Sheffield United 0 Wolves 1: Deja vu for Chris Wilder - but perspective is also required

In truth, ahead of the first anniversary of his third spell in charge of Sheffield United on Tuesday, the vastly-experienced Blades chief could have replaced the word ‘weeks’ with ‘past year’.

It has been heightened of late by the well-chronicled off-the-field issues surrounding the club. The knock-on effect is that Wilder has had limited room for manoeuvre in the transfer market.

Given that, having a steady hand on the tiller in the Sheffielder—who turns 59 later this month - is something that the vast majority of Unitedites will be grateful for. More especially given his duty of care to ‘his’ club.

In such a time, there are bound to be ups and downs on the pitch. It’s only mid-September, but United have already had a few in 2026-27.

The most punishing moment so far cruelly arrived late on at Bramall Lane on Sunday.

The opening game of Wilder’s third coming at the Lane also saw United lose 1-0 at the death last September against Charlton Athletic when substitute Isaac Olaofe struck in front of ecstatic away supporters.

Another replacement in Wolves' talismanic forward Raul Jimenez did the trick almost 12 months on. It was tough for United, but perspective is also required.

That aforesaid loss last autumn was their eighth in all competitions, the joint longest losing sequence in the club's history. On the pitch, they are mercifully in a better place than last September.

Debutant Jordan Ayew, who came on from the bench, provided the odd flash for the hosts.

But it will take time to get him up to speed at United, who made four changes, handing Kalvin Phillips his first start since February 22.

Wolves fashioned out the better first-half opportunities, but the hosts still managed to enthuse the crowd at times with some positive pockets of play against a Wolves rearguard that was not overly convincing.

They had shipped 10 goals in five league games. United got into some good positions, but couldn’t test keeper Jose Sa with their final option/ball not quite incisive enough.

Birthday boy Sydie Peck was invariably at the heart of all their good things, while Ollie Arblaster intriguingly featured in an advanced role on the right.

Wanderers did possess the two players with poise on show in the opening period in the languid Fer Lopez and Rodrigo Gomes and they were involved in their most threatening moments.

An early goalbound shot from Lopez took a key deflection off Liam Kitching, while Marshall Munetsi’s crisp first-time drive was fortunately straight at Michael Cooper after United were opened up.

Gomes fired wide when well placed and was thwarted by a fine last-ditch tackle from Kitching later on in the half.

On the restart, United had a let-off when Mateus Mane attempted flick hit the hand of Mark McGuinness, but the Wolves’ player’s demands for a penalty - he certainly had a case - were ignored.

A swerving shot from Hugo Bueno, which flew just off target, almost exposed an error from Sam McCallum - him and fellow wing-back Hamza Choudhury were not entirely comfortable from a defensive perspective at times - as Wolves still looked the more likely.

A glance at both benches revealed a fair bit of strength.

And as the clock started to tick down, you wondered whether Wilder or his opposite number Cesar Peixoto would come up with that telling move to potentially secure the points.

Peixoto summoned Jimenez and Jordan James before Wilder replied in kind and threw on Ayew and Tom Cannon.

Wolves defence provided the odd palpitation for their followers, while Ayew almost had home punters on their feet with his cross-shot flashing across goal before Patrick Bamford almost got on the end of Peck’s low cross.

The Kop was suddenly energised as the game started to open up and increasingly resemble a bit of a 'basketball match' as managers like to say these days.

Jimenez’s presence animated Wolves followers in the away end and he served up the game-breaking moment at the far post after ex-Unitedite Tommy Doyle helped on Kieran Trippier’s cushioned low volley as he found space down the right.

Wilder wore a rueful expression. A hard moment for him and United for sure, but nothing like the mess which greeted him 12 months ago at least.

Sheffield United: Cooper; Tanganga, McGuinness, Kitching; Choudhury (Doherty 81), Arblaster (Rothwell 81), Peck, Phillips (Cannon 64), McCallum (Norrington-Davies 85); Bamford, Brereton-Diaz (Ayew 63). Substitutes unused: Davies, Donovan, Shackleton, Riedewald.

Wolves: Sa; Tchatchoua (Trippier 70), Djiga (T Gomes 70), Krejci, Bueno; Andre, Munetsi (James 63), R Gomes (Jimenez 63), Lopez (Doyle 70), Mane; Armstrong. Substitutes unused: Virginia, Traore, Neave, Konan.

Referee: R Jones (Wirral).