Sheffield United: Chris Wilder wants his team to be '˜cuter' at Spotland

James Hanson of Sheffield United applauds the fans: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

Sheffield United have been told small details could make a big difference to the result at Rochdale on Saturday.

Chris Wilder, the League One leaders’ manager, issued his prediction after highlighting the difference between their performance before and after the break against Bolton Wanderers last weekend.

United moved seven points clear of second-placed Scunthorpe following the 2-0 victory over Phil Parkinson’s side but Wilder, insisting there is still room for improvement, said: “We have to play a little bit cuter at times, that’s the fire and ice we’re talking about.

James Hanson has impressed Chris Wilder: Jamie Tyerman/Sportimage

“When we played Bolton in the FA Cup in December and made five changes, we said they were the best in both boxes in the division so we knew where the ball would be coming in. We let them do that to begin with by giving silly free-kicks away, getting dragged into the hurly burly they wanted. But when we calmed ourselves down, we didn’t.”

James Hanson is poised to start at Spotland after Wilder praised his performance against Wanderers despite seeing his preparations hampered by injury.

“When the ball went up to him, it stuck,” Wilder said. “The week before, he didn’t train and did really well. He trained before Bolton and was really, really good again.”