Ahead of tomorrow nights clash with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, we catch up with the good folks over at Sheff United Way to get all the lowdown on Sunderland’s next opponents.
F1878: Sheffield United are having a great season thus far with ten wins, four draws, and two defeats. How do you see the campaign going for the Blades, and what are your expectations come May?
SUW: It’s been a fantastic season so far, especially considering Wilder had to oversee a significant transition with key players naturally reaching the end of their time at Bramall Lane. Many of those players were former captains, highlighting the scale of the task. Wilder has made us difficult to score against, which is often the foundation for staying near the top of the division, especially when we’ve been promoted in recent seasons. On top of that, we have some exciting attacking players who are making a real difference. Expectations remain measured given our slightly thinner squad, which might be a challenge for a full-on promotion push. That said, if we can maintain this form, there’s no reason we can’t reach the promise land again.
Whether we want to be there is another story.
F1879: Chris Wilder has been back in the dugout since December 2023 and has a win percentage of 69%. What is the mood among supporters regarding Wilder’s return and the drop back down to the Championship?
SUW: Reactions to Wilder’s return have been mixed, but generally positive. His departure in 2021 left some wounds, and a portion of the fanbase is still on the fence. However, if he leads us to promotion this season, I think most of the doubters will be fully back on the Wilder train.
F1879: Wilder was known for his 3-5-2 formation with overlapping centre-backs last time he was at Bramall Lane. Has that been something The Blades have adopted again this season?
SUW: No, not at all. Aside from occasional in-game switches, we’ve shifted to a 4-5-1 setup. It’s a dynamic system where one winger pushes high and plays more direct, while the other cuts inside, allowing the full-back to overlap. It’s been great to watch and very effective so far.
F1879: What formation/tactics do you think Wilder will use against Sunderland? Will there be any tweaks?
SUW: I think we’ll stick with the usual setup. Wilder sometimes opts for a more defensive structure in away games against stronger opponents, but since we’re at home with the fans behind us, I expect a similar approach. That said, we might see a touch more caution with our left-back’s attacking runs.
F1879: The Blades have scored 21 goals and only conceded 9 so far. It seems to be going well at both ends of the pitch. What has been the key to this in your view?
SUW: The strong spine of the team has been crucial. We have a goalkeeper who inspires confidence, a centre-back pairing that’s big, strong, and mobile, and a midfield that’s tough-tackling, decent ball carriers, and capable of distributing with real precision.
F1879: Who do you think will be in Sheffield United’s starting XI?
SUW: Cooper, Gilchrist, Souttar, Robinson, Burrows, Rak-Sakyi, Souza, Peck, O’Hare, Hamer, and Campbell. Barring any unexpected injuries, I’m very confident that will be the lineup.
F1879: Who have been the standout players so far this season for Sheffield United, and which ones should Sunderland be most concerned about?
SUW: The defensive duo of Souttar and Ahmedhodzic has been outstanding, along with Vini Souza, who’s been a dominant presence in midfield. They’ve been key to our defensive solidity.
F1879: Which Sunderland player do you think Sheffield United fans will be most concerned about going into the match?
SUW: I haven’t seen much of Sunderland this season, but Jobe Bellingham looks like a real talent. He’s definitely someone to watch out for. Also, since the STID documentary I’ve had a soft spot for Luke O’Nien, which means I’ll watch out for him a bit more.
F1879: Which Blades player do you think Sunderland should be most worried about?
SUW: Tyrese Campbell is in red-hot form right now, scoring five goals in his last six games, so it’s hard not to highlight him. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is another massive threat with his pace and creativity, and Gus Hamer, in my opinion, is the best player in the division. He’s a joy to watch and can control games with his vision and goal contributions.
F1879: Where do you predict Sunderland and Sheffield United will finish in the league?
SUW: I might not win over Sunderland fans here, but I’ve felt from the start of the season that their early form would eventually taper off, leaving them somewhere between 4th and 6th. For us, I believe we’re strong enough to finish in the top four, though exactly where is the question. I don’t think we have the depth or consistency to win the league, but 2nd place and automatic promotion are within reach if we keep this pace.
F1879: What is your score prediction for the clash against the Black Cats?
SUW: Sunderland are known for drawing games recently, and our run of seven consecutive league wins, to nil, at Bramall Lane has to end at some point, so I’ll say 1-1. That said, I could also see us grinding out a narrow win in a tight match. Either way, I don’t think this game will see more than three goals.
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