Sheffield United's desire to improve paying off, says manager Chris Wilder

The Blades produced one of their first big disappointments of the season in throwing away a two-goal lead to draw with Queens Park Rangers in August.

They were much more resolute in their next league game, a 1-1 draw at Norwich City, and have won three Championship games without conceding since.

Wilder says it is a tribute to his players' attitudes and willingness to learn, and as a result he expects them to continue to get stronger as the season progresses.

"They're a coached team in every aspect – coached physically, because were going to get stronger, players came in late but we're getting there – and technically they're really good players," he said.

"Tactically there's things we can tweak to be better.

"The biggest thing is their attitude towards it.

"They want to improve and if they can keep getting results along the way I always think we're a team that gets better through the season in the successful seasons we've had here."

The way the team has knuckled down defensively is even more impressive as their captain, centre-back Jack Robinson, has been out injured since the QPR collapse.

"I don't think Coops (goalkeeper Michael Cooper) had much to do on Saturday (in a 1-0 win over Derby County) although we rode our luck in the first 30, 45 seconds," said Wilder.

"After that it was moments, really – Michael did everything neat and tidy. I don't think he had a lot to do in the second half but we believe we've got a really good goalkeeper.

"The ones in front deserve credit – (Harry) Souttar late on when it (an aerial bombardment) was coming and we knew it would.

"At times he had three or four forwards jumping into him but he stayed strong and even had a couple of moments going forward."

The Blades take their unbeaten start to the Championship season to Portsmouth on Saturday against newly-promoted opponents still looking for their first win back in the second tier.