Sheffield United: 'The Blades don't get enough credit...and here's the proof'

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s visit to Wolverhampton Wanderers, which could see United climb to fifth in the table, Wilder insisted much of the analysis surrounding his side’s results this term focuses on the strength of rival teams.

The United manager used the narrative surrounding last month’s win over Arsenal, coupled with recent draws against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, to explain why he feels his charges are not receiving the credit they deserve.

“People always say ‘so and so had an off day,’ whereas I’d like to think we had a pretty good one,” Wilder said. “Nothing gets given to you in this division. Nothing. If people don’t do well against us, sometimes that happens. But it might also be to do with the fact the lads haven’t allowed them to be at their best, or have played pretty well themselves.”

United travel to Molineux hoping to extend their unbeaten run to six games, after successfully acclimatising to life back in the top-flight following a 12 year absence. Having finished second in the Championship last term, they are the highest of all the newly promoted clubs; accumulating four more points than Aston Villa and moving eight ahead of Norwich City.

United, in sixth, also troubled second-placed Leicester City and leaders Liverpool before beating Arsenal at Bramall Lane five weeks ago.

“When Jurgen Klopp and Brendan Rodgers came into my office afterwards, you got the sense they knew they’d had to do a lot of things right to get those wins,” Wilder, who will recall goalkeeper Dean Henderson for the trip to Molineux, said. “They knew they’d had to work for everything they’d got and that’s credit to our lads, because they always give everything.

“They never, no matter what the situation, just slip out of the back door. They always, come what may, leave through the front.”