It might seem far-fetched – and almost certainly would have felt inconceivable five weeks ago when Sheffield United were 21st and three points from safety after an 11th loss in 14 games – but could the Blades still make a push for the play-offs this season?
United are the Championship’s in-form side right now, having won four on the bounce and are unbeaten in their past five to climb to 18th and eight points off Stoke in sixth, who they thrashed 4-0 on Saturday.
No other side has picked up more points in the past five games than United (13) and the goals are flowing for Chris Wilder’s side, who have scored three or more in four successive league wins for the first time since April 2017 in League One.
There is still a lot of football to be played but some of the sides in and around the play-offs are just showing some signs of faltering.
Stoke, Bristol City, Birmingham and Hull all lost at the weekend, while only Southampton have strung together a similar recent run to the Blades, winning five of their past six under now permanent boss Tonda Eckert.
“As soon as the results come back, you can see the confidence flowing through the team and the ruthlessness,” boss Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.
United welcome relegation-threatened Norwich and will surely feel confident of making it five straight wins in the league for the first time since December 2022.
