Chris Wilder previews the Steel City derby and highlights the strong roots Sheffield has in football | OneFootball

After five long years, one of English football’s most passionate rivalries returns as Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday lock horns this Sunday afternoon at Bramall Lane. The Steel City derby is back, with both sides hungry for bragging rights in a matchup that means as much to the fans as it does to the players.

Both clubs enter this highly anticipated clash under contrasting recent fortunes. United are on a hot streak, carrying three consecutive victories into the fixture. Their latest triumph, a dramatic last-minute winner from Harrison Burrows against Bristol City, showed the squad’s determination and ability to grind out results.

Wednesday, on the other hand, faced a recent setback with a demoralising 6-2 defeat to Watford at Hillsborough. However, the Owls showed resilience in bouncing back with a 2-0 midweek victory over Norwich City, a confidence booster ahead of Sunday.

SHEFFIELD, UNITED KINGDOM – OCTOBER 19: Akpo Sodje of Sheffield Wednesday and Chris Morgan of Sheffield United have words during the Coca-Cola Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United at Hillsbrough on October 19, 2008 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Chris Wilder on Sheffield United vs Sheffield Wednesday

The Blades’ manager Chris Wilder, a boyhood Sheffield United fan, carries the derby’s legacy close to his heart. Having been raised in the Steel City, Wilder understands the significance of this fixture better than most. Though he never got to play in a derby himself, a regret he openly admits, he knows the intensity and unpredictability of the fixture, saying in his press conference, “It’s swung one way and another through the years. It’s unpredictable, it’s passionate, it’s important to everybody.”

Wilder likens the derby to those of Manchester, Glasgow, and London, but insists the Steel City showdown stands apart. He added, “The oldest ground in the world [Bramall Lane] and up the road is the oldest football club in the world [Sheffield FC], so historically we’ve got strong roots in the game. Maybe because of the character of the city, I don’t think the city shouts about it enough. I’m sure if it was Liverpool, or Manchester, or London, [the derby] might be shouted about a little bit louder.”

Wilder, who has managed in these fiery contests before, knows that preparation and the emotional balance is crucial. Reflecting on his first derby, he recalled the importance of outplaying as well as outworking Wednesday. “We didn’t go there and just outrun and outfight them, we outplayed them. Tactically, we were superior on the day, and it was a deserved result,” Wilder stated. It’s a lesson he’ll undoubtedly emphasise to his players this time around.

Interestingly, every United player will be experiencing the Steel City derby for the first time, while a handful of Wednesday’s players have played in this fixture previously. For Wilder, this inexperience can be a double-edged sword. “Maybe the freshness of not playing in it is a bonus,” he suggests. However, he’s aware of the pressure on players like Barry Bannan, who carry the weight of a previous derby defeat. “Who knows? Those questions will only be answered on Sunday afternoon,” he stated.