Wilder Insists “Nobody Is Opening Us Up” As Sheffield United Prepare to Host QPR | OneFootball

Sheffield United face off against Queens Park Rangers at Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon in their final game before the international break, and for Chris Wilder’s side, it already feels like a defining moment in their season.

The Blades have endured a torrid run of form, losing their last three Championship fixtures and conceding three goals in each of those defeats. A 3-2 loss away at Preston North End began the slide, with defensive errors overshadowing some promising attacking play. That was followed by a 3-1 home defeat to Derby County, where lapses at the back again proved costly, before another 3-1 loss in midweek at Coventry City compounded their misery.

It’s a sequence that has alarmed Sheffield United who have never previously conceded three or more goals in four consecutive matches in the second tier (or below), a record they will be desperate to avoid this weekend.

Saturday’s clash is therefore not only a chance to steady the ship, but also to restore belief ahead of the upcoming Steel City derby against Sheffield Wednesday after the international break. Another poor result could see tensions rise even further around the club.

Sheffield United Need Bramall Lane to Remain Positive Despite Growing Concerns

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 18: Callum O’Hare of Sheffield United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with his teammates during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Watford at Bramall Lane on October 18, 2025 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Kate McShane/Getty Images)

Despite recent setbacks, Chris Wilder remains confident that the Bramall Lane crowd will rally behind his players when they need it most.

He said to SUTV: “We can look back, and we can all have an opinion about we should have done this; we should have done that, we should have done that six months ago and that’s happened, this happened. We’re in the situation that we’re in and we’ve got to deal with it.

“Reading a piece by a really respected journalist, and he was talking about modern football and how supporters turn up at home grounds now wanting to criticise from the off. I’ve got to say, I’ve never had that feeling at Bramall Lane, never had that feeling.

“Bramall Lane has always been a positive place to play our football, and I’m sure our supporters will understand the situation that we’re in and the help that the players need at this particular moment.”

Chris Wilder Insists Sheffield United Aren’t Being Tactically Beaten

OXFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 27: Chris Wilder, Manager of Sheffield United, acknowledges the fans after the team’s victory in the Sky Bet Championship match between Oxford United and Sheffield United at Kassam Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Oxford, England. (Photo by Cameron Howard/Getty Images)

The Blades boss also defended his side’s performances from a tactical perspective, insisting that the recent defeats were not the result of being outplayed.

“Every team we play against we do our analysis on in terms of how we can find better ways to win games. This isn’t a deflection of any sort but tactically nobody is opening us up. Coventry didn’t open us up on Tuesday night tactically; they scored two goals from set plays, neither did Derby or Preston. Over those last three games we’ve lost, nobody has done anything spectacular on us tactically, they haven’t dominated us tactically.”

Blades Could See Experienced Midfielder Return to the Starting XI

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 29: Tom Davies of Sheffield United celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United FC and Sunderland AFC at Bramall Lane on November 29, 2024 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Midfielder Tom Davies could be in line for a return to the starting XI as he edges closer to full fitness. Wilder confirmed that a late decision will be made on the former Everton man’s involvement.

“We’ve got a decision to make tomorrow. He’s pretty close to doing that but yet again we’re having to make physical substitutions which is not acceptable from my point of view; it makes it difficult for me to do my job.”

If Sheffield United are to steady the ship at the weekend, they will likely have to do it without their number one shot-stopper Michael Cooper after being forced off at half-time against Coventry.

Adam Davies would start in his place if Cooper is indeed unable to take part. The Blades will hope the Welsh international can certainly do better than he did for Coventry’s second goal when he flapped at a corner and ultimately left Bobby Thomas an open goal to nod the ball into from close range.