Wilder Provides Injury Update And Takes Blame For Defeat at Pompey
Sheffield United travel to Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon to face Bristol City in the EFL Championship, with Chris Wilder hoping his side can quickly put their heartbreaking defeat against Portsmouth behind them.
The Blades showed tremendous character to fight back from a two-goal deficit despite playing with ten men for more than an hour at Fratton Park on Wednesday evening. However, their efforts ultimately counted for nothing as Ebou Adams struck a late volley to secure all three points for Portsmouth in a dramatic 3-2 victory.
United will now look to respond against a Bristol City side that have experienced mixed fortunes in recent weeks, while Wilder has provided an update on the fitness of several members of his squad ahead of the weekend encounter.
The Robins enter Saturday’s fixture having recorded one victory, one draw and one defeat in their previous three Championship outings.
Their most recent result was a disappointing 1-0 home defeat against Blackburn Rovers, leaving them looking to get back on track when the Blades arrive in the West Country.
Sheffield United will be recovering physically and mentally from their exhausting trip to Portsmouth, where they came agonisingly close to securing a valuable point despite the numerical disadvantage.
Wilder’s men had to show considerable resilience after Hamza Choudhury was sent off, forcing them to adjust their approach and spend much of the contest working tirelessly without the ball. Nevertheless, the Blades refused to surrender and eventually found their way back into the game, demonstrating the fighting spirit that their supporters will want to see replicated at Ashton Gate.
Wilder Provides Injury Update Ahead of Bristol City
Sheffield United have received some encouraging news regarding Femi Seriki, who is expected to return to the matchday squad for the upcoming fixtures next week.
Ryan Oné is also expected to be involved against Bristol City after the forward was made available for the Lincoln City match but was not required to feature. Wilder explained that the club had taken a sensible approach to managing the youngster’s involvement, with the manager now anticipating that he will be part of the squad on Saturday.
However, there is less positive news regarding Jamie Shackleton, who faces another spell on the sidelines following a setback in his recovery. The midfielder has endured a frustrating period with injuries, and Wilder admitted that the latest development had been particularly disappointing for the player.
The Blades boss said in his pre-match press conference: “We made [Oné] available for the game against Lincoln City, I would have loved him to be involved last night but we made a sensible decision and he will be involved on Saturday.”
Wilder did not hide his disappointment when discussing Shackleton’s latest injury setback, acknowledging the difficulties the midfielder has experienced over recent months.
The United manager said: “Jamie [Shackleton] has had another set back, so that’s been a really disappointing period for him personally as well. He’s had a difficult period.
“I’ve been vocal regarding players in the past and they don’t want to be injured, but he keeps picking up some bits and pieces and he’s more frustrated than anybody that at the moment he can’t contribute regularly.”
Wilder Reflects on Portsmouth Defeat
Although Sheffield United ultimately left Fratton Park empty-handed, Wilder was keen to highlight the commitment shown by his players after Choudhury’s dismissal.
The Blades found themselves having to chase the game after falling behind, making their task considerably more difficult as Portsmouth looked to exploit their numerical advantage.
Wilder explained that playing with ten men the amount of distance covered and workload increases, particularly when a team is forced to chase a deficit rather than protect a lead.
He said: “I think sometimes when you play a game 11 versus 10 for over an hour and if the game’s level or you’re up in the game, you’re more in a defensive shape. Obviously being 1-0 down, and then going 2-0 down just after half time, we had to go and chase the game so there’s a lot of distance that has to be covered, a lot of tired bodies out there.
I’m delighted for the commitment of the players. they gave everything to try and get back into the game, and they obviously did get back into the game.”
The manager also accepted responsibility for the late goal, admitting that he could potentially have made different decisions to protect the point once his side had restored parity.
“To get done late on and, that’s on me… maybe on reflection I could’ve shut up shop, maybe put some more defensive players on, but we felt that was the best way of going and getting a result.”
Blades Must Recover Quickly for Ashton Gate
Despite the disappointment at Portsmouth, Wilder believes there were plenty of positives for his side to take into Saturday’s encounter.
The reaction of the travelling supporters after the final whistle was particularly encouraging for the manager, who viewed it as an indication that the players’ efforts had been recognised despite the result.
He said: “I always think the barometer is the reaction of the supporters at the end, but you saw that reaction.”
Ultimately, it’s not the result that we’re all after, but a lot of good things. I just think that maybe it’s going to be one of those seasons for us, and maybe quite a lot of other teams, sort of a roller coaster Championship season.”
