Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder confronts claims about desire

Speaking as preparations for Saturday’s visit to Crystal Palace began in earnest, Wilder acknowledged United must accept criticism relating to aspects of their performances since September’s return to action.

But the 53-year-old signalled he will not tolerate suggestions they lack commitment, accusing those who claim they do of overlooking the fact confidence levels are low after losing 14 times in 16 outings.

“They showed out there that they are fighting,” Wilder said, assessing United’s display during Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat at Burnley. “They showed they are fighting for the club and also for me.

“There’s things you can look at and pick apart, obviously, the same as there’s clearly things we need to do better.

“But the one thing I won’t have, the one thing that’s so, so wrong, is anyone saying these lads aren’t leaving it all out there. Because they are.”

With all but three of the defeats they have suffered during the present campaign coming via a single goal, Wilder continues to maintain that a side which finished ninth in the table last term can still lift itself off the bottom of the table and begin eating away at the 11 point gap separating them from 17th placed Brighton and Hove Albion.

However, he concedes the odds are stacked against United as they enter this weekend’s meeting with Roy Hodgson’s side without the two first team players and “around half a dozen” coaching staff who tested positive for Covid-19 before the trip to Turf Moor.

“It’s hard to take because, for the most part, there’s been very little in the games as the score lines tell you,” Wilder said. “But it comes down to results, which is what we need clearly.

"We’ve just got to keep plugging away, trying to do the right things. If we do, then it will start to happen for us.”