Chris Wilder says his under-fire Sheffield United side must take criticism of their performances on the chin ahead of their huge six-pointer against Luton Town on Saturday.
Sheffield United sit bottom of the Premier League table, 10 points adrift of 17th-placed Luton, who are unbeaten in their last six games across all competitions.
The Blades were thrashed 5-0 by Aston Villa last time out, the fourth time they have conceded five or more goals in a Premier League game this term.
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At Thursday’s pre-match press conference, Wilder acknowledged there is no hiding place for his struggling side but called for them to use the criticism as motivation.
“You have to accept in the position we’re in that there’s going to be an opinion on you, and you have to take that on the chin because there’s no hiding place in the Premier League,” Wilder said.
“It’s streamed and gets broadcast worldwide and everything that goes with it. We all enjoy being part of it.
“The downside of it is when you’re not doing as well as you want to do, then you have to receive that criticism, which we will receive and I will receive. We have to try and turn that into a positive.”
Chris Wilder looks ahead to Saturdays @premierleague game against Luton Town! ????
“The players know what they’re going into, we know the environment we’re going into, and we’ve got to play well and be clinical.”#SUFC ???? pic.twitter.com/mBPdBwN9CU
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) February 8, 2024
Asked if Saturday’s game was a must-win for Sheffield United, Wilder said he was ignoring their position in the table and focusing purely on countering the threat posed by Luton.
“We’ve talked about this right the way through, and I should imagine people do look at the table but we’ve tried not to,” Wilder said.
“We’ve tried to focus on the next game in front of us, which is on Saturday against an in-form team, who are doing fabulously well.
“The narrative will be how well they’re doing as a promoted side and how poor we are at the moment. We’ve got to understand that and we’ve got to accept it.”
A trip to Kenilworth Road awaits this Saturday for the Bladesmen. ????️
???? #LUTSHU ???? pic.twitter.com/jkuCDm72LT
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) February 8, 2024
