Sheffield United

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder says his side "looked a tired team" after Bristol City equalised in the 90th minute to share the points on Tuesday evening.

The draw boosted the Blades back to the summit of the Championship, but perhaps reduced the pressure on Leeds United, who will try to reclaim top spot when they host Millwall on Wednesday.

"The control of the game was theirs, the best chances were ours," Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"We were okay but not good enough to go two or three (ahead), even though we had little opportunities on transition, counter-attack and we should have been better.

"If I were their manager, I would have been disappointed to go away with no points today.

"We weren't good enough in possession and mostly for me, lacking energy out of possession, and they've come and got a well and deserved result."

You can listen to Wilder's full reaction on the Blades Heaven podcast.

Bristol City aim to keep their play-off hopes alive as they visit title chasers Sheffield United on Tuesday (20:00 GMT).

The Robins are two points shy of West Bromwich Albion in sixth and could climb as high as fifth if neither Baggies nor Coventry City can pick up wins in their respective matches.

But the Blades will be a tough challenge, with the Yorkshire outfit now level on points with league leaders Leeds United and rivals Burnley hot on their heels in third.

A win could see Sheffield United back on top, but the Robins are unbeaten across their past five league games as they pursue a play-off spot.

• Sheffield United have won each of their last three league games against Bristol City and will be looking to win four in succession for the first time in the Football League.

• Bristol City have won three of their last five away league games against Sheffield United (L2), though have lost on each of their last two trips in November 2021 (0-2) and April 2023 (0-1).

• Sheffield United have won six of their nine midweek league games this season (L3), winning three of their four matches at Bramall Lane.

• Bristol City are unbeaten in their last four away league games (W1 D3), and could win successive games on the road for the first time since November.

• Bristol City's Nahki Wells has scored five away league goals this season; only in 2012-13 (11), 2013-14 (8), 2015-16 (9), and 2020-21 (8) has he netted more on the road in a Football League campaign.

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has confirmed Tom Davies, Harry Clarke and Alfie Gilchrist will miss the match against Bristol City on Tuesday through injury.

The trio missed Saturday's 1-0 victory against Preston North End with midfielder Hamza Choudhury having to fill in as a makeshift right-back in the absence of Gilchrist.

However, Wilder did indicate that Ipswich loanee Clarke and Chelsea loanee Gilchrist could return for Sunday's derby against bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

"Alfie is back with us. Harry is back with us as well because they both went to their parent clubs so we will assess them up to the weekend," the 57-year-old told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"The two boys won't be available for tomorrow night but there's a chance they could be for Sunday."

Wilder also confirmed he would not think twice about playing regular first-choice central defender Anel Ahmedhodzic against the Robins, despite the Bosnian currently being on nine yellow cards - meaning one more on Tuesday would rule him out of the match at Hillsborough.

Adam Oxley
BBC Radio Sheffield journalist

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield United have more wins and more points than anyone else in the Championship with 10 games left to play, but they remain second behind Yorkshire rivals Leeds United on goal difference.

Blades fans don't need reminding that this season started on minus two points for defaulting on payments to other clubs in their last promotion campaign two years ago, and neither does manager Chris Wilder.

"Absolutely does my nut in when there's no stars next to anything because this team has got 78 points," Wilder uttered after beating a stubborn Preston North End side 1-0 at home last Saturday.

The United boss regularly ignores the asterisk when talking about the Championship table, but you do wonder how significant those points could become at the end of the season with just two points (in the official table) currently separating the Blades, Leeds and Burnley.

The club's points deduction is just one of several factors providing extra motivation in Sheffield United's bid for an immediate return to the Premier League, and that 'against the odds' spirit has served Chris Wilder well throughout his two spells at Bramall Lane.

The Blades though will go into their final two games before the international break as favourites, not underdogs.

The Steel City Derby against Sheffield Wednesday looms large at the weekend but only after a midweek test against play-off-chasing Bristol City.

Wins 25 and 26 this campaign could offer both bragging rights and breathing space from their adjusted points tally, if results elsewhere go in their favour.

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Wilder reiterated confidence in his Sheffield United team to come up with 'big moments' after their battling win against Preston took them level on points with Leeds at the top of the table.

North End blunted their hosts during the first half and almost scored themselves through Sam Greenwood before Tyrese Campbell headed in a Harrison Burrows cross for the only goal of the game.

"I thought we were really good from start to finish, against stubborn opponents," Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"We were really connected, from mid to top of the pitch and possibly should have got something more rewarding for our first 20 to 25 minutes.

"We came in at half-time 0-0 and basically said 'don't get anxious'. We've got players that can find those big moments and we found that with a fabulous ball by Harrison and a great finish by Ty.

"Late on, they had nothing to lose – they were Hail Marying it and going more direct than they were in the first half and we just had to deal with that. I don't think Coops really had much to do.

"We were always looking for that second goal and we made positive substitutions, but we didn't find it. Going into those last five minutes where they're taking risks, you have to win first and second balls – which we did."

Adam Cottier
BBC Radio Lancashire sport

Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom says he contemplated quitting first-team management before ing Sheffield United as under-23s coach five years ago.

Heckingbottom had been sacked as manager of Scottish Premiership side Hibernian a few months earlier.

After the departure of Slavisa Jokanovic in November 2021, Heckingbottom returned to management once more, appointed permanently after two caretaker spells, and eventually led the Blades to promotion to the Premier League in 2023.

''Lots of things about managing don't appeal to me - I actually found the [under-23s] job a bit harder, I'd go home with more headaches and more frustrations,'' Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire.

''The second time was a no-brainer for me when I had the opportunity to work with the people I wanted to work with. I was already embedded in the club and that makes a massive difference.

"You feel more responsibility to do it. I knew the first-team players and the academy players coming through. I had a big belief we could achieve something. I loved my three-and-half years there.''

Asked why he did not want to go back into management in 2020, Heckingbottom did not want to elaborate, other than to say: ''Loads of reasons, that's another story.''

Heckingbottom is nearly seven months into the latest chapter of his managerial career. His Preston side are 15th in the Championship, but have an FA Cup quarter-final to look forward to after the international break

A first return to Sheffield United on Saturday will be just another game for Heckingbottom.

'I'd have loved to go back as a fan but as it stands I am going back to try and win - so as it stands it's business as usual," he added.

Sheffield United will welcome back former boss Paul Heckingbottom when he brings his Preston North End side to Bramall Lane on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The match will mark the first time Heckingbottom has returned to the stadium since he departed the club in December 2023.

Heckingbottom was in charge for two-and-a-half years as interim and then permanent manager, leading the Blades into the Premier League in 2023.

"Paul will understand the qualities we've got, just as much as we understand how difficult an opponent Preston North End are going to be," Blades boss Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"They are stubborn, they've got some good players."

Left-back Rhys Norrington-Davies has sustained a new groin injury while in action with the under-21's squad and won't be available for at least three games.

The Wales international has struggled for fitness throughout the season, making just 14 appearances for the Blades in this Championship campaign.

"He's planted his right foot and it's just an innocuous block tackle that's just tweaked something in the groin area," Wilder added.

"He had to go with the tackle; it's nothing to do with previous injuries, nothing to do with his attitude, nothing to do with him being unprepared.

"He's just been really unfortunate."

You can listen to Wilder's full press conference on the Blades Heaven podcast.

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 ed 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 ers 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.