The two steps Sheffield United have taken to try and help them stun Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

Even Chris Wilder admits he is “worried” by results as his team, which has prepared for Saturday’s game against Chelsea in 19th place, struggles to rediscover the vigour and vibrancy which made it such a formidable proposition en route to a ninth placed finish last term.

The visit to Stamford Bridge, where Frank Lampard spent the summer assembling a collection of attacking talent fit to rival the very best in Europe, is the latest in a series of challenging assignments for Wilder’s side who, after facing Liverpool 13 days ago, make the journey to London on the back of a meeting with a Manchester City side boasting nearly £500m worth of talent in its starting eleven.

Although both those contests ended in narrow defeats, Wilder has seen enough from his players in recent weeks to convince him those suggesting a long, hard and ultimately unsuccessful campaign beckons.

“We are always worried when we don’t get the result we are after,” he said, ahead of the trip to the capital, where Lampard still has the likes of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech at his disposal despite Kai Havertz’s positive test for Covid-19. “It’s just getting that balance right.

“The team is doing a lot of things right, and we are playing at the ultimate and elite level in this country. We feel a result is just around the corner. I believe one is. We keep going and driving the players forward.”

Wilder’s confidence in United’s ability to overcome their present difficulties stems from a number of sources, including the demeanor of his squad around its Steelphalt Academy training complex, the statistical information compiled by match analysts at Bramall Lane and, perhaps most importantly, gut instinct.

There have been claims that a change of approach, either on the pitch or off it, where Wilder has showcased his man-management skills on numerous occasions since taking charge, could reap benefits. Coaching staff issued two simple instructions when those under Wilder’s command gathered for a routine briefing on Monday morning, but the 53-year-old does not believe it is time for a post-match pitstop at a local off licence or early Christmas party - something his predecessor Dave Bassett famously organised in the summer of 1992 - just yet. After taking the lead at Anfield, United would have returned home with a draw had Oliver Burke converted a clear cut chance following efforts from Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota. John Lundstram also missed an opportunity to equalise when Kyle Walker, the former United defender, had edged Pep Guardiola’s men in front last weekend.

“There’s nothing worrying in their body language,” Wilder said. “It’s difficult not to look at the league table, but I’ve told the players not to. We have plenty of months to change the position. We have to block out the noise and nonsense and focus on what we can change,” he added. “Stamford Bridge is a tough place to go, they are in good form but results sometimes come from out of nowhere. And we were close in the last two.”