Chris Wilder is expecting Hull City to be at their sharpest when they take on Sheffield United under the lights at the MKM Stadium this Friday evening.
The Tigers, still seeking their first win under new boss Tim Walter, will be desperate to turn things around after a challenging start to the season.
Walter, who took over in July, has yet to see his side claim victory, with their latest setback a 2-0 defeat to Leeds United before the international break. That result ended a run of three consecutive draws, leaving Hull in need of a boost as they approach this important fixture.
Sheffield United, on the other hand, have kicked off their campaign in fine form, shaking off the disappointment of Premier League relegation.
Their latest result, a home win over Watford, extended their unbeaten start to the season, and they’ll be hoping to continue that momentum on Friday.
Hull City have been active in the transfer market, bringing in four new players on deadline day, all of whom could play a role in Friday’s clash.
Additionally, Steven Alzate, who joined after the break, may feature from the bench. The international break has offered Walter a valuable opportunity to work with his new-look squad on the training pitch—an advantage Wilder believes could make a real difference.
“There were a lot of changes there in the summer, same as us,” Wilder told the Sheffield Star.
“I suppose it was a surprise for everybody that Liam (Rosenior) went and an experienced manager was brought in from Germany. A lot of changes, and different way of playing as well.”
Wilder acknowledged that the international break came at the right time for Hull:
“So they’ll have been delighted with the international break to get themselves going and working on certain things they need to work on. They lost some players but brought a lot in, lost at Leeds last time out which is no disgrace, and drawn the other three. So they’ve been competitive.”
The Sheffield United boss is also aware of the challenge Hull City presents, noting that their encounters often feel like local derbies.
“It always has a feel of a local derby, there’s a lot of history between us and it’s a tough place to go. Recently we’ve had some good performances there, we always fill out the end and it’s always a lively game.”
Wilder expects a spirited contest on Friday, saying:
“We have to expect them to be at their best. It’s going to be competitive, aggressive. It’s got that little bit of a feel about it. It’s not Sheffield Wednesday, not Leeds but it’s still a tough place to go.”
For Sheffield United, the focus will be on building on their strong start. Wilder added:
“They’ll be looking to get their first win of the season, and we’ll be looking to continue in the way that we left off with an outstanding performance and result. I love the feel of it… and now what we have to do is show that consistency in approach and play, to keep what we’ve started going.”
Friday’s clash promises to be an intense encounter, with both teams having plenty to prove.