MX23RW : Sunday, May 12 12:04:00| >> :120:7528:7528:

Chris Wilder: 'Sheffield United are here to make history'

The Blades head to Southampton on Sunday and could finish their first season back in the Premier League in eighth place.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder wants his current crop to be remembered as one of the club's greatest sides.

The Blades, who head to Southampton for their final game on Sunday, could finish their first season back in the Premier League in eighth place.

It would be their highest top-flight finish since Ken Furphy led them to sixth in the old First Division in 1975.

"We're here to make history, we're here to achieve things and we have achieved things," Wilder said.

"To be talked about in the same breath as the Tony Curries and Len Badgers and (Ted) Hemsleys, for me knowing the history of the club, it sends a shiver down the spine.

"So we work here in the present and we're after eighth position. We will reflect, it's been a fabulous achievement.

"To be talked about in 20 or 30 years like the team of the early 70s, that is something to be very proud of."

Wilder has guided the Blades from Sky Bet League One to the Premier League in four seasons with largely the same squad.

"It's not like a team that's been in the Premier League, kept all their players, dropped into the Championship and come back again, like Newcastle with Rafa Benitez a few years ago," he said.

"This is a promoted side out of League One and to compete as we have has been a fabulous achievement, and all credit goes to the players.

"I thank my staff as well for their support, it's been a real team effort and the opportunity to finish eighth on Sunday afternoon is a great target for us."

The Blades' home defeat to Everton on Monday dashed their hopes of a Europa League place, while their fans are still ruing the 'goal' that never was in last month's 0-0 draw at Aston Villa.

Oliver Norwood's free-kick clearly crossed the goal-line, but referee Michael Oliver did not receive a signal to indicate a goal and Hawk-Eye later "unreservedly apologised".

"We're still waiting for the stills back from the Villa game," joked Wilder. "It's a little bit raw as you can imagine.

"When you talk about VAR decisions, it does make me laugh when some managers think they've been on the receiving end of the worst decisions, we have been on the end of the worst decision by a country mile.

"There's a lot of opinion going around about VAR, we all want this to work in the best possible way because it's here to stay. We want consistent decisions, that's what we're all after."

Wilder said he had no major new injury concerns, but several players were carrying minor knocks and would be assessed.

ID:407765: cacheID:407765:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3921:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Dean Henderson in action for Sheffield United on June 17, 2020
Read Next:
Chelsea to offer Dean Henderson double-your-money deal?
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City36267391335885
2Arsenal36265588286083
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs361961171591263
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle361761379572257
7Chelsea361691173611257
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton361212125458-448
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!