The Sheffield United manager was complimentary about his Sheffield Wednesday counterpart.
Chris Wilder has shared his thoughts on Sheffield Wednesday and Carlos Carvalhal ahead of Sheffield United’s trip to Hillsborough on Sunday.
The Blades go into the game two points clear of their city rivals in sixth position, despite this being their first season back in the Championship after six years in League One.
Wednesday, meanwhile, have progressed into something of a perennial promotion candidate in that time, having reached the play-offs twice in as many seasons – losing in the final at Wembley in May 2016.
“They’ve been in this division for a long time and obviously done fantastically well in the last two years under Carlos, who I really like, I’ve got to say – I’ve done a couple of bits and pieces with him – who’s a real genuine guy, and from their point of view, they’ve been at the top of the division for the last two years and will be looking to get out of the division,” he said.
“I think that goes without saying – not putting any undue pressure on that – I think that’s the ambition of where they are. What they do, whether it’s a price of a ticket or the money they spend on players, or the wages that they pay, that’s their direction and the way they’re going.
“We’re in possibly a different stage to where they’re at, but I think all that goes out of the window in Sunday, and as I said before I think we’re a dangerous team to play against.”
When asked if Sheffield Wednesday are the favourites for Sunday’s derby – the city’s first since February 2012 – Wilder replied: “What, with being in the division, being in the play-off final two years ago, being in the play-offs last year, spending all that dough, having all these big-name players? I think so – just.”
Wilder refused to be drawn on the availability of Sheffield United strike pair Billy Sharp and Clayton Donaldson, who missed last Saturday’s home defeat by Norwich City, but Blades midfielder Paul Coutts has avoided suspension following an investigation into an off-the-ball incident last time out.
Should Sharp or Donaldson fail to make it, United could turn to former Sheffield Wednesday man Leon Clarke in attack.
Who will win Sunday’s Steel City derby – Sheffield Wednesday or Sheffield United?
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