How talks with people he trusts have persuaded Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder not to change his approach

The United manager didn’t think so, attributing his team’s position in the table to an imperfect storm of injuries, individual errors and restrictions imposed because of the Covid-19 pandemic rather than formations and tactics. But, aware it is sometimes difficult to see the wood for the trees, he was keen to discover if his decision to persevere with the approach responsible for delivering two promotions and a ninth placed finish last term was viewed as a mistake by those with more top-flight experience.

One of those he sought out was West Ham’s Mark Noble, a player he has got to know socially since persuading Steve Bettis, United’s chief executive, to return to Bramall Lane two years ago. Having been spotted deep in conversation with the 33-year-old before the Londoners’ visit to South Yorkshire earlier this term, Wilder met up with him again following last week’s return fixture. Although United were beaten 3-0, Noble’s opinion on their performance helped shape his thinking ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Fulham - which United lost 1-0 - and is likely to do the same ahead of this weekend’s visit to Liverpool.

“I got to know Mark through the chief executive,” Wilder explained, revealing Noble felt small details rather than systemic problems were responsible for United’s plight at the bottom of the table. “Just out of work and socially really, I have met up a few times with him, over a cup of tea and a glass of water.

“I’ve got a huge amount of respect for Mark. He has been brilliant for that club and he dropped down (to the Championship), he fought it out, and got them back. Mark has always been the man who has stood there through difficult times. I know when I speak to him I’m going to get an upfront and honest answer. All he is bothered about is West Ham. Not himself. That’s the type of player I respect and that’s what we’ve tried to bring in.”

With injuries and other fitness issues continuing to cause a problem ahead of the trip to Craven Cottage, Wilder had come under pressure to ditch the 3-5-2 formation which has served United so well throughout his reign and unveil something more simple. With United seemingly destined for relegation, his hand could now be forced by the injury Chris Basham sustained in the capital.

“You can’t legislate for mistakes,” Wilder said, before watching a defensive lapse gift Ademola Lookman the only goal of the game.. “As I say, I know Mark quite well and speaking to him after the game with West Ham, I was keen to seek him out because I respect him. I’m always keen to seek out the opinions of people I respect.

“He said from box to box we do a lot of things well. But where results are decided are individual errors and chances missed. Last year, if we made a bad decision somebody rectified that. Now, it doesn’t seem to be happening.”

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