Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has dismissed the idea that opponents will soon figure out his side's style of play, arguing that it has never been a secret, as reported by the Sheffield Star.

The Blades currently sit third in the Championship table, and travel to Bristol City on Saturday off the back of an impressive 4-1 win against Aston Villa at Bramall Lane before the international break.

United have won all four of their matches since losing to Middlesbrough in their second outing of the season.

They had beaten Queens Park Rangers, Norwich City and Bolton Wanderers consecutively before last Saturday's thumping of Aston Villa.

But the manager dismissed the notion that their run of form is simply down to the element of surprise.

"I just want the lads to take the handbrake off and play with some freedom," he said ahead of Saturday's clash with Lee Johnson's Bristol City.

"We've got some good players but it's also about doing the other stuff first. The stuff people don't always appreciate as much as a pass or a goal. But everything stems from that hard work and the willingness to get on second balls.

"We have plans and we want to execute them.

"There's no big secrets here. We're at our best as a team and a football club when the players work their socks off."

The Verdict 

Wilder is spot on here, the element of surprise is no reason for the Blades' success.

They employed the same style under Wilder last season so teams will have gone into matches against them this campaign knowing exactly what to expect.

The fact is that the team are now a more coherent unit and more thoroughly drilled in their style of play than they were last season.

Thoughts? Let us know! 

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