"He thinks" - Sky Sports pundit suggests why Chris Wilder has stayed at Sheffield United | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit David Prutton makes Chris Wilder, Sheffield United promotion claim

Sky Sports EFL pundit David Prutton has suggested that Chris Wilder is only "sticking around" at Sheffield United because he believes he can win promotion back to the Premier League.

The Blades boast an unbeaten record in the Championship so far this season, as they defeated Preston North End 2-0 in their opening fixture, before drawing with both QPR and Norwich City, prior to an important 1-0 win over fellow highflyers Watford in their last game before the international break.

Prutton makes Chris Wilder, Blades promotion claim

Speaking on Sky Sports' Essential EFL podcast, the pundit said: "I think what we expect from them, and what we're potentially going to see is, Chris (Wilder) is only there, and sticking around there (as) part of that club because he thinks he can get promoted, doesn't he?

"Playing wise, they've got a squad, and a way of playing that can be very expansive.

"We talked about it a lot the last time he was in the Championship with Sheffield United, there has been quite a tweak to that formation.

"The start that we've seen from them reflects, potentially, where they should be come the end of the season.

"There's no sense of them feeling any form of inferiority complex to the teams that are up there, being discussed, because their ambition, absolutely, is to get back into the Premier League as quickly as possible.

"Recruitment wise, there's a lot to like about it.

"It's funny, because we're passing judgment, or checking in as you say early on in this division, but with what we've seen from Chris (Wilder) and his reaction to some of the games, he's been quite bullish, hasn't he?

"We saw him after the EFL Cup game as well, where he was very much on the front foot.

"I just love the way he goes about the job, I've got a lot of time for United, and how they got promoted last time under Paul Heckingbottom.

"The pressure's on, and the vision probably reflects a balance in it, and a strength that gives United that much belief."

Blades can build on solid start

While Wilder's men haven't set the Championship alight in the same way as table-toppers Sunderland, who sit top of the league after winning four games in four, or even West Brom, who have won three and drawn one, the Blades can still be very proud of their unbeaten record as well as their two victories.

The South Yorkshire side have shown their attacking qualities, by scoring six goals in four second tier outings, while they have also boasted a solid defence so far, conceding just three goals.

As the season progresses, Championship observers are likely to deem the Blades' summer signings Kieffer Moore, Callum O'Hare, Harrison Burrows, and Alfie Gilchrist as key players, which would suggest that Wilder and co are yet to enter full swing while these assets settle in, which is a frightening prospect for many league opponents.

The Blades' trip to fellow Yorkshire side Hull City, who are currently out of form after nearing a play-off spot last campaign, offers them a chance to show what they are all about.

The Bramall Lane outfit will be equally keen to defeat relatively nearby Derby County on Saturday 21st September, while a visit to newly promoted Portsmouth at the end of the month could also prove fruitful.