Sheffield United v Swansea City: 'Tidy' and 'calm' Michael Cooper earns praise from Chris Wilder - but with a caveat or two

While they might convey their views in a highly different way, the thought process remains the same.

Asked about the prowess of Peter Shilton in his time working with him at Nottingham Forest, Clough famously said that Shilton’s strength was that, while he might not have anything to do for 89 minutes, he would perform and make the big save when he had to.

If a centre forward gets past two ‘ugly, ignorant and thug-like centre halves’, the last thing they want to see is Shilton, Old Big ‘Ead colourfully opined. Complete with a mild expletive or two.

In his early weeks at Sheffield United, Michael Cooper hasn’t been called into action many times, in terms of making match-winning – or saving -contributions.

After conceding once on his debut at Norwich City on August 24, the former Plymouth Argyle custodian hasn’t let in a goal since and has kept four clean sheets on the spin.

He would be the first to admit he has been protected admirably.

But when he had to do something, as he did in a spell of Portsmouth pressure before the break on Saturday, he did it well - making two excellent saves to thwart Paddy Lane and Marlon Pack. That’s the difference and was duly noted by his manager.

Wilder said: “We talk about big moments. Gus (Hamer) had big moments at Preston and against Derby and then there’s Coops's big moment.

"From a personality point of view, he’s nice and calm, which I believe the best goalkeepers are. Apart from Dean Henderson, who wasn’t very calm..”

That calm extends to Cooper’s capabilities in playing the ball out from the back with his feet and his ‘sweeper-keeper’ credentials that will be important going forward to a United line-up who have switched to a more possession-based, build-from-the-back ethos under Wilder this season.

That ability was a key component in the decision to move for Cooper, as opposed to other options, late on in the summer window. But not the main one.

Wilder continued: "In the modern game, you have seen the importance of the goalkeeper in how he deals with the football (at his feet).

"From that point of view, it’s been good. He (Cooper) doesn’t really take risks and he sees clear pictures. But most importantly, he’s here to make saves and keep the ball out of the back of the net. Everything he does is really tidy.

"At Hull, he had to deal with a lot of crosses as he did on Saturday. Finally, he’s had to make a save."

United, who host Swansea on Wednesday night, boast the best goals against record in the Championship.

Ahead of Tuesday night’s action, they had the most clean sheets thus far along with Leeds United.

Just as Wilder has preached the importance of goals being shared around if his side are to build on a start to the season which has laid an impressive early platform, so contributions to their defensive excellence must continue to come from across the park. It’s not just down to Cooper and co.

Wilder added: "Credit to all the work that goes in front of him (Cooper) and that’s from the top.

"I was asked a ridiculous question in the last ‘presser’ about Kieffer Moore which I believe I answered in a football manner and a way we all recognised here internally. The work starts from the top.

"For us to have a really good defensive record, which we will need right the way through the season, we have to be really clear in terms of our organisation from the front, press and shape of the team behind it and for me, it’s an attitude to protect the goalkeeper and make sure he does as little as he has done.

"Then, you can past that and are looking for a couple of big saves as he (Cooper) did on Saturday.

"Statistically, we look at a number regarding clean sheets regarding getting to where we want to be.”

Wilder says that key midfielder Ollie Arblaster will be assessed during the international break, with the Blades captain remaining sidelined with an ankle ligament injury.

The Blades chief offered no updates in terms of any timetable regarding his absence, other than to say he will be monitored throughout the international hiatus ahead of two key away games on the resumption - at Yorkshire rivals Leeds United and Middlesbrough.

He said: "It’s week by week, really. Let’s get through the international break and see how it is, leading up to the two big games after the break.

"It’s not ‘serious’ serious. We’ve got to cope with it and I believe we will cope with it.

"Sydie (Peck) has come in and played a part. Jamie Shackleton and Gus can play in there if we want to.

"It’s a tight squad and we have to cope and get over these mini setbacks and show we are not just about one player and the team isn’t reliant on one player, even though he’s an outstanding young player."