Sheffield United fans will love hearing what EFL experts have said on former fan favourite, he’s ‘the class player’

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Sheffield United’s season may now require the play-offs to gain promotion, but recent news will have brought a smile to the faces of many in red and white.

The Blades’ Gus Hamer was awarded the Championship Player of the Season award, with fans of other teams outraged at the decision. He and Harrison Burrows were named in the Team of the Season, too.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	45	28	13	4	93	29	64	97
2	BurnleyBurnley	45	27	16	2	66	15	51	97
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	45	28	7	10	62	35	27	89
4	SunderlandSunderland	45	21	13	11	58	43	15	76
5	Bristol CityBristol City	45	17	16	12	57	53	4	67
6	CoventryCoventry	45	19	9	17	62	58	4	66
7	MillwallMillwall	45	18	12	15	46	46	0	66
8	BlackburnBlackburn	45	19	8	18	52	47	5	65
9	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	45	18	10	17	64	54	10	64

Chris Wilder is hoping to guide them to a second promotion after finishing just behind Norwich City in 2018/19 to gain automatic promotion. Players like Hamer and Burrows will be essential as they look to navigate the play-offs and break the cycle of a disappointing record to gain the promotion prize.

The awards were held on Sunday night as a bit of relief for the Sheffield United squad, having put a difficult week behind them with a win over Stoke City as well. However, one former favourite of Wilder and the club’s supporters was snubbed.

• READ MORE: Chris Wilder eyes double record break for rest of the season after win vs Stoke City, his ‘players deserve’ it

EFL expert George Elek picks ex-Sheffield United forward David McGoldrick for Player of the Season

EFL experts Ali Maxwell and George Elek of the Not The Top 20 podcast have had their say on the situation regarding the Player of the Season award in League Two, where David McGoldrick was Elek’s pick to win it over Bromley’s Michael Cheek.

Maxwell said: “The League Two award was won by Michael Cheek — an incredible story. His first season in the EFL in his 30s, doing what he’s doing for over a decade in non-league scoring goals.

“And, frankly, this isn’t a horror show in terms of Cheek winning the award. But the best player in League Two this season has been Luke Molyneux. I’m surprised he didn’t win that award. He’d have been my pick, Luke Molyneux of Donny [Doncaster Rovers].”

Elek responded explaining something Blades fans will be delighted to hear: “Yeah, I agree with Molyneux and I also agree with Cheek. Cheek kind of fits the profile. But I think, in David McGoldrick.

“It’s easy to forget how incredible it is what this guy is doing. Age shouldn’t come into it but, at 37 years of age, he’s probably been the best player in League Two this season.

“I think we can also forget that Notts County finished lower mid-table last season. There wasn’t that much expectancy under Stuart Maynard. There was almost a bit of negativity on him after the back of the end of last season.

“And, yet, they currently sit in the play-offs heading into the final game of the season. McGoldrick has been a massive part of that — 17 goals scored this season. Some unbelievable goals in that.

“A constant goal threat; he has had 114 shots this season, which is the most of anybody in League Two. His ball-carrying is so important in terms of what they do, too.

“His creativity, I mean, three assists from 5.15xA — so, again, he’s creative maybe in terms of what he’s got in assists themselves. But basically in every single game you watch Notts County play, he is basically the key player and class player.

“I think he’s probably been the best player on merit this season in League Two.”

Maxwell added: “Interesting discussion! And I think, from our point of view, shows why awards can be quite difficult. We both feel quite strongly about our selections and they didn’t win. Some of them, we can understand why but fun to have a bit of debate.”

Like McGoldrick and Notts, Sheffield United are eyeing promotion to escape spending another season in the Championship in 2025/26, with Callum O’Hare and co. set to face Blackburn Rovers before Wilder looks to win the play-offs this time around.

• READ MORE: Championship play-off dates, fixtures, and teams in Premier League promotion mix

David McGoldrick’s Sheffield United career

McGoldrick’s time at Sheffield United will be remembered fondly by Blades fans for both his influence on and off the pitch as one of the leaders and best players in the team for a time. Culture is an important aspect of team’s Wilder has built, which McGoldrick understood right away.

Joining on a free transfer in 2018 from Ipswich Town, the veteran striker quickly became a vital cog in Wilder’s promotion-winning side. His intelligence and technical quality made him more than just a goalscorer as he was often the glue that held their attack together.

During the 2018/19 Championship season, McGoldrick struck 15 league goals, playing a key role in securing automatic promotion to the Premier League. In the top flight, while his goals became less frequent, his all-round contribution remained immense.

Despite United’s eventual relegation, McGoldrick remained a figure of consistency. By the time he departed in 2022, he had made over 150 appearances for the club where he was a fan favourite and cult hero.

Now ripping it up for his boyhood club after a brief stint with Derby County, the 37-year-old represents a late-career renaissance that firmly cemented his legacy as an EFL all-time great. Blades fans will love to hear that he is doing as well as he is.