Chris Wilder makes honest admission about Leeds United ahead of Sheffield United clash
Chris Wilder has admitted Leeds United are a huge club and will be a “massive challenge” for Sheffield United when the sides meet on Friday (18 October).
The Whites will host Sheffield United at Elland Road in the Yorkshire derby, which will have massive ramifications at the top of the Championship table as the visitors are level on points with leaders Sunderland.
Wilder shared his admission in his pre-match press conference [17 October] and revealed he expects a volatile atmosphere at Elland Road, with the Leeds fans still not forgiving of his comments about Patrick Bamford and Adam Forshaw in the past.
“I know there’s a bit of pantomime in terms of what I said over the [18/19 promotion] period,” he said. “Maybe not the wisest words when you’ve just got promoted and you’re four hours in to the celebrations.
“They’ll hold that against me personally but it’s not an issue for me, I respect and know what a huge club that is and what a massive challenge we’ve got on our hands Friday night.”
Leeds United will be tested against Sheffield United
While the supporters are right to dislike Wilder for branding Forshaw and Bamford “muppets”, tensions are always bound to be high when two fierce rivals meet.
The relationship between Leeds and Sheffield United has always been sour, even more so with the reported pursuit of Gustavo Hamer this summer, and he will likely line up for the Blades at Elland Road with tensions already approaching boiling point.
Daniel Farke needs no further motivation to win after the humiliating fashion his side drew 2-2 with Sunderland before the international break. It will be no easy task to topple last season’s worst Premier League side.
Given the ongoing injury crisis plaguing Leeds, Farke will be more than happy to see all his international stars return to West Yorkshire unscathed and should be ecstatic with the quality performances on display, particularly Junior Firpo, who has stepped his game up a level with the Dominican Republic.
The German must put the pursuit of a midfielder on hold for now and focus on the task at hand. Bragging rights are on the line for Leeds and more importantly, the chance to kickstart what has been thus far a rather mixed campaign compared to last season.
In other Leeds news, a priority player for the January transfer window has been revealed at Elland Road.
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