EFL expert says that Chris Wilder can create a new Sheffield United ‘legacy’ as he looks to end the Blades’ awful play-off record

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Sheffield United face Bristol City in the first of four Championship play-off semi-finals on Thursday evening, as the race for promotion steps up once again following the final day of the season.

The Blades ended the regular campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers, a side that were pushing for a top six finish, but the Robins’ comeback from two goals down to end their game at home to Preston North End 2-2, ensured that Liam Manning’s team finished sixth.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	46	29	13	4	95	30	65	100
2	BurnleyBurnley	46	28	16	2	69	16	53	100
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	46	28	8	10	63	36	27	90
4	SunderlandSunderland	46	21	13	12	58	44	14	76
5	CoventryCoventry	46	20	9	17	64	58	6	69
6	Bristol CityBristol City	46	17	17	12	59	55	4	68

For Chris Wilder, it’s been all about controlling emotions following his side’s failure to win automatic promotion as he now tries to find a fix for Sheffield United’s awful play-off record.

While it is an extremely daunting task, particularly after missing out on the top two, the ex-Middlesbrough boss has plenty of experience when it comes to winning promotion and he will be hoping that he can take his third with the Blades.

Despite this terrible history in both the semi-finals and final, one EFL expert believes that this could work in Sheffield United’s favour.

George Elek makes significant Chris Wilder claim as Sheffield United prepare for the play-offs

Saturday was a busy day for the South Yorkshire outfit, with their focus mainly on results elsewhere, as they could have been playing any one of five teams this coming Thursday.

Ultimately, it was the Robins who snuck back into the top six, with Bristol City’s strength at home this season something that will worry Wilder.

Nevertheless, his main focus will be on getting his Sheffield United team up for the challenge of the play-offs and creating history for a club who have fell at this hurdle on countless times in the past.

But, for George Elek, this could work in the Blades’ favour, he said (via: Not The Top 20 Podcast): “Not only could Chris Wilder be the man to take Sheffield United back up to the Premier League again, because they keep getting promoted every time they come down.

“He could actually be the first Blades manager to win the play-offs. That in itself is probably even as big an opportunity for him to write himself into the folklore even further than he already has and add to his legacy.”

The play-offs are Chris Wilder’s and the Blades’ to lose

There is a huge amount of pressure on every side heading into this week’s semi-finals, but perhaps none more so than that which on Sheffield United.

The Blades were the only side to compete with Leeds United and Burnley the whole way through the campaign, with Sunderland falling away at the start of spring.

Coventry City’s incredible rise under Frank Lampard saw them enter contention towards the end of February, and they will be hoping that momentum can keep them going strong heading into potentially three last games.

The underdogs are Bristol City, and they will be hoping that they can spring a surprise on Sheffield United at Ashton Gate and carry a lead into the second leg.