Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says his team is physically and mentally ready for tonight’s challenge as they prepare to face Bristol City in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-finals at Ashton Gate.
The Blades, who finished third in the Championship with over 90 points, now face a two-legged tie against a Bristol City side returning to the play-offs for the first time in 17 years.
“The preparation going into the play-offs has been very good from a physical point of view – ticking all the boxes and getting back to winning ways, playing in the manner and style that got us to this position with over 90 points,” said Wilder.
However, while the league standings favour United, the play-offs present an entirely different challenge.
“I’ve got too much respect for the game, the opposition, their manager, and the club to think that just because we’re ahead in the league standings and recently came out of the Premier League, this is going to be straightforward. It isn’t.”
United took four points from Bristol City during the Championship campaign and head into tonight’s clash with one of the best away records in the league, having picked up 43 points on the road.
Still, the Blades boss is adamant that there will be no shift in mentality or preparation, regardless of the pressure.
“There’s no change in terms of our approach. We’re going there to win. But we understand we’ll have to play extremely well to win a game of football at Ashton Gate on Thursday night, in front of a very passionate and vociferous home crowd.”
Wilder also confirmed that his squad is almost at full strength for the semi-final, acknowledging it as a significant boost for the play-off contenders.
“The players are focused, the staff are focused. We know what we’ve got to do. We’re in a good place physically and mentally. We’ve got a full selection of the group apart from one, which is outstanding at this stage of the season.”
Despite Sheffield United’s well-documented play-off struggles, viewed by some as a lingering curse, the Blades remain confident that this year could finally break the pattern.
“There’s no negativity about us at all. It’s got nothing to do with us in terms of past records. We’re here to rewrite it.”