Chris Wilder has claimed that he was left scratching his head at times following Sheffield United’s 3-1 victory over Leicester City on Thursday evening.
The Blades secured all three points with goals from Japhet Tanganga, Tom Cannon, and Callum O’Hare, giving them back-to-back wins either side of the new year.
Jordan James equalized for the Foxes in stoppage time, but the difference between the two teams is now only two points, with the Yorkshire outfit aiming for a play-off push in 2026.
Sheffield United have now won three of their previous four games, scoring 11 times, bringing them within eight points of the top six.
Wilder’s side made it to the play-off final in 2025, but lost 2-1 to Sunderland to stay in the Championship for another year.
Chris Wilder exposes the Sheffield United head scratcher
Wilder lauded Sheffield United’s performance against Leicester, noting their front-footed approach and claiming that the squad has an unjust image for how they play football.
He feels that the team is more than only winning aerial and physical confrontations and being faster, and that these factors only allow the team to pull ahead and dominate games on the ground with the ball.
“We were on the front foot from the start, very dominant,” Wilder told The Star.
“We discussed the caliber of the team we were playing against, but we didn’t really give them a chance to breathe or lift their heads.
“We went after them and played as well.
“I do scratch my brain at times, but it’s amusing and interesting that everyone believes Sheffield United is all about winning headers, tackles, and races.
“But we can play, too.
“It can be very simple, though; if you win races, headers, and tackles and desire to run around, the ball will fall to you more than to the opposition.
“And it happened tonight.
“Then we settled into a groove and played off of that.
“But you can never do the second bit without the first, not anyplace, not in any league or division, I don’t think.
“If you give good players moments and time and space and get their head up, then they can hurt you.”
Sheffield United climbed up to 14th in the Championship rankings with a 3-1 victory over Leicester on Thursday.
The victory moves the Blades within eight points of sixth-place Preston North End to begin the second half of the season.
Martí Cifuentes’ status as Leicester manager is under threat, following a dismal first half of the season.
Sheffield United’s next game is at home against Oxford United on January 4 at 12pm.
Sheffield United’s win over Leicester will put the Championship on notice.
Sheffield United have improved their fortunes under Wilder following a terrible opening few months of the season.
The Blades’ performance against Cifuentes’ club will have many teams in the division paying careful notice, as they are currently blazing on all cylinders.
Wilder’s squad is scoring plenty of goals and appears to have numerous ways to pose a threat in the final third.
If Sheffield United can maintain this form for the rest of the season, they will be in a strong position to finish in the top six once again in May.
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