Sheffield United and Wrexham Set for First League Meeting Since 1982
Sheffield United and Wrexham are scheduled to face each other in a league fixture at Bramall Lane for the first time since October 1982.
Phil Parkinson Highlights Wrexham's Progress Through Sheffield United Encounters
Phil Parkinson, Wrexham's manager, believes that the recent matches between Wrexham and Sheffield United have exemplified the Red Dragons' significant development during his tenure.
In January 2023, the Blades secured a 95th-minute equaliser to draw 3-3 with Wrexham, then a National League team, in the FA Cup. Sheffield United subsequently won the fourth round replay 3-1, scoring two goals in added time.
Currently, both teams compete in the same division, and Parkinson's squad overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat Chris Wilder's Sheffield United 5-3 in the Championship on 26 December.
"The Sheffield United games as a separate entity since we've been here have been a great indication of what the club is all about," Parkinson said ahead of Wrexham's trip to Bramall Lane on Saturday (15:00 GMT).
"The cup games were incredible days for us. The draw here and then we went to Bramall Lane and everyone thought our best chance had gone. We went so close to winning there against, at the time, a team top of the Championship.
"Then, over Christmas we played Sheffield United, and bearing in mind they were play-off finalists last year - we conceded goals in the early part of the game and came back really well.
"I think they're good examples against Sheffield United of what everybody's tried to instil here of how we want to be reflected."
Championship Play-Off Race Intensifies
The Blades currently sit 10 points behind the play-off positions with only eight matches remaining in the regular season.
Wrexham recently dropped out of the top six after Southampton secured a 1-0 victory against Norwich City, surpassing the Red Dragons on goal difference.
With one more match scheduled before the March international break, Parkinson has urged everyone connected to Wrexham to make a tremendous effort as they travel to South Yorkshire.
"Ideally we would want Southampton to drop points, but they didn't. But this weekend is about one almighty effort from all the squad, all the staff and all the supporters," he said.
"This game takes us into a two-week break. It's right up there, I feel, in terms of importance of games, not just this season, but since I've been here. I'll always include the supporters in that.
"Bramall Lane is an amazing arena to play at. Their supporters will be vociferously behind the team and I know our supporters are going to play their part.
"As a team and a staff, we've got to be ready to finish this block of games off and bring us back into the last seven games with a great chance."
Sheffield United's Recent Form and Chris Wilder's Impact
Sheffield United have won only one of their last five league matches, causing them to slip out of play-off contention recently.
Parkinson, who was part of Southampton's academy alongside Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder, acknowledges the progress the Blades have made since Wilder's return to Bramall Lane earlier this season.
"Chris, it's a bit strange that he didn't stay there after last year. I don't think anyone could quite work that out in football," Parkinson added.
"But he didn't, but they quickly got him back and obviously he's got a lot of history there.
"I know Chrissy well. We were at Southampton together as kids and he's always been a Sheffield United fan, even in those days.
"It's the third time he's been back there and he's got them going again. When he took over, they were down the bottom and he's had to reshape the team to a certain degree, but they're a good side.
"There's a lot of players there who have been involved in promotion teams, but it's about us at the weekend."
