Blades are brewing up a Great Escape
IT’S NEVER TOO LATTE AS WILDER BOYS BOND OVER THE CAPPUCCINOS!
CHRIS WILDER was reassured that there were no issues with the team culture at Sheffield United – after he bumped into half of his squad having a coffee together.
The Blades are rock-bottom of the Premier League and have been written off by many pundits as no-hopers in the fight for survival.
Yet last weekend’s 3-1 win at Luton gave Wilder’s men a glimmer of hope and he believes his group remain united – despite their dismal campaign.
Wilder (left) said: “They are not all going to be best pals but you expect characters. If they do form relationships off the pitch, I’d encourage that.
“I should imagine the majority of times when they’re going for a coffee they will be talking about football and how they can improve.
“There was one instance when I drove up Ecclesall Road to Costa Coffee and there were about 10 or 11 boys having a coffee together in the corner and that’s great for me.
“If they’re together as a group off the pitch, then you’ve got more chance of them being together on it as well.”
Wilder will hand a Premier League debut to midfielder Oliver Arblaster, 19, against Brighton today and is aiming to build a team with a homegrown heart.
The environment at the Blades’ Shirecliffe training ground is hugely important to Wilder, who grew up supporting the club and then represented them on the pitch.
Leadership is key and Wilder said: “You see it at all clubs – especially all the top clubs.
“If you take Liverpool, big players such as a James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Virgil van Dijk or Mo Salah can go – but the club will always move on, because other players take on that leadership role.
“Of course you sign players on all their attributes and you’ve got to look at the leadership skills and whether or not they can grow.
“We have to produce those sort of individuals as well, but what I’ve been impressed with are the young lads here who already have the traits of a Sheffield United player.”
If the Blades go down, they will go down fighting but as the Championship beckons, Wilder is likely to build his team around a core of homegrown stars next term. Conjecture surrounds the future of striker Daniel Jebbison, 20, but Wilder revealed positive discussions took place this week.
He said: “Jebbo’s in talks with the chief executive so it’s all positive. We also had a Zoom meeting with the owners on Thursday so we’re confident and hopeful – given the attitude of the boy and his parents – that he sees his future here and will sign up.”
Today’s opponents Brighton stuffed Wilder’s men 5-2 at Bramall Lane in the FA Cup fourth round last month.
Wilder added: “Roberto De Zerbi has done an outstanding job as Brighton manager. It was set up for him, but he took it to the next level.
“Everyone talks about how difficult it is to play against this Brighton side – but you can get it right.”