Bristol City vs Sheffield United

EFL Championship Play Off Semi Final 1st Leg - Thursday 8th May 2025 - 20:00 - Ashton Gate
Please keep all discussion related to the match within this thread.

Player Ratings:
Matchday Stats/Player Ratings - https://www.s24su.com/forum/match-day/match/bristol-city-vs-sheffield-united.747/

Officials:

Referee: Oliver Langford
Assistants: Mark Stevens & Andrew Fox
Fourth Official: Stephen Martin

Coverage:

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Live TV Coverage:

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[HarryHaslam]

 

[Blade56]

Weeeeerrrzzzz JRS?

 

[Shadota]

Superb result that one.

Thought we started really brightly, looked a proper threat in the first couple of minutes. They then started to get into the game, and us allowing them to keep the ball as we did made me a bit anxious.

Thought the Campbell goal being ruled out was harsh, but if Peck is offside then so be it. Hard to he certain from the TV angles, but if he was off it wasn't by much at all.

Thought we should have already been in front before we actually scored. The Campbell 1-on-1 was terribly wasted in particular. But while we allowed them those spells of possession, I stayed wary while it was 0-0.

Terrific forward play by Moore for the pen. Gets goalside, and while he doesn't look well positioned for a shot, the defender makes that irrelevant by falling for the bait, and trying to win the ball. It was a red card at the time, it's a red card now, and it'll be a red card when Sky start replaying the match every year for their play-off hype campaign. Superbly taken pen by Burrows too.

After that, it was a clinic, on how to control a game against 10 men. Their only shot was straight after the 2nd goal, just a reflexive action to falling further behind.

Substitutions were perfect tonight. Right as we needed an injection of energy, COH, Davies and Brooks on made us look so much more threatening (all due respect to Ty, Brewster & Peck who all had solid games). Davies especially oozes quality. You can see the Premier League talent whenever he's on the pitch.

But O'Hare's impact is the most noticeable in the final scoreline. His dummy to allow the ball to run to Brooks for 2-0 was delightful. And the flick for the 3rd even more so. There are very few players around who'd have the presence of mind to do either of those. And yet he's done both in the same match.

I don't think we could have asked for any better than that from the 1st leg. Commanding lead, clean sheet, and a key player ruled out by suspension. We just need to keep our heads on Monday night, not try anything stupid, and we'll have one more game to play.

UTB

 

[Alfiesdad]

Weeerz all Wilder haters and tactical geniuses gone?

 

[Foxy]

'SHOCKING DECISION' lool, FFS

Pure engagement farming

 

[sheff_blade90]

everytime Bristol city took an corner

 

[sheff_blade90]

You must all be very pleased with that performance. I thought you won at a canter, made them look very average and although the penalty and sending off decisions (both correct BTW) obviously made a difference you would have run out comfortable winners anyway.

Be interesting too see if your manager makes some changes or plays a full strength team in the second leg.

this was beyond my wildest dreams. i was happy with 1-1 or 0-0 like preston or stevenage & i believe the 1st time we've ever won the away 1st leg.

i think we will full strength again. because as we know from the across the city, if we concede early there will be alot stress. so he might change during the 2nd half if we score but til then. never underestimate teams

 

[Northyorksblade]

Get Rak Saki on

He's not on the bench.
Or have I just missed a whoosh moment.

 

[Northyorksblade]

I'm going to have to spend tomorrow looking for the best playoff comebacks aren't I...

Look no further than pigs v Posh

 

[finlaytheblade]

this was beyond my wildest dreams. i was happy with 1-1 or 0-0 like preston or stevenage & i believe the 1st time we've ever won the away 1st leg.

i think we will full strength again. because as we know from the across the city, if we concede early there will be alot stress. so he might change during the 2nd half if we score but til then. never underestimate teams

Don't play peck ! He's on a booking get another on Monday and he misses the final. I think that's how it works.

 

[Salmon Pastures]

Just got back to the hotel. The Llandoger and Small bar had a fair few Blades in. Been down here since Tuesday. Bristol really is a fabulous city.

 

[reedy63]

Great result for us. Got my ticket for the second leg at Bramall Lane.
Come on, Fellow Blades, get Bramall Lane packed and rocking.
Roar The Red and White Wizzards to Wembley-UTB

 

[blade too long]

Look no further than pigs v Posh

To be fair owls were at home second leg with a packed 47000 crowd...with 25000 unable to get in

 

[blade too long]

An unexpectedly good result in an unexpectedly easy game really. All nut over now, just need to start a defensive team and play keep ball/counter on Monday.

We started with 2 up top and got the ball forward quickly to Moore which seemed to catch them unawares. Had a goal chalked off (probably fairly but they can go either way) and then the game turns on the pen and red card (the latter being a touch harsh but both big decisions were probably 50/50).

In general play we were the better team first half without creating a great amount. A worryingly sluggish and stale first 20 minutes of the second half was transformed with Brooks and O'Hare coming on. We settled for the 3 goals in the end when I kind of wanted them to get a 4th to put it beyond any doubt.

Getting the ball forward quickly not only causes the opposition's defence a lot of issues it means we're not faffing about and giving the ball away in dangerous positions.

Cooper - 6 - Had very little to do.
Burrows - 7.5 - Very calm pen and his decision to try a first time pass when it wasn't a great option led to the second. Doesn't always come off but playing it early make a big difference.
Robbo - 6 - Likes to launch it too much but did ok against not a great amount of pressure.
Anel - 6 - As above really. Not the hardest night for him.
Choudhury - 6 - Solid
Peck - 7 - Lad really needs a goal. Looked lively all evening without ever getting the rewards.
Souza - 6 - Much more solid tonight.
Hamer - 5.5 - Not greatly involved and not one of his better nights.
Brewster - 7 - First 30 minutes he was a real nuisance. Played as a wide forward and caused them a lot of problems.
Moore - 7.5 - Caused them all manner of problems all night and won the pen.
Campbell - 6.5 - Another nuisance without a great amount coming off. Unlucky on the disallowed goal.

Subs:

Brooks - 7 - Scored the goal and looked lively again. He has to start at Wembley you'd think.
O'Hare - 6.5 - Clever finish for the goal and kept the ball moving well.
Davies - 6.5 - Thought he did well when he game on . Very busy and tidy.
Holding - 6 - Solid enough
McCallum - 6 - as above

Wilder - 7.5 - Set up with two upfront which seemed surprise Manning. We were the better side first half and looked much better moving the ball forward quickly. You could see how frustrated he was getting with our performance second half and the subs sealed the deal.

Win 3-0 away in a crucial game and the highest mark is 7.5 . Not demanding at all then

 

[JS Blade]

Wilder got that bang on tonight before, during and after.

Well done lads - 3-0 up at half time

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Before the game at the sty I had a weird sense of this is obvious blades win. Had the same all yesterday.

Wilder said we were going there to win and the way we set up and performed even before the red backed that up.

With them needing to come at us next game I can see us making a tactical switch again with pace being the focus and hitting them on the counter. If Femi is fit for it bringing him on against a tired side feels ideal

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

View attachment 210291

Rubbish pic. Weerz Souza's mid air Roly poly thing???

 

[Selly]

Don't play peck ! He's on a booking get another on Monday and he misses the final. I think that's how it works.

Not true - players can now only get suspended if they get a Red card

 

[DerbyDave]

Well done Sheff Utd

Wembley surely awaits .

We're not that great in playoffs at Derby either , but finishing below 3rd , the rest are given a bonus they really don't deserve .. unfortunately, these gits seem to get lucky ..it's happened all too often in the past

If there's any justice in the World , you'll beat Coventry ( I think) in the final , and get your just desserts ..for finishing 3rd . and by a considerable margin too

I think Wilder has learned a lot ..with a bit of boardroom support and acceptance he's made appalling errors in the transfer market previously , and not wasting money so easily, ever again. ..I'd be more optimistic this time , about survival in the Premier league

If not ..bugger ..see you all at Pride Park next season

 

[Northyorksblade]

To be fair owls were at home second leg with a packed 47000 crowd...with 25000 unable to get in

Leeds would have taken more.

 

[blade too long]

If there's any justice in the World , you'll beat Coventry ( I think) in the final , and get your just desserts ..for finishing 3rd . and by a considerable margin too

I think Wilder has learned a lot ..with a bit of boardroom support and acceptance he's made appalling errors in the transfer market previously , and not wasting money so easily, ever again. ..I'd be more optimistic this time , about survival in the Premier league

never agreed with play offs to get 22 points more than bristol and 21 more than coventry is what league football should be based on , not a 4 way lottery
3 times before we were 3rd by a margin and missed out

Derby did well after getting blackburns manager , may challenge for a change next season, may the football gods shine on pride park

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

Weeerz all Wilder haters and tactical geniuses gone?

The blame merchants have gone back under their rocks until the next loss…

 

[Belvedere Blade]

 

[Belvedere Blade]

 

[gooseh]

Who we supporting tonight?

 

[RobboBlade]

Sunlun look awful

 

[jono_t2000]

Who we supporting tonight?

Cov for me, I know Sunderland been poor, but think they're a far more dangerous team when things click.

 

[Selly]

Who we supporting tonight?

5 men sent off for each side for violent conduct.