Talisman Sharp and Blades bench men are hailed by manager Wilder

SHEFFIELD UNITED manager Chris Wilder is adamant that the Blades’ late window signings of Sander Berge, Panos Retsos and Richairo Zivkovic are already having a positive spin-off effect on his squad players.

The Blades moved up to fifth place in the Premier League following Sunday’s come-frombehind win over Bournemouth, with substitutes Lys Mousset and John Lundstram – who have found themselves on the bench in the past three league games – combining to settle the contest six minutes from time in a 2-1 triumph.

Wilder, whose side are now on a short winter break in Dubai, heaped praise on the duo and on other squad members who have reacted in the best possible way to finding themselves out of the first XI for spells this season, including talismanic captain Billy Sharp.

Wilder said: “When you sign players, you are looking to sign good people as well. Ambitious ones and ones who can overcome disappointment and are selfless.

“Of course, they have to look after their careers and there always becomes a time and a place when they have to make those decisions.

“But for the reason why you bring good players in is for your other players to grow and get better as well and stay on the journey.

“Lundstram’s contribution over the last two games has been outstanding. Mousset has come on and seen Richairo come into the building and David McGoldrick back training and on the bench.

“I could name them all. The skipper has found game-time hard to come by but his attitude, yet again, has been great.

“It is easy when you are playing and scoring goals and he has played and scored goals for the last three years.

“Now is a different type of test for Billy. He has been out of the side and shown his reaction and I thought him and (Oli) McBurnie were outstanding and gave their two centre-halves a torrid afternoon.

“Billy hasn’t played as much as he would have liked but off the pitch, he’s been a fantastic leader.

“Billy had offers to leave in January but he wanted to stay. It’s been a different type of test, not that I want to put him through a

BILLY SHARP: Scored his first Premier League goal in the victory over Bournemouth on Sunday. test, but it is, and he showed his reaction. It speaks volumes.”

Also reserving plaudits for the contribution of goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who made a key save to thwart Ryan Fraser in outstanding fashion in the final quarter when the scoreline was tantalisingly poised at 1-1, the Blades chief added: “I have said all along that I don’t think there is a better one (goalkeeper) in the division at this moment.

“He has got to keep his standards high and eye on the ball. I think everybody talks about concentration levels.

“For me, I was looking a lot to the right in the second half and it was us building the pressure and momentum up – still knowing that Callum Wilson, Harry Wilson and Fraser were dangerous. (Josh) King came on and is an outstanding player.

“Concentration levels had to be right up there and this league is unforgiving.

“The goalkeeper had to make sure he was absolutely spot-on and he was. He has not had a lot to do, but he made a big save for us which was crucial.”

The Blades return to action on Saturday week against Brighton at Bramall Lane and while not being a fan of the winter break, Wilder and his staff will utilise the time wisely.

Sunday’s win moved the Blades up to fifth in the Premier League table and to within two points of Chelsea, who occupy the final Champions League spot.

Wilder again refused to be drawn on the subject of qualifying for Europe, but Cherries chief Eddie Howe insisted it would be a mistake not to include the Blades in the conversation.

On what the club’s plans are, Wilder quipped: “It is top secret! It is a little bit of both (training and relaxation).”