“Performances Have Been Better Than Results” – Wilder Provides Assessment Ahead of Sheffield United vs Charlton | OneFootball

Chris Wilder takes charge of Sheffield United for the third time this weekend, with his latest reign beginning at Bramall Lane against newly promoted Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon.

The Blades head into the clash on the back of a bruising 5-0 defeat at Ipswich Town, a result which continued their run of losses since the start of the season and ultimately led to the sacking of Ruben Selles. But with Wilder back in the dugout, many around the club see this as a reset moment – a chance to wipe the slate clean and instil belief into a squad desperately in need of confidence.

Charlton, meanwhile, arrive in South Yorkshire following two bruising London derbies. Nathan Jones’ side let a lead slip in a 3-1 defeat at Queens Park Rangers, only to concede twice in the final 15 minutes. Days later, they were denied victory at The Valley when Millwall grabbed an 88th-minute equaliser, leaving the Addicks with just a point to show for two promising performances.

Injury News Ahead of Sheffield United vs Charlton Athletic

Injuries remain a frustrating theme for the Blades. Much like last season, midfielders Oliver Arblaster, Tom Davies, and Jamie Shackleton have been unavailable for selection. However, there is some encouragement, with Davies rejoining first-team training this week. Unfortunately, Wilder revealed that Danny Ings will be unavailable at the weekend.

Charlton continue to miss proven Championship goalscorer Matt Godden, who is still recovering from knee surgery that he underwent in the summer.

Chris Wilder Offers Assessment on Ruben Selles’ Controversial Decisions Against Ipswich Town

IPSWICH, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 12: Ruben Selles, Manager of Sheffield United, looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Sheffield United at Portman Road on September 12, 2025 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The eyebrow-raising moment of last Friday night at Portman Road came when the team sheet was released, showing both Tyrese Campbell and Gustavo Hamer dropped to the bench. The decision backfired badly as United were swept aside 5-0.

Reflecting on the result and the situation, Wilder made it clear, during his first press conference back at the club, that he would not criticise decisions made before his return, while underlining the importance of Campbell and Hamer to Sheffield United’s revival:

“Listen, they’re not my decisions, so I don’t think it’s right for me to comment on the way the team went about it. As a fan I’m obviously disappointed in getting beat 5-0 away from home. But, Gus and Ty for me are top players. They need to take that responsibility as I’ve said to both of them. They need to get back to where they were.”

“I wasn’t the manager, I didn’t pick the team, I didn’t pick the formation, I didn’t pick the processes, so that’s nothing to do with me. Now we’ve talked about it, we can park that bit and move forward. But, for us to be successful we need Tyrese Campbell performing to the best of his ability and Gus getting back to the form [that won him] Championship Player of The Season.”

Wilder Previews Sheffield United vs Charlton Athletic

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – APRIL 25: Chris Wilder, Manager of Sheffield United, applauds the fans after his team’s victory in the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City FC and Sheffield United FC at Bet365 Stadium on April 25, 2025 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Speaking to the media ahead of the match, Wilder paid respect for Charlton’s threats:

“We know what promoted sides can do especially early in the season and knowing what Nathan’s about he’d love to spoil what we’re trying to do. We’re going to have to overcome a team that’s started pretty well. I think their performances have been better than their results. Got a man sent off last week and no doubt could’ve gone on to get 3 points and have had a couple of tight games. We have to respect the opposition as I always do.”

Wilder also acknowledged similarities between himself and his opposite number, Nathan Jones, in terms of touchline passion, he added: “If you shout and are passionate and wear your heart on your sleeve you’re overdoing it, and if you don’t and just sit in the dugout you get accused of something else.

We’re all authentic. I’m authentic in terms of my approach. I’m not going to change it. I back my players, my team, my football club, and we want to make it as tough as possible for every team that steps into Bramall Lane.”

Wilder Speaks on Squad Quality And Depth

With selection decisions looming for the weekend, Wilder spoke about the challenge he’s set to his players:

“We’ve picked a team, and players have been left out, but I’ve said to them we are losing football club at the moment, and they are losing footballers, but the players selected have got a great opportunity and they can’t afford to produce performances where they aren’t turning up and delivering.

“It is on them, they are the lucky ones, the unlucky ones are the ones not playing, but they will get an opportunity, talk about the strength of the group. It will be a group effort, we need to pull together and the signs are we are the group the did that last season, we need to mirror that, starting on Saturday.”

As for tactical changes, Wilder stated:

“I’m going to pick the same formation that 30,000 Sheffield United fans would’ve picked. There might be some positional changes slightly and personnel changes, but small steps. It’s my first selection and we’re confident we’ve got it right.”

He later added:  “This is a strong squad. We’re going to have a really strong bench, the 20 selected will be a powerful group and there’s going to be some good players not even in the 20. I think we’re a little bit bloated and some good players are on the way back [from injury].”

Can Wilder Get the Blades Up And Running?

It’s been a disastrous start to the 2025/26 Championship campaign, but now with the Selles experiment well and truly out of the way, Sheffield United have a chance on Saturday afternoon to remind the league just how good they were last season.

Of course, this is a vastly different set of players, though they still have three of the five most important players from last term: Michael Cooper, Tyrese Campbell and Gustavo Hamer. Can this trio help steer United’s season back on track at the first time of asking under the legendary figure of Wilder?