Wilder dismayed by Sheffield United's inconsistency

SHEFFIELD United's winless run stretched to five games as Jordan Hugill's ninth goal of the season was enough to give hosts Preston North End victory at Deepdale.
Sheffield Uniteds Leon Clarke, left, duels with Preston North Ends Paul Huntingdon during Saturdays Championship match at Deepdale (Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage).Sheffield Uniteds Leon Clarke, left, duels with Preston North Ends Paul Huntingdon during Saturdays Championship match at Deepdale (Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage).
Sheffield Uniteds Leon Clarke, left, duels with Preston North Ends Paul Huntingdon during Saturdays Championship match at Deepdale (Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage).

Manager Chris Wilder said: “I don’t like the spike that’s appeared in the team over the last few weeks. I don’t enjoy it.

“I am one for a consistent approach and performances and we are not getting it.”

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The Blades had enjoyed the better of the first half without turning chances into goals, Chris Basham twice going close, but the second half was a different story.

Preston’s second-half pressure paid dividends in the 58th minute as Callum Robinson whipped the ball in from the left edge of the area and found Hugill, who cushioned a volley in from six yards.

Robinson proved the main threat to Wilder’s side and he almost doubled Preston’s advantage after 63 minutes, cutting in from the left flank before curling an effort that was held by Simon Moore.

United pushed for an equaliser, but it was Preston who went closest in the final stages as Hugill’s drive from 20 yards was inches wide of the far post one minute from time.

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Victory for Preston in the first Championship meeting between the sides since 2011 lifts manager Alex Neil’s side to within two points of the play-off places, with the Blades in sixth just a point ahead of Leeds United.

Wilder continued: “I think some of them may have taken their eye off the ball a little bit. If that’s the case they (had) better get ready for the consequences of taking their eye off the ball.

“There have been a lot of plaudits gone to the club and to the players and the staff, so we have to find an answer. Whether that’s personnel or my attitude towards them, we have to find a way.

“We need to improve. When you look at Preston, they have 25 established Championship players, that’s what we are up against. And Preston aren’t a big hitter in the division.”

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Neil moved to quash any rumours Hugill will be leaving Preston, who last Thursday agreed terms for the transfer of Motherwell’s top scorer Louis Moult for an undisclosed free.

Hugill was the source of much speculation in the summer, having handed in a transfer request. However, he ended up staying at the club and Neil said: “He is not leaving the club, we are not interested in selling him at the moment.

“Louis is coming as competition for that spot. We are trying to improve our squad. Louis brings goals, he is a clinical finisher.”

Preston North End: Maxwell, Clarke, Huntington, Davies, Fisher (O’Connor 28), Gallagher (Browne 77), Pearson, Johnson, Robinson (Harrop 77), Hugill, Barkhuizen. Unused substitutes: Rudd, Andrew Boyle, Horgan, Mavididi.

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Sheffield United: Moore, Carter-Vickers (Donaldson 69), Stearman, O’Connell, Baldock (Lafferty 58), Lundstram, Basham, Carruthers (Slater 75), Stevens, Clarke, Sharp. Unused substitutes: Wright, Lavery, Heneghan, Blackman.

Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex).