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:

SUTV (in Unsold Markets or Non-Televised in UK): https://www.sufc.co.uk/live/

​

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

COYRAWW!!!

 

[jono_t2000]

Go hard. Leave nothing out there.

No excuses, we have the better quality.

The only thing that will stop us winning is if we switch off for even 1 minute or don't match their desire.

Go hard or go home empty handed.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Do not settle for one nil. Or it' s a draw or a defeat.

 

[Bell4]

I’d take a point tbh

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Coming for ya.

 

[dexter101]

A win or a draw will be hard fought. they will also be very up for the game (and probably with a bit less expectation) so we have to really make sure we take every opportunity.

UTB

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Half day booked off tomorrow for travel and half day booked off on Friday to sleep it off!

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

I hope Wilder had them watch the Leeds v Bristol City game the other week.

 

[Tazzy]

win -0-3 and 3-0 at home take the feel good factor to the final then lose

 

[Shadota]

Need to be more prepared for their movement off the ball then we were in the regular league fixtures. Especially the match at the Lane. We struggled to handle their changing of positions, and the passing at a higher tempo than we are used to. We were able to control the game at their ground once they got the red card, and for a brief period building up to the Campbell goal at home, but we allowed them to dominate possession for extended periods of time. If we are to get to the final, doing that again is not acceptable.

I assume we will line up something like this:

Cooper

Gilchrist
Anel
JLT
Burrows

Vini
Peck

BBD
O'Hare
Hamer

Campbell

That said, I thought the performance vs Blackburn particularly improved once Hamer came off. We had a much better overall balance in midfield without him roaming in off the left wing, as Burrows was not pressing forward enough to compensate for the lack of a winger on that side. Brewster sticking to the left wing more frequently gave us a greater threat against Blackburn's right back, and meant we could be a little less predictable, in that a lot of our attacks built down the right side where we had an option consistently on the flank.

 

[Argentinemanager]

Play 2 up front and keep on the front foot, if we score go for another and another dont sit back . Im off on hols so wont be able to watch as i suspect everywhere will have man utd on real betis, hope to find a place with multiple tvs and our game will be on if not ill be keeping up with shoutbox.

 

[Lane Top Blade]

Id go:

Cooper

Hamza
Anel
Houlding
Burrows

Souza
Peck

Brooks
O'Hare
Hamer

Campbell

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

 

[Cappy]

Any programme-lovers, be aware Bristol City don't do one any longer.

An independent programme is made and available online here, but also you may find a vendor or two outside the ground selling it

 

[Sheffsteel]

I have a work colleague who is currently a season ticket holder at Bristol City.
Told her I was impressed with BC in both games against us but told her I thought her team overplayed and tried walking the ball into the net.

She laughed and agreed. She explained that BC often look the better team in matches but their fans find it frustrating as do over play and don’t create many clear chances. She doesn’t give her team much chance unless they have one of them nights where chances go in.

Her prediction is a 1-1 draw in the 1st leg and a Blades win, probably 2-1 in the 2nd leg.

 

[Kenilworth]

My big concern is a stupid sending off, early doors, and we get pummelled so it’s all academic by the return leg. Let’s face it, we’ve found just about every way possible to fuck up the play offs. Given the points tally and differential to 6th place this season, it’s a distinct possibility.

 

[Go with the Flo]

Those of you who fancy a bet might be interested in Skybets price boost of 16/1 on us winning 2-1 tonight

 

[Revolution]

Like us, Bristol City have never won the playoffs. They've had 5 goes at it. Their previous attempts:

1987/8 - second tier Playoffs: beat Sheffield United 2-1 in SF (1-0 H, 1-1 A): lost in final to Walsall after a replay (1-3 H, 2-0 A, 0-4 A in replay)

1996/7 - second tier playoffs: lost 4-2 to Brentford in SF (1-2 H, 1-2 A)

2002/3 - second tier playoffs: lost 1-0 to Cardiff in SF (0-1 A, 0-0 H)

2003/4 - second tier playoffs: beat Hartlepool 3-2 in SF (1-1 A, 2-1 H): lost 1-0 in final to Brighton

2007-8 - first tier playoffs: beat Crystal Palace 4-2 in SF (2-1 H, 2-1 A): lost 1-0 in final to Hull

Fun fact: after the final in 1988 was drawn, Walsall and Bristol City had a penalty shootout to determine where the replay would be. Walsall won. David Kelly scored 7 goals in the playoffs: 2 against Notts County in the SF, two at Bristol City in the final, and a hattrick in the final replay. I suspect this is the most goals scored by a single player in a playoff tournament, although I have not checked this.

 

[ormester]

I want wilder to be positive not negative yes at home we’re good but we were one of the best away teams I’d take a 1 nil to us brizzie are full of injuries

 

[Keen Blade]

Need to be more prepared for their movement off the ball then we were in the regular league fixtures. Especially the match at the Lane. We struggled to handle their changing of positions, and the passing at a higher tempo than we are used to. We were able to control the game at their ground once they got the red card, and for a brief period building up to the Campbell goal at home, but we allowed them to dominate possession for extended periods of time. If we are to get to the final, doing that again is not acceptable.

I assume we will line up something like this:

Cooper

Gilchrist
Anel
JLT
Burrows

Vini
Peck

BBD
O'Hare
Hamer

Campbell

That said, I thought the performance vs Blackburn particularly improved once Hamer came off. We had a much better overall balance in midfield without him roaming in off the left wing, as Burrows was not pressing forward enough to compensate for the lack of a winger on that side. Brewster sticking to the left wing more frequently gave us a greater threat against Blackburn's right back, and meant we could be a little less predictable, in that a lot of our attacks built down the right side where we had an option consistently on the flank.

Agree generally but FFS you can't play JLT in crucial matches when you have Rob Holding

 

[AnstonBlade1]

For all Wilder saying he wants to win think he’ll play for a draw

Drab 0-0

 

[Jimmy Fleck]

3-1 Bristol unfortunately it’s a big occasion for them our players will buckle under the pressure.

 

[DifferentClass]

View attachment 210189

Computer says yes?

 

[Tazzy]

3-1 Bristol unfortunately it’s a big occasion for them our players will buckle under the pressure.

Why do you even bother supporting us .Don't think i have ever seen a positive post from you or AstonBlade going into any game

 

[Shadota]

Agree generally but FFS you can't play JLT in crucial matches when you have Rob Holding

I absolutely agree. I think playing Robinson is an accident waiting to happen. And that accident might well cost us promotion if it happens during one of the next 2 (or 3) games.

If I had the choice, Holding would absolutely be starting. But considering how Wilder has used the last 2 games to rotate and rest players, I can only assume that Holding came in vs Blackburn, in order to rest Robinson for tonight. I absolutely hope JLT delivers a solid performance, and nothing regrettable happens to make his likely inclusion a mistake.

 

[FTPE]

Any programme-lovers, be aware Bristol City don't do one any longer.

An independent programme is made and available online here, but also you may find a vendor or two outside the ground selling it

View attachment 210191

Utter woke nonsense

 

[Torrix1889]

City will start all guns blazing so essential we don't concede in the first 10-15 minutes...weather the storm, grow into the game and take control.

I would like us to go 2 up top but can't see CWAK doing that away from home. He will set up not to lose so I expect something very defensive with the intention of catching them on the break....

Coops

Gilchrist
Holding
Anel
Burrows

Peck
Vini
Choudhury
Hamer

COH

Campbell

 

[YES Blade]

I absolutely agree. I think playing Robinson is an accident waiting to happen. And that accident might well cost us promotion if it happens during one of the next 2 (or 3) games.

If I had the choice, Holding would absolutely be starting. But considering how Wilder has used the last 2 games to rotate and rest players, I can only assume that Holding came in vs Blackburn, in order to rest Robinson for tonight. I absolutely hope JLT delivers a solid performance, and nothing regrettable happens to make his likely inclusion a mistake.

I’m just hoping that Wilder took the opportunity to build up Holding’s match fitness so he’d be ready to start in the playoffs.

I’ll be really disappointed if Holding doesn’t start tonight.

 

[Jimmy Fleck]

I’m just hoping that Wilder took the opportunity to build up Holding’s match fitness so he’d be ready to start in the playoffs.

I’ll be really disappointed if Holding doesn’t start tonight.

Robinson starts tonight may as well begin the game a goal down already.