Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder sees no reason why Kalvin Phillips cannot rediscover his best form at Bramall Lane.
Wilder declared it “a good 48-72 hours” at the club after they followed up the deadline-day arrivals of former England midfielder Phillips, Joe Rothwell and Leo Hjelde with a 3-1 home win against Championship relegation battlers Oxford.
Phillips has joined on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season in a bid to kickstart his career, which has nose-dived since he joined them from Leeds for £45million in 2022.
He has failed to force his way into Pep Guardiola’s first-team plans and after indifferent loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich in the last two seasons is now hoping to revive his fortunes.
Wilder, whose side made it six wins from their last seven home league games against Oxford to maintain their climb up the table, said: “It’s been a good few days in terms of getting the likes of Joe and Kalvin through the building and Leo as well.
“Kalvin doesn’t need any help. He’s had a brilliant career and I’m not there to rub his head.
“I’ve got to say he’s in good shape. He just needs to get into a rhythm, getting opportunities, which he will do, but maybe two, three or four games, and get himself back going again.
“He’s impressed everybody with his attitude already, even though he’s only been in the building for 24 hours, and same for Joe. Both wanted to come, which is a massive tick in the box for our club. And they both want to help.”
The Blades came from behind to see off Wilder’s former club Oxford, who took an early lead through Myles Peart-Harris.
But after Sydie Peck equalised for the Blades before the break, another home win seemed likely and second-half goals from Andre Brooks and Chiedozie Ogbene lifted them to within eight points of the top six with 16 games to play.
“It’s a big win because (playing against) Leicester and Middlesbrough and Coventry, full houses and all the expectancy levels, those sort of games really take care of themselves,” Wilder said.
“These are the ones that are really important that you get the result and we’ve managed to do that.”
Oxford remain second from bottom, five points adrift of safety, while it was a second defeat in five games in charge for boss Matt Bloomfield.
He said: “We’ve come away to a massive football club with a fantastic team led by a top manager, and we’ve conceded three shots on target, I believe, and conceded three goals.
“(On) Saturday (in a 2-0 home defeat to Birmingham), we conceded three shots on target and conceded two goals. So we’re getting punished at the moment for every shot.
“We have to believe in what we’re doing and keep moving forward.”
