Sheffield United did something for the first time in 40 years vs Stoke - it sent out a statement
Sheffield United secured a fourth straight Championship win with an impressive 4-0 victory over Stoke City at Bramall Lane.
After registering the biggest away win in Steel City derby history a fortnight ago, winning 3-0 at Hillsborough, Sheffield United had to ensure it was a juncture that marked a change in fortunes.
The Blades crossed the Steel City divide, marching into Sheffield Wednesday territory, with the ambition of halting a four-game winless run. Two goals from Tyrese Campbell and a late strike from substitute Tom Cannon ensured the Blades got back to winning ways with a bang.
A fortnight on, United have not looked back. After comfortably seeing off Portsmouth three days after the win at Hillsborough, winning 3-0, and putting Leicester City to the sword with a scintillating first half display at the King Power Stadium last weekend, winning 3-2, the Blades added another three points to their tally on Saturday.
MORE: 'I'll take it' - Femi Seriki reflects on first Sheffield United goal and sets new individual target
Taking on a Stoke City side, despite them running into a recent mini wobble, that had conceded just 14 goals in their opening 18 Championship matches this term, United knew they would be in for a stern test. Mark Robins has done an excellent job at the bet365 Stadium so far this season, transforming the Potters from mid-table sitters to promotion hopefuls.
However, that was no problem for Chris Wilder and the Blades at Bramall Lane as first half goals from Mark McGuinness, Femi Seriki and Patrick Bamford meant they went into the half-time interval leading 3-0.
Sydie Peck added a fourth after half-time, converting from the penalty spot for the second home game running, meaning he has now scored in each of his last three appearances.
Suddenly, it means United look as though they could make a success of this season. They are now within eight points of the play-off places, meaning it is not an impossible gap to bridge with 27 games still to play.
The beauty of the Championship is that the nature of its relentless fixture schedule means it is quite easy to quickly build up some momentum. A run of four games in 14 days since the November international break presented an opportunity for United to try and put their disastrous start to the campaign to bed and they have done exactly that.
United are playing with a swagger again
Additionally, they have secured each of their four recent victories by putting on a show and entertaining their supporters. Although they developed a habit for winning games last season, the Blades rarely took their opponents to their cleaners, registering 15 victories by a one-goal margin, with their biggest league victory coming in the form of a 3-0 win over Oxford United.
Excluding their two 3-0 play-off semi-final victories over Bristol City, United, last season, only scored three goals in the regular Championship campaign three times; they have done it four times this season in the space of just two weeks.
As a result of putting three past Wednesday, three past Portsmouth, three past Leicester and now four past Stoke, the Blades have won four second tier matches while scoring 3+ goals in each game for the first time since between mid-October and early-November 1985.
Considering United emerged from the November international break sitting 22nd in the table with ten points to their name, their recent run of form has been nothing short of exceptional. Their last four games have also produced more goals (13) than their first 15 league outings (11) this season.
After Wilder returned to the club in September, replacing Rubén Sellés, almost everyone anticipated it would trigger an immediate improvement. However, Wilder encountered a fractured squad that was bereft of confidence, meaning time and patience was required.
Now unbeaten in five games, a run which has produced four wins and seen United keep four clean sheets, Wilder is overseeing the upturn in form that everyone expected back in September. It has taken its time, but United are now in the mood to make up for lost time, and the play-off places are slowly creeping into view.