Alan Biggs' Sheffield United Column: Chris Wilder's ability to make a little go a long way will be tested in January transfer window

“Little” is, of course, relative, especially when talking in Premier League terms.

It takes huge amounts to buy ready-made top flight players.

And Sheffield United plainly do not have that sort of cash, which is nobody’s fault directly and more to do with circumstances after a bitter boardroom battle still legally unfinished.

So what is Wilder working with in this window?

My strong suspicion is that it won’t exceed around £10million and that that will be for perhaps one cash signing.

Anything over will maybe finance a couple of loans.

The Blades boss will certainly be wanting and advocating more.

However, unless there is a change of stance, his chances of a dramatic kick-on from a fine start in the Premier League look limited.

For perspective, £10m doesn’t buy a top player in the Championship these days.

After all, it took £20m to prise Oli McBurnie from that level (Swansea City) last summer.

He and Callum Robinson (A £7m arrival from Preston North End) are still finding their feet higher up.

Which highlights the wisdom and value of top scorer Lys Mousset’s £10m arrival from Bournemouth.

It leaves Wilder looking for more of the same under the club’s new Saudi regime, who also have to find around £50m for Kevin McCabe’s property assets.

It may prove to be a stretch, by contrast with club revenue streams which are healthy.

The Premier League return is thought to be worth around a £140m boost to the coffers.

And after the first half of the season, they are looking good for the same again next year.

But standing still is anathema to the man shaping as the club’s greatest post-war leader.

And rightly so.

Failing to catch the wave leads only to being washed back.

That said, you can practically guarantee he will make the best of his resources.

It explains why he is more receptive than most to troubled talents like Ravel Morrison and now Jack Rodwell.

From the FA Cup tie against Fylde, I’m still not convinced Morrison is doing enough - yet.

On the other hand, Rodwell could prove to be a vital acquisition.

Certainly it was no coincidence in the grand scheme of things that the versatile midfielder played in the right centre-back role and did it well.

There has been no obvious cover there for Chris Basham.

Basham, along with Jack O’Connell on the other side, is intrinsic to United’s approach.

It’s remarkable that the Blades have played more than half a season with more than half their line-up unchanged. The chances are that the second half of the campaign will prove more challenging in that regard.