Chris Wilder addresses Sheffield United critics as Blades look to continue season upturn v Wrexham
Chris Wilder has hit back at criticism from Sheffield United supporters, insisting the Blades are making progress and pointing to their recent results and improving statistics as evidence of a team moving in the right direction.
By most conceivable metrics, Sheffield United are moving in the right direction since the international break. A run of four defeats in five games has become one loss in four, with United perhaps unfortunate not to have taken more points from that mini run.
They could easily have won against Derby County on Saturday, although a poor first-half display from United could also have helped the Rams be out of sight at the break, and will hope to continue their positive momentum from the last 20 minutes when they take on Wrexham at Bramall Lane tomorrow.
But there remains an air of negativity around Bramall Lane at the moment, perhaps a hangover from last season’s early-season struggle and a frustrating summer which saw United again start being the eight-ball this time around.
Asked how he can turn around that negativity and get everyone on the same page, boss Chris Wilder admitted: “I don't think you ever do at times. I don't think you ever do, whatever club you're at.
“So, I can't waste my time thinking about that. We went to Wembley and some punters didn't even want to go because they were that negative about it.
“I suppose when we didn't get that result at Wembley in the 97th minute, when we were down to 10 men, some punters said: ‘Yeah, I've justified my decision.’
“There are different types of supporters, so I get it. I can't answer situations regarding social media and stuff like that. I'll try and put a team out there that's competitive, which we are.
“I told everybody about getting to the international break and was having a little bit of a reset off the back of a challenging first part of the season, which we've undoubtedly had.
“I would say possibly more than the majority of clubs in this division and we've come through it. We've started to win games and the trends, statistically, are moving forward, which we were after.
“More box action, more positivity at the top of the pitch, more touches in the opponent's boxes and stuff like that. There’s three quarters of a season to go.
“Everybody will always have their opinion about the team. I walked in to watch a game of football last night on the TV and somebody said: ‘The guys behind me know more than you.’
“I went: ‘Yeah, I think there are quite a few of them! It's part and parcel. There was something regarding Fabian Hürzeler last year when Brighton were 14th in the division.
“Brighton, 15 or 20 years ago, were going out of the Football League and the turn around at that club has been absolutely unbelievable. Now they're tipping him to be the next Man United manager. I'm old enough and experienced enough to know this happens.
“I've got to concentrate on what I can concentrate on, getting the team out there that plays the way that we did in the second half against Derby. And continues to improve and reach the ceiling that I know that we can reach.”