Sheffield United vs Wolves: Toughest test yet for Nuno?

Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United have won five of their past six league games to move to within two points of Nuno Espirito Santo’s team.

The Blades’ 4-2 win over fierce rivals Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Sunday suggested their good start to life back in the Championship might not be a flash in the pan.

Wolves have won four of their past five in all competitions – but Nuno was critical of their performance in beating Barnsley 2-1 on Saturday.

The head coach knows his team will need to put in a 90-minute performance tonight, unlike against the Tykes.

He said of Saturday’s win: “During the second half there was a total change – we were what we want to be. This is the next step that we have to make for the next game, we want 90 minutes of consistency, possession – we must play for 90 minutes.”

“(The late winner) is a sign of a team that doesn’t give up, it’s a team that’s being built each day of the training session, each game.

“We are on that process. Every game for us a new chance, a new battle that we have to face – we will take a good look at the team that we’re going to play and try to make us better.

“We must improve each game because there is a long, long way to go.”

Goalkeeper John Ruddy admits Wolves made it difficult for themselves in Saturday’s late win.

He believes the sheer number of games being played by a fairly inexperienced squad may have led to the team’s sluggish first-half performance.

“I think it’s definitely part of it,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of new players who aren’t experienced in this league and to British football in general.

“When you’re throwing them in at the deep end....I don’t think we’ve had a midweek off since the start of the season so it does take its toll. There’s a lot of football to be played.

“But we never gave up, I thought we had the better of the game and didn’t give them too many clear cut chances which has been the story of most of the games.

“This league’s always been about a squad more so than a first XI. This season is massive for us in that sense – we’ve had games coming thick and fast and it’s showing no sign of slowing up.

“We have to make sure we’re on it every game and our application and pressure is there.

And on tonight’s opponents, the keeper said: “I watched the game on Sunday and they were very impressive.

“They played with a lot of energy – they play the same formation as us so it’ll be a good match-up and it should make for a good game of football.”