Sheffield United may not have been able to keep up the electric form they showed at the beginning of the season when Chris Wilder’s side emerged as shock automatic promotion contenders, but the Blades remain very much in contention for a top six finish.

Wilder brought in several new additions to provide his squad with a much needed boost, with the likes of Ricky Holmes and Ryan Leonard brought in from the third tier in an attempt to inject quality and depth within the Blades squad.

Wilder will have his sights set on a playoff finish, but with the January transfer window now behind him, may harbour some regrets over some of his actions in the market…

Not letting Ched Evans go

Ched Evans

The striker was resigned from Chesterfield in the summer having left the Blades in 2012 following his imprisonment in a decision which was ultimately overturned, but has so far failed to recapture the form he showed in his previous spell at Bramall Lane.

Down the pecking order behind the likes of Clayton Donaldson, Billy Sharp and Leon Clarke, Evans fell even further down the pile following the loan signing of Manchester United’s James Wilson, and it would take a monumental effort the Welshman to have any chance of seeing the field again this season.

It was time for Wilder to cut his losses on Evans and allow him to depart for another club, and his indecision may come back to haunt the manager when the player begins to grow frustrated with such a bit part role.

Lower league signings

Plucking players from the lower tiers of English football is all the rage at the moment, but with the Blades looking to secure a top six finish, should Wilder have targeted players with Championship experience?

Ryan Leonard and Ricky Holmes were both brought in from League One, and some will question whether the pair are good enough or experienced enough to make the step up to the higher level.

The top end of the Championship is a real minefield littered with quality players and teams, and many have been overawed by the standard of play at this level of the English game.

Holmes and Leonard aren’t used to such a high level of play, and could initially struggle to adapt when Wilder needs the pair to hit the ground running.

Blades fans, let us know your thoughts!