WHAT Chris Wilder has achieved at Sheffield United is, quite frankly, ridiculous.
He’s an old-school type of person, clear in what he demands, but he has been quite revolutionary in the way he’s transformed the Blades.
Chris Wilder shows the fire that has helped Sheffield United to fifth as he clashes with Bournemouth midfielder Andrew SurmanCredit: Reuters
Only Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp can stop Chris Wilder from walking away with the manager of the year awardCredit: EPA
If it wasn’t for what Jurgen Klopp is doing at Liverpool, Wilder would be manager of the year by a mile.
Go back to the end of August and September, and plenty were saying, ‘Give it a few weeks and their bubble will burst’.
Most thought they’d get found out. Many thought they’d be in the bottom half by the New Year.
Barely any gave them a chance of Europe — and none predicted a push for the Champions League places.
Surely not even the most optimistic Blades fan saw them where they are now in the league — up to fifth spot after a 2-1 win at home to Bournemouth.
But when I say that Wilder is rather old-school in his approach, I mean that in the most complimentary way.
He’s honest, hard-working and clear what he demands from his players.
TACTICAL NOUS
They repay their manager with the basics in terms of graft, team spirit and togetherness.
Again, when I say basics, this should in no way do them a disservice.
Plenty of other big-name teams do not compare to Sheffield United in this way.
Wilder’s tactical nous is clear as they’ve gone head to head with every club they’ve come up against.
Before the club-record signing of Norway midfielder Sander Berge for £22million last month, Sheffield United spent around £43m on ten players for their assault on the Premier League.
It’s hardly breaking the bank in top-flight terms.
There has been unrest in terms of the ownership, that looks sorted now, but that only makes Wilder’s team’s performances even more staggering.
The Blades shattered their record fee paid with the £22m buy of Norway ace Sander Berge, but otherwise have reached fifth by NOT splashing outCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Enda Stevens has been a big hit for Sheffield United from left-back, a part of the tactics stunning Premier League rivalsCredit: AFP or licensors
Now, they are looking up in the table, the place is buzzing, they boast the second-best defensive record in the league. They have nine clean sheets, second only to Liverpool’s 11.
And they have conceded only 24 in the league, bettered only by runaway leaders Liverpool on 15.
The Blades are just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, ahead of Spurs, and streaking clear of Arsenal and Manchester United.
The football they are playing is entertaining, a breath of fresh air. Wilder gets his defenders into the other team’s 18-yard box and there’s a lot spoken about the so-called over-lapping centre-backs.
But when you’d have thought top sides should have worked it out, they struggle to combat it.
Amazing performances away at Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United have been no more than they deserved for their bravery.
And when you think many of the players played in the Championship last season, it’s just remarkable.
Chris Basham, John Egan and Jack O’Connell have been the rocks — and keeper Dean Henderson is fantastic.
The whole team look incredibly fit, they are confident on the ball and the wing-backs of Enda Stevens and George Baldock encapsulate the side’s attitude with how they charge forward.
Wilder has kept all the players grounded despite their start and let’s hope they can now keep it going — and push the traditional Champions League challengers all the way.
ITS PAUL OVER
IT’S crunch time for Paul Pogba’s career at Manchester United.
Either commit and sign another deal, or sell.
My guess is United will cut their losses and try to move on from a four-year spell which was not what either party planned.
I think he probably feels a little bit let down by what’s gone on at United, it’s a mess on both sides.
Man Utd are unlikely to see the best of midfielder Paul Pogba before the summer – when he could then be offCredit: Instagram @paulpogba
When he signed he was supposed to be the start of a rebuild — the glory days returning.
The club have not delivered on their promises, so it’s not the deal he signed up for.
Pogba has had injuries but United have never seen the best of the midfielder, either.
The club want around £150million, whether they’ll get that sort of money depends on him coming back into the team this season and then playing well in the Euros.
There’s no doubt he’s one of the best players at United when he’s fit and raring to go — but the fans have not seen enough of that.
I doubt they ever will. My guess is that he’ll be fit before the summer, have a good Euros, then he’ll be off.
There’s every possibility he could win the tournament with France, be the star — and then someone would pay big money for him.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
