Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder says getting the Blades into position to fight for promotion back to the Premier League is ‘my biggest challenge.’
Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham was Sheffield United’s 28th in 38 games this season.
They finished with three wins and 16 points in total, effectively 17 short of survival.
Wilder returned for a second stint in charge at Bramall Lane after Paul Heckingbottom was sacked in December and admitted ‘the league has been too strong for us, we can’t get away from that.’
“We don’t take chances and then, any opportunity the opposition gets to put us to bed, they take,” he added. “When adversity strikes, we haven’t been able to dig our way out of it.”
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Wilder pointed to the fact that all three relegated teams from the last Premier League season were at the front of the race to return in this campaign, with Leicester topping the table and Leeds and Southampton set to do battle in the Championship play-off final.
“We have to work hard during the summer to get ourselves in the position that Leeds and Southampton have, which is giving themselves an opportunity to come back up,” he said.
“This is my biggest challenge that lies ahead. I am the most determined and committed that I have ever been to get it right and to create a team that everyone can recognise and that represents us.”
Thank you, Blades, for standing by us through thick and thin. We’ll come back stronger. ⚔️❤️ pic.twitter.com/c9Y9o4bXjH
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) May 19, 2024
