Sheffield United

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has spoken to the press ahead of the Blades' trip to a struggling Derby County on Saturday afternoon.

Here's what he had to say to BBC Radio Sheffield:

• Wilder said he is "delighted" to have signed a new contract until the end of the 2027-28 season. "Pretty easy decision from my point of view. It goes under the radar how early we are into this rebuild. Delighted with the players, their attitude. The results - bumps in the road as seen last Friday but I'm still looking at that table that says 60 points, so we've had a fabulous start. It gives stability to the football club and the players."

• On whether he cares about cementing a legacy: "No, not at all. It's not about me, it's about servicing the football club."

• New loan signing Harry Clarke, who joined from Ipswich, has been "on our list for a long time", according to Wilder. "It was important that we strengthened. His pedigree is really good and he's tasted success in the last two seasons with two promotions, so he knows how to win."

• Midfielder Hamza Choudhury, who joined on loan until the end of the season from Leicester City, was a "number one target right the way through". Wilder added: "A player that's been in and around a team that's won the Premier League, won the FA Cup, been in Europe, been in Champions League football. Delighted to have him on board."

• On other January transfers: "We're after a centre-half, there's no doubt about it. We've made a bid for a player and that's going through that dance as it always does."

• On facing Derby on Saturday: "They will be committed, they'll be on the front foot, and we have to earn the right to play and make sure we're right to gain a win. We have to be close to if not at our best to earn that right."

Listen to Chris Wilder's pre-match press conference on BBC Sounds.

Derby County have slipped into the relegation zone and are seeking to avoid their longest losing run in nearly 17 years when they welcome promotion-chasing Sheffield United to Pride Park on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Blades could overhaul leaders Leeds with a win, while only a win would give the Rams a chance of escaping the bottom three this weekend.

• Derby County have lost three of their past four league games against Sheffield United (W1), though all three defeats came away from home at Bramall Lane.

• Sheffield United have lost each of their past two away league games against Derby County and will be looking to avoid losing three in succession for the first time since January 2004.

• Derby have lost each of their past six league games in succession, while the Rams last endured a longer losing streak between April and August 2008.

• Sheffield United have lost three of their past seven league games (W3 D1), more defeats than across their opening 22 matches this season combined (W15 D5 L2).

• The average age of Derby's starting XI in the Championship this season is 28 years and four days; the oldest of any team in the division. Sheffield United, meanwhile, have the third-youngest starting XI on average (24y 336d).

Sheffield United could pip Steel City rivals Wednesday to the capture of Scotland midfielder Stuart Armstrong, who has been playing in Canada since leaving Southampton. (Sheffield Star, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column.

Image source, Rex Features

The second Steel City derby of the season between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United has been moved to Sunday, 16 March with a 12:30 (GMT) kick-off.

The fixture was originally scheduled for a day earlier at 15:00 (GMT) but has been put back just under 24 hours.

United won the reverse fixture 1-0 at Bramall Lane in November thanks to a goal from Tyrese Campbell.

The game in March will be the first time the sides have met in a league game at Hillsborough in just over six years after a goalless draw in the Championship in 2019.

Sheffield United have joined the race to sign Swansea City defender Harry Darling, 25, who has also been linked with a move to Birmingham City. (The Star), external

Want more transfer news and rumours from the EFL? Read Wednesday's gossip column here.

Image source, Rex Features

Chris Wilder has just signed a brand new deal which extends his second stay at Sheffield United until the end of the 2027-28 season.

Wilder will hope the Blades' 3-0 shock defeat at home by Yorkshire rivals Hull City on Friday is just a blip in the long and precarious road to promotion in early May- what would be his third with the club.

The Blades are two points behind Championship leaders Leeds United with 17 games to play with third-placed Burnley now just one point behind following Monday's draw.

BBC Radio Sheffield's Rob Staton believes the 57-year-old's new deal "could secure Wilder's legacy as Sheffield United's greatest modern-era boss."

But do you agree Blades fans? Does Wilder continue to be the right man to take the club forward?

Let us know your thoughts here.

Rob Staton
BBC Radio Sheffield reporter

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Wilder has, not for the first time, completely changed the fortunes of Sheffield United.

Last season was one to forget, with relegation to the Premier League inevitable by the turn of the year.

Despite losing players over the summer - and having to rely heavily on astute signings and the club's academy - Wilder has United right in the promotion mix to return to the top flight.

The club's new owners have hit the ground running, with impressive January window signings and now a new deal for the manager and his two key lieutenants Alan Knill and Matt Prestridge.

Nobody understands the Bramall Lane club better than Wilder and he will undoubtedly be a source of great help to ownership moving forward.

It also needs to be remembered that last time the Blades were promoted, Wilder had them pushing for Europe and they secured a top-half finish.

There's nobody better to try and get United back in the big time, then keep them there.

With two promotions at the club already secured and a potential third in his future, this deal until 2028 could secure Wilder's legacy as Sheffield United's greatest modern-era boss.

Sheffield United could walk away from a deal for Hertha Berlin's Jonjoe Kenny and seek an alternative right-back because the clubs are yet to agree a financial package for the transfer. (Kicker), external

Want more transfer news and rumours from the EFL? Read Tuesday's gossip column here.

Sheffield United are set to sign Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury on loan until the end of the season. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

The Blades are also considering a move for QPR defender Jimmy Dunne before the end of the January transfer window. (Yorkshire Post), external

Blades youngster Ryan One is on the radar of several Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Tottenham and Brighton, while Ipswich have enquired about the 18-year-old. (TBR Football), external

Want more transfer news and rumours from the EFL? Read Monday's gossip column here.

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder spoke to BBC Radio Sheffield after the Blades suffered a surprise 3-0 defeat at home to relegation battlers Hull City.

"Just maybe a game too far for us a little bit. I wanted to get through this game," Wilder said.

"I felt we were still stretched a little bit, playing a left-back in the middle of the park.

"Obviously putting boys into the team as well on a first start, so it was a little bit disjointed.

"Poor goals from our point of view. The first one gives them a huge lift. Then you could see, all of a sudden they sit into a low block and it's up to us to break them down.

"We couldn't find that rhythm and that bit of quality. And then the second goal was another poor goal to give away. And the third goal, we're chasing the game.

"It's a disappointing night. There will be twists and turns right the way through. We've put ourselves in a really good position. We can't rest on our laurels and not get over this.

"We have to get over this pretty quickly. The cavalry are coming, reinforcements are coming, boys are coming back from injury. We just have to accept we've been beaten.

"We've won plenty of games this season. I'm not going to beat the boys up for it. Other people can, they can beat me up, but I'm not going to."

"We've put ourselves in a great position and we need to be as strong as possible."

Before Sheffield United host Hull City on Friday night (20:00 GMT), boss Chris Wilder has been speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield about incoming prospects in January.

The Blades have reportedly agreed personal terms with Hertha Berlin defender JonJoe Kenny, with the right-back having voiced his interest in joining the club.

"Position specific, it's an area we are looking to improve and obviously JonJoe is one of those players that has been on our radar," Wilder said.

Wilder has confirmed that he expects the signing of Leicester City striker Tom Cannon to be completed before the deadline for Friday's match, while he still has his eye on midfielder Shea Charles, who has been on loan at Sheffield Wednesday from Southampton, but knows they will face tough competition for his signature.

"He'll be on everybody else's radar as well," Wilder added.

"We are playing a left-back in there at the moment, with a player in his first season of Championship football. It's not ideal."

The United midfield has been especially hit recently.

Along with Ollie Arblaster, who is out long-term with an ACL injury, the Blades have also lost Gus Hamer through suspension as well as injuries to Tom Davies and Jamie Shackleton.

But Wilder expects Davies to be "there or thereabout" for the upcoming games against Derby and Portsmouth.

You can keep up to date with the latest Sheffield United news by listening to the Blades Heaven podcast on BBC Sounds.

Sheffield United host Hull City on Friday evening (20:00 GMT) with the chance to regain top spot in the Championship table.

The Blades were league leaders after a 2-1 win against Swansea City on Tuesday, but were displaced by Leeds United when the Whites took victory the following evening.

Hull City lost 2-1 at home to QPR to drop back into the bottom three following a win for previous tenants Portsmouth.

• United are unbeaten across their past seven league games against Hull (W6 D1), conceding one goal during that time.

• Hull have won one of their past 17 away league games against the Blades since 1971 (W1 D6 L10), failing to score in each of their past three visits to Bramall Lane.

• United have won each of their past three home league games against fellow Yorkshire sides 1-0 and will be looking to win four in succession for the first time since April 2006.

• Hull have won each of their past two away league games whilst keeping a clean sheet, not since March 2011 have the Tigers won three in succession on the road without conceding a goal in the process.

• No team have more home clean sheets in the Championship this season than Sheffield United (10), while only Burnley (4) have conceded fewer home goals than the Blades so far (5).