Sheffield United out to emulate club legends Tony Currie and Len Badger by finishing Premier League season on a high

The Blades finish a remarkable 2019-20 at Southampton knowing they have already secured their highest Premier League finish, but victory would guarantee the club their best league season since the days of Currie and co in 1974-75.

“We’re here to make history,” said manager Wilder, whose team were in contention for the club’s first European campaign until defeat at home to Everton on Monday. “To be talked about in the same breath as people like TC, Badge and Hemsley, for me knowing the history of the club sends a shiver down the spine, and even Harry (Dave Bassett)’s side that came into the old First Division and had a good run at it.

“We work in the present but in 20, 30 years’ time we want to be talked about just as the team of the early 70s are.

“It is a different landscape now from 1975 and even Harry’s team. The teams were a lot tighter together in terms of finances and now the money invested at the top level really does make it so tough to get results. We’ve done that and we’re delighted and proud.”

Like his manager, Sharp grew up a Blade, and a meeting with a fan this week reaffirmed his side’s place alongside the legends.

“I know more a lot more about the history of Sheffield United than a lot of the lads here but I do tell them,” said the club captain.

“Someone told me on Thursday morning when I was grabbing a coffee how proud he was and how much it had given him a lift in lockdown to see how well we’re doing. He said we were one of the best teams if not the best team Sheffield United’s had, which is amazing to hear from people who have watched Tony Currie, Brian Deane, Keith Edwards and teams like theirs.

“I don’t think the lads will realise how well they’ve done this season until they look back on it when we have finished.

“But it’s hard to say that because we want to get better. We don’t want to be a one-season wonder and that’s something that will be put on us at the start of next season. We need to enjoy these moments but also build and go again, be hungry and try and be as successful next season as we were this.”

Sheffield United have been outstanding this season, bringing the spirit, tactics and determination which have served them so well on their rise from League One, and applying them to the Premier League after 12 seasons away.

Their overlapping central defenders and overloads in wide areas have been much-admired but rarely copied or even effectively combatted, and has required huge physical as well as technical ability.

They stand as an inspiration for other sides new to the division – Leeds United have already talked about following elements of their example – but also for lower-division players and managers wondering if their chance of top-flight football will ever come.

“There’s an awful amount of talent in the Championship and League One – players, coaches, S&C, medical, video analysis. There is life underneath the Premier League and a lot of talented people looking for a break,” said Wilder.

“As regards of what other clubs do, I really do not give a flying ... about anybody else or how they go about their business.

“How anyone wants to set up their recruitment or their staffing is down to them and their individual clubs, CEOs, boards, chairmen and owners but having worked at that level there are some quality people there.”

Having suffered consecutive defeats it would be a shame if the Blades finished with a third but Wilder is confident that whatever the result, it will be a performance to be proud of.

“If (Southampton striker) Danny Ings adds to his incredible (goalscoring) total or Southampton play better than us on the day, that will determine the result but the attitude I’m sure will be absolutely spot on and that will give us an opportunity as it has done for the majority of games in the Premier League of getting a result,” he said.

Blades preview: Page 3.