3 things we clearly learnt about Sheffield United after their 2-1 defeat to Forest | OneFootball

Sheffield United are facing an uphill task to reach the Championship play-off final later this month following their defeat to Nottingham Forest yesterday.

The Blades would have been hoping to secure a positive result in front of their supporters at Bramall Lane after setting up a clash with the Reds last weekend by beating Fulham on the final day of the regular season.

However, it was Forest who created more chances during the game as they clinched victory on their travels.

The visitors opened the scoring in the first-half as Jack Colback slotted an effort past Wes Foderingham.

Following the break, Brennan Johnson doubled Forest’s advantage.

After John Egan produced a fine block to prevent Johnson from scoring a third for the Reds, Sander Berge effectively kept United in the tie by scoring a header in stoppage-time.

Here, we have decided to reflect on this clash by taking a look at three things we clearly learnt about Sheffield United after their 2-1 defeat to Forest…

Berge’s goal could prove to be a crucial moment for the Blades in this tie…

With Forest seemingly easing towards a 2-0 victory which would have provided them with some margin for error heading into the return leg at the City Ground, the Blades needed someone to step up to the mark in the closing stages of the game.

After winning a corner in stoppage-time, United managed to reduce the deficit thanks to an effort from Berge who headed home from close range.

Having recorded a relatively impressive WhoScored match rating of 7.28 in this fixture, Berge will now be tasked with helping his side make a positive start to Tuesday’s clash.

The Blades will unquestionably put their opponents under a great deal of pressure if they score the opening goal in this upcoming fixture.

In order to have any chance of securing a trip to Wembley Stadium, the Blades will need Morgan Gibbs-White to be firing on all cylinders in the return fixture.

A stand-out performer for United this season, Gibbs-White registered his 10th assist of the term yesterday as he set up Berge’s goal.

Quiz: Which club did Sheffield United sign these 24 players from in the 2000s?

1 of 24

Who did Sheffield United sign Matthew Kilgallon from in the 2000's?

Burnley Everton Watford Leeds United

Given that the 22-year-old has also scored 11 goals for the Blades in his loan spell at Bramall Lane, he may hold the key to a comeback as he has illustrated this season that he is more than capable of setting the second-tier alight with his performances.

Billy Sharp failed to make enough progress in terms of his road to recovery from a calf injury as he wasn’t included in the Blades’ squad to face Forest yesterday.

With Paul Heckingbottom recently admitting that the forward was edging closer to a potential return, the club’s supporters will be desperate to see Sharp make his return on Tuesday.

Although Iliman Ndiaye has managed to fill the void left by Sharp by scoring in four of his last six league appearances, the Blades may need to call upon the services of their talisman if they are to have any chance of progressing in this competition.

21 direct goal contributions in the Championship and will be desperate to add to this tally on Tuesday if he is fit enough to feature.