'People didn't realise...' - Chris Wilder sets challenge for Sheff Utd ahead of key Portsmouth clash at Bramall Lane
Pompey face a tough-looking trip to Championship relegation rivals Sheffield United
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has laid down the gauntlet to his players as they prepare to host Pompey on Wednesday night.
Both sides will head into their Bramall Lane meeting on a high after the Blues claimed an impressive 3-1 home win against Millwall on Saturday afternoon and the Blades secured a Steel City derby victory against local rivals Sheffield Wednesday just under 24 hours later.
A Tyrese Campbell brace and a late deflected effort from Tom Cannon helped Wilder’s side take the local bragging rights at Hillsborough and ensured they now lie just one point from escaping the Championship relegation zone ahead of their meeting with John Mousinho’s men.
For Pompey, the trip to South Yorkshire will offer them an opportunity to start building momentum following their own weekend win. But Blades boss Wilder believes his players are now in control of their own destiny as they prepare for what already feels like a key clash in the battle to avoid relegation into League One. He also believes his team has finally shown what they are capable of.
Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield: ‘We have to decide the direction of our journey. If we take a step back then we are going to get hurt but if we are on-it and we use the work that we have done... it's a good group. I think it was game-on for us today (Sunday). Maybe some people didn't realise how good we could be and we had to prove that.
‘I think the football people will walk away saying we're a decent side and that if we can put it together we'll start climbing the table. Opinions and views are opinions and views - we've got to go and do the business and make it happen.’
Blades boost for battle at the bottom
Wilder’s hopes of guiding the Blades away from the relegation zone have been boosted by the return of key midfielders Gus Hamer, Oli Arblaster and Tahith Chong. He believes having three integral players back in contention can lead to more positives days like their Steel City derby win.
He added: #From my point of view, the standard of training when Gus, Oli Arblaster (who has been out for a year with an anterior cruciate ligament injury) and Tahith Chong is there is key.
‘To get arguably one of the best players in the division back among us is a huge boost. If we can keep everyone fit and healthy, I'd like to think we'll have more days like today.’