The telephone calls between Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder and Burnley's Sean Dyche

So great is the respect they have for one another that even before his Burnley team began taking its first baby steps towards Premier League survival, Sean Dyche still found the time to telephone Chris Wilder and offer words of comfort, support and even a little unsolicited advice.
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“The good guys in football are still there,” Wilder reminded, following a weekend which saw Sheffield United slip even further into trouble at the bottom of the table. “I think it speaks volumes for the type of person Sean is that, a few weeks ago, he took the time to get in touch for a chat.”

Tonight at Turf Moor, United’s latest calling point on what is already threatening to become a record breaking journey for all the wrong reasons, Wilder will find himself sharing a technical area with someone he counts not only as a personal friend but also one of his closest professional colleagues. However, like Dyche, whose side have prepared for the match one place above the relegation zone, the 53-year-old has no plans to let their relationship cloud his judgement as both clubs go in search of what would be an important victory.

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Although the exact details of the conversation they shared remain private, some of the subjects Wilder and Dyche discussed have emerged over the past 72 hours. Inevitably, with his team still without a win this term following Saturday’s defeat by Everton, they included the tricks United’s manager can employ to try and help the visitors rediscover the form which saw them finish ninth last season. One, particularly favoured by the two men, involves treating every day as if it is your first in the job.

Chris Wilder, the manager of Sheffield United, and Burnley's Sean Dyche have both performed miracles with their respective clubs: Simon Bellis/SportimageChris Wilder, the manager of Sheffield United, and Burnley's Sean Dyche have both performed miracles with their respective clubs: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Chris Wilder, the manager of Sheffield United, and Burnley's Sean Dyche have both performed miracles with their respective clubs: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

“You look at everything when you walk into a club,” Wilder told The Star last night. “Here, I was at an advantage because as a fan and knowing people here, I already knew a lot of where it was going wrong.

“You very rarely step in somewhere if things are going well. So you have to analyse all aspects of the club. Sometimes, though, there isn’t a lot more you can do that simply go through the process and come out the other side.”

Ominously for United as they attempt to broaden the theatre of the relegation dogfight, Burnley are accomplished survivalists; perfecting the techniques required to escape the trap door leading back to the Championship pretty much every season since being promoted in 2016. It should not escape the attention of Bramall Lane hierarchy, though, that Dyche’s eight year reign has not been one of continuous success. Indeed, having reached the top-flight during his first full season in charge, the former Chesterfield defender, facing many of the same challenges confronting Wilder now, was forced to spend nine months rebuilding in the second tier after failing to lead Burnley to safety.

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“I’m not thinking about that, I’m really not,” Wilder said, refusing to discuss the idea that relegation is a disappointment rather than a disaster providing proper strategies are in place. “There are some examples where clubs quite like it, where clubs go again. All I’m bothered about is having a professional desire.

Carlo Ancelotti's Everton edged past Sheffield United on Boxing Day at Bramall Lane: Simon Bellis/SportimageCarlo Ancelotti's Everton edged past Sheffield United on Boxing Day at Bramall Lane: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Carlo Ancelotti's Everton edged past Sheffield United on Boxing Day at Bramall Lane: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

“Some clubs probably like to bounce back. Some like to deal with it and some probably don’t want to get promoted at all. Burnley have done brilliant, but I’m sure Sean didn’t enjoy that season (in the Championship).”

Wilder’s admiration for Dyche was again in evidence when he discussed this evening’s match with journalists on Sunday morning. Challenging the notion that his opposite number would struggle to replicate his achievements with a more fashionable or minted club, it was difficult to escape the feeling that Wilder was also talking about himself when he dismissed suggestions that whilst Dyche’s methods might be perfectly suited to a team like Burnley, they lack the sophistication required to resonate with world class talents.

“Who says Sean wouldn’t manage big clubs with big budgets and big time players? Of course he can,” Wilder said. “He knows the game inside out. He’s shown what he’s capable of over a consistent period and Burnley have been an amazing story under him. If he had what others have got, he could do it no problems. Nobody knows the backstory of different people. People just tend to make assumptions.”

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After losing to Carlo Ancelotti’s side, United travel across the Pennines with the unenviable record of making the joint worst start to a season in any of England’s leading four divisions; being beaten in all but two of their outings so far. But with 10 of those losses coming by a single goal, and restrictions imposed because of the Covid-19 pandemic continuing to wreak havoc with teams’ form books and schedules, Wilder is convinced United can still drag themselves to safety. Providing they address some of the issues he identified after watching Gylfi Sigurdsson’s 80th minute goal settle last weekend’s contest. The faults Wilder highlighted include a lack of fluency going forward and the type of concentration lapse which presented the Icelandic midfielder with the chance to thread the ball past Aaron Ramsdale. All are symptoms of low confidence, although coaching staff believe United can use the situation to their own advantage.

Sheffield United's Ben Osborn reacts at full time during the English Premier League football match between Sheffield United and Everton at Bramall Lane: ALEX LIVESEY/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesSheffield United's Ben Osborn reacts at full time during the English Premier League football match between Sheffield United and Everton at Bramall Lane: ALEX LIVESEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Sheffield United's Ben Osborn reacts at full time during the English Premier League football match between Sheffield United and Everton at Bramall Lane: ALEX LIVESEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

“There’s no pressure on us,” Wilder said. “There’s far more on the teams above us because everyone will be looking at us thinking ‘they’re down.’ So we can just go for it, and try to prove them all wrong. Because, and I don’t care what anybody says, there is so much to admire about this team with the qualities and the character it’s got.”

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