Birmingham City v Sheffield United: Chris Wilder's common ground with Chris Davies amid fans' noise

Both can reflect on some special times at their respective clubs, Sheffield United and Birmingham City. But time stands still for no-one, certainly not in the eyes of many demanding supporters.

Davies, who led Blues to promotion from the third-tier with a record-breaking 108-point haul last season, has received opprobrium from some sections of the club's fanbase of late.

This despite Blues consolidating back in the Championship and seeing their colours lowered just twice at home in the league in almost two years.

Wilder's place in Blades history goes without saying. In the recent past, he has also picked up the pieces following a disastrous opening to the season which saw them prop up the table in sorry fashion prior to his third spell at the helm.

That said, he has not been immune to criticism either. As recently as Wednesday night, following his mid-table side's loss at Norwich City.

On how he deals with the dissent, Wilder said: "I always think with every set of supporters, there's always different types and more so now.

"There's maybe a thoughtful supporter and there's a reactionary one. It's so reactionary at times and it's something you have to deal with.

"At times, that reactionary (element) involved has entitlement - everything is guaranteed, 'it's a given'..

"We have to fight and work for it because there's many other clubs in the division that are after the same results and same outcome, which is win games of football and get into the top of the division.

"There's a thoughtful one (supporter) that maybe looks through rose-tinted glasses at times.

"From that thoughtful group, maybe we should get a little bit more criticism. It's trying to get the balance of it all is key, but we stay balanced.

"We're looking for a reaction (from Norwich).

"I know what's needed. I'm not daft. I've been in the game long enough.

"I've been involved in rebuilds as well, so I know what we need in the medium and long term.

"In the short term, we need a reaction from a disappointing second-half performance."

Experience has long since taught Wilder when it is time to have a go at his players and also when to protect them. The latter stance came to the fore after their narrow loss to a much-improved Norwich.

The Blades chief continued: "I'm the biggest critic of the group and biggest supporter at times as well. It's not been a straightforward season by any way. People don't understand the layers that have gone off before and that are even going off now.

"It's an up-and-down season. We're desperately trying to find that consistency and close that gap from being bottom after six games to rising up the division to getting into the top ten.

"We've missed an opportunity over the last two games. But everybody's working as hard as they possibly can. That is backed up by stats, not people's opinion."

Key forward Patrick Bamford is a welcome returnee from injury today.

Wilder added: "Pat's been a big part of our resurgence since Christmas and when he signed for us. Performances/results that have been in the top four or five over quite a number of games."