Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder's stern words ahead of FA Cup clash with AFC Fylde

Chris Wilder has warned his players more FA Cup disappointment will not be tolerated when AFC Fylde visit Bramall Lane tomorrow, after describing last season’s defeat to Barnet as one of the darkest moments of his reign.
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The Sheffield United manager, who is expected to hand new signing Jack Rodwell his debut for the club, admitted he is still haunted by the memory of that third round loss.

And, 12 months on, Wilder insisted being beaten by another Conference club at the same stage of the competition would provoke a furious reaction from both him and his staff.

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“Barnet was one of the lowest experiences for me of last season,” the 52-year-old, whose side went on to reach the Premier League, said. “The opposition were better than us and we never turned up. I’ll be into my players and if the message wasn’t strong enough last year, it certainly will be this time around.”

Although Wilder is set to make eleven changes to the side which faced Liverpool on Thursday, he added: “We work with the other lads all the way through. They work on the shape and they work with the rest of the lads.

“Without distancing myself from the team, it really is ‘over to you.’ There has to be a level of performance.

“It’s at Bramall Lane, it’s a first team competitive fixture and it’s the FA Cup. So it’s over to them. I know what I’d be thinking. There’s personal pride involved as well.”

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Rodwell, the former England international, is available for selection after agreeing a short-term move to United before yesterday’s noon deadline.

Chris Wilder welcomes new signing Jack Rodwell to Sheffield United: Simon Bellis/SportimageChris Wilder welcomes new signing Jack Rodwell to Sheffield United: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Chris Wilder welcomes new signing Jack Rodwell to Sheffield United: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

Previously of Everton, Manchester City and Sunderland, he arrives in South Yorkshire having left Blackburn Rovers over the summer.

“Jack has been in for two or three weeks,” Wilder said. “All of the signings have my fingerprints on them.

“We have to make sure we are a club that doesn’t make many mistakes in the transfer market. I don’t believe we’ve made many. We have made some but not many.”

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Wilder also used his pre-match briefing to praise Ravel Morrison, who like Rodwell is set to face Jim Bentley’s side. Morrison has enjoyed previous few opportunities since joining United following their promotion from the Championship.

“Ravel has been as good as gold,” Wilder said. “He’s just not had a chance yet because of the form of other players. But it’s people like him, doing what they are doing, who are keeping them on their toes.”