Chris Wilder Addresses Sheffield United Team News And Negativity As Blades Prepare For Charlton Trip

Sheffield United travel to the capital on Saturday afternoon to face Charlton Athletic in the EFL Championship, with Chris Wilder’s side looking to extend their unbeaten run and move closer to the play-off places.

The Blades have enjoyed a noticeable improvement in results in recent weeks, picking up points consistently and building some much-needed momentum. Their latest victory came on Tuesday night, when United produced an impressive comeback to beat Preston North End 3-2 at Deepdale.

Sydie Peck was the star of the show in Lancashire, scoring a superb hat-trick to help United secure all three points despite falling behind inside the opening two minutes. The result extended the Blades’ unbeaten run to four matches and moved them up to ninth in the Championship table.

More importantly, Wilder’s side are now just one point away from the play-off positions, giving them a real opportunity to put themselves firmly in the promotion conversation if they can maintain their current form.

Charlton Athletic have endured a difficult run of form, losing their last four consecutive Championship fixtures. Their most recent setback came at The Valley, where they suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Bolton Wanderers.

The Addicks have now slipped to 21st in the table and are just four points clear of the relegation zone. Nathan Jones will be increasingly concerned about his side’s performances, particularly with confidence likely to be suffering after another damaging defeat on home soil.

Charlton could hand former Sheffield United defender Tyler Bindon an opportunity to feature in their defensive line this weekend.

The New Zealand international previously spent time with the Blades and could be involved as Jones looks to find a solution to his side’s recent defensive problems.

Meanwhile, United could receive a significant boost with the potential return of three players ahead of their trip to the capital.

Wilder was without former Leeds United trio Kalvin Phillips, Joe Rothwell and Patrick Bamford for the victory against Preston, but all three could return to the matchday squad against Charlton.

Their availability would provide the Blades with some welcome additional options, particularly in midfield, where Wilder has been carefully managing the workload of several players.

Jairo Riedewald, Oliver Arblaster and Femi Seriki are among those whose minutes have been monitored in recent matches, with United having to balance the demands of a busy Championship schedule.

Riedewald was important against Preston, with the midfielder handed an opportunity to start and making the most of his chance in Lancashire.

Wilder was pleased with the Dutchman’s contribution and highlighted the strength of competition within his squad when discussing the decision to include him.

“I think it just shows the character that we have in the group. It’s been a difficult period. It’s always a difficult period when a player doesn’t play, and Jairo hasn’t played as much football as he would have liked,” Wilder explained in his pre-match press conference, via The Star.

“But then, in the same breath, you’re talking about Sydie [Peck], and you’re talking about Kalvin [Phillips], talking about Joe Rothwell and Blaster [Arblaster] as well.

“It’s an area of the pitch that we’re well stocked, and we’ve got good players, but quickly things happen, and tactically we felt it was the right thing to play Jairo there on Tuesday night, and he can be pleased with his performance.”

Despite United’s recent improvement, Wilder has also faced questions about some negativity among sections of the Sheffield United support. The Blades have endured plenty of frustration throughout the campaign, with inconsistent performances and disappointing results contributing to criticism of the manager and his selection decisions.

Wilder stated that the atmosphere has been challenging at times, but insisted that his players continue to give everything for the club. “I’ve got to say it’s been a little bit difficult because, at times, you get it,” Wilder admitted.

“But that’s how it is. There are always opinions on things. Whether it’s selection, whether it’s formation, whatever it is. But I think what you see from a team that we try and put together is that they give everything. Sometimes they might not be good enough, sometimes they will make mistakes.

“But the group will always have a go and we’re working tirelessly to improve the group. And I think people are gradually seeing that.”

The United manager also made it clear that he is comfortable with criticism and understands that supporters will always have their own opinions about how the team should be performing. However, he wants his players and coaching staff to remain focused on the task at hand rather than becoming distracted by outside noise.

“I’m fine with it [the criticism]. I’m fine. I’m all right with it. We’ve just got to keep working away, keep getting our heads down. Not get carried away when we win a game of football, and not taking a wrecking ball to it when we don’t get the results that we’re after as well.”

The Blades have a real opportunity to take advantage of their opponents’ struggles on Saturday afternoon. With the potential return of Phillips, Rothwell and Bamford, alongside the confidence gained from four consecutive unbeaten matches, Wilder could have a stronger squad available to him than in midweek.