Sheffield United stand just one strong defensive performance away from securing a place in the Championship play-off final after a commanding 3-0 first-leg victory over Bristol City.
Chris Wilder’s tactical setup in the first leg was a masterstroke. He deployed a 4-2-2-2 formation, often referred to as a box midfield, but with a unique twist. Rhian Brewster operated wider on the right, stretching the shape and structure of Bristol City’s setup.
A crucial component of United’s success was their willingness to play long early and often. By bypassing Bristol City’s talented midfield and intense press, they gained immediate access to their attacking threats. Kieffer Moore and Tyrese Campbell were relentless up top, causing problems on almost every attack.
Statistically, this was United’s second-best attacking display of the entire season, posting an expected goals (xG) figure of 2.6. That doesn’t even account for Campbell’s controversially disallowed goal in the first half when the score was still 0-0.
With no fresh injury concerns going into the second leg, United are in a strong position. Femi Seriki may not be rushed back following his shoulder injury, and Ben Brereton Diaz is in contention for minutes. Sydie Peck’s yellow card in the first leg means another booking would rule him out of the final, so perhaps Wilder will rotate the midfield to protect him.
Bristol City, meanwhile, face a daunting task. Liam Manning’s side needs to produce something special, and quickly, to have any hope of overturning the deficit. An early goal would be essential to plant seeds of doubt in United’s minds, but the Blades’ three-goal lead means City will have to take risks, opening themselves up to counter-attacks.
With a resounding lead, it would be quite easy for some of the inexperienced players to get ahead of themselves and automatically think the Blades are in the final. But, we have seen so many crazy moments in the play-offs, even as recently as last season when Peterborough held a four-goal advantage heading to Sheffield Wednesday in the League One play-off semi-final, and United’s bitter rivals would end up overcoming that deficit.
Harrison Burrows was involved in that tie, and I’m sure he’ll be eager to avoid another crazy play-off moment this time around.
Chris Wilder Wants Sheffield United to “Be Consistent” With ‘Win’ Approach in Second Leg
Chris Wilder has instilled a winning mentality in his squad this season, after and embarrassing campaign last season, and he remains focused ahead of the return leg against the Robins.
“I was asked before about my approach to the play-offs, and I said we would go there to win. We go into every game looking to win. Sometimes it doesn’t happen, and you have to deal with that. But, we have won quite a lot of times this season – something like 28 wins – and we want to win one last game at home and be consistent with that approach.
“All of the focus is on Monday night. The players have been outstanding; I’m really proud to lead this group. It has been a tough year for everybody, but we have come through it. Nothing is won yet, but we have had an outstanding season and there is another opportunity which is rightly given to us to gain promotion. We’re incredibly determined to go and take that opportunity.”
He added on SUTV: “The attitude coming off the pitch on Thursday wasn’t for show, that was to know that this is how it is: that we still have a job to do.”
Bristol City have not beaten the Blades since the 2018/19 campaign where they did the double over them, and they’ve only managed four wins on the road this season, so the odds are firmly stacked against the Robins. Yet, Sheffield United will not be taking them lightly and will hope to avoid any potential scares by adding a 13th home clean sheet.
In the other semi-final tie, Sunderland take a 2-1 lead to the Stadium of Light after Coventry City gave them a gift of a goal in the final few minutes of their first leg.
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