Nottingham Forest boss Aitor Karanka has heaped praise on Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder for his side’s start to the season, just days before the two sides face off in the Championship.
Karanka’s men were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Burton Albion in midweek, but will be hoping to bounce back against the Blades on Saturday.
However, United have started the season in glorious fashion and prop up the Championship table with 29 points from 15 games.
Karanka has praised the opposition boss, Wilder, for the job he has done at Bramall Lane.
“Chris has done a very good job,” he said at his Friday press conference.
“He got them promoted two seasons ago and last season was good for them. This season, they are again at the top which means that it is not a coincidence.
“It makes me think that the project is the most important thing. They are doing well and some teams may choose to spend money or change the manager every two or three months, but you don’t get anything and teams like Sheffield United trust in the same coach and they are doing really well.”
Karanka has insisted that the game against the Championship leaders will undoubtedly be a tough task for his players, but believes his side’s showing against some of the top sides already this season gives him hope they can pull off a result.
“It will be tough on Saturday. We are playing at home against the top of the table team, they are at the top and have been working together for a while so it will be a good test for us. We played against teams in that position like Leeds and Middlesbrough, and we were at least as good as them if not better,” he added.
Sheffield United travel to the City Ground, as Forest look to bounce back from their cup exit in the 3pm kick off on Saturday.
