BEER MATCH FOR WILDER
Blades boss likes a drink to stay positive
CHRIS WILDER jokes that Sheffield United’s struggles at the bottom of the Premier League are driving him to drink.
The Blades boss might be stuck in a Tier Three lockdown in South Yorkshire that prevents him from plotting a Great Escape to his local pub.
But that hasn’t stopped him from having a shandy or two in recent weeks after a winless start to the season that has now stretched to 10 matches.
Asked how he was keeping his spirits up Wilder laughed: “Mr Beer and Mr Wine – and the missus and the family!
“They understand that the life and times of a professional manager aren’t all rosy. You have to go through these periods. That’s part of the game and we all understand that.
“We’ve got to be positive. As you can imagine with the connection I have with this club, this has probably been the hardest period I have been through in my managerial career.
“It hurts to see that league table and the position we’re in. You have to motivate yourself and get yourself up and going. So that means having a couple of swift ones now and then to ease the pain!”
Wilder has been waging a war of words with Jurgen Klopp in the media in recent weeks over the Liverpool’s manager’s attempts to persuade Premier League clubs to allow five substitutes this season.
But while Klopp might not be on his Christmas card list this year, the Blades boss has revealed that other managers have made it clear they have got his back as he battles to turn the tide.
And it doesn’t get any easier, with Leicester visiting Bramall Lane today.
Wilder said: “I’ve had some fabulous support from other managers who understand the position we are in and where we are at as a football club.
“I think it is quite humbling when people take time out when they don’t have to – even a couple of fellow managers who are also in and around our position.
“I won’t embarrass them by namechecking them, but over the last week they have come and offered words of advice and support.
“I’m talking about some top football people who have achieved incredible success in the game. It’s humbling because we are all after the same results and it’s difficult for every manager.
“But I think there are certain times that managers come together and know how tough the job is. They know what I am going through.”
“I’ve never got above my station. When some nice things were said about me, I sometimes shook my head and thought, ‘Not really’.
“I’m just the boy from Sheffield who has worked hard and got a good team around him. I’ve got good players.
“I do think I’m a better manager now than I’ve ever been. But it’s like the snakes and ladders of football management isn’t it?
“We all like the compliments because that tells you you’re doing a good job and your team is in a good position. But you have to take the other bits and pieces as well.
“It’s not a problem. I am not precious or arrogant enough to think I won’t get criticism. I know how tough this game is. I know how difficult it is, particularly with Sheffield United in the Premier League.
“There are huge challenges still, even though we’ve had a fabulous two or three years. We still have to move forward as a football club and believe that the season can quickly change.”