"It gets forgotten" - Claim made on Chris Wilder's Sheffield United future after Saturday | OneFootball

Football League World's Sheffield United fan pundit discussed Chris Wilder's future if the Blades lose to Sunderland in this weekend's play-off final

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Sheffield United will know just how much is at stake ahead of this Saturday's play-off final showdown against Sunderland on Wembley Way.

Widely regarded as the most expensive game in football, the Blades will be desperate to return to the riches of the Premier League at the very first time of asking by defeating Regis Le Bris' side. They do, of course, have a rather wretched record when it comes to the play-offs, but beat Bristol City so confidently and comfortably across two legs to inspire real hope among the Bramall Lane faithful.

It all boils down to Saturday afternoon's showpiece clash, in which there are a number of knock-on effects and permutations at play. Both sides will be fully aware that defeat, and the consequential denial of promotion by default, will leave them susceptible to losing prized assets, and United may rightly fear summer exits for the likes of Michael Cooper, Anel Ahmedhodzic, Vini Souza and star playmaker Gus Hamer if a second season in the Championship awaits.

There is another theory, however, pertaining to Chris Wilder's future. A modern-day legend in the red-and-white quarters of the Steel City, Wilder took the Blades from League One to the Premier League during an iconic five-year stint before returning to the club in December 2023, and, in most seasons, would have secured his second top-flight promotion with his boyhood club without having to go through the play-offs.

United finished the season on 90 points, but that was not enough to ensure automatic promotion.

A late-season collapse saw Leeds United and Burnley take advantage and accumulate 100 points each, with the Whites' superior goal difference bringing the league title to the Blades' bitter cross-Yorkshire rivals.

Chris Wilder backed to keep Sheffield United job regardless of play-off final outcome

There have been calls on social media suggesting that Wilder should be relieved of his duties if he fails to take Sheffield United back to the promised land this weekend.

FLW posed the question to our Blades fan pundit, Jimmy, but he steadfastly believes that Wilder should keep his job regardless of Saturday's outcome against the Black Cats.

In Jimmy's view, Wilder has reinstilled a sense of togetherness after a bleak season in the Premier League, undertaking a significant rebuilding process, and is the right man to lead the side forward.

Ten new recruits were brought to Bramall Lane last summer to offset a squad exodus which saw 17 players leave the club, and Jimmy believes Wilder's work in rebuilding the squad should "not be forgotten".

"If we don't make the Premier League, Chris Wilder should definitely be Sheffield United manager next season either way," Jimmy told FLW.

"It gets forgotten what a rebuild job this was for Sheffield United. About six or seven new players regularly starting, he's managed to rebuild the club essentially in a lot of ways. He's brought us back together after there were fractured relationships among the fanbase and the club.

"Two victories over Sheffield Wednesday as well, they can't be forgotten and have been significantly enjoyed.

"The only reason we haven't been promoted automatically is because we're in the same league as two other teams who got 100 points each respectively, in any other season it would've been good enough for automatics.

"We're halfway through this rebuild and Chris Wilder is the man to see it through.

"I have full confidence in him and I love that he's our manager."

Chris Wilder's Sheffield United may have a better chance of promotion than Sunderland AFC

A play-off final, as we all know, really can go either way. Form only takes you so far, and it all eventually boils down to who can better manage the occasion and set up the right way, but the simple truth is that United have proven themselves to be a stronger outfit than their opponents and, should they turn up and perform to the best of their abilities, will likely head back up to the top-flight at Sunderland's expense.

No less than 14 points separated the two sides in the final league table, with United proving stronger at both ends of the pitch.

That's not to dismiss Sunderland, of course - Le Bris is a shrewd tactician who nullified Coventry City superbly over two legs with his counter-attacking style and his side boasts firepower with the likes of Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda, along with the maverick creative threat of talented Frenchman Enzo Le Fee - but United have their own strengths and showcased those in abundance by making absolute light work of a well-drilled Bristol City side in the semi-finals.

Sunderland will be up for the challenge, and with plenty of wind in their sails after seeing off the Sky Blues in such dramatic fashion, but United could just have too much for the Wearsiders if they play to their strengths.