Preview | Sheffield United (H)
The Game
Argyle v Sheffield United. Home Park. Saturday, 12 April. 12.30pm. Sky Bet Championship.
The Opposition
Sheffield United are part of a three-way race for the two automatic promotion places in the Championship, and currently sit third, on 83 points, behind Leeds United and Burnley on 85.
After being relegated last season from the Premier League, the Blades set about trying to get back to the top flight with an unbeaten run of nine games to start this season. Their first loss came at Leeds in mid-October, followed by defeat at Middlesbrough a few days later.
A similar pattern ensued. United were then unbeaten in 11, winning nine, before a little stutter over Christmas. United lost to Burnley on Boxing Day, drew with West Bromwich Albion three days later, then lost at Sunderland on New Year’s Day.
Three straight wins was surprisingly followed by a 3-0 loss at home to Hull, and then another four wins on the trot. On 24 February, for the second time this season, Sheffield United lost to Leeds, but won four of their next five to stay in a strong position in the top two.
However, the Blades have lost their last two games, both 1-0, away at Oxford United, then at home to Millwall.
The Gaffer
Chris Wilder, 57, feels inexorably linked with Sheffield United. He began his playing career there, and later had a second spell, as well as representing sides like Rotherham United, Notts County and Bradford City.
After retiring, he managed Alfreton Town and Halifax Town in non-league, and joined Bury as assistant manager. Shortly afterwards, Wilder took the manager’s job at National League side Oxford United.
In five years at Oxford, he took the U’s up, and solidified them in League Two, before moving on to Northampton Town. There, he kept the Cobblers up, then finished in mid-table, before walking the league in 2015/16.
His performance in Northamptonshire caught the eye of Sheffield United, where he moved in the summer of 2016. In his first season, the Blades won League One, with 100 points, finished 10th in the Championship the following year, and then finished second, achieving promotion to the Premier League.
A ninth-place finish in the Premier League was possibly his finest achievement at Bramall Lane, but Wilder left the club the following season, with United adrift at the bottom of the league.
Moves to Middlesbrough and Watford were short lived for Wilder, but he returned to Bramall Lane again midway through 2023/24. He could not keep the Blades in the Premier League, but is looking to have them bounce back at the first attempt.
The Squad
Michael Cooper (below) is the obvious name that stands out in the Sheffield United squad. The goalkeeper, who played 161 times for Argyle, having come through the Home Park youth ranks, joined the Blades in August. He has kept 19 clean sheets in his 39 games for the club; he was not beaten in his first nine home games at Bramall Lane.
Gustavo Hamer signed for United from Coventry City in 2023. Born in Brazil, and raised in the Netherlands, he joined Coventry from Zwolle, and impressed over three seasons for the Sky Blues. He was a regular for the Blades in the Premier League last season, and continues to impress in the Blades’ midfield.
Left-back Harrison Burrows played nearly 200 times for first club Peterborough United, before moving to Sheffield in the summer. Last season, he was named in the Sky Bet League One Team of the Season, and won the Player of the Season award for the division. He has continued this form, now raised to tier two.
Earlier This Season
Argyle played Sheffield United in December, and lost 2-0, although the Greens played well that day against a team leading the division at the time. Gustavo Hamer scored the opener on 19 minutes, but Argyle were more than competitive, and it took a Kieffer Moore penalty with two minutes to go to put the game to bed.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin with Argyle Breakfast at 10am, is hosted by Erin Black and Aaron Cusack. Erin will return, alongside Jemma Rose, for the Pre-Match Show, which starts at midday. Commentary will be provided from Home Park by Charlie Price and Brian McGlinchey.
Match passes to watch this game are available in certain international territories. Click here to find out more.
Sky Sports
The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Football.
