"Some Ds in there..." Chris Wilder's appraisal of Sheffield United ahead of return to action
Sheffield United are back in action against Lincoln City this weekend following the international break
Chris Wilder recognises that there is plenty of room for improvement in his Sheffield United side as he gave an impromptu grading on the team ahead of a return to action against Lincoln City this weekend.
United go into Saturday’s match-up well rested after a long-winded international break that largely feels like a new season, with their last game against Stoke City - a 2-1 defeat - coming three weeks ago..
The United boss admitted he’d given some time off to his players after a lacklustre start to the campaign.
By contrast, Lincoln City have won three Championship games so far, conceding only eight in the process, and have kept two clean sheets in their last three.
He gave grades to his players’ performances so far this season, without giving specifics, and argues there have been moments that show promise.
“I think if you looked at all those teams (at the top), their players would be playing well or really well or playing okay,” he said. “I should imagine, the Swansea City manager at the moment is looking at the majority of his players, and then they're A's and B's. Us at the moment are B's and C's and there's some D's in there.”
United have scored nine goals in eight Championship games this season, conceding nine which has the Blades in 18th.
“There's some players that have been okay,” he continued, “and there's some players that need to do better. It's always on me. I carry the weight of the club on my shoulders.I think you understand that. And I have done since 2016.”
“But it's on the players as well to do better individually. And we haven't had enough really good performances individually to pull them together as a team,” he added.
The United boss has been experimenting with narrow formations, due to the lack of traditional wingers available, but has also played in a flat 4-3-3 set-up.
However, with the hinted return of Ryan One and Tahith Chong this weekend, Wilder could return to his more traditional system against Lincoln.