'Nothing to lose' - Chris Wilder's message to his Sheffield United players as they look to kickstart survival bid at Burnley

Chris Wilder has told his Sheffield United players that they have "nothing to lose" as they look to defy the odds and pull off an unlikely survival in the Premier League this season.
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The Blades take their quest for a first win of this campaign to Burnley on Tuesday, after their 1-0 defeat to Everton on Boxing Day at Bramall Lane.

Wilder's men travel to Turf Moor with two points from their 15 games to date, while Sean Dyche's side also suffered a slow start to the season before picking up of late.

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"I've spoken to the owners in terms of bringing a couple of players in," Wilder admitted.

"I'll always try to improve the club with the resources we've got but at times it is a huge gap to bridge and it can't always be done with commitment and enthusiasm and work ethic.

"It has to be done sometimes with quality. I still expect more quality from the players I've got, they know and understand that.

"They have the quality and it's about sticking their chests out and showing it. We have nothing to lose; everyone will look at the position and say we're buried, we're done for.

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"There's nothing to lose, we might as well go for it and that's been my message to the players. There's loads more pressure on the teams above us and there'll be one or two who think they have enough at the minute, but might have that slide and get sucked in by the nature of the Premier League.

Sheffield United's manager Chris Wilder gestures during the English Premier League match between Sheffield United and Everton. (Nick Potts/Pool via AP)Sheffield United's manager Chris Wilder gestures during the English Premier League match between Sheffield United and Everton. (Nick Potts/Pool via AP)
Sheffield United's manager Chris Wilder gestures during the English Premier League match between Sheffield United and Everton. (Nick Potts/Pool via AP)

"There shouldn't be any pressure on us, there's people who over the last two or three years wouldn't expect us to be where we are.

"We should be in a better position with more points. We have to show strength of character and a freedom to express ourselves, to say what's the worst that can happen?

"We know what that is but the best that can happen is to defy incredible odds and all those critics and stats get chucked out of the window.

"That's my message to the players and they have to take that on board."

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