Sheffield United signed off 2023 with a gutsy defeat away at Manchester City, with manager Chris Wilder looking forward to a new year which will hopefully bring better fortunes. City dominated the ball against the bottom club but could only muster four shots on target in their 2-0 win.
Boss Wilder is now looking forward to a January period which will see him add to his squad and also work with his players on the training pitch, as they look to beat the odds and mount a bid for survival in the new year. Here are seven things we learned from their defeat at the Etihad...
5. A huge three weeks
That was the description used by Wilder afterwards - huge, huge, huge. Six games in his 25 days to that point limited any real work he and his staff have been able to do on the training pitch but three weeks now until their next Premier League game gives them a perfect opportunity to get their messages across. Wilder was clear that he expects more from his side in possession and pointed out that his teams tend to get better as the season goes on - another thing for Blades fans to cling onto as their side continue the long battle for survival
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6. A welcome return
After 14 long months, countless hours in the gym and no doubt thousands of nagging doubts, how good was it to see Rhys Norrington-Davies back in a Sheffield United shirt again? His cameo at the end was only five minutes or so but after his dark road to recovery it will have felt like the world to get his boots back on and taste regular football again. It was also a Premier League debut, a moment which shouldn't be overlooked but after the journey he has been on since his injury at Coventry which saw him miss the World Cup in Qatar, Norrington-Davies will only now be looking forward | Sportimage
7. Fresh blood
By the time United next play a Premier League game Wilder is "100 per cent" sure that his side will look much stronger - whether through the returns from injury of a few key men or some much-needed strengthening in the transfer market. Or ideally both. Norrington-Davies' return will bring a big boost, as will Tom Davies when he is available again, but United also need some fresh faces unaffected by the season of struggle so far - and Wilder appeared confident that he will get the go-ahead to secure them... | Getty Images