Sheffield United

Rob Staton
BBC Radio Sheffield reporter

Image source, BBC Sport/Getty Images

I did the thing you're not supposed to do on Sunday. I went on an internet chat forum to gauge fan opinion.

Forums, as with social media, are often a place to vent and let off steam. You can't judge the thoughts of an entire fan base off a few spicy comments online. However, it is at least worth having a glance to see what's being said sometimes – even if it makes for unpleasant viewing for yours truly and my esteemed colleagues from the world of local journalism.

The reaction to the play-off defeat against Sunderland was not kind to manager Chris Wilder. That's the mild, family friendly description.

It isn't right. It isn't fair. It needs to be challenged. So here goes…

Sheffield United won 92 points this season, a club record. In the last 10 years, that would've been enough to go up automatically eight times.

The Blades equalled a run of away wins this season dating back to the late 1800s.

United started the summer staring at a major rebuild of the squad. They smartly used the sale of players like Will Osula to bring in key additions. Michael Cooper and Harrison Burrows weren't mega-money splashes. They were sensational, astute additions.

Wilder tapped into the club's academy, giving talented young players a chance to become household names.

Players who were figures of a fun the season before, like Vini Souza, became fan favourites under Wilder's leadership.

They had to handle crushing injuries to Harry Souttar and Ollie Arblaster, the latter being replaced by another talented academy prospect in Sydie Peck.

The club also had a lengthy ownership saga going on in the background, creating uncertainty. Then there was the crushing tragedy of George Baldock's death which impacted everyone associated with Sheffield United.

Through all of this, and it would consume many other managers and clubs, United were 15 minutes from the Premier League.

This wasn't a failure. This wasn't an effort worthy of online rants, undermining the manager, claiming he doesn't know what he was doing. What total and utter abject nonsense.

This was one of Wilder's best efforts in a long, successful career. Sunderland, to their credit, and roared on by a fantastic crowd at Wembley, snatched promotion away with two excellent goals. That's football.

Wilder is United's best ever boss. This isn't to undermine the brilliant work of Dave Bassett but the game's changed. Football has never been more challenging or dominated by money. A manager's job is harder than it was 30 years ago. Considerably so, in my opinion.

Even in defeat, Wilder should be praised. There's nobody better to get things going again next season.

Sheffield United missed out on an immediate return to the Premier League as they were beaten 2-1 by Sunderland in Saturday's Championship play-off final.

Could the Blades have done more?

Where did it go wrong for Chris Wilder and his players?

Here are just some of the thoughts of Sheffield United supporters:

Miguel - Unfortunately failed to win any significant match against strong opposition this year and like so many games this year should have scored more whilst on top. Not ready for the Premier league yet.

Mary - Proud of them all. Hold your heads high and we go again next season and go up automatically.

Ian - Did well in the first half but our front line is only really Tyrese Campbell. Hamer pulling up, Anel getting taken out by Cannon didn't help. Sunderland keeper pulls off a top class Banks save and they took their chances really well. Fair enough really - renewed ST regardless.

Dave - Hate to say it but could be a blessing in disguise!

Jake - The team showed signs of mental fragility when they let a five-point lead slip with only a few matches left to play. I think that had some bearing on the fixture, and Burrows' strike being ruled out by VAR meant heads started to drop. Ultimately, promotion feels like a poisoned chalice now, with the growing gulf between Premier League and Championship teams. Sunderland fans may be in for a long season.

Matt - Summed up the whole season, just did enough to lead, then did not push on for a second, especially after the VAR no goal. We just thought we could hold on again like so many of the previous 20 odd wins this season. A strange season all round! If, when, we lose the creativity (Hamer) next season will be even more tougher than this.

Will - My worry now is that we're going to lose some key players and it would be great if the team was kept together because we know we can challenge for promotion next season. If we lose Hamer and Cooper I think that will be a real shame.

Image source, Getty Images

It was heartbreak for Sheffield United on Saturday after teenager Tommy Watson's 95th-minute winning goal at Wembley put Sunderland into the Premier League.

It means the Blades yet again failed to get through the play-offs despite a dominant first half - but was it a game they should have won?

Did Chris Wilder and his squad give it all they could or do you think there was more they could have done to secure their rise to the top flight?

Let us know here what you thought of Sheffield United's performance on Saturday.

Sheffield United and Sunderland meet at Wembley on Saturday (15:01 BST) as they look to secure promotion in the play-off final.

The Blades sailed past Bristol City to book their place, while it took a last gasp winner from Dan Ballard to see the Black Cats avoid a penalty clash with Coventry City.

Neither side have won a Championship play-off before but Sunderland did find their first play-off promotion in League One in 2022, while Sheffield United are still in search of their own slice of EFL play-off history.

• This is Sunderland's third second tier play-off final – they lost 1-0 to Swindon in 1989-90 (though still ended up being promoted due to Swindon's demotion) and lost on penalties to Charlton in 1997-98 after a 4-4 draw.

• This will be Sheffield United's fifth Football League play-off final and first since losing 8-7 on penalties to Huddersfield Town in League One in May 2012. Overall, the Blades have failed to earn promotion in any of their four previous finals, no side has appeared in more without ever earning promotion (4 also for Leeds United and Reading).

• Sheffield United finished 14 points ahead of Sunderland in the regular Championship season – it's the biggest points difference between two Football League play-off finalists in the current format (since 1988-89).

• The only previous meeting between Sunderland and Sheffield United in the play-offs came in the 1997-98 semi-final, with the Black Cats winning 3-2 on aggregate (1-2 away, 2-0 home) before losing the final on penalties to Charlton.

• Sheffield United have won five of their last seven meetings with Sunderland in all competitions (L2), though did lose the most recent fixture 2-1 in January.

• Having failed to win any of their seven competitive matches at Wembley Stadium between 1985 and 2019, Sunderland have won their last two at the ground – 1-0 against Tranmere in the 2021 Football League Trophy final and 2-0 against Wycombe in the 2021-22 League One play-off final.

• Sheffield United haven't won any of their last seven matches at Wembley Stadium (D1 L6), with their last win coming 100 years ago against Cardiff City in the 1925 FA Cup final.

• Sheffield United won both of their semi-final legs 3-0 against Bristol City, the only previous sides to score 3+ goals in three games of a Football League play-off campaign are Walsall in 1987-88 and Barnsley in 2015-16.

• Eliezer Mayenda has been involved in nine goals in his 13 starts for Sunderland in all competitions so far in 2025 (7 goals, 2 assists), including a goal and an assist in the Black Cats' 2-1 win over Sheffield United on New Year's Day.

• Callum O'Hare scored in both legs of Sheffield United's 6-0 aggregate victory over Bristol City in the semi-final. The last player to score in both semi-final legs and the final in a Championship play-off campaign was Bobby Zamora for West Ham in 2004-05.

Could the Blades finally earn Premier-League promotion from the play-offs?

The Blades Heaven team will be joined by former Sheffield United players Carl Asaba and Rob Page as they look ahead to this weekend's Championship play-off final against Sunderland at Wembley on BBC Radio Sheffield's Football Heaven at 17:40 BST on Thursday.

Not in the area? No bother. You can watch and listen online on the BBC Sport website and app, on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.

"The people at Sheffield United would have heard that stat so many times... that will change at some point."

Sheffield United have failed to win an EFL play-off campaign across all of their previous eight attempts but are looking to break that duck on Saturday (13:01 BST) when they face Sunderland at Wembley.

The 72+ podcast team were joined this week by new Reading CEO Joe Jacobson to take a look at whether Sheffield United's play-off fortunes may see a turning point.

"I look at the firepower they've got and in big games like this, it's one or two moments that are going to decide things," Jacobson said.

"Sheffield United, along with Leeds and Burnley, were so far ahead [in the table] - that means something.

"There's a reason they were that far ahead, it's because they are a better squad, a better team."

Listen to the full episode and more on the Football Daily podcast.

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier today, we asked you how many third-place finishers in the Championship managed to clinch promotion in the play-off final since 1990.

The answer - 12!

Bolton Wanderers in 1995 and 2001, Ipswich Town in 2000, Watford in 2006, Derby County in 2007, Hull City in 2008, Swansea City in 2011, West Ham United in 2012, Norwich City in 2015, Fulham in 2018, Brentford in 2021 and Luton Town in 2023.

Can Sheffield United join the list?

Image source, BBC Sport/Getty Images

Sheffield United seek promotion in the play-off final on Saturday (15:01 BST) after finishing third in the Championship.

But how many other third-place finishers have found themselves victorious at Wembley since 1990?

Come back to this page later today for the answer.

Image source, Rex Features

Premier League referee Chris Kavanagh will take charge of Saturday's Championship play-off final between Sheffield United and Sunderland.

The 39-year-old started refereeing in the EFL in 2014 before stepping up to the Premier League in 2017.

Saturday will be his second Championship final, having refereed the 2021 Wembley showpiece when Fulham beat Swansea City 2-0 and he sent off the Swans' Jay Fulton.

Kavanagh was also in charge for last season's EFL Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool and has officiated in the Champions League, Europa League and Nations League.

All three play-off finals this year will include the use of VAR, semi-automated offside technology and in-stadia announcements.