WET ’n’ WILD

Chris rages at limp start

SHEFFIELD UNITED boss Chris Wilder has told his Blades players to arm themselves now for the fight for Premier League survival.

Just eight games into the new season and Wilder is under no illusions that his team are already facing a battle to beat the drop.

United’s first campaign in the top flight saw them finish ninth – but one point and a goal difference of minus 10 has left them rock bottom this time.

And Wilder has warned his men ahead of today’s home clash with in-form West Ham that they must recognise the challenge that faces them before it’s too late.

He said: “There’s no getting away from it, it’s not the start that we wanted – and we have to recognise it’s going to be a different campaign to the last one.

“It’s a season that poses different challenges for us and they’re challenges we’re willing to accept.

“Does the pressure mount on me? Of course it does. You can’t get away from that and I understand it. I understand the pressure of the game and I understand the consequences of it.

“We have to keep things in perspective and be realistic with the fixtures that we’ve played, especially recently, that have not been too kind to us.”

Wilder suspected there would be a price to pay for last season’s success.

The Blades looked set to mark their first top-flight campaign in 13 years by qualifying for Europe for the first time until they were halted by the coronavirus crisis.

Their manager feels other Premier League clubs now take them deadly seriously.

But he is also expecting a backlash from his own players as they look to maintain their place in the top division.

Wilder said: “Teams see us as a serious opponent. Good performances will always earn you respect – but that doesn’t count for points.

“And that’s what we’re after, regardless of the huge gap between us and the majority of the Premier League.

“We’ve been in the division for two years out of 25 and we’re trying to close the gap.

“We’re looking to add some points to our total by turning tight defeats into draws and tight draws into wins by reminding the players that not all is lost.

“What you’ve got to look at is where our players have been and what they’ve had to achieve.

“They aren’t players who have had stellar careers right the way through. They’ve all had adversity.

“There’s no one who has played through all the England age groups or won lots of big cups. They’ve had to overcome tough times and fight their way through.

“And when you come through those periods it cements what you think about them. I’m sure we will do.”