Sheffield United vs Sunderland

EFL Championship Play Off Final - Saturday 24th May 2025 - 15:00 - Wembley Stadium
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/sheffield-united-vs-sunderland.749/

Officials:

Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Assistants: Lee Betts and Neil Davies
Fourth Official: Peter Bankes
Reserve Assistant Referee: Wade Smith
VAR: John Brooks
Assistant VAR: Timothy Wood

Coverage:

Follow via S24SU Twitter: https://twitter.com/s24su
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@s24su
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s24su/

Need a VPN? - https://www.s24su.com/forum/threads/vpn-usage.87094/

Live TV Coverage:

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

​

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

 

[Nick Jansky]

I was only joking mate, when we did it for our home leg v Coventry it caused an absolute meltdown on their forums.

Wouldn’t have mattered anyway. Robinson doesn’t need much of a run up to hurl it into the keeper’s waiting hands.

 

[The Crab]

I was only joking mate, when we did it for our home leg v Coventry it caused an absolute meltdown on their forums.

 

[Champagneblade]

I'd say the encouraging thing for United is the bench. Especially when you compare the team and bench to when we played at the SoL:

Cooper
Gilchrist Ahmedhodzic Robinson McCallum
Peck Davies
O'Hare Brewster Hamer
Moore

Subs: Davies, Baptiste, Norrington-Davies, Boyes, Burrows, Blacker, Brooks, Marsh, One

Davies and Moore were not filly fit, no Souza, no Burrows starting and plenty of absentees not on the bench. 6/8 outfield players from that bench won't make the squad.

I'd say the likely line up is:

Cooper
Choudhury Ahmedhodzic Robinson Burrows
Brewster Peck Souza Hamer
Campbell Moore

Subs: Davies, Seriki, McCallum, Holding, Davies, Brooks, Rak-Sakyi, O'Hare, Cannon

I think Gilchrist misses out if Seriki is fit and BBD misses out through lack of fitness. If fit, I'd have him over Cannon. It isn't a game to prove a point in. Though you could lose McCallum and ask Brooks to do a job there if absolutely needed and have the extra forward in. BBD adds more match-winning quality to the bench than McCallum.

That bench is full of game changers, especially if BBD comes in for McCallum.

It's far stronger team than the one that lost at the SoL. Even then the xG was 1.58 vs 0.96 in our favour.

 

[Feo]

I was only joking mate, when we did it for our home leg v Coventry it caused an absolute meltdown on their forums.

I’m surprised you go round infiltrating other teams forums.

 

[Mackem magic]

I’m surprised you go round infiltrating other teams forums.

I don't, first time I've done it. I'd mentioned in another post that I used to often go to Sheffield, I've always found the people of Sheffield and surrounding areas to be friendly and decent craic, so that's why. At the end of the day it's social media I suppose, but you'll always get a minority that would rather be unsocial, each to their own I suppose.

 

[Feo]

I don't, first time I've done it. I'd mentioned in another post that I used to often go to Sheffield, I've always found the people of Sheffield and surrounding areas to be friendly and decent craic, so that's why. At the end of the day it's social media I suppose, but you'll always get a minority that would rather be unsocial, each to their own I suppose.

We’re all f*k*n W️a @ the lane.

 

[Gimli]

I don't, first time I've done it. I'd mentioned in another post that I used to often go to Sheffield, I've always found the people of Sheffield and surrounding areas to be friendly and decent craic, so that's why.

ever been to Hilsbrough…?

 

[Mackem magic]

ever been to Hilsbrough…?

Aye I've been about four or five times.

 

[The Crab]

Aye I've been about four or five times.

Hope you had your jabs…

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Hope you had your jabs…

He got a jab alright.

The Pitsmoor Left!

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Hope you had your jabs…

And remembered to wipe your feet on the way out.

 

[Jan Age]

X 2 tickets in block 103 should be £105 each will take £85 …

 

[sheff_blade90]

with the addition of PSG likely winning champions league final

 

[UddersBlade]

For us it’s actually worse and about us winning at a NEUTRAL venue in a competitive match for the first time since the FACup Semi Final v Fulham in 1936 - which we won 2-1 at Molineau, Wolves.

I saw a post last week talking about maybe 20 or more big games that we have lost. Truthfully this is just a ridiculous record.

I think we will edge this one …..just - 2-1 ….. maybe after extra time. Our strength in depth off the bench may make the difference.

 

[Houston_Blade]

We’d better win, just been to Costco to buy Saturday afternoon’s drinks just in case.

 

[Revolution]

For us it’s actually worse and about us winning at a NEUTRAL venue in a competitive match for the first time since the FACup Semi Final v Fulham in 1936 - which we won 2-1 at Molineau, Wolves.

I saw a post last week talking about maybe 20 or more big games that we have lost. Truthfully this is just a ridiculous record.

I think we will edge this one …..just - 2-1 ….. maybe after extra time. Our strength in depth off the bench may make the difference.

Our last such win was actually in 1962, when we beat Bury in an FA Cup 3rd round second replay, which in those days were played at neutral grounds. For reasons that I do not know, the “neutral” venue chosen was Hillsborough!

It’s still an appalling record.

 

[Charlieblade]

Football is a mixture of luck and skill. You can have more possession and create more chances. You can 'deserve to win'. But you can't account for deflections, fluke goals, keeper errors, conceding a pen through an accidental handball, errors by officials, injuries to key players etc.

Wilder could have us fully prepared, with the right team and right tactics, but we could still lose. There are some things you just can't control.

So yeah, even though 19 other Championshjp teams would love to be in our position, let's sack our manager immediately after the game if we lose.

THIS! In spades.

Two teams who are both capable of scoring goals and winning.

It’s the play off final. A one off knock out game, result determined o the day. Truth is no one will know until it’s all over.

As a biased Blade, I believe we have the better squad depth, and the substitutions will decide it, along with our players with big game experience. We all know that is just wishful thinking
In truth we have a play off history that no one wants and no one will ever forget.

All we can hope for is a cracking good game of football, to showcase the result we all want so desperately!

 

[Champagneblade]

Make me laugh a bit Don Goodman talking about Isidor getting t the better of Ahmedhodzic as if it was a one sided affair. Same Ahmedhodzic who kept a clean sheet at BDTBL at home when Isidor played the whole game?

United made a couple of mistakes in a game they dominated the xG. The narrative seems to be getting twisted as if they gave us a right going over.

I’d argue we were better away and lost and they were better away and lost!

 

[Jon P]

Heart: Lets face it we’re going to lose because we always do
Head: We’re going into one game in the strongest position possible we should be winning if we play to our best

 

[PrestwichBlade]

THIS! In spades.

Two teams who are both capable of scoring goals and winning.

It’s the play off final. A one off knock out game, result determined o the day. Truth is no one will know until it’s all over.

As a biased Blade, I believe we have the better squad depth, and the substitutions will decide it, along with our players with big game experience. We all know that is just wishful thinking
In truth we have a play off history that no one wants and no one will ever forget.

All we can hope for is a cracking good game of football, to showcase the result we all want so desperately!

Oh dear, so you've chosen to dismiss the tangibles, the things that are likely to have an impact tomorrow and settled on the thing that has no bearing whatsoever? Come on man!

 

[Bell4]

Heart: Lets face it we’re going to lose because we always do
Head: We’re going into one game in the strongest position possible we should be winning if we play to our best

Agree

I posted somewhere that my main concern was that we had a fully fit (Arblaster exception) squad running into near peak form to choose from for the first time in a long time - my concern being will CW have too many riches and he fuddles it ?

Other than that agree we should , and I fully expect us to - win

 

[Revolution]

This is already the longest spell Sunderland have ever spent outside the top division. Duration of their absences in number of seasons:

6, 6, 3, 5, 5, 2, 2, 1, 8 (so far)

Our equivalent absences:

1, 5, 4, 5, 3, 14, 12, 12, 2, 1 (so far)

 

[Shadota]

I'd expect we'll go back to the XI that started the first leg of the semi final:

Cooper

Hamza
Anel
Robinson
Burrows

Brewster
Peck
Vini
Hamer

Campbell
Moore

Subs:

A. Davies
Holding
Seriki
McCallum
T. Davies
O'Hare
Brooks/JRS/BBD (2 out of 3)
Cannon

Those players, even before the red card, looked extremely comfortable. Solid defensively, capable of countering, adept in possession. We obviously made changes for the 2nd leg due to the luxury of having a 3 goal lead. But if it had been a closer scoreline, I reckon we'd have seen that side again at the Lane.

I think Sunderland have a greater overall threat than Bristol City did, but this XI was so incredibly strong in that first 45 mins in Bristol, that I'd be confident in them handling what Sunderland have to throw at us.

There is of course the concern of Robinson, and if he might drop a clanger at some point. But I think having the option of Moore upfield creates a simple option, where he might otherwise struggle in trying to pick out a precise pass and give up possession in a key area. JLT also has not put a foot wrong in the semi final, so he deserves to start tomorrow for me. I'm even surprising myself in saying that, as I've been as vocal in my lack of faith in him as anyone on here.

As far as the subs go, I think they mostly pick themselves. The only choice is which one of Brooks, JRS, and BBD misses out, and I think it ultimately has to be one of the former 2 (assuming BBD is fit)

We've played Brooks as a right midfielder/winger all season, and he has made some significant contributions, especially in the later games. Particularly of note is the SF 1st leg, where he came on and scored. I think he gets the edge over JRS for me as a result, as I don't think I'd have both on the bench as they are too similar, assuming other options are fit. Cannon hasn't gotten up to speed yet, so I could see a scenario where he misses out, and all 3 I've mentioned make the bench. I would be interested in seeing JRS used as the 2nd forward alongside Moore, when Campbell has to come off at the 60mins point. When he played centrally against Middlesbrough from the bench, he looked excellent. Really had their centre backs on the back foot with his dribbling. I think he could do the same thing later in the game to the Sunderland defence to great effect, if we needed it.

 

[Mackem magic]

Well, I'd like to wish you good luck for the future, obvs I can't betray my own so I can't say that for tomorrow, I'd like to say may the best team win, but often the best team loses.

Hope yous all have cracking day out come what may.

Cheers.

 

[Shadota]

Well, I'd like to wish you good luck for the future, obvs I can't betray my own so I can't say that for tomorrow, I'd like to say may the best team win, but often the best team loses.

Hope yous all have cracking day out come what may.

Cheers.

Hope the day treats you well until 15:01 pal. Then I hope it goes downhill quickly!

 

[Mackem magic]

I've watched both league games again over the last Two days. I can't see anything other than a tight as fook game, everybody has their opinion, but TBF I reckon there's been some serious use of crack pipes on both forums.

 

[Pintor75]

Fantastic build up on look leeds tonight, could hardly hear a word, disgraceful, if that had been leeds they would have paused and gone back to it later,

 

[AnstonBlade1]

2-1 defeat.

 

[The Crab]

I've watched both league games again over the last Two days. I can't see anything other than a tight as fook game, everybody has their opinion, but TBF I reckon there's been some serious use of crack pipes on both forums.

I’m deeply offended at that.

I have been snorting sherbet dip dap like a demon though