I’d cheer ‘Willo’ if I was in the stands – Wilson

Williamson left the Blades under something of a cloud in the summer after turning down a new deal with the out-of-contract player subsequently linking up with Pompey in August.

After joining Michael Appleton’s side, initially penning a one-month deal, the 30-year-old stated the money on offer from the Blades was “ridiculous” and despite the obvious cash constraints at the crisis-hit south coast club, he was still happy to throw in his lot with them – despite rumoured summer interest from the likes of Barnsley and Burnley.

Williamson, who hit 13 goals in 49 appearances in an impressive 2011-12 campaign for the Blades, also cited Pompey’s ambition and moving to a club “where he was wanted” as big factors in his switch.

On the return of Williamson, who has recently played as an auxiliary right-back for Pompey – whose line-up is also expected to include ex-Blades Johnny Etrl, Jon Harley and Brian Howard – manager Wilson said: “We were disappointed to lose Willo as we did. He is a terrific player as are two or three others who used to play at the Lane.

“He will be wanting to come back and do well and we have always seen the uplifting performances when teams come to Bramall Lane and perhaps it is a little bit more with the ex-players.

“I hope he gets a good reception because he deserves one. If it was me sat there in the stands, then I would certainly give him a great reception as he did fantastic for us last year.”

While Williamson elected to leave, one man who firmly pinned his colours to the Blades’ mast was versatile Matt Hill, with Wilson hailing the recent performances of the Bristolian, who has switched to centre-back with consummate ease.

Since moving into the heart of the back four due to Neill Collins’s foot injury, the 31-year-old has proved a revelation, helping the Blades keep three clean sheets in their past five games and concede just twice. His performances have consigned fit-again Collins to the substitutes’ bench.

And while Hill – who signed a two-year-deal after enjoying a productive loan spell last term – may be comparatively small in stature, Wilson insists size is proving no barrier.

He added: “Matty has been exceptional in all the games (this season). Central defence is just another compartment he can play in. Can he get any better? Maybe not, but he is such a ‘Steady Eddie’ and you want reliability and consistency and that is what we have got with Matt.

“If you ask him to play left-wing or up front, he would play there for you and that is the type of boy he is.

“Sometimes, in League One, you can get targeted if you are not a certain size. The lovely thing for Matt is that he gets targeted and then people forget about him because they do not get any joy whether at full-back or centre-back. At 5ft 9ins or 5ft 10ins, he is not a big centre-half, but he can leap that height again as he has got terrific spring. He is underestimated sometimes.”

Despite Wilson’s troops being unbeaten in 14 league matches this term and sitting third in League One, there have been one or two grumblings about what has been perceived as a lack of artistic merit.

But Wilson insists substance rather than style is his biggest priority.

Wilson said: “You can get carried away with being top of the league or second. Then all of a sudden, your performances can start to dilute somewhat.

“You have to make sure you have a (season-long) focus. The good thing about us is that we have been in this position last year and at this stage of the season, it was not a concern where we were in the league.

“It was just about getting as many points in every game as we could and it was about picking the points up and seeing where it brings you.

“Yes, Tuesday against Walsall was frustrating in that we had an opportunity to put a team to bed and we didn’t. But Frank (Barlow – assistant boss) said on Wednesday morning ‘those three points look better this morning’ which I thought was great. Sometimes, you are looking for utopia when it is not there.”

Oldham Athletic midfielder Lee Croft will not face police action after being accused of racially abusing a ballboy in the Latics’ game at Bramall Lane on October 13.

The allegation was made following the visitors’ 1-1 draw, with Croft, 27, strenuously denying any wrongdoing.

The Blades, who did not make the allegation of racial abuse against the player, did not comment on the incident at the time and have not done so now.

A statement released on Oldham’s official website read: “South Yorkshire Police have found no evidence to support such allegations and they do not intend to take any further action in relation to this matter.

“It has been an extremely difficult time for Lee who has received the full support of the club and all his team-mates while these totally unfounded allegations have been investigated.”