Sheffield United players' frank talks inspire revival as Chris Wilder sends dressing-room message
Sheffield United's players held frank discussions over their poor start to the season during the international break, with Chris Wilder explaining why strong characters and being challenged are important inside his dressing room.
News that his Sheffield United players held a private meeting around the international break, to try and turn around their poor form around, will have been music to the ears of Chris Wilder. The Blades boss has always been big on leaders running the dressing room at Bramall Lane.
A lack of them was something he quickly identified after returning last September, and something he addressed in the summer by signing, or re-signing, the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Matt Doherty and Liam Kitching.
United also have characters towards the younger end of the scale as well and the likes of Sydie Peck and Oliver Arblaster were involved in the players-only get-together which saw honest and frank conversations over United’s poor season start, and how they could turn things around.
Since the international break United have lost once, a harsh last-minute defeat at Portsmouth after playing for more than half the game with 10 men, and could easily be going into Friday’s clash with Wrexham on the back of victory against Derby but for an inspired display from Rams goalkeeper Jacob Zetterstrom.
Wilder has never been averse to dealing with strong characters, previously giving the United armband to two players - in Billy Sharp and Jack Robinson - who were never shy in making their feelings clear.
“We want to be challenged, we want to be pushed back,” admitted Wilder. “But it's not for the benefit of the player, it's the benefit of the team and the football club. I’m alright with different opinions as well.
“How players think about each other is important, but it's not a popularity contest. It’s alright someone coming in and being funny and the life and soul of the party and jumping about all over the place.
“Anytime there's a night out, he's out there and he's cracking the jokes. You've got to be able to play and you've got to be able to contribute on the pitch as well.
“There's a little bit more thought goes into it, regarding who's driving the players internally as well. And I'm a massive believer in a strong changing room ... a massive believer in big characters in the changing room.”