Sheffield United: '˜Nobody is untouchable in this team' warns Chris Basham

Chris Basham has admitted there are no untouchables in Sheffield United's starting eleven.
Chris Basham (front) says there are no untouchables in Sheffield United's first team squad. Pic Simon Bellis/SportimageChris Basham (front) says there are no untouchables in Sheffield United's first team squad. Pic Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Chris Basham (front) says there are no untouchables in Sheffield United's first team squad. Pic Simon Bellis/Sportimage

Despite entering Saturday’s match against MK Dons ranked fourth in the table and unbeaten in 10 League One games, the midfielder revealed Chris Wilder will not hesitate to wield the axe if performance levels drop.

“There is pressure on the boys to do well but that is what we want,” Basham said. “There are a lot of great players sitting on the bench, waiting for a chance. Everyone has to put in an eight or nine out of 10 performance each week or you could drop out. It is very, very intense.”

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United have scored 10 goals in their last three league outings after dismantling Port Vale and Shrewsbury Town before last weekend’s 3-3 draw with fellow promotion contenders Bradford City.

Basham, who scored at Valley Parade, insisted recent results prove this United squad is mentally tougher than the one which limped to an 11th placed finish under Wilder’s predecessor Nigel Adkins.

“Ten unbeaten is what we didn’t manage to do last season,” Basham said. “It’s poisonous, it’s infectious, when you get on a run like this, it is great for morale.

“All the lads talk about is not letting anyone destroy our run. We said that before Bradford and we will say it again before we go out there again this weekend. Bradford had been doing really well and were second in the league. But we just saw it as a chance to go there and do well, to show what Sheffield United is about.”

Chris Basham made a big impression at Valley Parade. Pic Simon Bellis/SportimageChris Basham made a big impression at Valley Parade. Pic Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Chris Basham made a big impression at Valley Parade. Pic Simon Bellis/Sportimage
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Meanwhile, United’s Checkatrade Trophy tie at Grimsby Town has been rescheduled for Wednesday 9 November (Kick-off 7.45pm). United hosts Crewe Alexandra in the FA Youth Cup first round at Bramall Lane on Tuesday 1 November. (Kick-off 7pm).