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Chris Wilder is drawing inspiration from legendary former Sheffield United boss Dave Bassett as he attempts to conjure his own Great Escape.
Wilder was part of Bassett’s team who achieved back-to-back promotions and then famously defied the odds to stay in the First Division in 1990-91.
United were winless after 16 games but a 3-2 home victory over Nottingham Forest on December 22, 1990 kickstarted an incredible turnaround as Bassett guided them to a 13th-placed finish.
The Blades manager: ‘It was the same dismissive narrative from the outside then as it is now – Sheffield United have lost again, we’re down and nobody is really bothered about us.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has spoken of creating the same ‘siege mentality’ the team did in 1991 in their effort to avoid relegation from the Premier League
The Blades are propping up the table as they prepare to take on Aston Villa on Friday night
‘It’s a similar siege mentality, so I’ve had experience of it and that Forest game felt like an FA Cup final win with supporters running on the pitch.
‘That was the start of a great escape and going into the New Year we won seven games on the spin.
‘I’m not saying we’re going to do that – the Premier League has moved on – but that group was together, they took their blows on the chin and came out swinging.
‘When you have a bit of belief, some good can happen so we have to stay really positive and believe we can replicate what that team did in 1990-91.’
Wilder remains close to his mentor ‘Harry’ Bassett, adding: ‘Harry was a larger than life character – a fighter and nothing was given to him in terms of his playing and coaching career.
‘He started at the bottom and worked his way up to the First Division to become an incredible manager, one of the best this football club has ever had.
‘That period was a great time for the football club because he achieved back-to-back promotions and went toe to toe with some great sides in the top flight.
‘He was outstanding in terms of the sports science and tactical point of view, he played a different way and tried to upset the big boys with an underdog tag… sound familiar?
The Blades went down 2-0 at Chelsea in their last outing and now take on high-flying Villa
James McAtee celebrates scoring his winning goal as United beat Brentford two weeks ago
‘He’s a mentor to me and I speak to him every two or three weeks.
‘We had a reunion in Sheffield a few months ago and the turnout was outstanding.
‘Harry had the mic for 15 or 20 minutes and you couldn’t get him off, as you’d expect.
‘He’s someone I’ve leant on now since I became a manager 20-odd years ago.
‘He’ll give his opinion and, while I might not always agree with it, I’ll always listen to it because he had an outstanding career.’
United face a mountainous task tonight, with Wilder still angry at the injustice his team suffered at Villa Park in June 2020.
Wilder is still angry this ‘goal’ wasn’t allowed to stand in 2020 after goalline technology failed
Oliver Norwood’s free-kick was carried over the line by Villa goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland but referee Michael Oliver’s watch failed to alert him that a goal should have been given and VAR inexplicably did not intervene either.
The game finished goalless, Villa survived relegation by a single point and have flourished since.
Wilder said: ‘Would there have been a lot more of a lot fuss being brought up if it was one of the top six clubs? Absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt.
