Chris Wilder on Sheffield United’s Play-Off Mission: “We’ve Got to Prove We’re the Best Team” | OneFootball

Sheffield United rounded off their Championship regular season with a 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers at Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon, in a contest that saw the Blades produce a strong performance while Blackburn’s late hopes of a play-off spot were ultimately dashed.

The home side started brightly, dominating the early exchanges as they looked to end the campaign on a high. Tom Cannon tested visiting goalkeeper Balazs Toth with a sharp low effort, while Gustavo Hamer squandered a golden chance minutes later, steering Andre Brooks’ pinpoint cross wide from close range when he looked certain to score.

Despite United’s control, it was Blackburn who struck first shortly after the restart. Japanese forward Yuki Ohashi latched onto Callum Brittain’s clever pass and fired goalward, with the ball taking a decisive deflection off Rob Holding to wrong-foot Adam Davies and nestle into the net.

Sheffield United responded swiftly. Just before the hour mark, Anel Ahmedhodzic grabbed the equaliser, reacting quickest after Holding had managed to keep Hamer’s deep cross alive inside the box. Moments earlier, Cannon appeared to be tripped by Lewis Travis in the area, but appeals for a penalty were waved away by the referee.

The final stages of the match saw United push for a winner. Callum O’Hare was denied by a fine save from Toth, and Cannon missed arguably the best opportunity of the game, blazing over the bar from just five yards after being brilliantly set up by O’Hare.

Despite late pressure and playing with ten men in the closing moments due to Femi Seriki’s injury, Chris Wilder’s side had to settle for a point, though their play-off position had already been secured prior to kick-off.

Chris Wilder Wants Sheffield United to “Prove” They Are the Best Team in the Play-offs

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – MAY 3: Gustavo Hamer of Sheffield United misses a chance to score during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United FC and Blackburn Rovers FC at Bramall Lane on May 3, 2025 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images)

Post-match, Wilder praised his team’s performance and the supporters, saying:

“Thanks to the supporters for staying behind at the end, I thought it was a good performance, and we deserved to win the game, even with ten men at the end.”

He acknowledged the challenge Blackburn posed given their play-off hopes but was pleased with the Blades’ response after going behind:

“It was an awkward one with Blackburn having something to play for. We were disappointed to go behind, but we reacted positively. The attitude and approach were great and the feeling after the lap of acknowledgment was really good.”

On the injury front, Wilder offered some positive news:

“I think we’ll have a clean bill of health going into the playoffs which is massive for us. Just got to check on Femi [Seriki] because that didn’t look too good.”

Looking ahead to the play-offs, where United will face Bristol City, Wilder added:

“Whoever we got, it was always going to be a challenge. The teams in the playoffs deserve to be there and we deserve to be where we are, third. It’s slate wiped clean now and we’ve got to go and prove that we’re the best team out of those four.”

The first leg of the semi-final against Bristol City will be away on Thursday, with the decisive second leg at Bramall Lane the following Monday.