Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder hits out at unfair accusations which were made about his players’ attitude this week.
The 58 year old said, following a 1-1 draw at Birmingham, that he was left hurt by the criticism suggesting his side “can’t wait for the season to finish”.
The Blades saw Femi Seriki sent off in the 23rd minute for going in on Ibrahim Osman, and then Marvin Ducksch put the Blues ahead two minutes later.
Wilder’s side got level through Patrick Bamford’s equaliser in first-half stoppage time, and held one for a point, earning praise from the manager.
Sheffield United currently sit 15th in the Championship table, 11 points above the drop zone and 10 from the playoff places with 8 games to go.
They were were at the bottom of the table without a point from 5 games back in September, when Wilder replaced Ruben Selles.
🗣️ “I hear nonsense about they can’t wait for the season to finish. That is so lazy and so disrespectful. As if I would pick a player that didn’t try”
📹 Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder after the 1-1 draw at Birmingham City.
🎧👉https://t.co/78MAR4Rgy0#SUFC | @BBCSheffield pic.twitter.com/6BIlUPr0KL
— Football Heaven (@footballheaven) March 14, 2026
He said to BBC Radio Sheffield: “I’ve been a bit disappointed this week with the minority negativity towards the players and everybody, I’ll be honest about it.
“If I was a 31 or 32-year-old manager and said I didn’t want to upset people, maybe I’d handle it differently, but I’m way past that.
“Then I hear nonsense about them turning it in and that they can’t wait for the season to finish.
“That is so lazy and so disrespectful, in my opinion, to what the culture of the club is. It’s hurt me a little bit because I think it’s unjust.
“We came away from the QPR game two weeks ago feeling good about ourselves,” he said.
“We worked hard to get a result there in west London and had a great end to the game.
“We didn’t get the result we wanted against West Brom – we had four really good chances towards the end – and then at Norwich we got ourselves in front but couldn’t find the second.
“There were no guarantees when I walked through the door.
“We’re disappointed because we should be closer, in my opinion, but we’re not entitled to win games of football.”
Birmingham City manager Chris Davies told BBC Radio WM:
“Obviously there’s a frustration there because in a game we felt we should win.
“I think we started pretty well, even up until they had the red card and obviously get a goal straight from it and you think right, now we just need to keep pushing and try and get that second goal.
“So we concede a really sloppy goal just on the stroke of half-time. It gives them something to hang on to, gives them a certain belief.
“Then it was just a case in the second half, could we score a goal? It was one-way traffic, obviously.
“We hit the bar and post a few times in the match, but fine margins, a few inches either way, and it goes in and we win that game comfortably but we just didn’t do enough to score.”
Here’s how fans reacted after Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder hits out at unfair accusations about his players’ attitude…
@PaulDys69631436: People have such short memories and fail to realise that the vast majority of clubs who have the starts we did, get relegated. We’re comfortably mid table and should be happy with that. If we can, we go again next season.
@Annies_song_: He’s spot on again. Grateful we’ve got him
@IainColeman3: What he’s done with a team that was rock bottom in terms of league position and confidence is absolutely remarkable. We couldn’t have asked for anymore this season. Let’s keep faith in our manager and go again next season. In Wilder we trust, always.
@SUFCClarkson: 92 points last season, sacked him, spent a fair bit on AI and loads of shit, got him back, he steadied the ship and now some are upset we haven’t/might not make the playoffs. Roll on the summer. Rebuild and go again. My gaffer! ⚔️
@Lincs_Blade: So many pts dropped from winning positions & vs teams (like brum) that we should beat IF we want success. He’s admitted we should be higher, but digs fans out for saying same. Also doesn’t like data, but uses data to prove they’re “trying”. I love him. But he’s had a mare here.
@JasonKinder38: I don’t mind putting my hand up, I can’t wait for the season to end. I could count on one hand the games I’ve enjoyed this season. To slag the fans off like this after the shit they’ve had to put up with is beyond parody.
@AlexWillis1889: Every chance we might get to see a plethora of Didsy’s, Duffy’s type players next season. Let’s go. I’m excited.
@UtfbSSJ: Don’t understand how people are upset at this he’s spot on 😭
@ColliverM: Class. Some need to understand with any other manager we were almost certainly going down. He’s not perfect. But he’s a close as we are ever ever gunna get
@blades_sufc_1: Well when we are paying to watch absolute crap performances are we not entitled to moan! Why dont u just button it anf get on with getting a win as we havent had one in ages!
@KopFinest: IMO this is a big quote and he’s 100% correct. I’m really happy this is the attitude, last thing I want is a lull end.
@JackWalters92: At the end of the day, without him and his staff we’d of been in a horrible mess this season. I think the disappointment has come from how poor the division has been this season and the club hasn’t taken advantage of that. That comes from the summer decisions not Chris.
@Martin_M_Miller: Fickle lot. Sack him then, he can have a few months break before you all cry and re-appoint him 🙃
@MatWilson1889: I’ll tell you what’s lazy & disrespectful… half YOUR team, Chris! All we expect is 100% work rate. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and get on with the job! Once again, times are hard and it’s everyone else’s fault!
@Piddie74: When we win he rightly takes the praise and loves it with his badge thumping. When we play badly he has to take the criticism. We pay our money & have a right to have an opinion. Great result today against 10 men. Talk about that & stop being salty.