It was an incredibly disappointing afternoon for Sheffield Wednesday as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Sheffield United during the Steel City derby at Hillsborough on Sunday, March 16, 2025. Prior to this match, the Owls were brimming with confidence, having secured back-to-back away victories against Plymouth Argyle and Norwich City. However, despite their hopeful start, the game saw them undone by a key moment in the second half.
Sheffield Wednesday began the match with an assertive energy, pushing for an early lead. Michael Smith registered a notable attempt in the first half, directing a header that required intervention from United's goalkeeper, Michael Cooper. As the game progressed, Harrison Burrows displayed his defensive prowess with a crucial block to deny Josh Windass near the goal. Yet, despite the Owls' efforts, it was United who struck first.
In the 64th minute, Sheffield United took the lead against the run of play. Tyrese Campbell sent a well-placed cross toward the box, which was deflected into the path of Rhian Brewster, who made no mistake, slotting the ball into the net with poise. This goal marked a pivotal moment, allowing United to seize control of the match and ultimately secure a victory.
As the final whistle neared, Wednesday ramped up the pressure in search of an equalizer. Marvin Johnson and Svante Ingelsson both came close to finding the back of the net for the Owls, but their efforts were thwarted by a resilient United defense. The match concluded with Sheffield United celebrating a notable double over their rivals, marking the first time they had accomplished this feat since the 2005-06 season.
The loss is more than just a scoreline for the Owls; it's a significant setback in their aspirations for a playoff position in the Championship. As the international break approaches, Rohl’s team occupies 12th place in the league table, now six points adrift of the playoff spots with 24 points still to play for.
In the aftermath of this painful derby defeat, Sheffield United's manager Chris Wilder was quick to revisit the established order between the clubs. Wilder, with a degree of mischief, asserted, “Now we’re a bit more of a rival, a bit more of a threat, then we go above them, then we go even further above them and tonight, we’re 31 points above them,” while speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield. This comment highlighted a stark contrast in fortunes, as United have maintained supremacy over Wednesday for multiple seasons.
Wilder also noted the investments made to improve Sheffield United’s infrastructure, such as acquiring a new training ground, that he believes give his club an edge. Amidst his pointed remarks, he expressed pride in the bladed club’s growth, emphasizing, “Somebody's come in and wanted to take the club further, which I think is testament to the work that we're doing, and they see ambition and life and a future in there.”
This shift in power dynamics hasn't gone unnoticed by Wednesday fans, many of whom have been vocal about their long-standing concerns regarding the club's ownership under Dejphon Chansiri. Following United’s recent £111m takeover completed by Steve Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy, the financial gap between the two clubs is only expected to widen, posing additional challenges for the Owls moving forward.
A critical component contributing to Wednesday’s struggles has also been their outdated facilities. While Hillsborough Stadium carries an undeniable charm, many supporters feel it increasingly lacks the modern flair and functionality of Bramall Lane. This disparity extends to training grounds as well, as indicated by the club's inability to train at Middlewood Road for 16 days in January due to frozen pitches, leaving them to regroup under less than ideal circumstances.
To make matters worse, the burden of injuries has loomed heavily. Max Lowe, who was a casualty from the derby game, along with other players, raises concerns about squad depth as the season wears on. Nonetheless, manager Danny Röhl remains focused on rallying his team to prepare for a strong finish. He maintains a sense of hope, stressing that the club still has a chance at a playoff berth. Röhl stated, “I have looked to the load, and we have to manage the players that have had more load; they need more rest,” signifying the importance of balance in their training approach.
In this crucial moment before the impending May fixtures, he reiterated the need for squad fitness and competition, indicating that even players not heavily involved in earlier matches could find themselves in contention for playing time. “This increases the intensity in the training and if you have success then there is always something in,” he added, suggesting an optimistic tone about the resilience of his squad.
With looming questions about the future and the club’s direction, the ambition to prepare for an intense final stretch of the season has become paramount for the Owls. Röhl’s focus on fitness and tactical sharpness could lay the groundwork for either a fairytale return to the playoff place or a struggle to maintain morale through a challenging campaign.
The championship landscape remains fickle, but for Sheffield Wednesday fans, the hope is unwavering as they support their club to push through adversity and seek redemption during the season's closing matches.
