This is how Sheffield United can get back in top-2 picture after handing Burnley, Leeds promotion advantage
After giving Burnley and Leeds United the advantage, Sheffield United was told what they needed to do to regain their place in the automatic promotion picture.
Hopes of finishing in the top two are as slim as they have been all season at the end of a week that was thought to be a significant opportunity for Sheffield United to solidify their automatic promotion spot.
With just four games left in the season, the Blades are already five points behind joint leaders Burnley and Leeds United after three shocking losses.
Due to United’s dismal performance in the end-of-season lottery, most supporters are naturally resigned to another attempt at the dreaded play-offs after such a catastrophic run of form at such a crucial juncture in the season.
Although the Blades have a chance to turn things around and attempt a late gatecrash of the top two, they must put their all into that pursuit and then handle any fallout if and when it occurs.
Although the Clarets have not lost at home this season, and given United’s current form, there is still hope in the form of a trip to Burnley on Monday. The home team will surely be the favorites to take another step towards an immediate return to the Premier League following relegation last season.
Before this Friday’s home match against Cardiff City, United has to get back on track as quickly as possible to recoup some of the momentum they have lost due to losses to Oxford, Millwall, and Plymouth Argyle. These losses have left their dreams of finishing in the top two hanging by the threads.
What Sheffield United must do to increase their chances of breaking into the top two
After a terrifying week that started with United two points ahead of their opponents and concluded with them so far behind, the atmosphere inside Bramall Lane for that one will be intriguing.
When evaluating the Premier League race this morning, commentator Ally McCoist on Talksport remarked, “It’s strange because with the play-offs, the team that finishes third is not always the favorites.”
“Everyone needs to focus on having a spectacular Easter. On Friday night, United will play Cardiff City at home before traveling to Burnley. I believe Sheffield United will be back in the running for automatic promotion if they win those two games.
The former Scottish international has more faith in United’s chances of finishing in the top two than most of their supporters, based on the fallout from Saturday’s loss to bottom-place Plymouth Argyle. Getting those supporters back on board before a probable play-off campaign may be United’s biggest challenge between now and the end of the regular season.
The Blades would face Coventry City in a two-leg play-off semi-final if the season ended today. One of the season’s best performances was a 3-1 victory over Frank Lampard’s team at Bramall Lane a few weeks ago, but that now seems like a distant memory, and few people in the football community or outside of it could have foreseen the surrender that would occur in the final week.
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