Gaffer Insists Blades Squad is “In A Good Place”; Warns of Dangers of Slipping Up | OneFootball

Bramall Lane plays host to an important Sky Bet Championship clash on Saturday afternoon as Sheffield United welcome struggling West Bromwich Albion.

The Blades head into the weekend sitting comfortably in mid-table, though there remains a faint hope of sneaking into the play-off picture. A solid 2-0 victory away at Queens Park Rangers last time out moved United within nine points of sixth-placed Wrexham. With several upcoming fixtures against sides competing for the top six, there is still a pathway, albeit a difficult one, for the South Yorkshire club to mount a late push as the season enters its final 11 games.

For the visitors, however, the situation is far more urgent. West Brom arrive in South Yorkshire hovering just one point above the relegation zone. Few would have predicted the Baggies, and even former Premier League champions Leicester City, to be in such a predicament at this stage of the campaign.

Their recent form has done little to ease concerns. A 2-1 defeat against Oxford United last weekend means West Brom have failed to win in their last 11 matches, losing seven and drawing four during that run.

Injury Latest Ahead of Sheffield United vs West Bromwich Albion

United boss Chris Wilder has close to a full squad available for the weekend encounter. The only confirmed absentees are Sam McCallum and Tom Davies, while midfielder Kalvin Phillips will serve the final game of his suspension. Wilder also revealed that Phillips is managing a minor knee issue picked up during the recent Steel City derby against Sheffield Wednesday.

West Brom’s injury concerns are more significant. Experienced defender Chris Mepham and forward Karlan Grant are both expected to miss the remainder of the season with hamstring problems. Meanwhile, winger Michael Johnston remains a doubt after being forced off early in the defeat at Oxford.

Chris Wilder Provides Clarity on the Squad’s Mentality As He Eyes Milestone

Despite the long odds of reaching the play-offs, Wilder insists the mood around the club is extremely positive.

“We’re in a good place,” he said speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the fixture. “As good a place as we’ve been all season on quite a lot of fronts. Players are looking forward to the next game and there’s a real good energy about the group, not just the players that might start but everybody around it.”

The United boss credited both improved mentality and recent results for the shift in atmosphere.

“We’ve gone on record in terms of the mentality of the group when we took over. It’s improved and improved. Obviously winning games of football over the last 20-odd games and climbing out of the position we were in has made that easier. But we’re understanding that the danger’s ahead as well if we slip and take a foot off the gas.”

Victory on Saturday would move Sheffield United to the symbolic 50-point mark, something Wilder views as a major step in the club’s recovery.

“We’ve got an opportunity of getting to 50 points,” he said. “From our point of view, when we first came through the door that was first and foremost in our thought process. Usually that guarantees you another season in the Championship.”

Wilder Discusses Baggies Struggles And Uses Former Sheffield United Coach For Reference

Despite West Brom’s struggles, Wilder is wary of the threat they still pose.

“In terms of the players they’ve got and the quality in their group, everybody would be saying ‘how come they’re in that position?’ But that’s what can happen in the Championship. It happened to us at the start of the season.”

He also spoke positively about current Baggies coach James Morrison and the difficulties clubs face when results turn.

“Fabulous club, really like James Morrison. He’s a real good guy and he thinks a lot about his football club. These things can happen to clubs if you don’t get it right off the pitch as well as on it.”

Wilder also pointed to stability and structure as key elements of long-term success, referencing the example of Brentford and their manager Keith Andrews.

“People don’t realise how hard it is to build a culture and an infrastructure that allows you to deal with disappointing times. Structure, culture and organisation are huge if you want to be successful.”

While the Sheffield United boss is keeping his feet firmly on the ground, the Blades still have a glimmer of hope in making the play-offs, but they cannot afford any slip-ups. And Saturday afternoon’s home fixture against West Bromwich Albion could be one of those banana skins that the Championship regularly produces.