Chris Wilder concedes Sheffield United’s thoughts already turning towards Championship return

A Premier League win this evening at a Fulham side themselves fighting to stay in the Premier League is far from impossible, but now they need to make up more than a point a game on those teams outside 
the bottom three, the Blades’ survival prospects are looking very slim.

Inevitably, then, thoughts will turn to what happens next, but Wilder’s plan will be to try to bounce back with the core of the squad, as Norwich City, Watford and Bournemouth are trying to do this season.

“For me the model of the club is we keep them (his best players) and we go again,” explained Wilder. “Unless a huge bid comes in for one of our players that we can not turn down, I don’t want to lose people.

“David Brooks, we didn’t want to lose him (when the club was in the Championship) but that led to a promotion push with the likes of John Egan coming in.

“If someone comes in and they say there’s a big fee, I can’t stop a boy going to a top club. That’s not me saying I want to sell. We’ll notify them and their agents and try to get the best price.

“If nobody comes in with good fees then I think it would be pointless selling them because if we did get back up we’ll have to replace them anyway. I’m not sure any of our boys’ valuations will have gone through the roof this year. So to get their value up, they’ll need a push.

“If you ask me what I want to do, I want to keep everybody, be nice and strong and see if we have that opportunity. We keep the group together and we see if it can win games at the level below. But I don’t really have much of an eye on next season.”

During his press conference, Wilder repeatedly pointed to the fact the Cottagers have spent 15 of the last 20 years in the Premier League, yet are still struggling to break the cycle of yo-yo club at present. Despite improved recent form, they are six points from safety. “We can call ourselves a Premier League club but we aren’t an established Premier League club,” said Wilder, whose team is in its second consecutive top-flight season.

It may take more back and forth before they can cement themselves in the division.

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