11 months ago
50
LAURA WOODS and Chris Wilder exchanged an awkward handshake live on TNT Sports that left the presenter in pain.
Sheffield United boss Wilder, 56, joined the broadcast ahead of The Blades’ 2-2 draw with West Ham on Sunday afternoon.
"The Premier League is the place to be & we're fighting for our lives" 
After a firm handshake, Sheffield Utd manager Chris Wilder tells @laura_woodsy, @rioferdy5 & Joe Cole that he & his players are up for the challenge as they bid for top-flight survival… pic.twitter.com/sONoLN5t5x
Chris Wilder gave Laura Woods a firm handshake as he was introduced on the broadcastX @footballontnt
Woods winced in pain from the Sheffield United manager’s handshakeX @footballontnt
He explained the handshake was a way of ‘setting the standards’X @footballontntAfter greeting ex-Chelsea winger Joe Cole and former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, he shook hands with host Woods, 36.
But in the aftermath of the shake, the TNT Sports presenter was seen feeling the effects of Wilder’s aggressive action as she winced in pain.
And she said: “Cor, it’s always a really hard handshake with you.”
To which Wilder responded: “It’s a Northern handshake. We have to set the standards straight away, it’s how we’re going to be.”
The Sheffield United head coach has won two of his eight games since returning to Bramall Lane for a second stint with the club.
And despite scoring a late penalty to draw with West Ham, they remain bottom of the Premier League table with just 10 points from 21 matches.
Yet Wilder insists his side will continue to battle for survival.
He added: “We’re fighting for our lives.
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“What I will say regarding their character [the players], when you walk into a changing room and a new manager comes in, you’re looking at the players – ‘Who’s with you? Who’s not with you?’
“I like to think all the players are on the same page. There’s nothing I’ve had to do in terms of shift players.
“They’re all on the same page. They all want to be part of it. They’ve worked hard to get into the Premier League and we’ll work damn hard to try and stay in it.”
During his first spell at Sheffield United, Wilder led the club from League One to the top flight.
He then secured ninth place in their first campaign back in the Premier League, before he left by mutual consent in March 2021.
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