The experienced duo have managed more than 2,000 matches between and when asked if he had many memories of going up against Sheffield United manager Wilder, Parkinson said: “I’ve got plenty.

“I know Chris really well. We were apprentices together at Southampton many, many years ago, when we were both 16.

“We’ve had some tough, tough games against each other, but we’ve both kind of learnt our trade.

“Chris at Halifax and Oxford and myself at Colchester.

“Chris is a good lad and it’s always very competitive and we’ve had some really, really ding-dong battles with them down the years.”

Parkinson also tackled a stat that teams in the Championship that have finished seventh, over the last 15 seasons, only one has gone on to finish in the top half the following season.

“There was much pride that our first season we’d got to seventh, the highest sort of position the club had ever finished,” added Parkinson,

“I wasn’t aware of that stat, and to be honest with you, it’s, um, you know, possibly, but I wouldn’t use that as an excuse as it’s up to us.”