Sheffield United must do 'incredible' thing if they want play-offs - Sky Sports pundit | OneFootball

Jobi McAnuff has provided his verdict to Sky Sports of Chris Wilder and Sheffield United getting into the Championship play-off places.

Sheffield United's play-off chances took a serious hit after losing 2-1 at home to Coventry City, despite Chris Wilder's side taking the lead.

His side are 16th and 11 points above relegation and nine points off of sixth. However, the Blades' form under Wilder has been much improved in recent months. The problem is that the defeats to Coventry and Middlesbrough at home have severely damaged their chances.

With 12 games left, and with Wrexham in sixth and on track for 73 points based on PPG, it leaves Sheffield United with it all to do in their remaining Championship fixtures. They may well require at least eight wins from the 12 games.

The Blades fell short of promotion last season after finishing third behind Leeds United and Burnley, but Wembley was where they collapsed after taking the lead against Sunderland.

For many fans, further disappointment is not only possible but likely. However, Jobi McAnuff has described his thoughts on their chances.

Jobi McAnuff makes Sheffield United prediction about the play-offs

Per Opta, Sheffield United have just a 3.64% chance of maing the top six, while Wrexham have been handed a 49.02% chance currently. However, McAnuff is more positive about the Blades' chances.

Speaking on their chances on Sky Sports News on Wednesday evening, McAnuff said: "That is the big question, isn’t it? The consistency. They’ve had a lot of turnaround in terms of personnel.

"Obviously, he didn’t come in at the start of the season. Took a while to get going. And they have, at times, lacked that consistency.

"What they do not lack is depth and quality in the squad. And again, they are a team who can put a real extensive run together. They haven’t got much margin for error now.

"Because there’s only one spot, you’d have to say so (there is little margin for error). They’re a massive outside shot of getting in, of course they are.

"But with the quality they have in that squad, I do feel they are capable of going on a real run. But it would have to be an incredible one between now and the end of the season.

"When the likes of Southampton are on their own run themselves and there is a big gap to make up and a lot of teams to get past as well."

Sheffield United know the parachute payments are running out

Relegation from the Premier League was a seismic blow to Sheffield United, but parachute payments provide a cushion that few Championship rivals can match in their first two years back in the Championship.

For clubs dropping into the second tier, those first two — sometimes three — seasons are absolutely pivotal. The financial advantage is clear and allow for stronger squad retention, competitive wages, and the ability to beat other sides to proven performers at this level. Used correctly, that edge can create a gap between themselves and the chasing pack.

If they do not get promoted this season via the play-offs, it may well be seen as a waste for the Blades. They also have plenty of important and residual quality within the squad from those Premier League years, but they will surely leave this summer without top flight football.

Even after sales, relegated sides often retain players with that experience and quality. Gus Hamer is one example of a player they can expect to lose without bouncing back up at the second time of asking, because the advantage of parachute payments is time-sensitive.

Contracts wind down as the financial disparity narrows each year. If a club fails to capitalise early, the opportunity is missed as the model of retaining high value and high wage players quickly becomes unsustainable, often forcing cost-cutting and a rebuild.

In short, parachute payments are not a safety net to drift on; clubs that recognise that urgency give themselves the best chance of an immediate return rather than becoming stuck in the pack.