Wilder on injuries, Baldock and stopping Liverpool
- Published
Chris Wilder has been speaking to the media before Sheffield United's Premier League match away to Liverpool on Thursday.
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Wilder confirmed that George Baldock will be out for around six weeks with a calf injury and said: "We think highly of George in personality, characteristics and all round as a player. He got the injury on international duty so it's a difficult one for us to take. Disappointing news for both George and ourselves."
He also confirmed that Cameron Archer will be back before the end of the season but Tom Davies is in a "similar situation" to Baldock.
On Baldock being out of contract in the summer: "One of the players where we have a lot of thinking and talking to do. He will have options as well and part of it will be looked at from a club point of view and part from his point of view. We have really enjoyed working with him in our time here and hopefully have opportunity to work with him again."
Wilder said there had been "zero sympathy" over Oliver Arblaster's substitution against Fulham, but the reason he was taken off was "because he couldn't move" and that he was "not happy" the youngster had played the full match in the international break.
He added: "Do we keep him on the pitch and open up a young player to injury? When I say we had to make physical substitutions I'm not passing the buck, this is from a conditioning point of view and opening them up to injury. Tell you what - I'll keep playing him to 115 minutes, he pulls a muscle and he's out for six weeks. Lets do that, that is sensible isn't it?"
He said there has been "mixed reaction" to the fourth goal they had ruled out against Fulham and added: "For us it kills the game. It is a key moment - 4-1 up and we're in a great position. Our second half performance deserved that. The timing of the goal gave them a huge lift and with the introduction of the players they brought on - I'm stating facts and the obvious, but this is what we're up against."
On reports of Jamie Hoyland returning to the club as part of the recruitment team: "We have spoke to a lot of people and are going through an extensive process. The club will hopefully make a statement regarding that recruitment department. You will understand and know I am heavily involved in that with the chief executive and owner."
On how they stop opponents Liverpool: "Good question, big question, not a lot of teams can do it. We just have to be the best that we are and have got to be resolute and defend well. We are going to have to have a big night, a huge night to get a result for us and we need big performances from everyone."
