Sheffield United: Chris Wilder set to issue January transfer demand to COH Sports amid Blades struggles | OneFootball

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder plans to take ruthless approach in the January transfer window - It involves the owners

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has revealed that he will be sending a document to club owners COH Sports regarding changes he needs to make in the January transfer window - which doesn't open for another three months.

The start of the 2025/26 Championship campaign has been nothing short of a horror show for all involved at the Blades.

After being nailed on as one of the league's main contenders to challenge for promotion prior to a ball being kicked, that dream seems to be out of the window already.

With United merely having three points on the board nine games into the season, even a change in personnel in the dugout by swapping out Ruben Selles for the muc-loved Wilder has not yet stopped the rut.

When it comes to summer recruitment for Sheffield United, despite leaving the majority of their business right up until the deadline, the arrivals were strong. Experienced players such as the likes of Ben Mee and Ben Godfrey, combined with the youth of players such as Louie Barry and Alex Matos, it seemed as though Selles had gained suitable reinforcements to challenge for those top spots. However, that just hasn't been the case.

Wilder, entering Bramall Lane for the third time and knowing the club inside and out, looked like a good appointment in order to turn things around, but with only one win in four games so far in his tenure, the manager already has one eye on the January transfer window.

Chris Wilder set to hold difficult conversations with Sheffield United's owners

After coming in the door knowing how much of an uphill battle he would have to face, Wilder knew what he was getting himself in to. However, after forming such a deep understanding and affiliation with the South Yorkshire side in the past, if anyone knows what the Blades need, it's him.

When speaking about what can be done to fix the current situation at the club, Wilder told The Yorkshire Post: "I was already looking towards January when I was potentially coming in.

"That work's already been done. So, yes, there's a document going to [the owners] already.

"I know who takes us forward and who doesn't. And there'll be an honest conversation with that. And hopefully people, I'd like to think, will respect my contribution to that and my thought process on that."

Despite having a different complexion to the team that narrowly missed out on promotion last year in the play-off final, the losses of players like Kieffer Moore, Anel Ahmedhodzic, and Vini Souza have certainly left a void and created an instability in their ranks.

But with Wilder on a mission to get the right players in January, as well as ship out the deadwood currently at the club, the Blades fans will certainly hope that he delivers on his word and that the club's ownership give him the backing to do so.

Chris Wilder keen to maintain his positive relationship with the ownership of Sheffield United

Even though Wilder has fostered a sense of togetherness within the group since his arrival in mid-September, a change in form has been the key aspect that has been lacking, although he has seen some improvements.

"I've had nothing but support for them [the owners]. I think they've seen that we've turned it around in a small space of time in terms of quite a few things," Wilder added.

"But what I haven't delivered and what we haven't delivered for them as a collective, in their patience for me and their support for me and giving me the opportunity, are the results. So, I'm quite down about that.

"We'll continually work through that to give them the ideas, from my experience in the Championship. And what I believe will make us better and stronger going forward."

With the January transfer window still quite a while away in footballing terms, Wilder must deal with the here and now, and the resources he currently has at his disposal now to flip their form on its head.

Yes, fans can be optimistic about what is potentially to come in terms of fresh faces come January. However, football is a results-based game, and if this doesn't change soon, then Wilder may be lucky to make it to past the Christmas period - although another sacking would likely not go down well at all.