Sheffield United in right mood to deal with the pressure of the promotion race

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has backed his players to deal with the pressure as the League One title race starts to heat up.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder expects twists and turns in the League One title race (Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage).Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder expects twists and turns in the League One title race (Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage).
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder expects twists and turns in the League One title race (Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage).

The battle for the two automatic promotion spots looks to be developing into a three-horse race, with leaders Blades being chased by Scunthorpe United and Bolton Wanderers.

While the next fortnight will not determine the destination of the League One title, it could be a significant indicator.

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For the Blades host both of their title rivals at Bramall Lane this month, knowing if six points are gleaned from those two games it could be decisive.

But, before then, United have back-to-back away games at Peterborough United and Bristol Rovers in the space of four days, while their nearest rivals have home advantage.

Scunthorpe – two points adrift of the Blades but with a game in hand – host Shrewsbury Town and Walsall.

Third-placed Bolton, who have been troubled by off-the-field financial issues, having sold star striker Zach Clough to Nottingham Forest, tackle Walsall and Rochdale.

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Wilder, though, says the Blades must focus on picking up points from their games tomorrow and on Tuesday.

“Head-to-head games are important, you want to take points off your rivals, of course, but you still only get three points,” Wilder told The Yorkshire Post.

“The ones which really matter are the bread-and-butter games, especially away from home when you are expected to win and don’t.

“We don’t go overboard about the opposition, but we do show respect, and we will respect Peterborough.

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“There’s a nothing-to-lose scenario, especially with us taking 4,000 supporters there. It’s a different environment for them to playing a team who bring 250 punters.

“I always think playing the top teams takes care of itself, these are the ones you have to make sure you are bright.

“We are after maximum points, and it would be a great effort with a Saturday-Tuesday scenario. They are tough games, but we are more than capable of getting positive results.”

United’s 4-0 win over Wimbledon last weekend ended a mini slump, which saw defeats to Walsall and Fleetwood either side of a 2-2 draw with Gillingham.

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The Dons game was a key test of United’s mettle and Wilder believes there will be “twists and turns” to come in the title race.

The Blades have become accustomed to the pressures of League One football, while the expectation is high at Bolton – relegated last season and with double the budget of United – and Scunthorpe, who have also invested heavily in their playing staff.

Wilder said: “Other teams have got two home games, and we know ourselves, when we played Gillingham and Fleetwood, anyone looking at our home games would be thinking that’s a guaranteed six points.

“It just doesn’t work like that. I think there are so many teams doing well in that mid-table, they have always got something to fight for.

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“You have teams desperate to stay in the division, teams like Charlton, MK Dons that are capable of winning games of football and will look at Barnsley last year, and think if they can string five or six wins together they can get in the play-offs.

“There will be twists and turns, but from our point of view I see confident players., players getting on the ball and wanting to try things. We play consistently under pressure. Neal Ardley said to me on Saturday, ‘you play like a team which is always 1-0 down’.

“I think that’s a great compliment to the players, not being complacent, and they have handled the pressure of playing for this club. They are thriving on it.”

While the players have kept their nerve, United’s management team have also been tested. Wilder has retained confidence in his side and believes they have been unlucky not to have collected ‘bonus’ points this season.

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“It’s important, when results aren’t going for you, that everyone at the club, the inner sanctum and the heartbeat of the club, keep nice and calm,” said Wilder, who has fitness doubts over defender Ethan Ebanks-Landell for tomorrow’s trip.

“You keep doing what you believe is the right way, because it has been for the majority of the season. Not just results, but performances. We all want three points, but I look back on our performances and I don’t think we have nicked a game yet. Every point we have picked up we have thoroughly deserved, and maybe should have had a couple more.”

“After the Fleetwood game we had a couple of days off and reset ourselves to get a good result against Wimbledon.

“Sometimes you need these reminders, maybe things had drifted because it was going ever so well. Then all of a sudden you get a couple of smacks in the face.

“Everybody knows how tough this league is and nobody connected to this club for the last six years will think this has been a straightforward journey.”