As the curtain falls on the 2024/25 Championship regular season, all eyes turn to Bramall Lane where Sheffield United welcome Blackburn Rovers in a fixture that could have major implications for the play-off picture.
Chris Wilder’s side booked their place in the play-offs after falling to Burnley on Easter Monday, confirming a third-place finish that allowed for some squad rotation in the penultimate game. The Blades made six changes for their last outing at Stoke City, but still cruised to a 2-0 win, hinting at a new system with Kieffer Moore now partnered up front, either with Tom Cannon or Tyrese Campbell.
Despite the changes, United showed no signs of letting up, and with Wilder emphasising the importance of momentum heading into the play-off semi-finals, fans can expect a strong lineup against Rovers.
“Of course, there’s definitely something on it for them, and I think that we have all looked at the permutations and what can happen if they win, and maybe the outcome of a positive result for them, but we’re full tilt. There’s places to be played for, there’s 30,000 plus supporters to maybe reward for the backing that we have had at home and away, and we’re on our own patch so whatever the game, whatever competition, whatever time of the year, the attitude has to stay consistent,” Wilder said.
One player expected to return is Tom Davies, while Gustavo Hamer’s absence at Stoke may hint at careful management ahead of the play-offs. Additionally, Ben Brereton Diaz has been ruled out for the clash against his former club due to illness.
Speaking about the United players and what the Blades have dealt with this season, Wilder praised his players for their attitude heading into the final day:
“I couldn’t have wished for them to be in a better place if I’m honest in terms of: the group, the mentality, and the energy which is the biggest thing. I talked about it leading up to the Stoke game; how they reset pretty quickly and focussed on the task at hand which was to finish the season on a high. It’s important to get into the 90s [points], over two points per game is really incredibly important to all of us. There’s no medals for doing that but it represents what a good season we’ve had. We’ve had some incredible challenges right the way through, and I do at times think what we’ve had to overcome goes under the radar and our supporters know all those challenges, some don’t want to acknowledge it and I get that but the majority do.”
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