'Give your heads a shake' - Sheffield United players given a hammering by Chris Wilder after shocker at Newcastle United

United missed the chance to climb to fifth in the Premier League table when they were beaten 3-0 in the North-East - with all of the home side’s goals coming following John Egan’s sending-off during the second period.

Asked if the enforced three month break and challenge of competing behind closed doors had robbed United of the momentum they had built up before the fixture calendar was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Wilder responded: “If people want to use things as an excuse, that’s up to them. Whatever happens off the pitch, we’re all in the same situation.

“We have to effect our own performances, and they haven’t been up there yet.

“As a team, there’s no flow to our play as there was in the period leading up to lockdown.”

United were unbeaten in six when football ground to a half in March - only five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with a game in hand. But they have now taken only one from their last two outings.

“I’m a bit sick and tired, if I’m honest, of people talking about the Champions League, Europe and what a great season we’ve had,” Wilder, who led United to promotion last term, added. “I work in the present and the present was this match. What’ve I’ve seen since we came back is two bang average performances.”

United, who return to action at Manchester United on Wednesday, were reduced to 10 men soon after the restart when Egan collected his second caution for hauling down Joelinton. The Brazilian went on to claim Newcastle’s third, after Allan Saint-Maximin and Matt Ritchie had put Steve Bruce’s team in control.

“I can’t put my finger on it really,” Wilder said. “I didn’t like it when the second (goal) went in - us looking sorry for ourselves. And I didn’t like that because we’re not that type of team.

“We haven’t shown those signs through the period I’ve been here and yes, we’ve had our disappointments even though it’s been more ups than downs.”

“When their second goal went in,” Wilder addeed. “I thought we’re in for a long afternoon here, and I took my lead from the performance of the lads.”