Sheffield United

Adam Oxley
BBC Radio Sheffield journalist

Image source, Getty Images

You won't see many cleaner strikes than Tyrese Campbell's winner for Sheffield United at QPR.

It was the 25-year-old forward's seventh goal of the season since switching from Stoke City last summer, and it was due, after a purple patch of six goals in eight matches before injury stuck in December.

Free-transfer Campbell is just one example of the Blades' excellent pre-season recruitment drive that has propelled Chris Wilder's men into the Championship's automatic promotion places.

There was lots of talk in January about the £10 million plus fee spent on Tom Cannon but that was only possible after the club's protracted takeover by American investment group COH Sports.

There's no doubt United have one of the bigger budgets in the division, having just come down from the Premier League, but the build up to this campaign was dominated by those takeover delays as modern legends departed in a big turnover of players, following one of the worst campaigns in top flight history.

It meant Wilder had to wheel and deal for a limited squad with shrewd sales allowing the club to wisely spend small seven-figure sums on goalkeeper Michael Cooper, left-back Harrison Burrows and international striker Kieffer Moore.

Campbell was joined on a free by Callum O'Hare – both have been excellent – while loanees Harry Souttar, Alfie Gilchrist and Jesurun Rak-Saki have all played key roles this season.

If the Blades do achieve an immediate return to the Premier League, a significant amount of credit should be placed on last summer's rebuild.

Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom visits his former side Sheffield United on Saturday (15:00 GMT) as the Blades look to stay in an automatic promotion spot.

Heckingbottom earned promotion with the South Yorkshire side in 2023 but departed the club after two years in charge when the Blades hit the bottom of the Premier League the following December.

United were later relegated back to the Championship but have thrived this campaign under boss Chris Wilder, with six points separating them from league leaders Leeds and a two point cushion over Burnley in third.

• Sheffield United have won each of their last three league games against Preston North End and could win four in succession for the first time since November 1968.

• Preston North End have failed to win any of their last seven league games against Sheffield United (D2 L5), since a 1-0 win at Bramall Lane in April 2018.

• Sheffield United have lost three of their last seven home Championship matches (W3 D1), more than they had in their previous 23 at this level at Bramall Lane (W20 D1 L2). They haven't lost consecutive home Championship games since October 2021.

• This game will see Preston's Paul Heckingbottom face his former side Sheffield United for the first time since he left the club in 2023. It's his first league meeting with the Blades since February 2018 in his first game as Leeds boss, losing 2-1 at Bramall Lane.

• Ben Brereton has been involved in five goals in his last six Championship appearances for Sheffield United (3 goals, 2 assists), while he has either scored or assisted in each of his last five starts against Preston North End (3 goals, 4 assists) in the competition.

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder praises his side's "first class" reaction after the Blades bounced back from defeat to Leeds with victory over QPR.

"I have to say yet again I was so proud of the players. It was so disappointing on Monday night because they deserved a little bit more than what happened," Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"It definitely wasn't a 3-1 and we were all pretty down on Tuesday.

"But the reaction yet again was first class. It has never been an easy place to come here and we were up against a competitive team.

"We have done what we needed to do which is get the win. We have the best away record in the division and we are proud of it. It is something we need to hold on to if we are going to keep nudging our points total up."

Ben Brereton-Diaz and Tyrese Campbell put the Blades 2-0 up, but they were under pressure after Michael Frey converted a penalty when Harrison Burrows handled in the area.

"I don't agree with the referee over the penalty. He [Harrison Burrows] has turned his back and it's just smashed his arm," Wilder said.

"We were scratching our heads at the referee's performance from both technical areas today.

"But we have done what we needed to do which is get the win. We have the best away record in the division and we are proud of it. It is something we need to hold on to if we are going to keep nudging our points total up."

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield United should not feel too downhearted after Monday's defeat by Championship leaders Leeds, according to boss Chris Wilder.

The Blades conceded two late goals to lose 3-1 at Bramall Lane but remain in second place as they prepare to visit QPR on Saturday.

"I think about the game 24/7 so you think about your messages and attitude towards the players when they come back in," Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"From experience you go on their feelings and the vibe around the place and I asked the question: how are you feeling about yourselves?

"I don't want them to be jumping through hoops and delighted we got beaten but they're feeling OK about themselves, so I worked off the back of that and said they had every right to feel OK - we have to believe but not be arrogant about it which I would never let happen."

Wilder's side had won four successive league games before Monday's loss and are two points clear of third-placed Burnley, who they visit in April.

"There's a load of football to be played and a load of points to be won so let's get on with what we need to do," Wilder added.

"My message to the players and the supporters is embrace it and enjoy it."

Sheffield United could find themselves eight points adrift of Leeds by the time their game at QPR kicks-off at 15:00 GMT on Saturday.

The second-placed Blades had taken 21 points from a possible 24 before Monday's dramatic defeat against the leaders at Bramall Lane.

Though they begin the day in 14th, Rangers are within seven points of fifth-placed West Bromwich Albion and have taken 21 points from a possible 24 infront of their own fans since early December.

• QPR are unbeaten across their past three league games against Sheffield United (W1 D2), a run directly following a sequence of five consecutive losses against the Blades between 2018 and 2022.

• Sheffield United are unbeaten across their past three away league games against QPR (W2 D1) – they've never done so in four in a row against the Hoops before.

• Sheffield United have lost eight of their past nine away league games against sides from London (W1), though that sole victory did come on their last visit to the capital during a 1-0 win over Millwall.

• QPR have won seven of their past eight home league games (L1), scoring 2+ goals in each of those victories.

• Sheffield United have won their past four away league games, last winning five in a row on the road between October and December 2022.

Image source, Rex Features

Chris Wilder will be dealing with "the heaviest burden" as he tries to guide his beloved Sheffield United back to the Premier League, according to a manager who understands the task of leading a club close to their heart.

A dramatic home defeat by Yorkshire rivals Leeds United on Monday left Wilder's side five points adrift in the title race, and two points ahead of Burnley in the push for automatic promotion with 12 games remaining.

Wilder is in his second spell managing his boyhood team, having begun his playing career at Bramall Lane and helping the Blades to two promotions as a player, and another two in his first spell in the dugout, during which he led the Blades to a ninth-place finish in the Premier League in 2020 - their highest since 1992.

Mark Bonner was born in Cambridge, began working for the club's academy as a teenager, and ran the club's reserve side. He became first-team coach and later the manager after several spells in interim charge.

He guided the U's into League One for the first time in nearly 20 years in 2021 but was sacked in 2023, only to return to the Abbey Stadium this month as director of football.

Bonner told the BBC's 72+: EFL Podcast: "When it's your city and you live there and your family live there and everywhere you go everyone wants to talk to you about it, it's what you're known for and almost what your family and extended family are known for, it is definitely a heavier burden to carry.

"It does hit heavier, there's no question about that, it's a real difficult weight to carry.

"It's brilliant when it's going well, and obviously supporters feel the weight of bad runs and defeats and get frustrated, but it's impossible to find someone who is a manager of 'their team' who feels it heavier."

Bonner said it was important to try to keep emotional attachment under control.

"It's hard not to get wrapped up in it, but in the end you just have to treat it as a job – there's a professional element of it, it's really stressful, there's more bad days than good in the job.

"You have got to enjoy the big moments, the local rivals wins, because if you get them there is no better feeling."

We asked for your views on the dramatic defeat by Leeds on Monday.

Here's some of what you've had to say...

Rich: That was the blueprint on how to play Leeds for 70 minutes.

It's a shame the last 20 were a bit of a shambles defensively. It's a fight for second place now.

Rob: We shouldn't be too disheartened by that result. We played really well for the majority of the game but in the end they showed their quality.

If we play like that for the rest of the season we'll be promoted.

Les: 1-0 lead and sat back with players tiring but different class with strikers that take their chances and strikers that don't.

Trying to hold on to a 1-0 lead against a good side doesn't work.

Sean: We looked like the Premier League team that got relegated last season the way we played on the final 20 minutes.

A chilling reminder of our best and worst in two halves.

Image source, Rex Features

Chris Wilder has backed his Sheffield United squad to bounce back from defeat by Leeds and keep their promotion push on track.

The second-placed Blades fell five points behind their Yorkshire rivals after conceding three goals in the final 18 minutes at Bramall Lane on Monday night, a scoreline which Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield "was a little harsh on us".

He said: "It was a disappointing end to a mainly positive evening for us - going toe-to-toe with the best team in the division.

"We started off superbly, on the front foot. We had big moments to go 2-0 up but didn't capitalise and they gradually grew into the game.

"They're a good side but I don't think we're a million miles off. There's a lot of encouragement from the performance. They have steamrollered everybody, they have swatted everybody away, they didn't swat us away."

Sheffield United lost to Leeds and Middlesbrough in the space of five days in October but responded with a 12-match unbeaten run until Christmas, winning 10 of those games, something Wilder wants his players to repeat, starting with a trip to QPR on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

"We've got to go again," he said. "Sometimes you have got to say they had a bit more in the locker than us. We have to stay humble and work our way back into a performance and result on Saturday.

"Our reaction to disappointment has been outstanding all season. We've 12 games to go, we'll dust ourselves down and go again. There's a lot of points to be won.

"Leeds have put themselves in a fabulous position of course, but if we'd got a result we'd have said the same thing - there's still a lot of football to be played.

"The attitude is not chasing anybody down, the attitude is go and win the next game, which we have done on numerous occasions and it's what has put us in this position.

"There's still a lot to play for. We have to quickly get over it, the players have shown this season they can do that, and we need to do it again."

Image source, Rex Features

Where did it go wrong for the Blades against Leeds?

How are you feeling after the defeat?

Have your say by clicking here.

Ian Woodcock
BBC Sport England

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder could have been forgiven for being lost for words after his side's dramatic late defeat by title rivals Leeds on Monday.

Instead he was already in a reflective mood by the time he came into his news conference after the game.

He conceded they could have done better on Leeds' first two goals but was proud of how his side had taken the game to the now champions-elect of the division.

"I don't want to be a good loser but sometimes you have to take your medicine," he said.

"We turned the ball over a little bit cheaply. Games are decided by that bit of quality.

"I think the majority of our supporters would have taken a point at 89 minutes but a game doesn't last 89 minutes. We should have dealt with the set-play a lot better."

For much of the first 89 minutes it had looked like a point would be the least his side would get. With 20 minutes of the match to play they were one point clear of their West Yorkshire rivals at the top of the league - when the whistle blew a few minutes after Joel Piroe had slammed a third into the Blades net they were five points behind.

These are the margins in such games, but the Blades could scarcely have a man in charge who understands that better than Wilder, twice a promotion winner with his hometown team in his first spell at Bramall Lane.

Saturday's trip to Queens Park Rangers suddenly looks that bit more pivotal as they look to quickly put the closing stages of this match behind them. And the trip to third-placed Burnley, now just two points behind them, on Easter Monday looks like it could potentially decide whose work is done by the first weekend in May and who will have to do this the hard(er) way.

Fair to say that Leeds' last-gasp victory over Sunderland was huge ahead of this game?

With just two points separating these two Yorkshire rivals at the top of the Championship, leaders Leeds go into this unbeaten in 15 league games and can go five clear at the summit with a win.

But they won't have boss Daniel Farke on the touchline at Bramall Lane after he picked up a yellow card following his goal celebrations in the Sunderland win.

Sheffield United have won their past four league games and will leapfrog the Whites into top spot if they pick up the three points.

• Sheffield United have lost each of their past two home league games against Leeds 1-0 - as many defeats as across their prior 13 at Bramall Lane combined (W6 D5).

• Leeds have won each of their past three league games against Sheffield United, last winning more in succession against the Blades between 1990 and 1992 (six games).

• Sheffield United have won seven of their past eight Championship matches (L1), with their other game in that run a 3-0 home Yorkshire derby defeat by Hull in January. The Blades are looking to win five league games in a row for the first time since December 2022.

• Leeds are unbeaten in each of their past 15 league matches (W11 D4), equalling their best unbeaten run under Daniel Farke (first 15 games of 2024). The Whites last had a longer unbeaten streak between October and February in their 1991-92 top-flight title-winning campaign (16).

• Daniel James is averaging 3.6 shots per 90 minutes for Leeds in the Championship in 2024-25, the highest ratio by a Whites player in a league season (min. 1000 minutes) since Patrick Bamford in 2019-20 (3.7). James has scored three goals in his past four away Championship appearances - as many as he scored in his first 45 away games in the competition.

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is expecting a tough game against Leeds on Monday but refused to be drawn on the implications for the Championship title race.

Daniel Farke's side head to Bramall Lane two points clear of the Blades at the top of the table.

But Wilder insists there is a long way to go and the result will not be too damaging to either side.

"The game takes care of itself," Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield. "Everyone wants to play against the best and that is what we'll be doing on Monday.

"We've done it our way, Leeds have done it their way. But there is a quarter of the season to go, 30-odd points [39] to play for. Consistency is the key.

"I'd be astounded if any team in our division wins the next 13 games. Everyone talks about two points per game, we are on course for that and so are other teams.

"If you are talking about the second, third or fourth last game of the season, you could say that has swung it the way of one team or the other, I'd understand that."

Wilder also heaped praise on Leeds after their late comeback win against another promotion rival, Sunderland, this week.

"I know they lost some players but they recruited well and have a settled side. They are a huge football club, a very good team collectively, individually and have a good manager.

"People say I'm playing mind games but I'm not. They are swatting everyone away pretty comfortably.

"When you are successful, you are challenged all the time, playing different styles, dealing with injuries, suspensions, loss of form. You have to overcome them, and Leeds overcame a tough side the other night.

"They had more possession and shots but they still had to get the points. This is why the best teams are at the top."

You can listen to Chris Wilder's pre-match thoughts on BBC Sounds.

Adam Oxley
BBC Radio Sheffield journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United may have spent eight figures on Tom Cannon in January and brought Chile international forward Ben Brereton Diaz back to the club, but they have also unearthed a surprising new striker in the race for Championship promotion.

Step forward central defender Anel Ahmedhodzic.

After claiming the clinching goal in last week's superb 3-1 win against play-off contenders Middlesbrough, the Bosnian Blade admitted it had "felt weird" not being a threat in front of goal this season but he hoped his well-timed header would start a trend of scoring goals.

Well, the 25-year-old now has two in two after bagging the only goal in Saturday's 1-0 victory at struggling Luton Town - a classy finish that any United forward would have been proud to score.

Ahmedhodzic beat the offside trap, cushioned Callum O'Hare's looping pass perfectly with his right instep and readjusted his body to finish beyond Hatters keeper Thomas Kaminski in front of the delirious travelling Blades fans.

The goals have been timely and deserved for the Bosnian who bagged seven times in his debut season with the club in 2022/23, the last time United ascended to the Premier League.

But it's the Swedish-born defender's return to form more generally that's delighted everyone at Bramall Lane.

Ahmedhodzic was a vital part of Paul Heckingbottom's promotion side, impressing everyone with his calmness on the ball, his old-fashioned defending and his marauding runs forward.

Many were excited to see him step up to the top flight, but like most of the United squad, he struggled.

The Blades shipped over 100 goals and Ahmedhodzic, along with the club as a whole, needed a reset, with many expecting him to leave last summer.

A public row with the Bosnian FA and his father at the start of this campaign seems to have played a part in reconnecting Ahmedhodzic with the Blades supporters.

They backed the 24-cap international online and in the stands after he and his family received abuse following his withdrawal from the Bosnian squad over a medical disagreement. The situation, at least in the short term, led to the 25-year-old retiring from international duty.

By his own words after beating Boro last week, Ahmedhodzic is currently loving life at Bramall Lane: "What a group we are. I think the team spirit has never been better. Everyone loves each other. It just feels really good to be part of this team and I'm very happy to be here, very."

The season-ending injury for loanee Harry Souttar was a significant defensive blow for Sheffield United at Christmas time but the re-emergence of Ahmedhodzic is huge for the Blades chances of achieving a third promotion in six years.

On-loan Sheffield United defender Rob Holding has said that the club have made it easy for him to slot in since joining from Crystal Palace in January.

Holding has made two appearances off the bench for the Blades and has adapted quickly to his new surroundings.

"I've been here for two weeks now and just slotting into the vibes around the changing room, the training ground and Bramall Lane has been so welcoming," he told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"I can feel that good energy and slotting in where I can has been very easy, the team have made it that."

The 29-year-old told spoke about his decision to join Chris Wilder's side having been frozen out at Palace under Oliver Glasner, with his only appearances this season coming in the EFL Trophy for the Under-21 side.

"I was in a bit of a weird place where I was in my career and I needed a team to take a chance on me," he added.

"I know my abilities and I know what I can bring to this team and to be fair to Sheffield United they took a chance because I've not played in so long. If I can repay that then all the better and that's what I'm going to try and do."

The former Arsenal defender also touched on the potential of him staying with the Blades for longer.

"Potentially yeah, it's always going to be a discussion in the summer and we can see what happens," he said. "But it's just something that I'm just enjoying in the moment right now and enjoying this journey with the team."

Holding who signed until the end of the season came off the bench at half-time in Saturday's 1-0 win at Luton and praised their performance as the three points took them back to the top of the Championship.

"We knew it was going to be tough, it's a very tight stadium with a lot of long balls, direct balls and fights for first and second balls, so we had to be up for that then we find a bit of quality and find a goal," Holding said.

"The lads never give up and the fans behind the goal wanting the ball in the net as well so that helped us in that momentum."

Image source, PA Media

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder spoke to BBC Radio Sheffield after his side beat bottom club Luton Town 1-0 to return to the top of the Championship.

When asked about it not being a pretty win, Wilder responded by saying: "That's the understatement of the season.

"Their approach to it, from the off – especially when we saw the team sheet with a few of the experienced boys – we talked about having to expect the Luton Town of old," he continued.

"It was everything from the year they went up, it was everything in the Premier League that Premier League teams struggled to cope with - the two centre forwards. It came long from the off, we saw it went straight back to the goalkeeper and bang on top of you. And every free-kick was on top of you.

"You just have to deal with it and, at times, it's really difficult to come out of it and try play your natural, normal game. We tried at times, but they were massively up for it.

"The target on our back, because of the position that we are in and because it was Sheffield United against Luton Town, it never felt like a team at the top of the division versus a team that was rock bottom.

"You have to show different qualities for different games if you want to be successful, and we showed huge personality and huge character."

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has said there is more to come from Tom Cannon, who is a fitness doubt for the Blades' trip to Luton on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The 22-year-old arrived in a reported £10m move from Leicester in January but, after netting 11 goals in 25 games on loan at Stoke earlier this season, he is yet to find the net in four starts for United.

Cannon was replaced at half-time of Wednesday's win over Middlesbrough and was spotted in a protective boot after the game.

Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield's Blades Heaven podcast: "We'll give him as much time as possible to get on the bus.

"Obviously it's a quick turnaround. Tom rolled his ankle in about the first five minutes, but what I will say is he had to be dragged off at half-time - the medical guys made the decision on that, not him.

"He was in a bit of discomfort and pain but these things can settle down pretty quickly and hopefully it will do."

Wilder continued: "He's played his part in a team that's won three games on the spin.

"There's more to come from him, we have to be patient, we can't rush. Everybody wants instant [success], but we know what he gives to the team and his team-mates know.

"He's a young centre-forward, he stretches the game, opens it up, the press was magnificent from our point of view [against Middlesbrough]. It allowed us to create chances and control the game and ultimately get that big win."

Gus Hamer was also withdrawn on Wednesday with a minor hamstring injury but Wilder hopes the problem is not too serious.