"No disrespect to Sheffield United" - New Sheffield Wednesday boss Tony Pulis out to make Owls city big dogs again

That is the day-one goal described by the 62-year-old, who speaking in his first press call as Owls boss commended the job done by Chris Wilder and outlined his mission to topple the Blades.

He said Wednesday’s fanbase was far bigger than United’s but admitted they had a way to go to catch their recent achievements: “When you look at the football club and in respect to the enormous support they get, you know, no disrespect to Sheffield United, but I think if you got this club into the Premier League it would be the biggest club in Sheffield.

“At the moment we’re not because Sheffield United are [in the Premier League].

“What Chris [Wilder] has done is have that five or six years stability and made reward from that stability.”

Pulis, who has been out of a job for nearly 18 months after departing Middlesbrough, was speaking after his first training session at Middlewood Road and said there are things he has already identified as requiring change.

On the Blades’ recent success he said: “The fella across the road has done a fabulous job. He’s a friend of mine and I’ve got great respect for him.

“I’d love to place this club in a similar position and wouldn’t it be lovely to have derby matches with both clubs the Premier League?

“If I can take them to the Premier League and play Sheffield United in the Premier League in front of a full house at Hillsborough, that would be my dream if someone said ‘What are you trying to achieve?’

“I’d still like Sheffield United to be in the Premier League, but I’d like us to be there beating them.”

Pulis told the assembled media that his job was to turn the club back in the right direction after years of struggle.

He said: “If you have a look at the chairman’s starting position, and the fact we were so close in the first two years to achieving what this goal is for this football club.

“And then for it to have dropped off, I’m looking at it thinking ‘What has gone wrong? Why has that happened?’”

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