Blades can be part of something special '“ Wilder

The Blades stand on the verge of writing themselves into Bramall Lane’s history books as the side that ended the club’s six-year exile in English football’s third tier.

Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Oldham Athletic, United are six points clear of second-placed Bolton Wanderers with eight games remaining.

This suggests the Blades have been the most consistent team this term, and a recent run of just two defeats – against Walsall and Fleetwood – in their last 18 games supports that.

A League One title for Wilder’s team would mean they could be compared to other promotion-winning sides from the Neil Warnock and Dave Bassett eras.

“I want the players to enjoy it, it’s a special part of the season, and a special part of these boys’ careers,” said Wilder.

“They are in the midst of something that is happening. It’s happening and the rewards out there for them are fantastic, in terms of what people will think about them at this football club if they keep going.

“It’s a proper group of players who are having a go for each other, and this football club.

“We have work to do, I totally understand that, but I just think they will keep going until the end of the season.

“They don’t need to be reminded about their obligation towards the supporters. They see that, and have the skipper (Blades fan Billy Sharp) to keep reminding them.

“You can’t turn it on and off like a tap. We have been beat, we hold our hands up, we weren’t good enough against Fleetwood or Walsall.

“But we have earned every result, and we are going for it.”

United will be missing full-back Daniel Lafferty tomorrow, with the defender on international duty with Northern Ireland.

It is a minor setback for the Blades, but Wilder is pragmatic and hopes a good team performance on Saturday could result in the former Burnley defender struggling to win back his shirt.

“We have never moaned and groaned about injuries, suspensions, state of pitches, refereeing decisions,” said Wilder.

“We were involved in a game, like I have never been involved in my career, at Walsall, with the amount of things which went against us.

“It happens, and that’s my attitude towards Daniel Lafferty going. It happens.

“He goes, we have options. Lafferty will then have to do well to get back in the team if the team plays well. If I was Danny I would be thinking, ‘delighted to be going away with Northern Ireland, but don’t know what happens at United because they have got everybody fit’.

“(Northern Ireland’s manager) Michael O’Neill spoke to me last Tuesday and said there was a possibility Danny would be called up.

“Danny has earned the right, is playing well, and came from a Championship club where he was already an international.”

During their time in League One, United have always had decent players, but Wilder – looking to make it back-to-back promotions after leading Northampton Town to the League Two title 12 months ago – has added a work ethic and never-say-die spirit.

He said: “Every player at this football club is a talented footballer.

“We are not carrying non-talent.

“The key for me has been adding a work ethic, and an attitude – an attitude that when you are out of the team you fight back, the attitude to fight back during a game if it’s not going well, to overcome adversity.

“We will turn up on Saturday. We might not win the game, things happen, players have off-days and make mistakes.

“When people talk about Sheffield United and the ground, the supporters, of arrogance. That’s absolute b*******.

“That hasn’t been the case all season, and it won’t be going into the last eight games.”

There is a fine line between arrogance and confidence, but Wilder knows if United finish top this season, they will deserve all the plaudits.

“After 46 games, the best team comes out on top and is the top team,” he said.

“There was an opinion last season on my team (Northampton), that it was the second-best team in the division; it’s absolutely bonkers.

“The best team wins the league. The team who wins the Premier League this year will be the best team.

“That’s the same in any division, you don’t get handed a division.

“We are going to have to earn that right, starting again on Saturday.

“I won’t moan about it, this is football and it’s up to us to overcome what is put in front of us,” he added.

“Whether it’s a long-distance journey, or losing players through injury or suspensions.”