UK Edition
I'm not embarrassed to beat Leeds the way we did, says Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder
The language was industrial, but entirely accurate as Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder warned it will take several more “big b------” performances for his team to win promotion.
This is Wilder, direct and to the point. Yorkshire through and through. He knew his side had been out-played by Leeds, but the result, secured with their only shot on target by Chris Basham, was all that mattered.
Sheffield United were in League One two years ago when Wilder, a Blades fan and a former player, took over and they are now seven games away from a return to the Premier League.
Their 1-0 win over Leeds, which saw them move above their Yorkshire rivals, summed them up. Resolute, dogged and ruthless when they need to be. They have not conceded a goal for seven games and although Leeds should have ended that run given the number of chances they created, this was a brilliant result for the visitors.
“Going second is a big boost,” said Wilder, whose reputation, built in the lower leagues with Northampton Town is soaring.
“It shows that we are in the fight. Now we have to kick on, lift our standards a bit more. We have big challenges ahead of us and big hurdles. The boys keep surprising us in terms of what they have got and what they are trying to achieve.
“It was a full on big b------- performance by everybody. There were some tired boys out there. It took a hell of a lot out of us.
“Leeds were brighter and more energetic than us and we had to dig deep. The boys came up with the answers. There has been lots of media attention and players saying things and whatever. You have to deal with that. If we want to play in big games these are the days you have to show up.
“They have a desire to keep the ball out of the net. I am not going to be embarrassed about coming here and winning 1-0, backs against the wall. It wasn’t undeserved, but purists may say Leeds were the better side.”