Chris Wilder tries to summon Sheffield United's spirit of 1990-91 after 2-0 Crystal Palace defeat

The Blades' 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace extended their winless start to the Premier League season to 17 matches, the worst start since Bolton Wanderers in 1902-03.

But Wilder played for the club 30 seasons ago when they went 16 matches without victory, only to kick-start what ended up being a 13th-place finish by beating Nottingham Forest.

“The 17th game of that season 30 years ago it was similar,” said Wilder, who played in the win over Forest. “They were tight games and without looking at the record books I can't imagine they were games where we were blasted out the water but there was a togetherness which we're seeing still to compete and do their best but obviously it takes a hit with every game that goes by without that result.

“That group were tight, which they are now, and got that one win which set them off and it's as basic as that.

“People are looking at everything from what the changing room's like to the attitude, the selection, everything, and I get that. I understand criticism.

“It comes with one big moment, one big performance, one big result as it did in that period 30 years ago which resulted in the team winning a few games in the second half of the season. That's all we have to look for.”

Things are going against the Blades at the moment, although it must be said they looked sorry for themselves at Selhurst Park, conceding goals right at the start and the end of the first half.

Wilder was without nine players through injury, illness and suspension, causing him to name only six substitutes despite Premier League sides now being allowed nine. He also revealed the half-time whistle should have blown before Eberechi Eze's goal.

“I'm listening to the fourth official counting down and he said, 'That''s it,' about four times (to referee Stuart Atwell),” he said.

“For me he was never, ever going to blow his whistle when the boy (Eze) picked it up. They never do. I know I'm clutching a bit.

“But (it was) our naivety, our poor play in not stopping that goal.

“To lose nine players, especially in the Premier League and in the form we're in, it's certainly not giving to give us the best opportunity of a result in this division.

“You're looking around and scratching your head at what you can do off the bench. I suppose one of the bright spots is Antwoine (Hackford) getting onto the pitch as a 16-year-old player. I'm delighted for him.

“He can surely be proud of making his debut at that age but to not fill a bench and have that many players injured is certainly going to hurt us and it did.”

As well as the players he was unable to select, some of whom he hopes will be fit next week, Wilder also dropped right wing-back George Baldock to the bench for the first time in 59 matches.

“George never trained on Thursday so I made that decision on Friday for Jayden (Bogle) to play,” he revealed. “There's players who have done okay and been up and down in their form. I thought it was the right time to play Jayden.

“George played at the weekend and Tuesday. He's had a tough season like we all have and I believed Jayden was ready to play.

“I don't think the inclusion of Jayden really went towards us losing the game, or the exclusion of George cost us the game.”

Sheffield-born striker Hackworth became the club's second-youngest player after Louis Reed when he came on as an 80th-minute substitute. He is not 17 until March.

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