Billy Sharp has exclusively offered FLW his thoughts on Sheffield United’s season so far, as well as the decision to sack and then reinstate Chris Wilder.

With the Blades currently languishing in 17th place in the Championship after 28 games, it’s safe to say that nobody expected this from last season’s play-off finalists.

Of course, the season began with Ruben Selles’ brief stint as manager, which ended when the Spaniard lost all six of his first league games.

That meant Chris Wilder returned to Bramall Lane with no points and no opportunity to form the squad before the window closed. Nonetheless, Sharp wouldn’t rule out his boyhood club making a play-off run.

Billy Sharp’s verdict on Sheffield United’s ‘disruptive’ 25/26 campaign

Sharp did not hide the fact that this has been far from a simple season for the Blades, with the managerial change after only a few games establishing the tone.

The 39-year-old told FLW: “Yeah, disruptive, and there wasn’t continuity from the start. The football club’s owners have the power to make choices, as they are the ones in command.But full play to them for putting their hands up and admitting, ‘Look, we got it wrong,’ and then bringing Chris back, which was probably annoying for the fans.”

Given suspicions that Wilder’s departure in June was due to a failed AI recruitment strategy, Sharp’s wrath is directed at the Blades manager’s inability to bring in his own players.

Sharp stated, “The window had closed, so Chris couldn’t add his own players.” Although they failed not win a game or score a point in six games, the situation could have been worse.So, they’re in a terrific position to say where they were. “It could be much worse,” the striker added. “I think now they just need to find that consistency in performances, in results, and in team selection, which I think that’s the most frustrating thing for Chris at the minute.”He wants to pick an 11, so he can play three games in a week, but I don’t think he has the necessary ingredients. The coach switches forwards based on fitness and energy levels, while Blaster (Ollie Arblaster), a key player for Sheff United, is recovering from a long-term injury and struggling to keep up.He (Arblaster) is not at the levels that he wants to be at, and then you have the suspensions of two individuals in one game, which keeps them out for three games.”

In a similar vein as Sharp, Wilder told The Star that he would not tolerate criticism of the midfielder. As Arblaster continues to recover from the cruciate knee injury that sidelined him for 13 months, Sharp appears to have asked for some patience.

On the transfer front, Sharp added that he believes Wilder will want “one or two players in the January window, and then I think it’ll be down to, I don’t know what it is: 17-18 games to go and make a run for it and try to get into the play-offs.”

With indications indicating that three more players would join Ki-Jana Hoever in South Yorkshire, having more players suited to Wilder’s style of play would undoubtedly aid a potential rise up the table.

Sharp stated of obtaining a play-off spot this season, “I wouldn’t put it past them because there’s always someone who comes late.”

Billy Sharp encourages Sheffield United supporters to “look to the future” under Chris Wilder.

Regardless of how the season ends, Sharp stated that COH Sports would have learnt a lot about the aforementioned management scenario and encouraged Blades fans to look beyond this season.

Sharp claimed, “They admitted to making a mistake and attempted to reclaim what they had.” Sheffield United would have been in a better situation if Chris had stayed, but he has since left. To benefit the club in the future, it’s necessary to make adjustments now.Even though I haven’t been there in four years, the infrastructure, the training ground, and the grounds have improved,” he remarked.

In December, The Star reported that the club’s owners spent around £5 million on infrastructural renovations.Sharp said, “I’ve been back several times, and it’s such an incredible club.” “Fans are unbelievable and, yeah, I think you know they probably deserve better than what they’re getting at the minute, but football changes quickly and there’s a big game coming up next month as well which they did it last time came into some good form and then won that game.”

With four games remaining before the Steel City derby on February 22nd, Sharp remains optimistic that Wilder will be able to add to his team and put together a strong run.