The area where Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder believes Sheffield Wednesday don’t get enough credit

Wednesday players clubbed together £20,000 to kickstart a club charity effort that will support vulnerable people affected by the pandemic in the local community.

And figures such as Jacob Murphy have been praised for their individual efforts – the Newcastle loanee pictured delivering prescriptions to the elderly close to his family home in Norfolk.

And while there have been high-profile incidents of lockdown breaching by Premier League players, both Sheffield clubs appear to have conducted themselves well, with no controversy having come from either camp to date.

Speaking to the local media via video call on Tuesday, Owls boss Garry Monk joined Josh Windass in saying he felt footballers had been unfairly targeted during the pandemic. Windass took exception to health minister Matt Hancock singling out his profession as one that needed to contribute more to society.

Blades man Wilder agreed footballers have been given a rough deal, going on to claim Wednesday are one of the clubs that deserve more plaudits for the positive work they do.

“We have come together and I think the attitude towards the players at the start of all this was a little bit distasteful,” he said.

“But as it has come around, they have done their bit and always will do. A lot of work is done by players of both Sheffield clubs that is not spread over the media and even in the county with what clubs do behind the scenes.

“There are an awful lot of opinions and speculation, but thankfully for me, there is a bit of a light at the end of the tunnel.”

In the blue corner, Monk passionately spoke up for his players when asked about the club’s return to training on Monday.

“I think football players have been portrayed particularly poorly during this period, with what I’ve read,” he said.

“They’re human beings. They’ve got the same problems as everyone else, the same issues as everyone else, the same concerns as anyone else.”