Chris Wilder highlights key to sparking Sheffield United bounce back after Blackburn Rovers defeat
Chris Wilder was visibly frustrated with the manner of Sheffield United’s performance in their 3-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has highlighted the importance of being able “to pick the right team” ahead of Saturday’s Championship tussle with Preston North End at Deepdale.
The Blades, who were beaten 3-2 by the Lilywhites when they met at Deepdale back in October, saw their two-game winning run come to an end in disappointing fashion on Wednesday night, being beaten 3-1 by Blackburn Rovers at Bramall Lane.
Rovers, who arrived in S2 knowing a victory would see them secure Championship survival, raced into a three-goal lead by half-time via goals from Yuki Ohashi (2) and Ryōya Morishita. They took full advantage of some abject Blades defending to take a commanding lead into the break.
United, following four half-time changes, offered a better version of themselves in the second half and pulled a goal back through Harrison Burrows’ fifth goal of the season, but too much damage had already been done, meaning a comeback failed to materialise.
The result only further strengthened Wilder’s argument to oversee a major rebuilding project at Bramall Lane this summer, with several players failing to do enough to justify being part of Wilder’s plans next term.
Femi Seriki, Sydie Peck and Andre Brooks have all been regular starters this season, but none of them were considered fit enough to start after recently being unwell. Peck was introduced at half-time and Seriki replaced Ki-Jana Hoever with 24 minutes to go.
With Wilder, all being well, expected to recall the trio against Preston on Saturday, he is determined to give United’s supporters something to cheer in what will mark their final home game of the season.
"I haven't got a lot of time to do it, but it is more about trying to pick the right team," Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield, addressing the work that needs to be done ahead of Saturday’s game. "There will obviously be changes.
"We suffered a little bit; there was a little bit of illness in the camp, but that is not an excuse. Brooksy would have played, Femi would have played and Sydie would have played. They weren't able to start the game.
"I thought Tyler's [Bindon] attitude when he came on the pitch was excellent. He gets a whack, he doesn't go off, he stays on the pitch. Really small positives.
"But we are in tomorrow (Thursday) and we have got to get it right for Saturday because I don't want everyone to feel like this on our last home game. It was certainly not what we expected, and it is certainly not what we prepared for or approached the game for.
"Unfortunately it has happened, we have got to own it, and we have got to move on."