Sheffield United Chief Refusing to Take ‘Wrecking Ball’ to Team But Demands Leaders to Step Up | OneFootball

Sheffield United welcome Cardiff City to Bramall Lane on Good Friday in a bid to try and get back on track after suffering three straight defeats.

The Blades, once strong contenders for automatic promotion, have seen their hopes all but vanish after back-to-back losses against Oxford United, Millwall, and Plymouth Argyle. Chris Wilder’s men now sit third in the table, five points off the top with only four matches left to play, including a daunting Easter Monday trip to league leaders Burnley which is an absolute must-win.

For Cardiff City, every point is crucial. The Bluebirds currently sit in 22nd place, just inside the relegation zone. Their recent 1-0 loss to Stoke City, courtesy of a late own goal by William Fish, ended a five-match unbeaten run that included four successive draws.

Before their collapse, Sheffield United were viewed as serious title contenders. But according to Opta’s supercomputer, their chances of winning the Championship have plummeted to just 0.72%, a steep fall from 40.4% prior to their defeat at Plymouth. Their odds of automatic promotion now sit at just 7.3%.

In contrast, Leeds United have surged into pole position with a 65.5% chance of claiming the title and a massive 98.7% chance of automatic promotion. Burnley, now second, boast a 33.78% chance of topping the table and a 94% shot at promotion.

Sheffield United Boss Admits Blades Have Been Lacking Creativity And Clinical Edge

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi puts Sheffield United in front against Plymouth Argyle. (Image Credit: Sheffield United Football Club).

Manager Chris Wilder admitted that United have only themselves to blame after the damaging defeats. “We haven’t been negative in our approach because we’ve had 70% possession,” Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield. “Everyone wants to sensationalise things but we haven’t been good enough, it’s as simple as that. The approach hasn’t changed from the Coventry game [a 3-1 win]. Why would it change? Why would we go from one of our best performances of the season to a negative approach in all three games? We wouldn’t and we haven’t. We just haven’t been good enough.”

He later added: “We’ve not created enough and we’ve not been clinical enough in our finishing. We’ve not done enough at both ends of the pitch. We have to accept the criticism that comes from losing three games when we should have won two of them.”

Wilder Urges Experienced Players to Step Up

Despite their slump, Wilder is determined not to overhaul the system that has won them 85 points this season. “The general shape of the team, I’m not going to take a wrecking ball to it because it’s got us to over 80 points, over two points per game. That would be quite difficult now for us to completely change our philosophy; all the work we’ve put in right the way through the season just to go into one game,” he said to the media.

“Tactically, there might be a few tweaks, selection is obviously key, but I’m not going to take a wrecking ball to it; I still believe massively in this group of players that have got us over two points per game. Expectation level has gone up throughout the season. I think the expectation level across the board in any sport has gone through the roof because of social media or whatever. You’ve got to handle that. There would’ve been a lot of people at the start of the season talking about this being a transition season for us, and there would’ve been a single figure percentage [of fans and pundits] who would’ve thought we’d be in the position we are now.”

Chris Wilder believes it’s time for his experienced players to deliver under pressure. Wilder noted: “The players should lean on their ability. We’ve got some big players that have played in big games and had big moments, so they need to lean on their past experiences. It might be different for the young lads, and some of these lads might not come through this period. Sydie, Femi, Harrison Burrows, Cooper, Jes; this is the first time they’ve experienced it at the top end of the Championship. It’s a pretty young side, as we know. They need to come through that and the older boys need to lean on their experience. Robbo, Anel, Vini, Gus, Callum O’Hare, Tyrese, Rhian, Ben Brereton Diaz have played in big games and they all need to be better.”

Chris Wilder Backing Robinson to Overcome Poor Form

One of the biggest talking points of late has been the form of Jack Robinson. The Blades’ skipper had a poor game against Plymouth Argyle up against Mustapha Bundu, and he was arguably lucky to get away with a needless bear hug inside the box in the first half. Late in the second half, Robinson would inadvertently set up Argyle’s winning goal after his poor clearance fell to the feet of Muhamed Tijani.

Speaking about the United captain, Wilder said: “I’ve spoken to Jack, he’s obviously disappointed with his performances, as we are as a team collectively. He understands that he’s a leader and needs to do better, just as everyone in that group and me and the coaching staff need to be better at our jobs. He has to lead from the front. He’s been outstanding for us so far this season. Does one or two games warrant him coming out of the side? There’s always that question that we need to pick the right side, and that’s up to me and something I need to try and get right.”

Wilder added that you want experienced players like Robinson to help to lead a squad when you’re in the high pressure games, like what the Blades find themselves in now.