Sheffield United have secret weapon ‘better than anyone’ in Championship promotion race

Add as preferred source on Google

Sheffield United are in a very tight battle to secure automatic promotion from the Championship this season.

The Blades were dealt a two-point deduction prior to the campaign kicking off but Chris Wilder’s men are more than holding their own in the battle to win the Championship.

Leeds United dropped points to QPR last time out and though Burnley did beat Swansea City, they remain third in the division.

Sheffield United beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 on Sunday in what was the final Steel City derby of 2024/25.

That result saw them go level on points with Daniel Farke and co. heading into the March international break.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	38	23	11	4	76	25	51	80
2	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	38	25	7	6	53	28	25	80
3	BurnleyBurnley	38	21	15	2	52	11	41	78
4	SunderlandSunderland	38	19	12	7	55	37	18	69
5	CoventryCoventry	38	17	8	13	55	48	7	59

Sheffield United have a much worse goal difference than Leeds as shown above, but Wilder’s men do have one advantage in the promotion race, according to two experts.

• READ MORE: Championship pundit makes Leeds United ‘ten point gap’ claim over Sheffield United and Burnley as ‘stark’ contrast emerges

Sheffield United’s secret weapon in race to win Championship promotion

In terms of attacking threat, it is Leeds who have dominated the division this term, sitting with a staggering 76 goals scored.

At the other end of the pitch, Burnley have by far and away the best defensive record, seeing James Trafford called up for England ahead of Sheffield United’s goalkeeper.

Despite not excelling in defence or attack, the Blades, in the view of two Championship experts, have one secret weapon.

When discussing the Yorkshire side on the latest episode of 72+: The EFL Podcast, Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff waxed lyrical about Wilder, suggesting his team are ‘better than anyone’ when it comes to picking up wins even when not at their best.

Paul said: ”I love him [Wilder], I feel as though there’s no better unifier in football.

McAnuff added: “If I’m a player and I see my gaffer talk like that and just find a way to win, they’re not bogged down with philosophies or one way of doing it.

“We have to win three points and that is what Sheffield United have done time and time again. Probably better than anyone [in the league] when it comes to not being at their best or not playing the best football.

“I think it’s interesting when it comes to Chris Wilder and Sheffield United, there’s that extra bit of emotional attachment, it’s his football club so those big games do mean more to him because he lives it, he breathes it, it’s his club.

“When you go to Bramall Lane you do feel that energy, you feel that connection with the team and all of this is a big part of their success, they’re building that fortress now for the run-in now they’re making sure they’re all together and if they are going to get over the line its one massive team effort.”

• READ MORE: Chris Wilder worked ‘hard’ to sign ‘outstanding’ player for Sheffield United, he’s become a promotion rival

What Chris Wilder has said about Sheffield United promotion

Sheffield United return to action next weekend against Coventry City before a few easy games and then a huge meeting with Burnley on April 21st.

Given how tight things are at the top end of the league right now, that clash with the Clarets could well decide who goes up automatically.

On the battle to win promotion, Wilder told BBC Sport last week: “There’s still work to be done, there’s a promotion on the horizon. It’s going to be an absolutely titanic tussle.