Wilder on Davies' return, January transfers and feeling 'pain'
- Published
Chris Wilder has spoken to the media before Sheffield United's match against Manchester City on Saturday.
Here are some of the main lines from his news conference:
On team news ahead of Saturday's match, Wilder said: "There's a couple of suspensions and a few players that have knocks and bruises that we'll look at. Tom Davies is back on the grass which is great news. We'll go with what we've got and be as competitive as we can be."
Wilder says Rhys Norrington-Davies and Rhian Brewster "aren't in a position to start games at the moment" but says there's potential for them to get more minutes in the New Year.
On Wes Foderingham's mentality after recent criticism, Wilder said: "He'll feel it. He has to get over that as everyone has. Everybody to suffer and we can't shy away from it. He'll be the first to admit there's situations we can handle a bit better, but this is the life and times of a goalkeeper."
On whether he's considered replacing him in the starting line-up, Wilder added: "They can't be knee-jerk reactions, but players have got to play well to get in and stay in the team. I've got to put my best team out at Man City."
On his opponents, Wilder said: "You've got to have a plan and a structure in and out of possession. You can't go gung-ho or toe-to-toe with them because of the quality they've got. Pep [Guardiola] is the best manager in the world and one of the all-time greats as well. The way they dominate the ball, you have to bring your A-game to the table. We understand how the game is going to go, so we all have to understand and accept that."
On the transfer window and targets, Wilder said: "These players have got to go in the first team, and we're in a period where you have to make quick decisions in terms of what you want your team to look like. Some of the players that we're looking to bring in, we understand it's going to be limited but we will be looking."
On lifting the mood after defeat to Luton, Wilder said: "I want them to hurt and be emotional about it. We felt the pain of a defeat that I didn't think was deserved. If you look over the period, we've been close to five points extra to our total, but it isn't to be. I'd be disappointed if they didn't because they have to feel the hurt of not getting the result we were all after."
