Sheffield United are on the cusp of achieving a feat they haven’t managed in over a quarter of a century if they can emerge from their next game against Brighton and Hove Albion victorious.
It would be the first time the Blades have registered a trio of consecutive victories since the final three games of their first-ever Premier League season. Back then the Blades were a force to be reckoned with, overcoming Nottingham Forrest, Everton and Chelsea to secure a 14th place finish, shortly after being knocked out of the FA Cup at the semi-final stage by rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
That was in 1993, but at present, with a fixture against bottom side Watford after the Seagulls, Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder could go one better and record their longest winning streak in Premier League history. It would be a remarkable achievement for lifelong fan and manager Wilder, who took charge of the club when they were sitting in League One. Back then even the notion of recording a quartet of victories in the Premier League would have been unfathomable, while now they are halfway there with a calibre of opposition they have brushed aside at times this season.
While Wilder will be more concerned about getting points on the board rather than breaking records, the Blades are currently ten points and 11 places above the drop zone. It would be their highest ever finish in the Premier League era by some margin if Wilder was able to get them to maintain their current position. Sheffield United’s previous best placing was 14th during that first Premier League season, but then there were 22 teams in the division. Since it has been dropped to 20 clubs, Sheffield have immediately been relegated the following season every time they have secured promotion from the Championship.
Without doubt, Sheffield United have been the surprise package of this campaign as they currently contend for a European place against clubs whom they have a fraction of their spending power, such as Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal. While achieving a highest-ever finish and record points total may now be the long term goal, for the moment equalling their record number of consecutive victories would be the best Christmas present the Blades can give their fans.
