Chris Wilder puts Sheffield United players on notice after Fleetwood Town shock as blunt warning sent
Chris Wilder has admitted some Sheffield United players have lost his trust after the Blades suffered a shock Carabao Cup defeat to Fleetwood Town.
Some of Sheffield United’s players have lost the “trust” of Chris Wilder, the Blades boss admitted, after a League Cup defeat at Fleetwood Town he admits will take some time to get over. The Blades lost 1-0 at Highbury thanks to Rhys Norrington-Davies’ bizarre own goal.
The final whistle was greeted with jeers from a lot of United’s sold-out away following, which Wilder and United must accept. As he says, his players are quick to take on board praise when they play well and must deal with the other side when they don’t.
And they certainly didn’t here. It wasn’t all terrible, and their first-half showing was decent, but it all fell apart after the break. Wilder accused too many of his players of going “off plan” and even spoke of a sense of arrogance and entitlement from them.
Many players were given chances to impress, to show that they should be closer to the Championship team, and too many didn’t take them. Norrington-Davies took a step back after some positive showings so far this season; Tyrese Campbell and Jairo Riedewald were both poor.
What Wilder hoped would be a tough selection decision for Saturday’s trip to Stoke City became a lot easier as Fleetwood booked their place in the next round, where they will face Premier League champions Arsenal, and United were left with more questions to answer this season.
“This will take a bit to get over for me, personally,” Wilder said. “We don't want to get criticised. We don’t want to get abused. But we have to accept it because we've sold out and we've let everybody down.
“I'm not going to get over this easy. And the players out there are part of it. A lot of players had an opportunity to take a big step forward tonight, and they took a big step back. I've seen it and it has given me clarity.
“These are the ones that really sort the men out from the boys. And I think there were a lot of boy performances out there after half-time. So maybe players know better and want to go their own way.
“And ultimately, individually, that will only end in one way. The players have had enough warning and possibly people will be saying: ‘Well, they're not listening to you.’ Well, if they're not listening to me, then there's only one winner on that.”
Wilder didn’t namecheck any players specifically but admitted that some have lost his trust, and now have to work to regain it. “It's my team so I have to take that responsibility,” he said.
“It has given me so much clarity. In who I can trust, and who’s going to take us forward. And who’s got a lot to do to get themselves back on side and on track with me.
“Players just did what they wanted instead of sticking with the plan. That doesn't go unnoticed. I see everything. Ultimately, I have to take that responsibility, which I'm big enough to do.
“But I can't stand here and defend the players. Some players just didn't do enough and that will stay with me for quite a long time.
They're going to have to do a lot to drag that back. I think, like I said, the clarity that I get from it is who I can trust and who is here 24/7 for us.”