Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder delivers an important message to critics of his team

Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, is standing shoulder to shoulder with his players after insisting they do not deserve the criticism which has come their way following the club’s slow start to the new Premier League season.
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Despite capturing the imagination of the footballing world last season, as Wilder’s modestly assembled squad mounted an unlikely challenge for Europe before eventually finishing ninth, United will enter Saturday’s match at reigning champions Liverpool having taken only a point from their opening five games.

Wilder accepts that disappointing sequence of results means knives are being sharpened in some quarters. But, speaking ahead of the visit to Anfield, he chose to throw a protective arm around his team - claiming their performances over the past four years deserve to be rewarded with unqualified support.

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“These lads give everything, and I mean everything, for this football club,” Wilder, who took charge of a club languishing in League One when he was appointed four years ago, said. “They care. The whole group really cares about the club and, as I’m sure everyone connected with us knows, that’s not always been the case in the past, because some haven’t.”

“That’s never been the case on our watch,” Wilder added. “I know there’s going to be criticism and I know, especially on social media even though I don’t bother with it myself, there’s going to be a lot going around. But I know better than anyone what these lads are all about and what they’re putting in, so that’s why they’re getting encouragement from me.”

United’s hopes of springing an upset when they face Jurgen Klopp’s men were dealt a blow when, having confirmed John Fleck has joined Jack O’Connell and Lys Mousset on the treatment table, Wilder saw Max Lowe suffer a concussion during last weekend’s draw with Fulham - Billy Sharp’s late penalty ending a run of four straight defeats.

Fleck injured his back on international duty with Scotland and the damage, which doctors described as “really unlucky” according to Wilder, could take up to six weeks to heal.

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“It was on just the wrong spot,” he said. “Anywhere else and John would probably be fine.”

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is unimpressed by some of the criticism of his players ahead of their viit to Liverpool: Gareth Copley/PA Wire.Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is unimpressed by some of the criticism of his players ahead of their viit to Liverpool: Gareth Copley/PA Wire.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is unimpressed by some of the criticism of his players ahead of their viit to Liverpool: Gareth Copley/PA Wire.

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