“Absolute Nonsense” – Wilder Dismisses Celebration Complaints as Sheffield United Look to Kick On Against Portsmouth | OneFootball

Sheffield United head into this week’s home clash against Portsmouth with renewed confidence after dismantling Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 at Hillsborough.

The derby win showcased a number of positives for Chris Wilder’s side. New signing Patrick Bamford came on for Tyrese Campbell and made his debut and produced a promising 20-minute display off the bench leading the line, while influential midfielder Gustavo Hamer made a welcome late cameo as he continues his return from a knee injury.

Wednesday’s visitors, Portsmouth, arrive with the unwanted tag of being the Championship’s worst away side so far this season. However, their spirits will be lifted after beating ten-man Millwall 3-1 at home at the weekend.

Injury News For Sheffield United vs Portsmouth

Pompey’s struggles have largely stemmed from losing their most dangerous attacker, Callum Lang, to injury. Lang impressed from the bench on Saturday, though Mousinho has admitted that a start at Bramall Lane may come too soon.

Hamer is expected to continue his gradual reintegration. After several weeks out with a knee issue, Wilder opted to give him only a short run-out at Hillsborough, and the midfielder could be in line for an increased role.

There is further cautious optimism in midfield, with Oliver Arblaster and Tahith Chong edging closer to a return. Neither made the squad for the derby, but both are progressing well. Wilder told the media, “He’s trained fully so we’ve got a lot of boys [to choose from]. It’s difficult to get in the squad and that’s how I want it to be.”

Chris Wilder Dismisses “Nonsense” Regarding Celebration Complaints at Hillsborough

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 23: Chris Wilder, Manager of Sheffield United, looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United at Hillsborough on November 23, 2025 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Post-match celebrations at Hillsborough drew criticism from some quarters, but Wilder dismissed the complaints. “You can’t win, can you? What do you want us to do, just walk straight back down the tunnel? Absolute nonsense,” he said. “We won a local derby, we’ve won a few of them recently, and we want to keep that rolling.”

Wilder also revealed that there had been “a few words” exchanged in the tunnel before the match, and there were some claims that United “wouldn’t be up for it”, which baffled him.

“I’m not sure how anybody could come to that conclusion, especially if I’m the manager of this football club. And I don’t think any Sheffield United supporter would ever think we wouldn’t be up for one of those games.”

Wilder also took time to hail the contributions of academy graduates Andre Brooks, Femi Seriki, and Sydie Peck, all of whom played key roles in Sunday’s victory.

“Our three academy players, we talk about dominating the city and dominating the city from that point of view as well, which we have done in facilities and in bringing players through and selling players as well,” said Wilder. “Another three on the pitch on Sunday — Femi, Andre [delighted for him being a local boy], and Sydie. Two of the three are not from S2 or S8 or S10 or wherever, but they are Sheffield United players. I’m delighted for them as well because they’ve been ingrained in our culture and our philosophy, even at academy level.”

Can Sheffield United Capitalise on Confidence Boost Against Portsmouth?

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 23: Thomas Cannon of Sheffield United celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United at Hillsborough on November 23, 2025 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Reflecting on his record in Steel City derbies, Wilder briefly spoke about his ambitions when he first took charge in 2016. “I want to dominate the city and it’s as simple as that,” he said. “As soon as I got the gig, I wanted to try and close the gap and we have done.”

While Sheffield United may have recorded the biggest away win in Steel City derby history on Sunday afternoon, that result and performance counts for nothing if they do not capitalise on this confidence boost.

They have a great chance to build on Sunday’s win by getting another three points against the Championship’s worst away side, Portsmouth, who have a terrible record at Bramall Lane with their last win in the league in S2 coming way back in the 1950s.