Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has insisted that it is down to his own players to once again 'bridge the gap' as he prepares his players to once again try and overcome the odds of the Championship big spenders next season.

Speaking to the Sheffield Star, Wilder was in a defiant mood as always when talking about next season and his players' chances, and he said it was down to them to show they can compete in the second tier again.

"The players have to bridge that gap, we have to bridge that gap in a creative way in how we play. What we do on the training ground at Shirecliffe, Monday to Friday. We have to bridge that gap, we are not in that elite group. I am not being critical of anything, but we are not. We are looking forward to the challenge.” said Wilder

The former Northampton and Oxford gaffer led his hometown club to a tenth place finish last season as the Blades returned to the Championship after a six year hiatus.

The Blades are once again expected to have a budget well below that of some of their rivals, and Wilder will know he has his work cut out to find the right sort of players for his squad.

Wilder recently signed a new deal with the Blades, but has yet to complete any summer signings of yet.

Blades fans, what do you make of this? Can you indeed compete again? Let us know in the comments!