"I couldn’t really work out what their game plan was" - former Chelsea and Liverpool man has his say on Sheffield United's defeat to Crystal Palace

Without a win all season and just two points to their name, Chris Wilder’s men suffered yet another defeat when they were beaten 2-0 by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

The loss in the capital leaves United stranded at the bottom of the Premier League 12 points behind Brighton & Hove Albion, who occupy the much sought-after 17th place.

Jeff Schlupp put Palace ahead in the fourth minute of the game before Eberechi Eze struck just before half-time, riding a weak tackle from Ethan Ampadu to score after running from well inside his own half.

Speaking after the Blades’ latest defeat, Wilder was critical of his side’s defending against Roy Hodgson’s Palace.

"In the position we're in we have to get off to a solid start," Wilder said.

"Especially away from home and against some experienced campaigners and with the players they've got at the top of the pitch.

"To concede after three minutes really put us on the back foot.

"I thought we were well in the game for the majority of the first half and it was naivety, to play quick with 30 seconds of the first half to go and not to bring somebody down or deal with a situation.

"At 1-0 at half time we could say we were well in the game and it was a major blow at the start and a major blow just before half-time."

But what did the pundits make of United’s draw on the south coast?

Let’s take a look.

Alan Shearer, former Newcastle United and England striker and Match of the Day pundit

"Same old problems, exactly the same as they've had all season. Plenty of endeavour, plenty of work but they just didn't have any cutting edge whatsoever.

"A young boy, a 16-year-old came on for the last five or 10 minutes, Antoine Hackford. He had an effort on goal and was a little bit unlucky but other than that they had nothing going forward.”

Michael Brown, former Sheffield United midfielder and Sky Sports pundit

"The confidence looks a little bit shot, I didn't think they created like they have and they didn't look as sharp.

"The squad obviously being depleted over the Christmas period is probably the worst time for them so we've got to understand that, but the shots on goal, only three, two right at the end of the game is what they'll be really disappointed with against a Palace side who haven't won in five games.

"It was there for them to be a little bit more proactive and unfortunately they haven't.”

Glenn Johnson, former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday pundit

“They had the passion, they worked hard and worked their socks off but at times they looked like (the players) were doing it on their own. They didn’t really look like a unit.

"I couldn’t really work out what their game plan was. They managed to get themselves into certain situations but they didn’t have the creativity or game knowledge to be a bit more braver in that final third.

"The fight was there.

"(But) it shows what sort of squad they’ve got (when they’re bringing on Antoine Hackford). They’re 2-0 down and they’re bringing on a 16-year-old kid, which is obviously great for him personally, but he’s come on when the side are struggling.

"(It was the same) with (Rhian) Brewster as well. He came on with 30 minutes to go and barely touched the ball. That was the man they put their money on in terms of being a big signing thinking he can make a difference, but he can’t get into their side at the moment.”

Steve Sidwell, former Chelsea midfielder and BBC 5Live matchday co-commentator

“(The formation) has been very successful for them down the years and you don’t change that. You have to evolve, yes, and that could be in terms of bringing players in or quality . . . that’s the dilemma the club faces at the moment. They’re in the January transfer window and they’re miles from safety.”

Tony Cascarino, former Chelsea and Aston Villa striker and talkSPORT presenter

"The only way of staying up is if they have Champions League form, which I don’t see them doing. Take a look at the two goals (against Palace), those goals wouldn’t have happened last year.

"John Egan gets caught and gets done for pace by Wilf Zaha . . . John Egan would have made a tackle last season. And that was commonplace.

"I watched a lot of Sheff U last season. The type of things and goals they’re conceding and that type of goal didn’t happen.

"Eze’s goal. He’s picked it up in his own half. He’s skipped past (Ollie) Norwood and then ran at the (defence). He kept running and running and I’m thinking ‘who is going to make a tackle?’.

"That is typical of when you’re slightly off it and they paid the ultimate price. They weren’t very good and that’s as poor as I’ve seen them this season.

"There’s been a lot games I’ve seen Sheff U play really well and not got anything out of a game, but (Saturday) wasn’t one of them.”

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