'You front it up. You don't turn your back' - Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder's message to everyone who is writing off his team

Despite challenging for a place in Europe earlier this year, only a season after being promoted from the Championship, United have started the new campaign in disappointing fashion - losing seven and drawing one of their opening eight games.

Although Wilder admitted everyone at Bramall Lane has been hurt by their poor form of late, he remains convinced the players can haul themselves out of trouble when they return to action following the international break.

“You have experiences and there’s not a downside to any experience in the game,” Wilder said. “It’s how you use them, that’s what is important.

“You have to carry on, keep your principles and ideals. If you think they’re right, and history shows that our principles and ideals are, then you keep the belief and keep on using them.”

United’s preparations for next weekend’s visit of West Ham have been complicated by injuries to several key players, although they are hopeful midfielder John Fleck and centre-forward Lys Mousset are closing in on a return to fitness after back and toe problems respectively. The duo recently resumed non-contact training at the Steelphalt Academy, where Enda Stevens is undergoing treatment for the knee complaint which forced him to miss the Republic of Ireland’s friendly with England on Thursday. Fellow defender John Egan was substituted during the early stages of that game after taking a blow to the head.

Despite being beaten 4-1 by Chelsea last weekend, Wilder is adamant United’s recent performances against Liverpool and Manchester City prove they are on the right path. Both Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola praised Wilder’s players for the commitment and quality of their displays afterwards.

“It’s a challenge but there’s always challenges in front of you,” Wilder said. “You deal with them.

“Would I rather have it the other way? You know my answer to that. But it isn’t, and there’s always chances in front of you.”

“You don’t walk away, you don’t turn your back and you don’t feel sorry for yourself. You front it up.

“We’ve got nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s Sheffield United in the Premier League.”