game at Coventry City today unbeaten in five matches, that lack of compromise has benefitted many of Basham’s team mates too.

“Matty Done has got a great engine so he’s perfect for the other wing-back, Couttsy (Paul Coutts) is brilliant at keeping the ball and has really upped himself of late while Billy and Che are linking-up well thanks to that help from the lads in midfield.”