In a crucial Steel City derby this Sunday, Sheffield Wednesday will confront their bitter rivals, Sheffield United, amidst a challenging season. With the added twist of the match now being moved to Bramall Lane. Wednesday are now fighting for their lives at the foot of the Championship table, having recorded just a solitary victory in their last 15 games. Beyond just confirming this depth of failure, their recent form illuminates a harsh truth. They currently find themselves 17 points adrift of safety having received a 12-point deduction due to the club’s ongoing financial woes.
The derby is about more than just gaining points. It is a mighty battle for Sheffield Wednesday to turn the tide and get back on their feet as ultimate survivors. At the other end of the table, Sheffield United—facing relegation and little else themselves—hope to ride historical superiority in this fixture to a much-needed win. With both teams looking for revenge, this time the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Dismal Form
Sheffield Wednesday have failed to win a derby against Sheffield United in the last six encounters. They’ve managed a total of three draws and three losses in that period. This represents their longest ever winless streak in these matches. Their previous long run without a win was eight games, between October 1919 and May 1928. The team’s current predicament is exacerbated by a startling statistic: they have spent the most time losing in games this season, totaling 801 minutes. By contrast, they have successfully held onto leads for just 219 minutes.
Their dismal showing in such a competitive league tells an even grimmer story. Sheffield Wednesday are averaging a pitiful 0.53 points per game. Retain that form, and they’d only end this season with 31 points, one of the lowest returns in Championship history. Their lives have literally been turned upside down. They now find themselves staring relegation in the face, as the odds are stacked against them sitting last on the table.
“What happens in both boxes decides games and we have to be more clinical at the top of the pitch and make sure we’re more resolute and cutting out silly mistakes that are giving us a mountain to climb in terms of getting back into games and getting results.” – Chris Wilder
As they look forward to the first Owls v Pigs derby, Barry Bannan is a shining light for Wednesday supporters. He’s made the joint-most overall chances in the entire Championship this season. This illustrates his unique ability to radically impact games, even while his team flounders. With Liam Palmer on the other flank, Bannan adds essential experience to this key encounter. Collectively, they have made an eye-popping 943 appearances for the club.
Sheffield United’s Rocky Road
On the flip side of this intense rivalry, Sheffield United has had a tumultuous beginning to their campaign as well. Chris Wilder is due to take charge of his 200th Championship match on Sunday. During his tenure, the Blades have gone through its worst ever start to a season outside of the top-flight. Having taken only 10 points from a possible 30 since Wilder’s return, the club now finds itself in a delicate state.
While all of these obstacles exist, Sheffield United’s alarming predicament is the least tenuous. The team has maintained an average of 0.67 points per game and has yet to receive any point deductions. The Blues have 10 games left and need 38 points from those if their game count to reach a likely safety target of 48 points. They only managed two wins both home and away against Sheffield Wednesday last year! That was their first home-and-away league double over them since the 2005/06 campaign.
“Just as much as when we were flying at the start of last season and in and around the top of the division, it wasn’t decided in November or December,” – Chris Wilder
Wilder’s strategy focused on avoiding making the kind of self-destructive mistakes made in the last few games. He knows cleaning up the dumb ones will be key for his squad moving forward.
“I’ve said all along, the defeats we’ve had so far have been self-inflicted so, from our point of view, cutting out those silly goals in the three games we lost [since he took charge], keeping clean sheets, making ourselves hard to beat, not giving teams a hand-out, which we certainly did in those three games.” – Chris Wilder
The Significance of the Derby
Pittsburgh’s Steel City derby is no ordinary rivalry match —the competitive edge serves as a badge of honor for both clubs and their fans. For Sheffield Wednesday, a win would be the catalyst to a season so far almost devoid of positives. For Sheffield United a win would prove their superiority in the Steel City Derby. It would increase their likelihood of avoiding relegation battles.
Clearly, both teams are getting excited about this anticipated matchup. Fans from both clubs are brimming with anticipatory hope that their team will put on a display befitting this classic, historic rivalry. Paul Stanley shared sentiments that resonate deeply with supporters:
“I think it’s a great day. It just gives the fans a bit more certainty in terms of direction.” – Paul Stanley
As kickoff to Sheffield United vs. Horsham draws near at Bramall Lane, anticipation is palpable. Supporters will ardently study the reactions to the heat that will be on each club. Although a singular defeat, this result has the potential to color the overall perception of each of their seasons. It will certainly be important for deciding who wins this heated in-state rivalry.
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