Wilder has to stay on at Blades

CHRIS WILDER has been a victim of his own success – and whatever happens to Sheffield United now, I hope he stays in charge next season.

The Blades are staring down both barrels. One point from 13 games, the latest defeat against Manchester United (below right), is no basis for survival.

But Wilder kept pulling rabbits from the hat to win two promotions, and he procured a miracle to keep p them in contention for Europe for most of last season.

If Sheffield United go down, as seems likely, he deserves the chance to bring them back up.

Norwich sank like a lead balloon last season, but they stood by head coach Daniel Farke and look at them now – sitting pretty at the top of the Championship.

If the Blades overachieved massively last year, they have been on the wrong side of too many fine margins, in both boxes, this season.

And I believe they were hit harder by the pandemic than any other club in the top flight.

From the moment goalline technology robbed them in the first game of Project Restart at Aston Villa, they have lost momentum – and when a surfer loses the wave, he can never be sure the next one will be as exhilarating.

I have huge respect for Wilder (top), Alan Knill and the coaching staff at Bramall Lane.

It must be souldestroying to approach Christmas with just one point on the board.

Right now, their first base will be to try and get past Derby County’s record low of 11 points in a Premier League season in 2007-08 – when I was part of that Rams team.

Trust me, I’m not going to rejoice if they fall short.

But Sheffield United’s plight now must not be allowed to taint everything Wilder has achieved.

Unlike West Brom’s treatment of Slaven Bilic, I hope they stick with him beyond this season.