Chris Wilder Challenges Sheffield United Players to Stand Up to “Fired-up” Hillsborough Crowd | OneFootball

We’ve arrived at the first Steel City derby of the 2025/26 Championship campaign. Sheffield United make the short but significant trip across the city to Hillsborough, where a win for either side, particularly the Blades, could be the catalyst for real momentum.

For Sheffield Wednesday, sitting bottom of the league was always expected. A 12-point deduction hung over them long before a ball was kicked. Yet, credit must be given to their side: they’ve shown resilience in recent weeks, earning points against West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City.

Even the most optimistic Wednesday fans didn’t expect Sheffield United to be 22nd at this stage. But that is the reality. After three consecutive defeats, conceding three goals in each, United entered the international break with a goalless draw against QPR at Bramall Lane, a result that steadied the ship but did little to silence deeper concerns.

Last season, Sheffield United completed the double over Wednesday on their way to a third-place finish, the first time either side had managed a derby double since the 2008/09 season. Those 1-0 wins extended Chris Wilder’s derby record to three wins and three draws, including five clean sheets.

Sheffield United Boss on Returning Midfield Trio

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 10: Oliver Arblaster of Sheffield United is challenged by Shea Charles of Sheffield Wednesday during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United FC and Sheffield Wednesday FC at Bramall Lane on November 10, 2024 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images)

The Blades could welcome back three influential midfielders: Gustavo Hamer, Oliver Arblaster, and Tahith Chong. All three have been sorely missed during United’s early-season struggles. In his pre-match press conference, Wilder confirmed their return to contention for the Steel City derby:

“We’ve had a big lead-up to the game and we are all itching to get underway now. We’ve worked on stuff on the back of QPR, a game we were frustrated not to win, but the data stats are pointing in the right direction, and our eyes are too. We also have some big players coming back into contention.”

He added: “Derbies can be hard to predict; they are usually tight affairs that are decided by a bit of magic or a mistake.”

Wilder emphasised the need to manage both penalty areas effectively while acknowledging Wednesday’s key threats:

“We need to get both boxes right. The bit in the middle will be scrappy at times. They’ll try and take control of the game through Barry Bannan, who’s an outstanding operator and the heartbeat of that club.”

Chris Wilder Warns Against Complacency And Challenges Players to Embrace Fired-up Hillsborough

Rhian Brewster celebrating his goal against Sheffield Wednesday (Image Credit: Sheffield United Football Club.)

Despite Wednesday’s league position, he warned against complacency:

“We’ve watched all their games and we know they’ve been pretty unfortunate in some. We’re going into a different challenge, a different animal completely, and this is part and parcel of football.”

He added: “It’s not the fear of losing, it’s the elation of winning that drives you. You can’t fear losing. If we lose, we lose, and there’s a reason why, but it’s the ambition we have. They’re cagey affairs and you don’t want to go gung-ho and it be like a game of basketball but the ambition and feeling of winning. We want to replicate that feeling that has been with the club for a number of years now because we know how much it means to everybody.”

Wilder admitted that his relationship with the derby has only intensified since his first taste of it as a manager.

“In 2017 we were looked at as this team that had just come up, maybe a friendlier feel about it. But as time goes by and wins become more consistent with us, the hostility in and around the city ramps up. Have we brought it on ourselves? Yeah, of course, but I’m not going to apologise for that.”

The Blades will be walking into a fired-up Hillsborough stadium on Sunday afternoon, and everyone of a United persuasion recognises that. But Wilder has challenged his players to use that as fuel.

“Players should absolutely thrive on and love going into someone’s backyard when there are 30-odd thousand having a pop at you. You stick your chest out, take a deep breath, and show what you’re about.”