Sheffield United manager reveals his pet hate during VAR discussion

Simon Morgan was there to discuss the offside law and VAR but Chris Wilder, with two of his most senior players in tow, was determined to steer the conversation in another direction instead.
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So the Premier League’s head of football relations found himself talking about cheating - or “simulation” as Sheffield United’s manager diplomatically put it - when he paid a visit to the club’s training complex earlier this week.

Wilder, who revealed details of his meeting with Morgan ahead of Saturday’s match against Brighton and Hove Albion, has been a vocal critic of the tactics some opponents have employed during clashes with United this term.

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It meant a chat, part of Morgan’s quest to canvass opinion about potential changes to the law book, started with a diatribe about something else.

“I talked about simulation to Simon too,” Wilder said, describing their get together as “really constructive”. “That’s possibly been the most disappointing aspect of our return to this brilliant division.

“I think it’s been one of the most disappointing things for our supporters too, who have had to deal with it.”

This month’s victory over AFC Bournemouth was one such instance, with the theatrics of some of Eddie Howe’s squad testing the patience of United’s coaching staff, players and fans alike.

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But Wilder’s charges, sixth in the table only 10 months after being promoted, have suffered at the hands of Stockley Park as well. David McGoldrick’s disallowed goal during November’s draw with Tottenham Hotspur - when John Lundstram’s toe was adjudged to be offside - and two chalked-off efforts at the AMEX Stadium a month later being other examples.

Chris Wilder was angered by the behaviour of some AFC Bournemouth players during Sheffield United's win over Eddie Howe's side earlier this month: Simon Bellis/SportimageChris Wilder was angered by the behaviour of some AFC Bournemouth players during Sheffield United's win over Eddie Howe's side earlier this month: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Chris Wilder was angered by the behaviour of some AFC Bournemouth players during Sheffield United's win over Eddie Howe's side earlier this month: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

No team in the competition has had more VAR decisions go against them since the system was implemented than United. Intriguingly, Albion made the journey north knowing no one has benefited more than them.

“In the meeting was myself and senior staff, Billy (Sharp) and Olly Norwood,” Wilder said. “We talked about it and our experiences. We’ve benefited from some and been on the receiving end of some as well.

“The meeting was open. The Premier League are a huge player in this and rightly so. They were canvassing the opinion of players and staff. But I think it’s important to canvass the opinion of supporters as well, because they are the most important people in the game.”

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Morgan, the former Albion defender, is scheduled to meet with representatives of every PL club before reporting back to his employers. The information he gleans will be used to review how VAR is viewed by those at the coal face and make representations to the IFAB, football’s law making body, when it considers changing what constitutes being offside later this year.

“It was useful because, I’ll hold my hands up, I didn’t realise the ball had hit the referee when Bournemouth scored against us,” Wilder said, reflecting upon United’s 2-1 win at Bramall Lane a fortnight ago.

“So education is important. Really important in fact.

“The biggest thing for me, because it (VAR) is not going to go away, is clarity for the supporters. If it is going to stay, then the big thing is these unbelievably tight decisions.

“The advantage should be given to attackers. (Teemu) Pukki at Norwich, that was a brilliant move and goal (against Spurs) and it gets chalked off.

“Everyone has got a view but I think changes - and education - is required, definitely.”