Sheffield Derby Showdown: Rohl Focuses on Positive Energy as Owls Eye Playoff Push

Steel City Rivalry Rekindled at Hillsborough

As Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United prepare for their first Hillsborough meeting since 2019, Owls boss Danny Rohl has made it clear he won't be drawn into discussions about Blades manager Chris Wilder's controversial celebrations following November's 1-0 victory at Bramall Lane.

"I will not waste my energy talking or thinking about this," Rohl told BBC Radio Sheffield. "My focus is on harnessing the positive energy we've built with two straight away wins at Plymouth and Norwich."

Promotion Stakes Heighten Derby Drama

The Sunday clash comes with United locked in a three-way battle with Leeds and Burnley for automatic Premier League promotion, while Wednesday sit just five points off playoff positions with nine matches remaining. Rohl hinted the pressure lies squarely with their city rivals following their recent £125m valuation.

Key Derby Stats:

• Last meeting: Sheffield United 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday (Nov 2023)
• Wednesday's home form: 2nd worst in Championship (ahead of Hull)
• Away form comparison: Owls rank top 6 vs Blades' mid-table showing

Mind Games and Psychological Warfare

Wilder, no stranger to derby atmospheres having experienced them as both fan and manager, noted Wednesday's contrasting home/away form: "Their away record has been fantastic... the home record has been not that good. That all goes out of the window on Sunday afternoon."

Playoff Possibilities Loom Large

Rohl suggested this might not be the clubs' final meeting this season: "You never know - maybe it's not the last game against them this year," hinting at potential playoff encounters. With both clubs having tangible promotion incentives, Sunday's match carries significance beyond local bragging rights.

Tactical Approaches

• Wednesday's Strategy: Leverage momentum from consecutive away wins
• United's Focus: Exploit opponents' poor Hillsborough form (last home win: January)
• Key Battle: Midfield control in what Wilder predicts will be a "competitive, emotional" but not "free-flowing" game

"We understand the emotion of the place," said Wilder, who seeks United's first league double over Wednesday in over a decade.