Japhet Tanganga underlines Sheffield United belief as tantalising late-season opportunity opens up for Blades
Japhet Tanganga underlines Sheffield United belief as tantalising late-season opportunity opens up for Blades
Japhet Tanganga admitted it is an "honour" to war the captain's armband at Sheffield United - and is refusing to rule out the possibility of a late play-off charge despite their disastrous start to the season. Tanganga arrived at United in the summer from Millwall but did not have the start he would have wanted.
But in recent weeks he has shown why United shelled out a significant sum, in the region of £8m, for his services, with a series of composed displays at the heart of the United defence.
He also got off the mark in a United shirt in Thursday's 3-1 hammering of Leicester City, rising highest to meet a Sam McCallum corner and send the Blades on their way to a very comprehensive victory against a group of players rated by boss Chris Wilder as the strongest in the division.
But United are quietly building a head of steam themselves and if they can nail down some consistency, and avoid repeats of recent poor displays away at West Bromwich Albion and Wrexham, then there is certainly enough time to mount a late charge up the table.
Back-to-back wins against Stoke City and Leicester saw United go into 2026 15th in the Championship table but only eight points off sixth-placed Preston North End, with 63 points to play for.
Japhet Tanganga underlines Sheffield United belief as tantalising late-season opportunity opens up for Blades
The Blades look like they will only get stronger as the season rolls on in terms of the options at Wilder's disposal, with key midfielders Sydie Peck and Tom Davies on the comeback trail following injury and Oliver Arblaster still to get back up to top speed after a 13-month injury absence.
The Blades chief is also confident of adding to his squad in this current transfer window and Tanganga, when asked how it feels to captain United, admitted: "Honestly, brilliant. It's a good group of boys and honest lads.
"We want to work for each other, as you can see today and the other day at Stoke. It's an honour to be able to lead this side out and it says a lot for the gaffer to select me as captain. I enjoy it.”
Asked ahead of this weekend’s clash with Oxford United how much confidence was growing in the United ranks ahead of a potentially memorable second half of the season, Tanganga admitted: “Yeah, for sure.
"It's the second part of the season now. We obviously didn't have the greatest start at the beginning of the season. But we're still in and around it, and it's just about focusing on us and taking it game by game now. And hopefully we'll see what happens come the second of May."