Will Blades’ Season Still Be Classed As a Success Even If They Miss Out On Top 6?

Will Blades’ Season Still Be Classed As a Success Even If They Miss Out On Top 6?

When it comes to sports betting and betting on sports in general, the Championship has seen more betting action in recent years than the other major European leagues. Promotion to this division is a giant step for any league 1 team. Many of the Championship teams have long and successful histories with big stadiums and huge fan bases.

So when Sheffield United gained promotion to the Championship after their successful 2016-17 season, this was a step back into a league where they truly belonged. For any team to gain promotion is a big thing but back to back promotions is even better. This was what the Blades were looking to do this season after their great start.

Premier League Promotion

I have heard a few fans (often Sheffield Wednesday fans) say that The Blades wouldn’t stand a chance in the Premier League. I have also heard the rather silly argument that it is “too soon” for them to reach the Premier League and that they should consolidate as a Championship team first. What a load of rubbish this view is. Just one single season of Premier League money would be the best way for any team to “consolidate” in the Championship even if they were immediately relegated back down from the Premier.

And who’s to say that they even would get relegated? All it would take is for a couple of Premier League teams to have bad seasons where perhaps a points total of somewhere in the low 30’s was enough and United could even survive in the Premier League. Remember too that they would have gained promotion along with two other Championship teams. The money gained from such a venture would be massive even if they were relegated.

A Great Season?

Without wanting to appear like I am writing this with biased vision, United have had a great season. For any team that has gained promotion then the first and most vital objective is to consolidate at the higher level. This is something that The Blades have done comfortably this season irrespective of the recent semi-slump in form which in my eyes is nothing more than a minor correction and is a better indicator of United’s true level in the division.

For any United fan then finishing above Sheffield Wednesday in the league is a big thing along with good derby results. This has been achieved this season and so even if United’s form tails off between now and May, they will still have done well. Chris Wilder deserves great credit for a putting a system in place that has coped with the demands of such a difficult league.

Placing Higher than the Owls

Even if United do ultimately miss out on the top six then people need to remember where the club was a year ago. That was fighting to gain promotion into the Championship. Many people thought (wrongly) that United would struggle in the Championship and all but the most die-hard Blades fan thought that United would finish lower than city rivals Wednesday.

Those two objectives seem to have been met. Getting into the play-offs should be seen as a huge end of season bonus and no more, sort of like winning a cup for a Premier League team. They all want to win one but Premier League survival is everything. This is where United are. Yes… it would be great to be in the play-offs. I have been to many play-off games and even suffered the heartache of play-off final defeats and know full well how exciting they are.

However, there has to be an element of “grounding” here and realism. Sheffield United haven’t just had a great season but they have had a great couple of seasons and all Blades fans should be relishing that….I know I am! 

Author bio

Carl Sampson is a full time professional poker player from Sheffield and an avid Blades fan for many years.