Chris Wilder says 'no time for negativity' as Blades bid to end poor play off record
Blades have yet to win a play-off following nine previous attempts.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has no time for the naysayers who point to the club's dismal play-off record ahead of Thursday's clash at Bristol City.
The Blades, who visit Ashton Gate in the first leg of their Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final, have yet to win a play-off following nine previous attempts.
But unlike the pessimists among the Blades fans - after their club lost out to Leeds and Burnley in the race for automatic promotion - Wilder refused to dwell on past disappointments.
He said: "There's negativity in football right the way through isn't there? Whatever club you're at, so everybody has to deal with that.
"But there's no negativity in this group. I've been consistent in how the players have been energised after the Burnley game and determined to win a play-off campaign.
"The proof is in the pudding on Thursday night in our approach, but there's no change in our approach - we're going there to win.
"But we understand we're going to have to play very well to win a football game at Ashton Gate in front of a very passionate and vociferous home crowd."
The Blades appeared odds-on for a top-two finish before losing four of their last seven games of the regular season.
Their recent defeat at Burnley consigned them to the play-offs, but Wilder, who guided Oxford back into the Football League via the play-offs in 2010, insisted his players had put that setback behind them.
"That reset after the Burnley game has been really important," he said.
"The preparation going into the play-offs has been very good and getting back to winning ways in the manner and style that's got us into the position we're in with 90 points.
"I'd rather be sat on a beach somewhere having achieved something at this moment.
"But I've had a little taste of (winning at Wembley) in 2010 and as everybody says, the way to go up is through the play-offs and at Wembley.
"But we've got two unbelievably difficult games before that.
"I've got too much respect for the game, the opposition, their manager and their club to think that because we are points ahead in the league and come out of the Premier League that this is going to be straightforward. It isn't."
Defender Femi Seriki will miss out due to a shoulder injury sustained in Saturday's home draw against Blackburn and Wilder also confirmed forward Ben Brereton Diaz was doubtful due to illness.
"Femi's had a scan, no major damage, so potentially he'll be available for the second leg, so that's good news," Wilder added.