Gary Rowett has said that Chris Wilder is a Premier League-worthy manager as his Oxford United side faces off against Sheffield United.
The Blades have taken a decisive edge in the second tier’s title fight following Leeds United‘s slip up against Swansea City and sit two points clear of them and Burnley in third with seven games of the season remaining.
Rowett Praises Counterpart
Oxford face the league leaders at the Kassam Stadium this weekend and sees a renewal of acquaintance between Rowett, who was appointed by The U’s in December and Wilder. They last faced each other in 2022 when Rowett led Millwall against Wilder’s Middlesbrough in the Championship.
Speaking to the media ahead of the clash, the 51-year-old stated his belief in his counterpart. (Quotes via The Herald Series):
“Chris is in the same scenario of a lot of people. When you’re a straight-talking Yorkshireman, people have a perception that they want to put you in a box of sorts, but I think if you look at his career, he’s had success through every level, and earned the right to be a Premier League manager and be at a top Championship club.
“I think he’s done fantastically well. Going back there sometimes is a challenge and a different type of challenge.
“He’s gone back there, and it feels like a seamless match really. I’ve had lots of good conversations with Chris, and he’s got really good standards and a really good idea of what he wants to do.
“He’s actually evolved in some ways as well. When you think about the back five that they played at Sheffield United, and now playing in a slightly different way, he’s shown his versatility.”
Sheffield United may enter the clash having to reclaim first position as Leeds and Burnley both play in the early kickoffs on Saturday. Oxford could fall into the bottom three if results go against them this weekend.
Writer’s View
With how poor Sheffield United have been in the Premier League the last two times they featured, it might be understandable why Chris Wilder may have lost some plaudits. This season has shown how good of a leader he is, and The Blades have been the best team in the division, even with their two-point deduction prior to the start of the season. They will feel best positioned to claim an automatic promotion spot at least this season among the top three and need to deliver the results, especially when they face Burnley. Wilder is a Premier League level manager, but next season may struggle once more as the gap between the 17 established sides in the top flight and those that come up from the Championship widens.
