Chris Wilder delighted with Sheffield United on and off pitch as George Baldock honoured

Chris Wilder was delighted that Sheffield United got the balance right on and off the pitch this afternoon as they beat Stoke City 2-0 in a perfect tribute to late former star George Baldock. The game was United’s first at Bramall Lane since the Greek international’s tragic passing earlier this month.

Both sides poignantly remembered Baldock pre-match, while the final few minutes of a dominant United performance were played out to the tune of Baldock’s Starman song reverberating around the famous old stadium. Post-match United carried Baldock’s shirt on their lap of honour before posing in front of the Kop, players and staff, in their former teammate’s memory.

Joy to watch, 'housery - United player ratings from Stoke win

Third suspension blow in three SUFC games as key man misses Blackburn

For the latest Blades news straight to your inbox, sign up for The Star’s free Sheffield United newsletter

“We got the balance right, on and off the pitch. It all went as we would have loved it to have gone and the players were outstanding. I’m really proud of the players. We had to get the professionalism right; that was the biggest message to the players. And we did.

“We controlled the game. It was a bit sloppy in the second half, with a couple of bits. You’re always wary that the opposition can get back into it and 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline. They were pushing people forward and taking risks. We could be better on the counter attack and we should have gone from two to three, but that’s 24 points from 12 games and I'm delighted with the players.”

Strikers Kieffer Moore and Tyrese Campbell scored the goals while a good display from Viktor Johansson - who otherwise may not look back on Campbell’s goal against his former club with much fondness - helped keep the scoreline down, repelling good efforts from Vini Souza (twice from distance) and sub Jamie Shackleton late on.

“It's been the toughest two weeks, personally, of my time in football since I was 16,” Wilder added on the aftermath of Baldock’s passing. “That's the impact of it all, for the players and staff as well and even people in our canteen or people who saw someone every day. Then you chuck in two really difficult away games [away at Leeds and Middlesbrough].

Another step in United takeover bid taken amid hopes saga is near end

“Whenever it would have been, it would have been difficult to go and get a result at Leeds. We're not taking it lightly or brushing it off, we looked at ourselves. Two top teams back-to-back, but it's been quite a difficult last two weeks.”

Part of his remit over the last few weeks has been assessing his players’ individual state of mind during a tough period. “I was speaking to the club doctor the other day and I said it's really difficult to fathom that out, to decide and judge,” said Wilder. “We try to make the place as bouncy as possible and be upbeat, even though the situation is not that.

“We've not been coming in and feeling low, we're coaches and leaders and have to set the tone of the training ground through experience. So we try and be bright as possible, the players have showed some incredible personality. Twelve games, 24 points. And a big performance today and a big result on a really poignant day.”