Sheffield United's 'remarkable' talent spotters can continue weaving their magic

Highlighting the scouting department’s ability to unearth players with the potential to excel at Premier League level without commanding price tags to match, Wilder acknowledged it is a quality United are likely to have to demonstrate again following tomorrow’s visit to Southampton.

With Reading midfielder John Swift hopeful of joining former Rangers goalkeeper Wes Foderingham at Bramall Lane shortly, Wilder said: “We’ll try and produce what we have done over the last amount of windows, which is to bring players in, improve them and make them better, which adds to their value. It’s never been easy and pound for pound, what we’ve done with what we’ve had to spend, we’ve done remarkably well. Mitch and the guys doing the hard yards and the studying - they deserve enormous credit.”

Wilder was speaking after it emerged United have accumulated more points per pounds spent on wages than any other top-flight side since 1999 since being promoted from the Championship last term. They enter their final match of the present campaign in eight, and assured of finishing no lower than 10th.

“It isn’t lazy recruitment and we won’t overpay just to get people through the door,” Wilder said. “There’s a thought process behind what we do and there has to be, because although not everything will come off, we can’t afford for too many not to.”

An important message: Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues. The Star is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions for unlimited access to Sheffield news and information online. Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city. Once again, thank you. James.