Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder says players' biggest test isn't on the pitch

Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, has admitted his team must win a psychological war with themselves in order to prevail in the battle for Premier League survival after conceding their results at the beginning of the season are a cause for concern.
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Although yesterday’s draw with Fulham saw United end a run of four straight defeats, it means they will enter this weekend’s visit to Liverpool, which is followed by games against Manchester City and Chelsea, still searching for their first win of the new campaign.

Despite describing the nervousness he felt prevented United establishing a commanding lead before Ademola Lookman fired Scott Parker’s side in front as an inevitable symptom of their disappointing start, Wilder, who later saw Billy Sharp equalise from the penalty spot, acknowledged confidence must be restored sooner rather than later in order to avert a long, bleak winter.

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Insisting United should not be “embarrassed” by their failure to beat opponents who also entered the contest without a point to their name, Wilder said: “The boys look a little bit anxious but it isn’t easy at this level and I suppose that’s only normal to see after what’s been happening, after the difficult start.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Sander Berge of Sheffield United reacts following the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Fulham at Bramall Lane . (Photo by Oli Scarf - Pool/Getty Images)SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Sander Berge of Sheffield United reacts following the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Fulham at Bramall Lane . (Photo by Oli Scarf - Pool/Getty Images)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Sander Berge of Sheffield United reacts following the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Fulham at Bramall Lane . (Photo by Oli Scarf - Pool/Getty Images)

“It isn’t easy and, if it was, then everyone would be playing at this level wouldn’t they. Of course, it’s a bit of a struggle and there’s a little bit of anxiety which is brought on when you don’t get anything out of your first four games.

“But the lads, who give everything I might say, have to find that belief in their own ability and what we are doing within themselves. And there will also be a lot of encouragement coming from me.”

“Listen,” Wilder, who inherited a squad languishing in League One when he was appointed four years ago, continued, “This is an incredibly competitive division and anyone who looks at the numbers some people spend in order to be a success in it should know that. We don’t have that luxury.”

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“We’ve done incredibly well to get here, way ahead of time, but now we want to stay here again for another season. To do that, we have to find that from within because I’m sure the critics will all be circling.

“Not winning in five doesn’t sit well with anyone here, but that lads shouldn’t be embarrassed about it either. I thought, although we were disappointed not to win, that there were some signs out there that we are getting back to where we need to be.

“The small margins hurt us more than anyone, because we don’t have the ability to just go out there and do what we want. But I’m right behind these lads, and they’ll get my backing, because they are giving absolutely everything for this football club. They’ve got the ability and they’ll get there, so long as we stick together and stick with it.”

United were the dominant force in the first-half, missing a series of opportunities before Lookman fired a resurgent Fulham in front after the break - Aleksander Mitrovic having earlier blazed over from the spot. But Parker’s men, who also have yet to taste victory this term, were denied victory when Sharp converted following Mitrovic’s foul on Jack Robinson.

“Fulham, they spent ages in this division before coming back up,” Wilder, who led United to a ninth placed finish last season, said. “They’re no mugs. There’s no such thing as a free hit in this league, no matter what anyone thinks.”

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