Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder responds to Ben Brereton Diaz criticism after Derby County display
Chris Wilder dismisses claims that Brereton Diaz is facing fair criticism
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder believes winger Ben Brereton Diaz is facing unfair criticism for his performances this season. Brereton Diaz returned to Bramall Lane for his third stint in the summer on a season-long loan deal from Southampton.
The Chile international has started nine games for Wilder’s side so far, but is yet to score and has only registered one assist - against Lincoln in a 3-0 Blades victory just after the international break.
Many fans have questioned the United manager’s decision to repeatedly stick with the 27-year-old, especially considering Romelle Donovan has impressed with recent cameos.
Donovan was named man of the match for his cameo off the bench against Derby County last weekend although it’s uncertain as to whether the Blades boss will give Donovan the nod to start against Wrexham tomorrow night.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Wilder rejected the idea that Brereton Diaz is facing fair criticism. “No, I don't think it is fair,” he said. “He's just come into the team. He won games of football. So, yeah, there's a ceiling for all these players, and we're trying to push their ceilings right the way through, every one of them.”
Brereton Diaz started against Derby last Saturday and was replaced by Donovan in the 67th minute.
“If you're judging on first-half performances, there are nine players on Saturday that we could aim criticism at. Do you think I was one of those at half-time as well? Of course. So, the reaction was good. Second half, really good.
Derby County manager John Eustace believed his side didn’t deserve to lose against United, but Wilder disagreed. “I believe we would have got back into that game and definitely got a result out of it because the performance is what I expect in the second half,” he said.
“First half, we waited for the game to come to us. It's not our way, and we addressed that at half-time. Second half, it was just one-way traffic.”
United will look to bounce back against Wrexham on Friday night and extend their unbeaten run to three after beating Bristol City the week prior.