Chris Wilder left unhappy with one particular thing at Sheffield United as Southampton clash looms | OneFootball

Chris Wilder has criticised the Blades squad for their fitness levels ahead of their midweek meeting with the Saints.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has blasted his Blades squad for not being as fit as he would like as they go into their first Championship midweek clash of the season.

The Yorkshire outfit had a disastrous start to the season by losing their opening five second-tier outings under Ruben Selles, with Chris Wilder returning to the club for a third time after the Spaniard was sacked following a 5-0 defeat at Ipswich Town.

Wilder’s first game back in the Bramall Lane dugout resulted in a late 1-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic, but the club finally got their first points on the board by securing a 1-0 victory away at Oxford United last weekend.

The club still sits at the foot of the table and will need a run of consistently positive results to rise up the standings, and that could well be possible as they host Southampton, who themselves have struggled for form under Will Still since being relegated from the top-flight.

It’s the usual sharp turnaround in the Championship of two games in four days, and Wilder has outlined his current concern with the squad in a key area that has to change.

Chris Wilder criticises Sheffield United squad fitness ahead of Southampton meeting

As reported by the Yorkshire Post, Chris Wilder was speaking before Sheffield United’s home clash with Southampton, admitting he isn’t happy with where the fitness levels are within his squad.

Wilder said: "I don't think physically we're in a position where I'd like us to be, individually and as a team, so we'll get up to speed.

"Not to break anybody is important, but for everybody to be ready, which they are.

"You've got a three-game week, you're limited in terms of your time to work them physically but they'll get the work in the games as well.

"It's just getting that balance we're quite proud of with the load, that we don't break anybody and we keep everybody fit and available.

"Matt Prestridge, Tom Little and the medical staff and sports science staff are really highly regarded here at the football club, and most importantly by me, in terms of the way they drive that.

"We work hard during the week to raise levels, so that might be more of a slower process, but I want an athletic team that gets around the park and competes and plays. Those guys are really important in terms of the work that we do, the minutes that we put into them and getting (the players) to where we want them to be."

Sheffield United fitness key to turnaround under Chris Wilder

Chris Wilder blasting the fitness levels is a reminder of how quickly things unraveled under Ruben Selles, with the Spaniard’s methods clearly unable to get the best out of the first-team squad for a relentless Championship campaign.

Wilder has returned and sounded out the difference he wants to see immediately, with his previous way of working seeing the Blades narrowly miss out on promotion back to the Premier League.

It’s a farcry from where the club currently finds itself at, but if the team can return to the place that Wilder had them last season, then they have every chance of rising up the division and mounting a comeback to get back into the promotion conversation.

They’ve already given themselves a mountain to climb with such a poor start, but the Blades should take inspiration from Nottingham Forest, who gained promotion in the 2021-22 season after being bottom of the league after seven league matches.

If they are to repeat the feat, then fitness levels have to improve, with consistency such a key quality to being successful in the second-tier.