The opposition manager who thinks Sheffield United have what it takes to survive in the Premier League

Sheffield United will not look back on 2020 with any great fondness after seeing a year they started with such high hopes descend into chaos off the pitch and, as Covid-19 swept across the country, bitter disappointment on it.
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But as Crystal Wilder’s side signed-off the year in predictably frustrating fashion - losing 1-0 at Burnley, despite enjoying more possession and more shots on goal than their opponents - a ray of hope appeared through the gloom.

After watching Ben Mee’s first-half goal prove enough to secure his team’s fourth victory of the season, and leave the visitors still searching for their first of the Premier League campaign, Sean Dyche insisted United’s performance did not bear the hallmarks of a club definitely destined for relegation. Like Wilder, he acknowledged they must develop a cutting edge. But Dyche, who has learnt a thing or two about what it takes to survive at the highest level during his long reign at Turf Moor, sounded convinced United possess the attributes required to achieve what even his close friend Wilder admits would be a “remarkable” march towards safety.

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“They are fighting,” Dyche said, reflecting upon the visitors’ display in Lancashire last night. “And when I say fighting, I don’t mean that in a patronising or critical way. They are fighting with their hearts, their minds, their legs but also at times with some real quality.

Sean Dyche manager of Burnley talks to Chris Wilder, his counterpart at Sheffield United, at Turf Moor: Andrew Yates/SportimageSean Dyche manager of Burnley talks to Chris Wilder, his counterpart at Sheffield United, at Turf Moor: Andrew Yates/Sportimage
Sean Dyche manager of Burnley talks to Chris Wilder, his counterpart at Sheffield United, at Turf Moor: Andrew Yates/Sportimage

“We know what Sheffield United are all about, especially under Chris, who is someone who has done wonders for that football club. You could see all of his characteristics in the way they went about things - with commitment, desire, effort and also producing some really good and clever passages of play.”

Wilder was also pleased with aspects of United’s work against opponents who climbed five points clear of the drop zone following Mee’s finish, although he conceded their inability to translate field position into clear cut chances and goals has become a deeply troubling trend. United travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday having scored only eight times in 16 outings since September, with David McGoldrick responsible for exactly half of those goals.

“We didn’t create too many chances ourselves against them,” Dyche conceded. “But for me, it’s not the number but the quality of those chances. That’s what is important.”

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