Chris Wilder and Sheffield United continue to live the dream in the Premier League.
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The 1-0 win against the Wolves on Wednesday, courtesy of a winner of John Egan’s last gasp, brought home consecutive wins after beating Tottenham last week and the Blades are still looking for qualification for the Champions League with four games to go.
ProSoccerTalk spoke to an enthusiastic Wilder after the game and simply asked: has this winning win against the wolves summed up everything that has been fantastic about Sheffield United’s return to the Premier League this season?
“I think so. We like to think we brought something in terms of attitude and performance to get the results we got,” said Wilder. “We had an extended team and we really had to dig to get a result. I don’t think you get the result and the performance tonight if you don’t have something with the ball and I think we had something with the ball and out of it everyone did a job and tried to stop a very, very talented talent starts from gaining momentum and dominating us. second half, in particular, we looked and it looked like we were really desperate for a winner. Regardless of how late it came, we were rewarded for this attitude. “
That attitude, skill and desire has Sheffield United four points behind a potential Champions League spot with four games to play. After a bad start to restart they took seven points from their last three games and sat in seventh place on the table.
Does this victory, what Wilder has called the greatest since he was at the club, mean that the Champions League is still within reach?
“We never had the impression that something is at hand. All we have seen is the next result. We shouldn’t be near where we are, but we are for a reason because we lower our heads, defeat ourselves on the chin and go back to roaring, “Wilder told ProSoccerTalk.” As I said, it was a very chastening afternoon recently at Old Trafford and the reaction was no surprise to me. It must be this way. Please don’t tell me the match list because I know it and I don’t want to think about it tonight! “
They still have Chelsea, Leicester City, Everton and Southampton to play and four wins from that lot could see them get to fifth place which could be a Champions League spot depending on whether Man City’s UEFA ban is respected or not. The Blades are in the world of dreams and at this point they are well on their way to qualifying for the Europa League and this would be a phenomenal result.
After Egan’s cut-off time winner against the Wolves, Wilder roared along the dividing line in celebration towards The Kop.
Obviously there were no fans present but the local guy who runs the club he claims summed up that moment and how proud he was of winning against a Champions League teammate, as they made a long way from League One when he took charge in 2015.
“You move away from the situation regarding the 30,000 fans of our supporters. I don’t think I have to explain how much we missed it. I am happy and proud of the performance, “added Wilder. “I have to say that in the second half we affected a tight game with an absolute will to win. Good play, good defense, energy and effort. Right there as far as our performances are concerned, if you put everything down in terms of team it’s stretched, fast turnaround, key players unavailable, some really tired bodies, some guys are not 100% fit. The quality of the opposition and the position of the club in the league. What the other team has. I think it’s up there in terms of performance and results. “
Never write ‘Dem Blades’ ???? pic.twitter.com/UPUa3FdgzT
– Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) July 8, 2020
After exiting one of the season’s best wins, Wilder spared a thought for his Sheffield United fans who watch the world go by as their team aims to complete a fairytale season in style.
“We are just having fun and we hope our supporters will enjoy it. I am in a privileged position, being a supporter of Sheffield United and also the manager,” said Wilder. “If I was sitting in my favorite pub tonight watching him like a fan from Sheffield United, I would have really enjoyed it. I hope they did. “
Wilder went on to repeat that Sheffield United has no right to fight for European qualification and should instead participate in the relegation battle. A reporter asked him why he thought they were exceeding all expectations?
With his nasty Yorkshire mania, this was Wilder’s brilliant response.
“I don’t know. I scratch my head! Here’s one for you: try to keep the ball out of one goal and try to put it in the other. Don’t worry too much about that,” laughed Wilder.
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