Chris Wilder’s Loftus Road Record | OneFootball

In his pre-match press conference before today’s match against QPR. Chris Wilder, speaking about Loftus Road, said: “It’s a great ground. I’ve always enjoyed going and I’ve had some good and bad days there. Hopefully, we can have a good day.”

With that in mind, how has Chris Wilder, as Sheffield United manager, got on at the home of QPR?

QPR 1 – 0 Sheffield United (31 October 2017)

Let’s get the bad day out of the way. Rather fittingly, Chris Wilder’s men had a horror show on Halloween night.

QPR scored the winner in the opening four minutes of the game. An unfortunate collision between Jamal Blackman and Cameron Carter-Vickers saw the ball fall behind the Blades keeper. Allowing Idrissa Sylla to finish into an open net. The collision led to United’s keeper being taken off and replaced by Simon Moore.

Despite having 61% of the possession across the game. The Blades struggled registering just four shots (one on target) compared to QPR’s nine.

In QPR’s defence that day was Blades captain, Jack Robinson and future Blades midfielder Luke Freeman.

At least this afternoon, we will have Robinson’s long throws and slide tackles are on our side. Plus, hopefully without being on Halloween, the Blades won’t fall foul of any tricks. Taking home the treat of three points.

QPR 1 – 2 Sheffield United (11 August 2018)

In the Blades’ promotion to the Premier League season in 2018-2019. The trip to QPR was the first win of that pivotal season. Although, QPR would get off the mark first.

A goal from future Premier League star, Eberechi Eze. An interception turned clearance from a crowd of United defenders fell to Eze on the edge of the box. The attacking midfielder drilled his shot expertly past the crowd of green shirts into the bottom corner.

After taking the lead through a promising starlet, QPR would be defeated by the experienced Blades frontline. Just before half-time, Billy Sharp equalised after a low cross across the face of goal found Sharp in his favourite position. Inside the six-yard box and ready to poach. The Blades had the momentum going into the second-half.

In the 64th minute, Sharp was replaced with David McGoldrick. McGoldrick was thrown straight into the action a minute later as he stepped up to take a penalty. The Blades forward stood over the ball confidently, and placed it down the middle as Matt Ingram dived to his right.

Despite, more great attempts on goal from Eze, the Blades saw the game out. Earning the first three points on the road to the promised land.

Takeaways

As Sheffield United manager, Chris Wilder has had mixed fortunes when travelling to Loftus Road. One win and one loss. For the sake of the club’s promotion hopes this season he will have to add to his win column.

The build-up of the Leeds game being vital to both sides promotion hopes is misleading. A marketing tactic to get the eyes of the nation on Monday Night Football. Sure, the result may have given Leeds one foot in the top flight. But today’s game is far more important. It is the game where the Sheffield United players can show their ability to put the defeat behind them. If we are to win promotion, this is the ability we have to showcase more than any other.