“We’re Full Tilt”: Wilder Sends Warning Ahead of Sheffield United vs Blackburn Rovers Showdown | OneFootball

As the curtain falls on the 2024/25 Championship regular season, all eyes turn to Bramall Lane where Sheffield United welcome Blackburn Rovers in a fixture that could have major implications for the play-off picture.

Chris Wilder’s side booked their place in the play-offs after falling to Burnley on Easter Monday, confirming a third-place finish that allowed for some squad rotation in the penultimate game. The Blades made six changes for their last outing at Stoke City, but still cruised to a 2-0 win, hinting at a new system with Kieffer Moore now partnered up front, either with Tom Cannon or Tyrese Campbell.

Chris Wilder Previews Final Day of Campaign

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – APRIL 25: Chris Wilder, Manager of Sheffield United, applauds the fans after his team’s victory in the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City FC and Sheffield United FC at Bet365 Stadium on April 25, 2025 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Despite the changes, United showed no signs of letting up, and with Wilder emphasising the importance of momentum heading into the play-off semi-finals, fans can expect a strong lineup against Rovers.

“Of course, there’s definitely something on it for them, and I think that we have all looked at the permutations and what can happen if they win, and maybe the outcome of a positive result for them, but we’re full tilt. There’s places to be played for, there’s 30,000 plus supporters to maybe reward for the backing that we have had at home and away, and we’re on our own patch so whatever the game, whatever competition, whatever time of the year, the attitude has to stay consistent,” Wilder said.

One player expected to return is Tom Davies, while Gustavo Hamer’s absence at Stoke may hint at careful management ahead of the play-offs. Additionally, Ben Brereton Diaz has been ruled out for the clash against his former club due to illness.

Speaking about the United players and what the Blades have dealt with this season, Wilder praised his players for their attitude heading into the final day:

“I couldn’t have wished for them to be in a better place if I’m honest in terms of: the group, the mentality, and the energy which is the biggest thing. I talked about it leading up to the Stoke game; how they reset pretty quickly and focussed on the task at hand which was to finish the season on a high. It’s important to get into the 90s [points], over two points per game is really incredibly important to all of us. There’s no medals for doing that but it represents what a good season we’ve had. We’ve had some incredible challenges right the way through,  and I do at times think what we’ve had to overcome goes under the radar and our supporters know all those challenges, some don’t want to acknowledge it and I get that but the majority do.”

Sheffield United Boss Wary of In-Form Blackburn Rovers

BLACKBURN, ENGLAND – APRIL 08: Valerien Ismael, Manager of Blackburn Rovers, shakes hands with Lewis Travis after the Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers FC and Sheffield Wednesday FC at Ewood Park on April 08, 2025 in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Blackburn Rovers, meanwhile, arrive in S2 riding a wave of optimism as they hunt down a last-gasp Championship play-off spot. Four straight wins have vaulted them into eighth place, just a point off sixth, with a slightly better goal difference to most of their rivals. A win at Bramall Lane could catapult them as high as fifth, if other results go their way.

The final-day drama is set to be intense, with the table tightly packed:

Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael will be buoyed by the returns of Hayden Carter and Makhtar Gueye. But, Scott Wharton, Owen Beck, Andi Weimann, and Harry Leonard remain sidelined for the final league fixture.

Wilder was full of praise for the visitors’ recent form, acknowledging the impact of their managerial change (after John Eustace left for Derby County in February).

“A change of manager, and maybe from Valerien Ismael’s point of view, getting his fingerprints on it and getting his own messages towards his players, sometimes takes time. They’ve had good players right the way through the campaign, and maybe one of the only teams, I would say with Millwall, that have not really stuttered recently in this period. They have picked up some big wins.”