Sheffield United

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Chris Wilder said that his Sheffield United's "bad decisions" were to blame for their six-match away winning streak coming to a crashing end at Oxford United.

The Blades manager told BBC Radio Sheffield: "We didn't do enough so there's no arguments about the result.

"They started better than us - a team fighting for their lives, they stuck it on us with long throws. We had two or three opportunities before they scored which we should probably take.

"There was an opportunity to gain three points but well done to Gary [Rowett], they deserve their win and obviously an amazing away record comes to an end.

"It's not an attitude problem, we just made some bad decisions. It was a slow pitch, a dry day, and we have to recognise we have to play a little bit quicker and more direct.

"We've got to make better decisions, to do something different. We didn't do the basics right.

"The game's not won on a coupon, the game's won on a pitch, and we didn't do enough to win."

Sheffield United midfielder Vini Souza has been in "training all week" and will be available for their match against Oxford United on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The Brazilian has missed the past three league games for the Blades with a hamstring issue.

"To have Vini back in is a massive boost," boss Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"We are in a good spot. Everybody wants their team to be fit and healthy."

Souza returns alongside midfielder Jamie Shackleton, with both Tom Davies and right-back Harry Clarke due back within the next week.

But questions have begun to arise about the players out of contract at the end of the season - including striker Rhian Brewster.

Brewster ed the Blades in 2020 but has spent much of his time in the recovery room.

However, the 25-year-old has been impressive lately, scoring in both his past two league matches.

"You have to do what's right for the football club and Rhian has do what's right for himself," Wilder said.

"I'd like to think with his reaction and how he's been and how he's been around the place and his attitude towards everything, he wants to stay here.

"As far as I'm concerned, I don't see a player who doesn't see his immediate medium term future at Sheffield United but, as you know, contract situations and talks can become quite complicated."

Listen to the full pre-match press conference and more on the Blades Heaven podcast.

Championship leaders Sheffield United could find themselves out of the automatic promotion places by the time they kick-off at Oxford United on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The Blades have a two-point lead over Leeds and Burnley with seven games remaining but both the Whites and Clarets play at 12:30 BST, visiting Luton and Coventry respectively.

After a bright start under Gary Rowett, the U's have hit the skids, winning just one of their past 11 games, though that did come in their last home game, beating Watford 1-0.

Chris Wilder's side have won six straight away games, all by the odd goal, which is their best run on the road in 132 years.

• Oxford United have lost nine of their past 10 games in all competitions against Sheffield United (W1), including a 3-0 defeat earlier this season.

• This is Sheffield United's first league visit to Oxford since March 2017 in League One, winning 3-2 with two goals from Billy Sharp and one from Kieron Freeman.

• Oxford have won one of their past 11 league matches (D4 L6), having won five of their previous seven matches beforehand.

• Sheffield United have won each of their past six away league games – they've never previously won seven in a row on the road (also six in the 1892-93 season).

• Rhian Brewster has scored in each of his past two Championship appearances for Sheffield United – he's never scored three in games in a row in his league career.

Adam Oxley
BBC Radio Sheffield journalist

Image source, Rex Features

Scoring the winning goal in a Steel City derby guarantees anyone a place in Sheffield football folklore, and striker Rhian Brewster is the latest player to that exclusive club.

Sheffield United's club-record g followed his winner at Hillsborough with the clinching goal against in-form Coventry City to take the Blades top of the Championship after the international break, with just seven games left to play.

It was Brewster's first goal at Bramall Lane in over three years, and it took his tally in red and white to just nine goals since making a £23.5 million move from Liverpool in October 2020.

A lot of pressure was heaped on the then 20-year-old's shoulders as Sheffield United sought a third season in the Premier League but Brewster failed to score in 27 league appearances and the club was relegated.

What followed was a string of serious injuries, limiting the England youth international to few appearances over the next three seasons as the Blades yo-yoed between the second tier and the top flight, before last summer brought a fresh start for both club and player.

Brewster has not been a regular starter this season but the Coventry City match was his 30th league appearance, the most he has managed in a single campaign during his near five-year stay at Bramall Lane.

The now 25-year-old has not just managed to stay fit for the majority of this season, but he's finally finding the back of the net and providing assists from an attacking-midfield role in the 4-2-3-1 formation introduced by manager Chris Wilder last summer.

The big question now surrounds Brewster's future, and opinions are split about a new deal with his current contract about to end.

Slow burn is an understatement when describing Brewster's Sheffield United career, some have even described it as a disaster given the significant sum the club paid for his services, so has he finally, eventually done enough to extend his stay?

It would be easy for the Blades to cut their losses this summer, given the forward's injury record and poor goals return over time, but I'd be tempted to offer him at least another year at the club, either as a Premier League or a Championship player.

Brewster is well liked in the United dressing room by players and staff, and having invested so much time, money and effort in his development, it could be a real kick in the teeth if he finally delivers on his enormous promise, but with another club.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder says he has "an enormous amount of respect" for "class act" Coventry City boss Frank Lampard as the Blades prepare to host the Sky Blues on Friday (20:00 GMT).

After a difficult start to the season under Mark Robins, the Sky Blues have flourished under Lampard to reach the play off places and have won six of their past seven league games.

"I just love the fact that he loves football and it shines through that he does, whatever job he takes," Wilder said.

"People are critical of him and I just don't get it. He could quite easily manage England in my opinion.

"It's proving to be an inspired choice of manager."

However, Lampard is not Coventry's only strength according to Wilder.

"Coventry City have arguably one of the best groups of players in this division and that's being shown now," the Blades boss added.

"They are steaming through everybody so we understand the challenges of what they bring.

"Their is amazing. It's a real powerful football club, good manager and real strong set of talented footballers so this is a major test for us on Friday night."

The Blades have been boosted by the returns of Vini Souza, Alfie Gilchrist and Jamie Shackleton to training.

However, while Harry Clarke and Tom Davies "are making good progress", they are not expected to return to the grass for a further "week to 10 days".

Listen to the full pre-match press conference and more on the Football Heaven podcast.

Sheffield United host the in-form Coventry City for a chance to go top of the table on Friday (20:00 GMT).

The Blades are level on points with league leaders Leeds but with a large gulf in goal difference separating the two, while Burnley hover just two points below the automatic promotion line.

Though Coventry will likely be difficult foes to overcome if the Blades are to reach the apex once again this season, with the Sky Blues only conceding one loss in their past seven league games (W6).

• Sheffield United are unbeaten across their last six home league games against Coventry City (W4 D2), since a 2-1 defeat at Bramall Lane in February 2013.

• Coventry City have won two of their last four league games against Sheffield United (D1 L1), as many victories as across their prior eight meetings with the Blades (D2 L4).

• Sheffield United have lost just two of their last 13 league games (W10 D1), though both defeats during that time came at Bramall Lane.

• Coventry have won four of their last five away league games (L1), scoring 2+ goals in each of those victories. They did lose their last away match 2-0 against Derby County, however.

• Coventry will be looking to win away to both Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday in the same season for the first time in club history.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has reconnected the club with its fans, according to former Crystal Palace and Reading midfielder Jobi McAnuff.

The Blades are second in the Championship after completing a double over city rivals Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

Wilder, a boyhood Sheffield United er, is galvanising the club says McAnuff. The 57-year-old was filmed singing with fans after the victory over the Owls having delivered a stirring post-match press conference and marked the win by holding George Baldock's jersey aloft.

"It's interesting when you come to Sheffield United and Chris Wilder because there's that extra emotional attachment in that it's his football club so those derbies do mean more to him because he lives it, he breathes it," McAnuff told the BBC's EFL podcast 72+

"Seeing him in the pub afterwards and getting involved with the fans songs - he's had some really dark days at that club and so when you go to Bramall Lane you do feel that energy and connection with the team and all this is a part of that."

Wilder could not prevent relegation from the Premier League last season having been reappointed in December 2023 but they are two points clear of third-placed Burnley with eight games remaining.

"They are finding a way to win, not bogged down by that philosophy we hear all the time, just 'we have to win three points' which Sheffield United have done better than anyone when not being at their best," added McAnuff.

You can the latest and past episodes of 72+ on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield United's Steel City derby match-winner Rhian Brewster hopes his decisive strike has now fully endeared himself to Blades fans.

The forward's second-half effort was enough to beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 and give the Blades a league double over their rivals for the first time since 2005-06.

"It feels a bit surreal to be honest - with the injuries and stuff I've been through, coming from Liverpool I haven't done what I wanted to, like score lots of goals," Brewster told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"I hope this makes the fans still believe in me and show I'm still willing to push, still willing to fight and it feels amazing."

The 24-year-old has scored just seven league goals in 99 appearances, 58 of them as a substitute, since moving to Bramall Lane from Liverpool for £23.5m in 2020.

"I actually got cramp as I was about to put it in the back of the net but that wasn't stopping me and I just had to make sure it went in and thankfully it did," he added.

"It was like time stopped for a minute when the ball came over and I thought 'yes' and put it in the back of the net."

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder reflected on the journey he has been on with the club since first taking over in May 2016 after they beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 to do the double over their city rivals.

Wilder, a Blades fan, is looking to win promotion with United for the third time having taken them from League One to the Premier League in his first stint.

"It feels good. I talked to the players before how we were ridiculed for being in League One, a pub league and all that since I took over in 2016," he told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"We managed to close the gap. I wanted to adjust the narrative that we weren't a pub league side and all of a sudden it changes and now we're a rival. It changes, we're now 31 points above them.

"To do the double over our rivals was always going to be a good day."

Victory moved Wilder's men back up to second, level on points with table-topping Leeds.

Burnley, who the Blades visit on Easter Monday, are two points behind in third and Wilder is expecting a big finish to the season from all of the top three teams.

"There's still work to be done, there's a promotion on the horizon. It's going to be an absolutely titanic tussle," he added.

The Steel City Derby is back on Sunday (12:30 GMT) as Sheffield Wednesday look to even the score with Sheffield United.

The Blades won the reverse fixture 1-0 in November and could see themselves rise to the top of the table if Leeds United don't claim victory on Saturday.

Alternatively, they may find themselves trying to return to the top two if Burnley are also successful on the weekend, while the Owls will be eyeing a chance to get closer to the play offs.

Wednesday are currently outside the top 10 but just five points away from sixth placed Coventry City.

• Sheffield Wednesday have failed to score in any of their last four league games against Sheffield United with Lucas Joao the last player to score for the Owls against United back in September 2017.

• Sheffield United are looking to a league double over rivals Sheffield Wednesday for the first time since the 2005-06 campaign.

• Sheffield Wednesday have lost their last two home league games and haven't lost three in a row since losing their first three home games during the 2023-24 season.

• Sheffield United have won their last five away league games – the Blades are looking to win six in a row for only the second time in their history, doing so in 1892-93.

• Ben Brereton has scored six goals in his last 10 away Championship appearances across spells with Blackburn and Sheffield United. He's never scored against Sheffield Wednesday in seven games against them however.

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United striker Tyrese Campbell is hoping for a second Steel City derby victory on Sunday after scoring the winner back in November.

The 25-year-old broke the deadlock in a 1-0 win against Sheffield Wednesday at Bramall Lane.

Ahead of the return fixture at Hillsborough, he says he is focused on securing a double over their city rivals.

"It was an experience I'd never really had and as soon as I came out to warm up you could see how much it meant to everyone," Campbell told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"I knew I would get a chance and I had to take it and luckily for me and the team I did.

"Every time I see a Blades fan they say next time they see me they'll buy me a drink. I appreciate it and I'll definitely take some of them up on it!

"The most important thing is the team getting the three points. It would be lovely to score again but the aim to win is the bigger thing.

"Everyone wants bragging rights and it was very important to us that we got that, especially being at home. We'll aim to do it again on Sunday."

Campbell ed Sheffield United from Stoke City last summer, and says it has been a dream move after a tough season in the Potteries.

"I had a stop-start season last season and didn't manage to play that many games. I'm just grateful that they took the chance to sign me and I just hope I can repay them," he said.

"The manager has been brilliant and given me a platform to perform which has been great because I didn't have a pre-season with a team.

"I'm just happy to be playing and doing my thing."

The first Steel City derby for more than five-and-a-half years ended with victory for Sheffield United in November - but can Sheffield Wednesday take revenge on their home turf?

a star-studded line-up of Ross Wallace, John Fleck, Barry Bannan and Tyrese Campbell as they look ahead to Sunday's showdown at Hillsborough on BBC Radio Sheffield's Football Heaven at 18:00 GMT on Thursday.

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