Sheffield United Chief Highlights Key Duo & Mentality Ahead of Steel City Clash | OneFootball

Andre Brooks and Femi Seriki have become something of an unstoppable force down the right flank for Sheffield United this season.

Between them, they have contributed to 12 goals, a return that underlines their attacking output, but the numbers only tell part of the story. Their overall impact has arguably been far more influential. The chemistry, relentless work rate and raw athleticism they both possess make them a nightmare for opposition defenders, particularly in one-v-one situations where their pace and directness consistently tilt the pitch in United’s favour.

There is a natural understanding between the pair. When Seriki drives forward from right-back, Brooks instinctively adjusts his movement, either stretching play to isolate his marker or darting inside to exploit the half-space. When Brooks presses high, Seriki is quick to back him up, squeezing the space and forcing mistakes. It is coordinated aggression and it has become a defining feature of United’s right side.

It feels symbolic that manager Chris Wilder singled the duo out in the build-up to Sunday afternoon’s Steel City derby against Sheffield Wednesday at Bramall Lane. Over the past decade, the Blades have not only asserted dominance at first-team level in the city, but also at academy level, and Brooks and Seriki are prime examples of that success, both products of the Shirecliffe system.

Sheffield United Academy Products Singled Out For Praise By Chris Wilder

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 23: Femi Seriki of Sheffield United looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United at Hillsborough on November 23, 2025 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Speaking after the dramatic 1-0 win away at Portsmouth to SUTV, Wilder was quick to praise their adaptability as much as their attacking quality:

“Those two boys have been outstanding for us going forward and today they had to do it the other way because they got put on the back foot. Femi got put on the back foot by Alli who’s decent and positive and he gave him a right test but Femi stuck at it and Brooksy stuck at it and he had the energy to get to the top of the pitch and score. I’ve just said to the boys it was a little bit Peter Withe-esque and all the boys looked round and didn’t have a clue what I was on about. Maybe they’ll have a look on YouTube and see it.”

Wilder on Blades Belief

PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 14: Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder during the Sky Bet Championship match between Portsmouth and Sheffield United at Fratton Park on February 14, 2026 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Wilder has also placed heavy emphasis on mentality ahead of the derby, framing it as an extension of the club’s identity rather than just another fixture. Reflecting on recent performances and drawing inspiration from elsewhere in the game, he said:

“It’s about the build, it’s about the culture, it’s about what we’re all about. I listened to Keith Andrews in the week when they went toe to toe with Arsenal and they’ve got a culture at their football club and he came in and he built on. Jack [Lester] is there too, half of our staff are there. He’s added to Brentford’s culture and that is the biggest thing about our football club, the culture.

Everybody else has got their culture but our culture is not the get the white flag out, not to go under when it’s on top. It was on top today so for me it’s a great sign that we have got the mentality and culture to go to places like Millwall and Portsmouth and then put that back on teams when they come to Bramall Lane. Culture carriers and the players are all on the same page which is brilliant for me.”

That belief has been evident in results at difficult venues such as Millwall and Portsmouth, and it will be central again when Wednesday arrive at Bramall Lane this weekend.

As the Steel City derby looms, the Blades will look to their academy graduates not just for moments of quality, but for the energy; in derby matches, intensity and mentality often outweighs the tactics.