Chris Wilder handed big Sheffield United boost - it could help deliver play-offs | OneFootball

Ollie Arblaster's return to full fitness is a huge boost for Sheffield United as they look to reach the play-offs this season.

Sheffield United’s four-game winning run came to an end on Tuesday, with Norwich City picking up a point at Bramall Lane after a 1-1 draw.

Whilst it was a disappointing result in isolation given the Canaries’ struggles, it continues the fantastic progress that the Blades have made since Chris Wilder returned to the club for a third time.

The boyhood fan inherited a club in the relegation zone and in disarray, but this positive upturn in form means Sheffield United can now start looking up the table instead of over their shoulder.

Ollie Arblaster makes Sheffield United return after long lay-off

The major positive from the Blades’ draw with Norwich was the return of Ollie Arblaster.

The popular midfielder was always highly-rated coming through the academy, and the 2024/25 season was expected to be a real breakthrough one for the Sheffield-born lad.

That was evident by Wilder naming Arblaster as his captain, and he enjoyed a superb start to the season before it was cruelly cut short due to a serious knee injury, which restricted him to just 12 appearances.

Given the nature of the injury, it was always going to be a long road to recovery for Arblaster, and, after 13 months watching on, he finally returned to the pitch against Norwich.

Of course, it would be ridiculous to expect the England youth international to immediately get back to his best level, and you can be sure that Wilder will manage the 21-year-old very carefully over the coming weeks and months.

Yet, getting back out on the pitch in a Championship game was a huge moment for Arblaster, and, even in the 59 minutes he was on the pitch, Sheffield United got a reminder of just how good he can be.

Arblaster was assured in possession, which is backed up by his 89% success rate, he was progressive in the way he played, and he didn’t back out of any physical challenges. Plus, it’s worth noting that the Blades were winning when the midfielder was replaced.

Ollie Arblaster will improve this Sheffield United side as they look to climb the table

Even though there will be patience shown to Arblaster, you could understand if all connected to the club are excited about how he will improve the team, and they will be looking up the table.

The eight-point gap to the play-off places may seem a lot right now, but the Championship is a notoriously demanding league, and things can change in a matter of weeks.

The Blades have seen that first-hand, as they were fearing a major relegation battle, but in the space of 14 days they had won four games, and they are now six points clear of 22nd-placed Portsmouth, and the mood around the club has transformed.

Obviously, they still have work to do to pull clear, and Wilder won’t allow any complacency to creep in, but the reality is that this is a Sheffield United squad packed with quality.

Michael Cooper was outstanding in his first season at the club, Japhet Tanganga is a reliable defender at this level, Gus Hamer was Player of the Year in the entire division last season, whilst Patrick Bamford and Danny Ings have both represented England in the past.

The list could go on, but it shows just how good the group is at Bramall Lane, and there is a nice mix of youth and experience.

So, adding Arblaster to that group is going to make Sheffield United a force at this level, and Wilder will still want to make additions in the New Year when the market opens.

Clearly, there’s not going to be much room for error if the Yorkshire outfit are going to secure a top six finish this season, but they have turned a corner under Wilder in recent weeks, and the return of Arblaster means that Sheffield United fans will believe it’s possible.