After promotion to the Premier League two seasons ago, Sheffield United are aiming to bounce back at the first time of asking this season with Chris Wilder.
What then followed promotion was a dismal top-flight campaign that saw them amass just 16 points. This season in the Championship has been much more exciting for the Blades faithful thus far.
It’s an enthralling promotion race, and it’s by no means over yet, with many Championship fans changing their tune about the promotion race now.
We are approaching the business end of the season with Sheffield United now level with league leaders Leeds United going into Tuesday’s game against Bristol City.
Burnley remain two points adrift in third. It’s been an impressive seasons from each, with more twists and turns to come for a side that faced two-point deduction at the start of the campaign.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi in, Callum O’Hare out for Leeds United
Most neutrals believed Leeds were on their way to promotion already and that they also had a great shot at achieving one of the highest points tallies in Championship history, too.
The Blades have bounced back from their defeat to Daniel Farke’s side at Bramall Lane, while we also know Sheffield United are desperate to avoid the play-offs, largely because they have never gained promotion via that route in their history.
They were always expected to be there or thereabouts this term, in part due to quality operators at their disposal who have been there and done it in the Championship, which includes the in-form Tyrese Campbell.
He is undroppable after having a hand in goals in each of the last three games, albeit one was for Illan Meslier’s own goal against Leeds. However, Callum O’Hare could be a player Wilder considers taking out to drop to the bench.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Callum O’Hare league stats 24/25 Rak-Sakyi O’Hare
Games 28 35
Starts 19 34
Minutes 1,425 2,738
Goals 6 2
Assists 2 6
As of 10/03/2025
Ben Brereton-Diaz is playing in a slightly unfamiliar right-sided role when his best work comes down the left, which is where Gus Hamer is currently being utilised.
The three-man midfield of Bristol City has plenty of bite and tenacity, which is why Hamer may be needed in a more central role on Tuesday evening.
Hamer is a nominally a central or attacking midfielder rather than a left-sided playmaker. His superior aggression out of possession over O’Hare could mean a switch out wide in the form of Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, allowing Hamer to be deployed in his best role for the side.
Whether Wilder decides to tinker with his line-up or not after beating Preston remains to be seen, and it would be a pretty big call to drop O’Hare for the less experienced Rak-Sakyi and change the tactical framework somewhat.
But Rak-Sakyi is definitely a player who is knocking on the door for a start again, having shown moments of real electricity already in a red and white shirt earlier this season.
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
What Chris Wilder has said about Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
Speaking via The Yorkshire Post back in October after a Rak-Sakyi brace against Luton Town, Wilder said: “You go on that nonsense social media and bits and pieces and ‘nobody’s done this’ or ‘nobody’s done that’, ‘where are we going to get the goals from?’ and all stuff like that.
“Young boys [are] finding their way, new players finding their way in a new system. [I’m] delighted for Jez to score.
“The confidence that will give him, and the belief, we understand that’s what forward players are there to do but we’re there as a team to win games of football.”
The winger has only completed one full game in the Championship, and he missed six matches over Christmas and into the New Year with a muscle injury. However, he is an exciting and direct player once he gets rhythm.
Rak-Sakyi’s six goals have all been scored inside the box, showing a mixture of quick feet, fast movement, strong awareness, excellent composure, and a ruthlessness beyond his years when faced with a one-on-one situation.
Wilder, has raved about how glad he is to have managed to sign Crystal Palace’s gem while speaking with the Sheffield Star previously as well. He is evidently a big fan of the youngster, adding: “There were two £15m bids for him, and three-quarters of the Championship sides in for him as well.
“Two big bids for him to Crystal Palace, one out of our division and one out of the Premier League, we’ve beat off a whole host of Championship clubs. He’s going to be a player.”
While putting the speedy winger into the starting line-up today may not be the popular call, and indeed, possibly even the wrong one, it remains to be seen whether Wilder will actually be brave enough to make the change.