Sheffield United: Manager Chris Wilder issues a simple instruction to his squad as duo receive international calls

Sheffield United must become more clinical if they want to mount another play-off challenge, Chris Wilder has admitted, after acknowledging his team lacks a killer instinct.
Lee Evans will travel with Wales to the USA later this month: Simon Bellis/SportimageLee Evans will travel with Wales to the USA later this month: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Lee Evans will travel with Wales to the USA later this month: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

Despite exceeding expectations by finishing 10th in the Championship last term, the 50-year-old remains convinced United created enough openings and opportunities to have secured a top six finish.

Wilder, whose side retained a mathematical chance of qualifying for the end of season knock-outs until the penultimate match of the campaign, insisted his squad “can’t be praised enough” for its “application and attitude.”

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But he said: “We create good chances, arguably the better chances, in most of the games we play. We have the majority of the ball too so we’ve got to learn. We have to learn how to make the most of them and make sure we put that into effect.”

“That goes for all of us,” Wilder continued. “We have to learn through the summer ahead of the new season.”

Wilder, who led United to the League One title during his first season in charge, is expected to try and sign two new centre-forwards in an attempt to restore the club’s top-flight status. Although a combination of boardroom politics and budgetary constraints is complicating his search, Wilder, appointed in May 2016, has presented a list of targets to co-owners Kevin McCabe and HRH Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The two men, who are both battling for sole control, were recently warned their dispute could force the manager to consider his future at Bramall Lane. But Wilder’s decision to identify potential signings confirms his preferred option is to remain in South Yorkshire, despite interest from League One club Sunderland.

Meanwhile, United’s David Brooks and Lee Evans have been called-up by Wales for this month’s friendly against Mexico in Pasadena, California. Brooks has been recalled to the senior squad after undergoing treatment for glandular fever.