Chris Wilder not prepared to rush Sheffield United youngsters into Premier League relegation battle

At 16 years and 288 days, Hackford is second only to Louis Reed as the youngest player to represent the Blades after coming off the bench in the 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.

The loss, the Blades’ 15th this season, extends their winless streak to 21 games in all competitions, 17 in the 2020-21 Premier League.

No side has ever taken so long to win a Premier League game, and no top-flight team has done so since Bolton Wanderers in 1902-03. The Trotters did not win until their 23rd game, although that was the first of eight victories in 10 matches.

With nine players missing through injury, illness and suspension – although it did not stop George Baldock being left out of the XI for the first time in 59 league matches – Wilder went with just six substitutes despite the rules being changed earlier this season to allow nine.

He said to throw young players into a top-flight relegation battle before they were ready could “destroy” them.

“I didn’t want to bring four or five of the young players in because I didn’t feel that was fair on them,” argued Wilder.

“I’ve got to look at the academy and see who potentially has got the ability and the qualities that might kick on through. Me picking him (Hackford) tells a story.

“Our academy is well behind the likes of Arsenal. If you understand what happens at Chelsea’s and Arsenal’s and Man City’s academies compared to ours, it would destroy some of the young players at our place.

“Not being disrespectful but we’re way behind from an academy point of view. We’re category two where the majority if not all in the top two divisions are cat one. This is a part of the club we’re looking to develop so we have to be really careful to pick out the one or two who have the strengths.

“Our players might develop over the next two or three years but a 14-year-old boy signing for our academy four years ago is now 18 and possibly would have expected us to be playing mid-table Championship football if we’d progressed in the way we should have progressed and not accelerated in the way we have.

“Now we’re asking them to be involved in a team in the Premier League. It’s quite difficult.”

To not only include Hackford in his match-day squad but to bring him off the bench after 80 minutes was, therefore, a big compliment.

“He’s still got a lot of learning to do but he’s got raw pace and ability,” said Wilder.

“I know what part of town he comes from (Arbourthorne) so he’s not going to be lacking in those qualities. He’s a tough young boy.”

Goals from Jeffrey Schlupp and Eberechi Eze left the Blades stuck on two points this season.

“It’s tough but there’s no hiding place for me and the players,” said Wilder.

“It’s another game where both penalty boxes have decided the game and I’m disappointed with us in both boxes.”

Eze’s goal, deep in first-half stoppage time, was the killer for the visitors and as good a goal as it was by the substitute, the resistance the defenders put up to it was weak.

“As soon as he picks it up, it’s naïve from our point of view,” commented Wilder.

“We didn’t get bodies around, we didn’t attempt to make contact.

“I’m listening to the fourth official counting down and he said, ‘That’s it about five times.’ For me he was never, ever going to blow his whistle when the boy picked it up. They never do. I know I’m clutching a bit.”

Match report: Page 3

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