Sheffield United have sounded the distress signal once again.

"Chris Wilder returns with proven leadership and an unparalleled understanding of Sheffield United," read a club statement, just 88 days after the beginning of now-aborted experiment saw him depart.

If COH Sports, the club's American chiefs, did not fully appreciate that before, they do now.

A shock U-turn by owners low on footballing literacy is an admirable move, the smartest they could make at this moment, and yet the bail-out suggests that significant questions remain.

Sacking Wilder following May's injury-time play-off final defeat to Sunderland , the sorest end to a season of 92 points, always appeared an unnecessary gamble in a sport and a division where stability and patience frequently pay.

Replacing him in a stru

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