Previous seasons show just how significantly the Championship table can change after November, with several clubs mounting remarkable promotion pushes from outside the play-off places.

Sheffield United have been given a timely reminder that their Championship promotion hopes are far from over, with history showing just how dramatically the second-tier table can change after the November international break.

The Blades currently sit 10th, just two points adrift of the top eight following the EFL's expansion of the promotion play-off places.

However, previous seasons have demonstrated that a difficult start does not necessarily rule out a late promotion push, with United themselves among the clubs to have staged a remarkable recovery in recent years.

In 2021 after Paul Heckingbottom took over following the sacking of Slaviša Jokanović just after the interval, the Blades went on to secure a play-off spot climbing 13 places after the restart, securing fifth spot.

In the last five years, that is the second biggest hike in league position from November’s international break for teams that went on to secure a shot at promotion.

Season	Play-off Positions in November	Final Play-Off Position
2021/22	1. Bournemouth 2. Fulham 3. West Brom 4. Coventry City 5. Stoke City 6. QPR	1. Fulham 2. Bournemouth 3. Huddersfield Town 4. Nottingham Forest 5. Sheffield United 6. Luton Town
2022/23	1. Burnley 2. Sheffield United 3. Norwich 4. QPR 5. Blackburn Rovers 6. Sunderland	1. Burnley 2. Sheffield United 3. Luton Town 4. Middlesborough 5. Coventry City 6. Sunderland
2023/24	1. Leicester City 2. Ipswich Town 3. Leeds United 4. Southampton 5. Preston North End 6. Sunderland	1. Leicester City 2. Ipswich Town 3. Leeds United 4. Southampton 5. West Brom 6. Norwich City
2024/25	1. Sunderland 2. Sheffield United 3. Leeds United 4. Burnley 5. West Brom 6. Watford	1. Leeds United 2. Burnley 3. Sheffield United 4. Sunderland 5. Coventry City 6. Bristol City
2025/26	1. Coventry City 2. Middlesbrough 3. Stoke City 4. Preston North End 5. Hull City 6. Millwall	1. Coventry City 2. IpswichTown 3. Millwall 4. Southampton 5. Middlesbrough 6. Hull City

The numbers suggest that clubs rarely find that their league position in November mirrors their final result for the season. For example, in 2021/22 none of the four teams in the play-off spots at that point actually went on to finish in the top six. Both Fulham and Bournemouth, who sat in the automatic promotion places at that point, did go on to reach the top flight.

The following season offers a similar view in that only Sunderland retained their play-off position, with Norwich and QPR finishing well below par, yet Blackburn narrowly missed out in seventh.

The 2023/24 season sees by far the smallest change and proves to be an anomaly of the last five years as November’s top four ranked identically after matchday 46.

The next campaign saw an end that Unitedites won’t want to be reminded of, and the less said about that on the Blades front, the better. However, Coventry, who finished fifth, were rooted down in 17th at this point in the season.

As much as Wilder’s side were disappointed with how that season ended after the Wembley heartbreak, last year saw much larger dips in performance and results as Stoke City and Preston North End fell from third and fourth to 14th and 17th, respectively.

In short, you can never really predict where a side will finish by November. Naturally, on some occasions teams can look head and shoulders above the rest of the division on points, think Fulham 2021/22 and Leicester 2013/24, but as the Championship enters the gruelling winter period, the table can massively vary on a week-by-week basis.

In the grand scheme of the league, and how volatile it can be, Blades fans should see themselves in a fairly strong position currently, especially considering the turnaround we’ve seen since the previous international break, which saw Chris Wilder’s side in 18th position, losing three matches on the bounce before the interval.

Since then, United have improved their overall performances and results, winning four out of seven games.

Ex-pro’s verdict on United’s play-off chances

Phil Bardsley, who spent time on loan at The Lane during the 2007/08 season, has tipped the Blades to push for play-offs.

He told The Star via NewBettingSitesUK: “They've got some terrific players, and it's difficult. The Championship's one of those leagues where you need to be consistent and obviously the weekend was a disappointment for them, but I'm sure they'll dust themselves off after the international break and give it a good go. Like I say, the experience is key in that league, and the manager and the squad have got plenty of it.”

“I think there's a decent enough return for where they are at the minute, but if I'm well in the Championship, there's a long way to go. Obviously, this Christmas period now is where you can maximise your points and pick up as many points as you can.”

“It's the best time I feel in the calendar and an enjoyable one, but I say it's only enjoyable if you're winning, and I'm sure they'll do that,” he added.