Why the critics have got Sheffield United so wrong as they predict more disappointment awaits them at Chelsea

United enter tomorrow’s game against Chelsea still without a win this season, after losing six and drawing one of their seven games so far.

That disappointing sequence of results has prompted some pundits to claim Wilder’s squad are already destined for a survival battle, despite finishing ninth last term. Although he acknowledged United’s form ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge is a cause for concern, Wilder accused those already writing-off his team of forgetting how they achieved promotion in the first place - finishing above numerous big spending clubs during their climb out of the Championship 19 months ago.

“We fought like hell, against all the odds, to get here,” he said. “And we’re going to have to fight to stay here. But we knew that, we’re ready for it and these lads have got the ability and the character to do it.

“I don’t want them jumping through hoops, because things aren’t going that well at the moment and they’re not. But they aren’t down either. It’s a positive environment here, that’s what we’ve built and people outside can say whatever they want. But we have full belief that we can get results.”

United travel to London boosted by the knowledge that, after coming from 2-0 down to secure a share of the spoils in last season’s corresponding fixture with Frank Lampard’s side, they later beat Chelsea 3-0 at Bramall Lane. Since then, however, Lampard has assembled one of the most fearsome attacks in Europe, with Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech among those still at his disposal despite doubts over Christian Pulisic’s involvement due to a hamstring complaint and Kai Havertz’s positive test for coronavirus.

“They enjoy being in the Premier League,” Wilder, who will again be without John Fleck and Lys Mousset, said. “They aren’t going to enjoy it when things aren’t going well, obviously, because they are human beings. But they aren’t feeling sorry for themselves, no way, because that’s not what they’re all about.”

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