'Fighting and punching' - Chris Wilder makes Sheffield United promise after Stoke City defeat
Chris Wilder watched his side lose 2-1 to Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has said his team will “come out fighting and punching” on the other side of the international break following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium.
United suffered a fourth defeat in their last five matches in all competitions in Staffordshire, losing by the odd goal in three after late strikes from Jack McGlynn and Sam Gallagher sealed a come-from-behind win for the Potters.
United had their noses in front going into the final quarter of an hour after Kalvin Phillips’ free-kick six minutes into the second half had given them the lead, but two outstanding strikes turned the contest in Stoke’s favour.
The defeat to Mark Robins’ side marked a third defeat in four league games for Wilder’s troops, meaning the mood around Bramall Lane is far from harmonious heading into the three-week international break.
However, Wilder is confident his side will benefit from the pause, insisting they will overcome their recent struggles.
Wilder explained: “Getting the likes of the other boys — Femi [Seriki], Harrison Burrows and Ryan Oné — back after the international break will be a big boost to the group.
“So, we’ve just got to deal with it. As I said, it’s a tough little period that we’re going through. Whether it’s personally or as a team, it tests you.
“You don’t enjoy it, but you have to come out fighting and punching, and we certainly will. We know the narrative at the moment will be pretty negative, even though we’re not marooned at the bottom of the division or in the bottom third.
“I’m not saying that would be acceptable, because it certainly won’t be, but I think the level of performances, especially over the last two games, for people with a level head and taking the emotion out of it, has been pretty good.”