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Chris Wilder has been speaking ahead of the match at St James’ Park.
Sheffield United knowing that defeat will mean they are relegated for sure.
They look in an impossible situation anyway, however, a Newcastle United victory would guarantee Championship football.
Chris Wilder wasn’t in charge for the 8-0 defeat at Bramall Lane in September and is looking forward to this one.
Chris Wilder press conference ahead of facing Newcastle United – 26 April 2024:
“Nowhere better to go than up the road [to St James’ Park], in terms of the atmosphere, the vibrancy and all the emotion that gets attached to that game.
“It (Newcastle United) is one of my favourite clubs, one of my favourite teams to watch.
“I have enormous admiration for Eddie’s career and how he has gone about it.
“They have had their ups and downs but they are still in the position that they are.
“They have got some fabulous players, an incredible environment, one we can really look forward to going to and hopefully leaving everything out there, like we did on Wednesday [against Man U].
“They (Newcastle United) are after European football and we have to somehow be competitive and upset the odds.”
Chris Wilder on Oli McBurnie, who will miss the rest of the season:
“It’s a massive blow for us but it goes alongside a lot of the situations we’ve had all season.
“It’s a really disappointing one.
“He went to see a surgeon, a specialist, it doesn’t require surgery, but obviously that’s a big one to miss from a leadership and experience point of view.”
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder on other team news:
“James McAtee went for a scan and we’re waiting for the results.
“We believe Jayden Bogle will be OK.
“It will open up for a couple of the younger lads, who were absolutely outstanding in the local derby last night.”
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder on what lessons the club has learned this season:
“Through good times, we all enjoy it and we’re all willing to take that credit when it happens, individually and collectively as a football club, and you have to own and suffer and take responsibility for the times when there’s a little bit of pain.
“But certainly, reflection is massive for me: reflection in terms of a training session, reflection in terms of a game, a part of the season or an overall season from everybody. Are we doing the right things medically? Are we doing the right things on the training ground? Are we doing the right things with recruitment? Things that I can control.
“There are certain things we haven’t got right as a football club this season. As a club, there is humility, a lot of humble people. We’ve had a poor season – that’s there for all to see.
“We’ve had to take the words and the criticism but as I said, it doesn’t last forever; we’ll learn. I’m still learning as a manager, at the ripe old age I am [56], with 1,000 games under my belt.”
Chris Wilder on what is next for Sheffield United, especially if relegation is confirmed on Saturday:
“We’re not saying everything is great.
“What we are saying is there is a load of optimism about the future of the football club.
“It’s a poor season, not a poor football club.
“We’ve been in far more worse positions than this as a football club, certainly over my time as a supporter, player and manager.
“So, we’ll come again if the inevitable happens on the weekend.
“We’ll try our best, as we did, like we did on Wednesday night at Old Trafford, to get a result for our club and our supporters – who yet again were magnificent.”
Newcastle United matches now confirmed for rest of the season:
Saturday 27 April 2024 – Newcastle v Sheff Utd (3pm)
Saturday 4 May 2024 – Burnley v Newcastle (3pm)
Saturday 11 May 2024 – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)
Wednesday 15 May 2024 – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
Sunday 19 May 2024 – Brentford v Newcastle (4pm)
(The final day of the season live TV matches will be selected closer to the day but all 10 PL games will be same time same day)
Wednesday 22 May 2024 – Tottenham v Newcastle (at MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground)
Friday 24 May 2024 – A-League All Stars team v Newcastle (at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne)

 
