Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder says he is not thinking about mounting a challenge for the Championship play-offs and is solely focused on performances.
Five weeks ago, the Blades were 21st and three points from safety after 11 defeats in their opening 14 games – and 13 points off the top six.
But a five-game unbeaten run, including four convincing wins on the bounce, has lifted United to 18th and reduced the gap to sixth to eight points.
Wilder’s side host strugglers Norwich on Tuesday looking to make it five straight league wins for the first time since December 2022, but the 58-year-old is keeping his and the players’ feet on the ground.
“I’ve got to say I’m not really bothered about what people think about us, more so what we’re doing at the moment, the standards we’re setting and the consistency that we’re showing,” Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.
“And we have to continue that. We can’t get dragged into ‘play-offs’ or whatever people think is the perception of us.
“It’s what we do and what we deliver – and what stops us getting results. The things I will always remind the players of: arrogance, shortcuts, lack of discipline, lack of preparation, thinking we’ve landed. We’ve not landed.
“I keep saying we’re playing catch-up. You climb the table if you produce consistent performances and results and that will happen naturally.
“So that’s my full focus and message to the players.”
Wilder reiterated that it is about “keeping the hammer down” to “keep producing” performances.
“It always is. It always has been with me,” he added.
