Last month, Sheffield United’s slip up handed Leeds United automatic promotion. Both clubs have had some intense back and forth, which started before the season began.
Daniel Fark was looking to sign an attacking midfielder, and set his sights on Blades midfielder Gustavo Hamer. Chris Wilder publicly ridiculed the bid, as Sheffield United kept the player into the season. In the latter part of the season, the promotion race was down to three teams. Leeds, Burnley and Sheffield United were in the race down to the final weeks of the season.
Chris Wilder tried to get inside the head of the other two competitors with scathing comments each week. It eventually backfired when the Blades lost to Burnley, handing the Clarets and the Whites automatic promotion.
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Chris Wilder makes Leeds United admission
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Wilder’s side finished third an are currently in the playoffs. Sheffield United ran out convincing 6-0 winners on aggregate against Bristol City. Kieffer Moore, Gus Hamer and Callum O’Hare scored as the Blades won 3-0 away from home in the second leg.
With Sheffield United now in the playoff final, Chris Wilder had something nice to say about Leeds United for a change. The 57-year old said he was envious of Leeds and Burnley sealing automatic promotion:
“Would I have liked it (the automatic promotion race) to have gone to the last game? Absolutely. Are we jealous in terms of the two teams who got promoted automatically? Of course we are.” he told Sky Sports.
“The talk afterwards was key and we all put the messages out there that we have got work to do and we should look forward to it. We’ve not taken a backward step in both games (against Bristol City) and I’m delighted about it.”
Chris Wilder’s side will face either Coventry City on Sunderland in the play-off final.
Will the Blades joins Leeds in the Premier League?
Wilder is very experienced in these situations, and the Blades are no strangers to winning promotion. Whoever that advances from the Sunderland/Coventry City tie will put up a fight, but ultimately – Sheffield United have a huge advantage.
If the Blades miss out on promotion, the door is potentially opened for a move for Gustavo Hamer this summer.
I expect the blunts to come up and it’s fair to say they will have earned it. At least we get six easy points and a guarantee one team will finish below us, just two more to find.