Chris Wilder happy to let expectations grow at Sheffield United

The feel-good factor and winning mentality prevalent at the club throughout a memorable renaissance season in 2016-17 has spilled over into the new one, with the Blades currently sitting pretty in third spot in the second tier – their highest league position since April 2009.

Incidentally, that was the last time the Blades won five successive games at this level, which is something they will equal if they beat visiting Norwich City tomorrow afternoon.

Wilder’s side head into the game on the back of consecutive away wins at Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland, while United’s imposing home form has also seen them win all of their three fixtures since returning to the Championship.

Unbeaten in the league at S2 since January 24, anticipation levels will be justifyably high again tomorrow among Unitedities, many of whom are starting to believe that another noteworthy season – as opposed to one of consolidation – could be tantalisingly in store if the club’s strong early form is maintained over the autumn.

For his part, Wilder is comfortable with the growing expectation levels and the last thing that he will be caught doing is shying away or discouraging it.

The Blades chief, who revealed that he has previously taken soundings about the Championship from several successful managers at this level including Burnley manager Sean Dyche and Derby chief Gary Rowett, said: “I do not think there is any (outside) pressure on us at all. The only pressure is that which we put on ourselves, really.

“If the expectation does go up, then great. We will happily deal with that, we will be made up to deal with that.

“We are at a minimum level that this football club should be at and we are enjoying it.

“If we have to deal with growing expectations, then that is the situation we would love to deal with.

“We are in the league and enjoying life back in the Champiuonship.

“ I cannot think of any manager who would not want to be at the top or near the top at the start of the season. It adds confidence.”

After a long managerial stint in the lower divisions and having worked his way up from non-league circles at the likes of Alfreton and Halifax, Wilder is also personally relishing the challenge of Championship life – and embracing it for all it is worth too in his first foray at this level.

So too are his players, with the outstanding togetherness and organisation which served them tremendously well last season yielding results once again, with a happy camp clearly making for a successful one.

It has led many supporters to harken back to the successful club ethos and happy times under Dave Bassett and Neil Warnock, when the work ethic and spirit was similarly pronounced.

Wilder added: “I can only talk for myself, but I have always wanted this atmosphere at every club, everywhere I have been.

“That players enjoy playing for myself and the staff. They know the standards are high. It is not a holiday camp.

“I think if you speak to lots of players I have managed, they will tell you they have enjoyed it. And not just the ones who have played every week either.

“We want them to enjoy it off the pitch and around the place. But they put the work in too. If people come to work and enjoy what they do, well, I have always thought that is when you get the best out of people.

“We will enjoy it, but we are grounded. I am a grounded manager and we are a grounded staff. The attitude, we will make sure, is right. We do not stroll into any game thinking we only need to turn up.”

Meanwhile, Wilder admits to having several welcome selection headaches ahead of Saturday’s game with the Canaries, with his decision to freshen up his starting line-up at Bolton on Tuesday night being vindicated.

Cameron Carter-Vickers, George Baldock and Daniel Lafferty were brought into the side, with Chris Basham, Kieron Freeman and Enda Stevens reverting to the bench – and Wilder has a number of posers before tomorrow’s match.

Wilder, who said that striker Clayton Donaldson is ‘touch and go’ after missing the midweek game with a hamstring issue, said: “I am going to make decisions and be bold with decisions. Sometimes they will work, sometimes they will not.

“But you have got to go with how you feel. It provides an opportunity for some of the other lads. And it helps give you energy. We could have made some more there at Bolton, but I had a gut feeling that team could go and get a result. And it did.

“It keeps the others on their toes too. They have to realise, that is where we are at.

“That is why we paid money for George, even though Kieron did fantastic. That is why we brought Enda in, who I thought was the best left-back outside of the Championship, even though Danny did great.

“I would love everyone to be fit and have those tough decisions to make. I heard a few managers after the Tuesday games saying they should have made changes. We did.”