Wolves vs Sheffield United: Inside track on the Blades

Luke Hatfield spoke to James Shield, Sheffield United reporter for the Sheffield Star to get a detailed look at Chris Wilder's side.

Sheffield United have been just one of a handful of teams to get the better of Wolves this season, do you imagine they'll make the same approach as they did at Bramall Lane?

In a word, yes.

Sheffield United have entered every game this season with exactly the same approach and that is to attack and be positive.

Win, lose or draw, they'll always have 'a go' and aren't content to settle for a draw.

That ethos might have cost them points on a few occasions this season but, I bet if you add them up, it's seen them gain even more.

After a strong start to the season, The Blades have cooled off a little bit now. Do you think they can recapture that early season form and see a second successive promotion?

I think they can certainly challenge. Whether or not they go up, who knows?

But they are certainly capable of finishing inside the top six and, despite the club's miserable record in play-off competition, I don't think that would bother this group of players that much.

Chris Wilder has done a brilliant job so far, but do you think teams are beginning to figure him out?

He has, yes. And no, I don't.

They stuck with the same tactics last season and strolled to the League One title, finishing the season on 100 points and 14 clear of their nearest rivals.

At the beginning of this season, a lot of people said their results were down to momentum but, personally, I think that was doing them a disservice.

They might not have the finance to sign household names but they do sign really good players. And they develop long-standing players into even better ones.

They struggled after losing some key players to injury before Christmas because their squad wasn't the deepest but they've taken steps to rectify that now and, when the new players all completely settle in, I've got no doubt you'll see more consistency.

Have the Blades done any transfer business so far this month? Could their recent business play a part in the game?

They've signed four players during the transfer window, including Lee Evans from Wolves.

He's done really well since coming in and slotted pretty seamlessly into the midfield. I can see him becoming a really big hit at Bramall Lane over the next year or so.

The others, James Wilson, Ryan Leonard and Ricky Holmes, are also quality players and should all be involved against Wolves.

How do you expect Sheffield United to face up against the league leaders? Do you think they'll try and frustrate Wolves?

No, they won't. They try and frustrate them by pressing forward rather than sitting back. And why not?

That's one of the reasons I've really enjoyed watching Sheffield United under Chris Wilder.

They're positive and surely that's what football is all about; trying to win rather than draw?

This is a proper game, not a training ground exercise of attack versus defence.

We saw Villa get the better of the Blades in mid-week in dramatic fashion, could that result and disappointment carry over into the game against Wolves?

I don't think it will, no. Sheffield United aren't on the greatest run in terms of results at the moment but their performance levels have remained pretty high throughout.

If you continue to play well then, in my opinion at least, the results will come again eventually. And they've got some very strong characters in the group.

What do you make of Wolves' promotion credentials, judging by what you've seen, could they cut it in the Premier League?

I'd be amazed if they didn't go up now and yes, with the financial backing they've got, of course they are capable of cutting it in the Premier League.

Breaking into the top six or seven immediately is probably asking a little too much, because that would mean deposing the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur who are always going to be more attractive to leading players who are chasing medals rather than money.

But, longer-term, why not? They've clearly got a manager who knows what he is doing and how to create an effective team.

Your match prediction?

I think it promises to be a really exciting game because both teams, as we saw at Bramall Lane earlier this season, approach their football with the right attitude. I'm looking forward to it.

You can follow James on Twitter by searching for @JamesShield1