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Sheff Utd boss Chris Wilder sends warning to Sunderland ahead of Championship play-off final
Sunderland and Sheffield United Set for Championship Play-Off Final Showdown at Wembley
Sunderland and Sheffield United are finalizing their preparations ahead of Saturday’s Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium.
Sheffield United enter the clash in fine form, having lost only one of their last six matches.
Their dominant 6-0 aggregate victory over Bristol City in the semi-finals has only strengthened their status as favourites, with many believing they’re best placed to secure a return to the Premier League.
The Blades also finished 14 points ahead of Sunderland in the league table, further reinforcing their strong position heading into the final.
Manager Chris Wilder has placed a strong emphasis on mental readiness and detailed preparation as his side aims to break their long-standing play-off curse. Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Wilder said:
“I haven’t had to do much managing—they’re locked in and focused. There’s a real buzz around the club right now, and we need to carry that energy into Saturday.
But the key is preparation and getting the small details right. As I always say—and the players are probably tired of hearing it—everyone wants to win, but not everyone is willing to do what it takes to win.”
After wrapping up training sessions and pre-final media duties, the Blades will head to London on Friday.
Sheffield United have a disappointing track record in the play-offs, having taken part nine times without ever securing promotion.
Even more troubling, they’ve never scored in the four finals they’ve reached. Still, Wilder remains optimistic that this time could be different.
“From a physical standpoint, we’re in great shape. Tactically, we’ve got to execute our game plan, and technically, we’ve got talented players who can rise to the occasion,” Wilder said.
“This group is capable of keeping clean sheets, producing big moments, and performing under pressure. I’m proud of how they’ve handled the build-up.
There’s no such thing as a guarantee in football, but I don’t think we could’ve prepared any better. We’re ready.”
Wilder also revealed that his squad will be taking a brief walk around Wembley on Friday evening as part of their pre-match routine.
“We’ve been given the chance to have a quick look around the stadium—a five to ten-minute walk—and we’ll take that opportunity,” he said. “Then we’ll rest and get ready for what should be an incredible afternoon of Championship football.”
