Open League One race has come as no surprise to Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder

League One leaders Blades, Scunthorpe United and Bolton Wanderers have dominated the top two spots for most of the season.

But the chasing pack of Fleetwood Town, Bradford City and Millwall – who complete the top six – are all still in contention for automatic promotion with 12 games remaining, according to Wilder.

While the Blades have a seven-point cushion over their rivals, Scunthorpe and Bolton have stuttered recently, opening up the fight to gain second place.

The Iron lost 2-1 at home to AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night – Wilder was watching Bradford draw 2-2 with MK Dons – and Wanderers were held 1-1 at home to Bristol Rovers.

Scunthorpe failed to win in six outings in February – including a 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane – while Bolton won just twice in six games, and lost to the Blades 2-0.

In contrast, third-placed Fleetwood are on a 17-game unbeaten run, Bradford have not lost at home all season, and Millwall are in the FA Cup quarter-finals and undefeated since December 17, a 16-game sequence.

“It’s a tough division,” said Wilder. “I went to Bradford against MK Dons on Tuesday. MK Dons could have won that, Bradford should have possibly won.

“The other results come in. Am I surprised Wimbledon got something (at Scunthorpe)? No. Am I surprised Bristol Rovers got something? No.

“I think anything can happen in these last 12 games. What pleases me is we are in great spot, position-wise, but even more with our performance and attitude.

“I am not so sure that can be said for some of the teams that are chasing us. Some are, there are some teams there that will really fancy their chances now. Millwall and Fleetwood are on a great run.

“People have said it’s between three teams, and I never thought that. Things change pretty quickly. We know that and we have to guard against that.

“But the likes of Millwall and Bradford, I think this will be a tight, close race.

“There are a lot of good teams who will fancy their chances now.

“For teams not in good form, it’s difficult to get out of that dip.

“From our point of view, we just have to make sure we continue to put in consistently good performances.

“The picture has changed over the last four weeks, and we still have eight weeks left of the season, so it can quickly change and there could be quite a lot of twists and turns.”

Tomorrow, the Blades head to Rochdale – winless in their last eight games – hoping to extend their own impressive run of just two defeats in 14 games.

After emerging with four points – and two good performances – from back-to-back home games with promotion rivals Scunthorpe and Bolton, Wilder believes his side have the mentality to return to the “nitty-gritty” games of League One.

“The Scunthorpe and Bolton games have been talked about by everyone since Christmas, and possibly since the league settled down,” he said.

“Sheffield United, Scunthorpe and Bolton have been the top three teams in the division for quite a long time this season.

“Everyone looks through the fixtures and sees those two home games as pivotal.

“But the attitude (of United players) in the AFC Wimbledon, Peterborough, Bristol Rovers games told me just as much, if not more, what I wanted to know about my team, what their focus has been like.

“Scunthorpe and Bolton, at home, take care of themselves. Now we are back into the reality of League One football, the nitty-gritty, top of the division against a team on a bit of a poor run, but playing well.

“It’s a difficult place to go, they have a good home record, and it’s about what Sheffield United team is going to turn up. I am pretty confident that, from experience and consistency from those games, the United team who turns up will be one that plays well and gets a result.

“Nothing is guaranteed. I like to think now I know what I am going to get from my players.

“The good thing is we have players who know what this division is about, and have been here before.

“With our recruitment, we have not got players from the Premier League going into the Championship, or Championship players going into League One, who haven’t got a clue what Rochdale is all about, (our players) will know that.”

Blades striker Leon Clarke has been sent to the Football Association’s National Football Centre at St George’s Park, Burton, to help his rehabilitation from a troublesome ankle injury.

The Sheffield United striker has only featured 19 times this season due to injury.

“I feel he will be back before the end of the season – 12 games to go, eight weeks of football,” added Wilder.