Chris Wilder's defiant response to Sheffield United criticism as he makes season promise despite slow start
Chris Wilder admits he does not enjoy the criticism surrounding Sheffield United but insists there is more to come from his squad, backing the Blades to turn their slow start around and predicting a stronger middle and end to the season.
Chris Wilder understandably does not enjoy the criticism surrounding almost everyone at Sheffield United at the minute - but insists there is still more to come from his side, who he is backing to turn around their disappointing start to the season.
Wilder fully acknowledges and understands the scrutiny that comes with managing his boyhood club, with frustration around the club only growing after a difficult summer behind the scenes.
Although he stays well away from social media Wilder is still aware of the criticism of himself, the players and the club as a whole, but is confident that the current situation will not define their season.
"I'm not daft,” Wilder said ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Lincoln City at Bramall Lane. “I live in the city. I don't go on social media but I understand how football is.
"Do you enjoy it? No, I don't. I don't enjoy it. I want there to be a lot of positive things said about everybody, about the players, about how we're playing, about how I'm managing. And how the club is, the league position, the state of the club overall in general.
"I don't enjoy our club getting bashed about. I don't enjoy getting bashed up. But the rollercoaster of football is what it is. You have to deal with these situations."
Wilder pointed to previous difficult periods during his time at United, and the successes that have followed, to reinforce his belief.
"This is a disappointing start," Wilder said. "But we're under a fifth of the way through the season with 24 [player] changes, with £20 million being brought in, with £10 million off the wage bill, with new players being integrated into the team.
“And players at the moment are trying to find form. That isn't disaster. That isn't bottom of the division, the wheels are falling off. That isn't what's happening.”
Lincoln’s joint bosses Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw have been nominated for the Championship manager of the month award for September after their side’s positive start to life in the second tier, while United’s start has been slower in comparison.
They go into the first league game against the Imps since 1984 sitting 18th in the Championship table, and on the back of four defeats in their last five games.
"It's been a slow start,” Wilder admitted. “I don't want it to be a slow middle bit and I don't want it to be a slow ending. And I'm absolutely certain it won't be.
“We've put a good group together. We've brought in players that are battle-hardened. We've not signed kids. There's more to come from this team. I believe in them.”