Blackburn Rovers v Sheffield United: Chris Wilder still performing juggling act as Ewood Park awaits
Chris Wilder has spoken ahead of Sheffield United’s trip to Blackburn Rovers
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder would like to focus solely on footballing matters ahead of his side’s trip to Blackburn Rovers tonight - but is currently performing a juggling act.
An element of simplicity returns for many managers following the closure of the summer transfer window.
Squad reshaping tasks are completed and questions regarding transfers are asked considerably less frequently. With the season still in its infancy, there is also less scrutiny regarding the league table and the possible ramifications of the club’s current position.
For Wilder, however, there is still plenty of noise to block out when matchday arrives.
Chris Wilder on co-owner interview and off-field uncertainty
A recent podcast appearance by co-owner Steve Rosen, in which he discussed the legal dispute between COH Sports and the club's previous owner Prince Abdullah, has sparked plenty of debate and worry among supporters.
“I think communication and clarity is massive for a football club,” said Wilder. “And we're all vested stakeholders, manager, coaches, players and the most important part of the football club is the supporters.
“The chairman has addressed that in his own way and my sole focus, I don't think anybody else in the division has had to deal with the situations I've had to deal with this year, but I'll deal with them.
“I'm an experienced manager, I'll deal with them. I'll be the spokesman for the football club on that. Sometimes, when it is sensitive, the approach might be the approach that it has been.
“Until everything gets cleared up and sorted out and put to bed, which I imagine when it does, there'll be a final statement on that.
“Maybe that's been the approach of the owners and the chairman, but I'm happy to take it on my shoulders and deal with it and explain it. I have done.”
The dispute has sparked fears of a 12-point deduction and Wilder was quizzed over his level of confidence that such a problem could be avoided.
“I've had the same dialogue as what was published,” he said. “I can't take my eye off the ball as well.
“I can't get caught up in stuff. I'll deal with stuff and be the representative of the club from the playing side, coaches and managers. The dialogue that I've had with the chairman has been exactly 100 per cent the same as what the supporters have had.
“I would rather get on with working as a football manager, but as David Moyes said, there's always disappointments at football clubs that you've got to deal with or certain situations you've got to deal with.
“I've dealt with it and now hopefully we can concentrate on the football.”
Team news
Somewhat cruelly, Wilder also faces headaches when he turns to on-pitch matters. Firstly, there is the small matter of a free agent pursuit being held up by the need for a current squad member to be moved on.
Then there is the issue of player availability. Femi Seriki, Harrison Burrows, Tahith Chong and Ryan One remain sidelined by injury, although Matt Doherty is due back from illness for the trip to Ewood Park.
“Doc is back,” Wilder said. “Femi out, Harrison out, Chong out and Ryan One out.
“They’re the only four that are missing. What are we looking at, two weeks [before the international break]?”
Sharing the goalscoring burden
With Sheffield United’s attacking target not yet through the door and the Blades lacking offensive depth, Wilder also faces the task of ensuring the goalscoring burden is shared.
“Every club is after that (goals from different areas),” said Wilder “Through set-plays, through midfield players.
“As people remind us, we've lost goals. But Pat [Bamford] scored for us last season so we talked about that.
“Tyrese [Campbell] has scored for us in the past. Tom [Cannon] needs to do better. Ben [Brereton Diaz] will score. Rom [Donovan] got a winner on Tuesday.
“Any club up and down the country, if you want to be successful, you've got to [have goals] come from all areas of the pitch.”
Trip to Blackburn Rovers
In Blackburn, they will be facing another side who endured a tough summer. Many would argue the Rovers ranks are not as strong as they were pre-window, therefore Wilder may find a sympathetic ear when he speaks to his opposite number Tony Mowbray.
Rovers sit 16th after one win, two draws and two losses, while the Blades are 15th after one win, three draws and a defeat. Wilder’s men tasted defeat for the first time on Saturday (September 5), losing 3-1 to Norwich City on home turf.
"We need to quickly get over the disappointment,” said Wilder. “It’s a first loss of the season, I don’t enjoy it.
"It stung on Sunday, but we addressed it.”