Chris Wilder’s verdict is something Sheffield Wednesday’s new owners simply can’t brush aside

Chris Wilder’s verdict on Sheffield Wednesday following their 2-1 defeat at Bramall Lane laid bare some uncomfortable truths.

Wilder is unlikely to ever be a favourite among Wednesday supporters. After climbing onto a table to chant about former Owls boss Danny Röhl following United’s November 2024 derby win, and delivering a fiery reminder of the gap between the two sides after a 1-0 triumph at Hillsborough last March, he has often revelled in winding up the blue half of the city. This time, though, his tone was notably more measured.

Deep down, Wilder knows this season’s league double over Wednesday came in circumstances that resembled David versus Goliath. When United brushed the Owls aside 3-0 at Hillsborough in November puncturing the feel-good mood that had followed Dejphon Chansiri’s exit many fans feared the worst ahead of the return clash.

Those fears intensified when Patrick Bamford struck inside 90 seconds at Bramall Lane, raising concerns that even the memory of the famous 4-0 Boxing Day win in 1979 might be overshadowed. Although the 2-1 loss confirmed relegation, the performance at least restored a measure of pride.

Wilder, often accused of stirring tensions with Wednesday fans, could easily have gloated over another derby success for his boyhood club. Instead, he offered a candid and sympathetic assessment that earned reluctant respect from sections of the Owls support.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Everyone in football realises Sheffield Wednesday were relegated at the start of the season. I feel for Henrik [Pedersen]… I feel for the players as well. They go out and give it a right go but the team is so undercooked for the Championship, it’s frightening.”

It was a brutally honest summary. While the defeat officially sealed relegation, the damage had been done long before a ball was kicked, largely due to the turmoil surrounding Chansiri’s ownership. A major squad overhaul last summer saw key figures depart, followed by further exits in January, including club stalwart Barry Bannan and promising forward Bailey Cadamarteri. Yan Valery also left on loan shortly after the transfer window closed.

By the time Sunday’s derby arrived, Wednesday’s matchday squad was heavily reliant on youth. Aside from a handful of senior figures such as Seny Dieng, Liam Palmer, Liam Cooper, Svante Ingelsson, Jamal Lowe, Jerry Yates and Iké Ugbo, the team sheet was filled with players who would not ordinarily feature in a fixture of such magnitude. Sean Fusire, just 20, was among the most experienced options on the bench.

While the crisis has offered opportunities for young players to showcase their potential ahead of life in League One, the circumstances have been far from ideal. Wilder’s description of the squad as “undercooked” accurately reflects a group simply not equipped for the demands of the Championship.

He also expressed sympathy for Pedersen, acknowledging the challenge of motivating a side battered by constant setbacks. Regardless of opinions about the Dane’s long-term suitability, his composure throughout the turmoil has been notable.

Looking ahead, Wilder pointed to the broader issues Wednesday must address under new ownership. Investment, he argued, must extend beyond the first team to include the academy, training facilities and infrastructure. Drawing comparisons with Sheffield United’s own development under successive owners, he stressed the importance of modern, high-quality surroundings in driving standards and ambition.

His comments echo a widely held view: Hillsborough and Middlewood Road require significant modernisation if Wednesday are to close the gap on rivals. Years of underinvestment predating even the Chansiri era have left the club lagging behind, and the scale of the rebuild, both on and off the pitch, is considerable.

Wilder may never win over the S6 faithful, but his composed and thoughtful response to the latest derby win has, at the very least, softened perceptions among some Wednesday supporters.