Sheffield United have been busy in the Winter transfer window with the additions of midfielders Ryan Leonard from Southend and Ricky Holmes from Charlton for undisclosed fees.
The Blades also secured the loan signings of Lee Evans from Wolves and the high profile loan signing of James Wilson from Manchester United.
With his side riding high in the Championship in 7th spot, 2 points behind Fulham in 6th and the Blades beating Preston last weekend to progress into the 5th round of the Emirates FA Cup Wilder is keen for his players to continue with the aggressive, attacking style of play that has got the Blades to this position at this stage of the season.
Scottish midfielder John Fleck, who has been a big part of United’s success so far this campaign, is expected to line up in the top 7 clash with Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa outfit at Bramall Lane tonight despite the fact that the player has accrued 9 yellow cards this season meaning a further yellow card during the next 11 league matches will signal an automatic 2 match suspension.
Blades boss Chris Wilder had this to say when asked about the style of play from his midfielder:
“John will play the game as it is and we have good competition for places in the middle of the park now, so it’s no issue if he is banned.
“John will have to play well anyway to stay in the team, and he’s certainly not going to tip-toe his way through games. And I don’t want him to. If he does, he won’t play.
“It’s as simple as that, and John understands that.
“It’s just about him now managing the game and being sensible. You have to compete and put a foot in, though, and if it happens, it happens.
“If he doesn’t get banned, then it won’t be because he’s not fully committed.”
So we can expect the Blades will be going for it at home against the Villans tonight and following Billy Sharp’s winner on Saturday against Preston it will be interesting to see who Wilder selects upfront.
To wrap up the transfer moves of the Blades this January up to now, on the departures front Chris Wilder has allowed Caolan Lavery to join Rotherham United on loan but there still may be a future for the Canadian forward at Bramall Lane.