'Top professional' praised by SHeffield United boss

It revolved around Jack Robinson, the defender he drafted in to deputise for the injured Jack O’Connell, and who repaid his manager’s faith with an assured performance.

“I’ve got to say, I thought Jack did well,” Wilder said. “Really well in fact. And that showed the importance and making sure you’re always ready, staying sharp and generally being a top professional.”

With O’Connell also ruled-out of Sunday’s visit to Newcastle, Robinson is expected to make only his fourth appearance for United at St James’ Park having joined the club from Nottingham Forest during the January transfer window. The match at Villa Park was his first Premier League outing for over nine years, having last featured in the top-flight for his first club Liverpool during their 5-0 win over Birmingham City at Anfield. Six days earlier, on April 17 2011, Robinson completed nearly 70 minutes of a 1-1 draw against Arsenal.

Although Wilder refused to downplay the significance of O’Connell’s absence, describing it as a “real blow” following United’s stalemate in the West Midlands, Robinson’s display went a small way towards improving his mood after the Hawkeye system failed to spot Oliver Norwood’s first-half free-kick had been carried over the line by Villa’s goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.

On the face of it, O’Connell’s role on the left-hand side of United’s three man defence is all about endurance - with Wilder demanding two of his centre-halves effectively double-up as extra wing-backs whenever his team is in possession. But dig a little deeper and it is more about choreography - with O’Connell and Chris Basham having to know when to run, when to stay and when to shadow as they attempt to thwart some of the most talented attackers in world football.

Plenty of players have tried to master the art O’Connell and Basham have spent the best part of three seasons perfecting. Most of them have struggled. Robinson has clearly used his time in South Yorkshire to not only work on his fitness, but also observing his colleagues’ movements.

With O’Connell unlikely to be back any time soon, that attention to detail could prove crucial as United attempt to haul themselves into the Champions League qualification positions.

“Everyone has got to be ready,” Wilder said, after United finished their meeting with Villa in sixth. “The schedule is going to be really tough and we’re going to need everyone on board. I’ve always been clear, what we do here is all about the group, not just those who are in the eleven.”

“It’s imperative everyone takes that message on board and I’m glad to say, looking at how the lads came back following the break, that they have,” he added. “Really, it’s so, so important. I can’t stress, actually, how important having that mindset is going to be.”

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