Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder Praises Mark Robins’ ‘Outstanding’ Work at Coventry

Sheffield United head coach Chris Wilder has commended the work carried out at Coventry by their former manager, Mark Robins, who was dismissed earlier this month. Wilder and Robins were counted among the Championship’s most seasoned managers before Robins’ recent sacking by Coventry. Sheffield United, known as the Blades, are set to compete against Robins’ former club at the CBS Arena this Saturday. “I would like to pay tribute to Mark Robins and his work that he did at that football club,” Wilder stated during an interview with BBC Radio Sheffield. He continued, “I’ve known Mark for a long time when he was local at Rotherham as well. I think we all understand the journey that he was on in terms of where they were and the financial issues, supporter issues and the tough journey that that club has been on.” Wilder further remarked, “To get them within a penalty kick of the Premier League, within an incredibly tight decision to an FA Cup final and the group that he assembled [is outstanding].” He added, “His incredible batch of work that he’s put into that football club and what he’s done will be recognised by everybody around the city and most importantly everybody at the football club.” Wilder concluded his comments on Robins by stating, “I don’t think in any way his career will be defined by 10-15 games at the start of this season, it will be defined by the bulk of his work, which has been absolutely outstanding.” Sheffield United will be missing midfielder Oli Arblaster, who is expected to be sidelined until the new year due to a knee injury. This injury was incurred during the derby victory against Sheffield Wednesday prior to the international break. “He’ll get all the support from everybody but there will be a bit of tough love in there as well because he has to use the time diligently – these things happen,” Wilder commented. He further added, “We have to make sure we’re not reliant on a 20-year-old boy on our success, it’s the sum of everything that we put together and we have to make sure that we’re not a one or two-man team.”