Sheffield United's 'old school' standards are good enough for the best, says Chris Wilder
SHEFFIELD UNITED manager Chris Wilder pointed to the commitment, character and guts his side showed to beat Ipswich Town and argued if those characteristics are good enough for a team bound for the Premier League, they are good enough for his.
The Blades showed more than just gritty qualities to end the Tractor Boys' seven-match unbeaten run with a 3-1 win.
But in a feisty match where Ipswich's entire starting defensive unit was booked except Dara O'Shea, and Patrick Bamford was sent off for the Blades, it was hugely important.
"They were the same," stressed Wilder. "They've got a young manager (Kieran McKenna) that's highly regarded and highly rated and rightly so.
"I'm a 59-year-old fella from Arbourthorne (in Sheffield). I do like a tackle and I do like my team to run around and commit.
"Tactically we got it absolutely spot on. We got the press spot on.
"Nobody will talk about that, though. They'll just talk about old school, this, that and the other.
"One comes before the other. Kieran worked at Man United (as assistant manager) and he knows that for certain.
"That was a tough afternoon for us physically and mentally when we had to withstand the pressure that we did against a real good group of players that have had success over a number of years.
"You can see they'll push themselves back into the Premier League, in my opinion.
"I do believe they'll take this in their stride and win games of football. I think they'll think that was a tough afternoon for them."
Callum O'Hare split open his head colliding with goalkeeper Christian Walton's boot as he gave his side a lead doubled by Andre Brooks on the stroke of half-time. Jack Clarke pulled a goal back before Bamford equalised, then was booked for kicking an advertising hoarding, and again for diving.
The result leaves Ipswich five points behind second-placed Middlesbrough with a game in hand. The Blades are 17th in the Championship.