Chris Wilder and Sheffield United have a real chance of doing what Leeds United couldn’t manage | OneFootball

Sheffield United must believe they can end their play-off misery given the quality of opposition they will come up against.

It has been a tough few weeks for Sheffield United, with defeat at Burnley on Monday officially ending their automatic promotion dreams.

Having started the season with a two-point deduction and a squad overhaul following relegation, it’s fair to say that there was some uncertainty about how the Blades would cope.

Yet, it became apparent very quickly that Chris Wilder had built another group capable of winning promotion, and just a matter of games ago, Sheffield United looked as though they would take one of the top two spots.

Sheffield United must now prepare for the play-offs

However, three successive defeats earlier this month saw the Blades surrender the initiative, and condemned them to the play-offs in the process.

Few saw that wobble coming, particularly as the losses came against Oxford, Millwall and Plymouth, and it has understandably damaged confidence around the club.

With Sheffield United’s play-off record reading eight attempts and no promotions, it’s no surprise that many fans of the Yorkshire club feel the opportunity of reaching the Premier League this season has gone.

There is tension and anxiety around the club, but Wilder and the players have no choice but to block that out as they try to change the mood.

Firstly, finishing the season on a high would be a positive. Every club in the play-offs wants to build momentum going into those high-pressure games, and, right now, the Blades have lost four in five.

But, a trip to Stoke and a home game against Blackburn offers a decent opportunity to arrest that form and raise spirits around Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United have shown they are better than their play-off rivals

But, perhaps the biggest reason for optimism at Sheffield United is the fact they have shown they’re better than their play-off rivals.

Of the current top six, Wilder’s men have taken four points off Coventry and Bristol City. Whilst it was one win and one loss against Sunderland, the defeat at the Stadium of Light came after a missed penalty by Kieffer Moore that would've put them ahead.

So, there’s not much to fear for Sheffield United, and that’s why comparisons to Leeds United last season don’t seem right.

Like Sheffield United, Leeds came third in a three-horse race for automatic promotion last year, and they ultimately couldn’t finish the job, as they were beaten in the play-off final by Southampton.

However, Southampton had beaten Leeds twice in the regular season, and they were a side stacked full of quality at this level. They boasted the likes of Kyle Walker-Peters, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes and Adam Armstrong, among others.

Simply put, it was a group packed with talent, and serious investment had gone into the squad.

With respect to the current Championship sides, regardless of who makes the play-offs, they don’t have that level of player at their disposal.

Meanwhile, Wilder has players that have Premier League experience and high-level know-how, which could be vital, and it’s worth stating they have proven over 46 games that they are better than those they will come up against.

Given the manner of Sheffield United’s collapse in the last month, there is doom and gloom around the club right now, but the beauty of football is how quickly things can change.