Chris Wilder could surprise us all at 11:30am with ‘shuffle the pack’ decision for ‘great to work with’ ace vs Plymouth Argyle

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Sheffield United and Chris Wilder head to Plymouth Argyle in matchday 42 in the Championship, with crucial points on offer at both ends of the table.

Sheffield United have the pressure on after Burnley’s win over Norwich City last night but also after consecutive 1-0 defeats in a row to Oxford United and Millwall knocked them off top spot and down into third.

Sam Parkin has predicted the outcome in a fixture many believe the Championship high-flyers will be favourites in. Miron Muslic believes his side will win the clash at Home Park at lunchtime.

Chris Wilder has been here before at the business end of the season and will ensure his side know what it takes. It’s been an enthralling promotion race, and it’s by no means over yet, with many Championship fans changing their tune about the promotion picture now.

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Callum O’Hare should return to the Sheffield United team vs Plymouth

Plymouth are likely to make it a ‘tough watch’ according to Wilder. A scrappy game may require players with magic in their boots. It could be very low-margin in spite of the stakes involved for both sides. The Blades will need players who are big differentials at both ends.

 It’s a huge fixture with many of the best players in the Championship on display for the away side. Wilder has plenty of those to choose from but his bench is also stacked with quality waiting for a chance to impress. Many of whom have the match-winning qualities needed at this stage of the campaign.

They have largely had a settled forward line of late but blanking in the last two outings should see some attacking changes this lunchtime. Tom Cannon may have flattered to deceive so far, but there are other attackers champing at the bit to be rotated in.

Callum O’Hare has many of the X-factor attributes needed to win a game and be the game changer the Blades lack. He has good combination play with Gus Hamer but also the intensity out of possession for a tough battle where Sheffield United will be roughed up by their physicality.

Rhian Brewster may be in the best form he’s ever been in since joining the club but O’Hare is a natural in that No.10 role. He has the flair and creativity to help knit things together, and the Blades are likely to see plenty of the ball around the Plymouth 18-yard box.

He has a point to prove and that is exactly what Wilder needs today. Players who are willing and ready to step up at the most vital part in their season are exactly what is required to get over the line and keep pace with the automatic promotion pack.

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Chris Wilder hints at changes amid Callum O’Hare comments

Speaking to The Star in midweek, Wilder spoke about changes and said: “I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t, aren’t I? 11 or 12 days earlier [against Coventry] everything was rocking. So it just shows how quickly emotions change. I think collectively they were all poor on Saturday at Oxford, I don’t think anybody came out of it with any sort of credit. They were fours and fives, and that might be being kind.

“So, I thought it was the right thing to do, to let them go again. I thought the energy in the team in the first half was good. We got after the opposition and I thought our start was good. But going a goal behind makes it even more difficult, especially when you’ve got experienced players like they’ve got and them making some really good decisions.

In a separate interview this week with The Star, he hinted at changes: “It’s the hardest job,” said Wilder of team selection. “It’s a pertinent question and it’s one managers have to deal with it all the time. I’ve dealt with it for 1,000 games. Tactics, changes, team selection. We’re on 85 points. 

“I’ve always thought we’ll have to shuffle the pack but I thought it was right to give them the chance to go again. Is there a need to freshen it up? Most probably. I’m not going to give my team away but it was always going to be the case in a three-game week, whether that was Tuesday or Saturday dinnertime.”

Earlier in the season, speaking via the Coventry Telegraph in November, Wilder spoke about O’Hare and how ‘instrumental’ he would be in their season. He explained that he could be a consistent performer and outlined how ‘great to work with’ he had been, with ‘more to come’.