New Headline: Manager Bamford Leads Sheffield United into Premier League Play for a Fresh Start
Experienced Blades striker Patrick Bamford says the team are "maturing" after securing a point with 10 men at Birmingham.
The 32-year-old has scored 10 goals in 21 appearances since arriving at Bramall Lane [Getty Images] Sheffield United striker Patrick Bamford believes they are "maturing as a side" as they continue to push for an unlikely play-off spot in the Championship. The Blades were bottom of the table when Chris Wilder returned to Bramall Lane for his third spell as manager in September 2025. Saturday's 1-1 draw at Birmingham City ended a run of back-to-back defeats for Wilder's side, and leaves them 15th, within 10 points of the top six with eight matches to play.
Bamford, 32, told BBC Sheffield: "Everyone was kind of down in the dumps after the previous two results, and thinking 'we've blown it', but honestly - you never know in this league. "It's up to us to try and win every game we can, and if we do that it still might not be enough, but we've got to try. "Funnier things have happened and we'll see what happens come the end of the season, but we're certainly going to give it a try".
Sheffield United had their sixth player of 2026 sent off at the weekend, with defender Femi Seriki dismissed after 23 minutes. Birmingham scored from the resulting free-kick only for Bamford to equalise just before the half-time whistle. "We've had a fair few red cards in the past few months, and it is a part of growing up," Bamford added.
"We've got a really young team for the most part, and you only really learn these things when you're in it. "In order to learn from these things, it has to happen to you. This shows we're moving forward and maturing as a team a little bit; it'll give us some confidence.