Sheffield United finally seem to be turning their season around after a nine-point week that’s seen the Blades move out of the Championship drop zone.

New signings are beginning to show their worth, confidence is gradually returning to last season’s remaining play-off finalists and there is now hope United can make a run towards the top six after a disastrous start that brought genuine fears for their second-tier status.

There have been good moments, goals and games for several individuals amid a torrid campaign so far, but one man has been a beacon of consistency, emerging from the pack to be the leading light in Chris Wilder’s resurgent side.

Callum O’Hare increasingly found himself as a substitute last season as Sheffield United raced to 92 points and a third-placed finish, before coming off the bench to score in both play-off semi-final legs against Bristol City.

Supporters recognised his ‘Duracell Bunny’ work-rate after signing from Coventry City in summer 2024 but questions persisted about the 27-year-old’s output, as his old Sky Blues team-mate Gus Hamer stole more of the headlines and also the Championship player of the season title.

O’Hare finished last season with four goals and six assists in 47 league appearances. He’s now matched those goal contributions – five goals, five assists – in just 18 league matches this campaign after last weekend’s 3-2 win at Leicester City.

Speaking after the match about his boosted numbers, O’Hare remarked it “seems that you can only be good these days if you get goals and assists”. It’s clearly something that’s been on his mind, as he feels his work over the summer is “paying off at the minute”.

But it’s not just the headline numbers that demonstrate a marked improvement this campaign.

A goal and an assist at the King Power Stadium were his 19th and 20th goal contributions for United. Only Gus Hamer (21) has more since O’Hare signed for the Blades.

His xG (expected goals) was 4.8 for the whole of 2024/25. It’s already 3.59 this season.

O’Hare made 22 successful dribbles throughout last term. He’s hit 15 already for 2025/26. He had 40 shots last year, with 12 on target. So far this season O’Hare is on 26 shots with 11 on target.

He’s currently joint fourth for assists (five) in the Championship, with only three players recording more.

And he’s currently joint sixth in the Championship for goal contributions (10), with only five players having more goals plus assists.

Sheffield United are currently 19th with a ten-point gap to close if they’re to have another crack at ending their long-standing play-off hoodoo.

The fact that’s even being discussed is testament to manager Chris Wilder’s impact since returning for a third spell at Bramall Lane.

But O’Hare also deserves significant credit for the change of mood in Sheffield 2 and if his numbers continue to grow at the same trajectory, he’ll play a key role in any success the Blades achieve this campaign.