Anniversary adds to Wilder’s desire for quiet deadline day
SHEFFIELD UNITED manager Chris Wilder is hoping for a less frantic end to next month’s January transfer window than 2017.
The Blades boss got married on January 31 this year, meaning he had to juggle transfer business on his big day.
Just hours before he tied the knot, he was thrashing out the deal which took rookie goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to Premier League side Bournemouth.
So, with a first wedding anniversary on the horizon, Wilder has extra motivation to finalise his January transfers sooner rather than later.
“It’s my wedding anniversary on transfer deadline day so I have been told I have got to get things wrapped up,” smiled Wilder.
“Last time on transfer deadline day, I was getting married at 3pm and at 1pm I was sorting the Aaron Ramsdale deal out, which was quite funny.
“We had a phone call from Bournemouth, wanting to sort the deal out. I was in a restaurant having a bite to eat.
“It was like, deal done, bang, now let’s get my suit on.
“So hopefully ins and outs on transfer deadline day this year, it will be a quiet day.
“The sooner we get players in, integrated into the group, the the better.
“Obviously, we are always dictated to by other things.”
The Blades need to strengthen next month, although talks to sign Southend United midfielder Ryan Leonard are still ongoing.
“We are looking to do our business early, but things change,” said Wilder.
“We identified one player, and I think we have resurrected his career. He is back in their first team and playing well.
“Until you get the player signed on the dotted line, in the club, with a shirt on their back, you are never certain.
“But we are working extremely hard and hopefully we will have stuff done early on.” ARSENAL celebrated Arsene Wenger’s record-equalling match as a Premier League manager by winning at Crystal Palace.
At a time when there are still doubts about Wenger’s abilities despite his remarkable longevity – in overseeing his 810th Premier League fixture the Frenchman equalled the record of Sir Alex Ferguson – his team displayed so many of the traits he inspires.
They often outplayed their hosts, securing victory when a finish from Shkodran Mustafi and two goals from Alexis Sanchez ensured they remain sixth and continue their push for the top four, but were also frequently stretched.
Palace had been undefeated in eight and, though they next host Manchester City, by often resisting their visitors and going level with Andros Townsend’s goal, again demonstrated they can survive.
Granit Xhaka had already gone close when, in the 25th minute, as Palace struggled to clear their lines, Alexandre Lacazette’s shot forced Julian Speroni into a save that only reached the unmarked Mustafi, who tapped in with ease.
The hosts’ equalising goal came four minutes into the second half. Wilfried Zaha used his footwork to cross towards Townsend, who under little pressure finished first-time into the bottom left corner beyond the diving Petr Cech.
When Christian Benteke halfheartedly cleared a corner to Calum Chambers, the defender returned possession to the Palace box where Lacazette and Sanchez combined to create space for the latter to strike.
Four minutes later a brilliant chipped-pass from inside his own half by Jack Wilshere sent Sanchez into space and he finished superbly.
In the 89th minute Townsend crossed to James Tomkins who headed in, but Arsenal held on.