Sheffield United manager issues rallying cry ahead of crunch clash with Leicester City

Chris Wilder has admitted Sheffield United are not satisfied with their achievements so far this season, coming as close as possible to admitting they are intent on qualifying for Europe without abandoning his policy of refusing to discuss the possibility.
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United prepared for tomorrow’s game against Leicester City ranked seventh in the Premier League table - only a point behind sixth-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers - with three matches of the campaign left to play.

Despite refusing to explicitly acknowledge his side are chasing either Europa League or Champions League qualification a little over a year after being promoted, Wilder did concede: “There are three games left. We need three huge performances. You have to say, for a newly promoted side, to be in our position is a great achievement.

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“But I want more out of our season and the players want more out of our season. I don’t believe they’ll down tools now and you’ll see that in their attitude.”

"Everyone here wants more, I think that goes without saying," Wilder continued. "People would be surprised if it was anything else.

"The lads just want to keep on driving it forward and then we'll reflect at the end of the season, as we always do."

Leicester, who finished the latest round of fixtures in fourth, have won only one of their seven outings since football resumed following the Covid-19 pandemic last month. United make the journey south five points behind them and hoping to avenge August’s home defeat at the hands of Brendan Rodgers’ side.

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“They (Leicester) have allowed themselves a couple of results they didn’t want to have,” Wilder, whose squad face Everton and Southampton following the visit to the King Power Stadium, said. “The Premier League is unforgiving and there’s going to be no respite in terms of the quality we are facing.”

Sheffield United's manager Chris Wilder takes his team to Leicester City in the Premier League: PETER POWELL/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesSheffield United's manager Chris Wilder takes his team to Leicester City in the Premier League: PETER POWELL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Sheffield United's manager Chris Wilder takes his team to Leicester City in the Premier League: PETER POWELL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

“On every level, it’s an exciting finish,” Wilder added. “Even teams who don’t seem to have something to play for actually do - it’s called professional pride. We are capable of winning games of football and we are capable of losing games of football. But why shouldn’t we go into these in a positive mood?”

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