Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder criticised the appointment of referee Adam Herczeg in Tuesday night’s defeat against Southampton.
Key Decisions
Despite leading through Tyrese Campbell’s second goal of the season, the only home player to score at Bramall Lane, a seven-minute Rob Stewart double in the second period condemned the Blades to their worst home start since 1954.
But Wilder was left frustrated when Stewart was adjudged to have been brought down by Michael Cooper in the penalty area, but Adam Armstrong skied his effort from twelve yards. And their anger only grew when Sydie Peck thought he had levelled in injury time from Gus Hamer’s corner, only to be ruled out for a foul.
Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield ahead of their visit to Hull City this weekend, Wilder couldn’t understand the decision to appoint a referee with limited Championship experience.
“We all make mistakes, managers and players included, but it seems we are a testing ground for referees. Why aren’t we being given an experienced referee for this fixture? This is the thing I don’t get – the appointment system.
“We all know from experience the best ones go under the radar. Well, certainly, he didn’t go under the radar on Tuesday night.”
Sending Off
Wilder’s frustration at half-time clearly got the better of him, as he struck a stray ball into the crowd when heading down the tunnel. After approaching the fan and apologising, Herczeg showed the Blades boss a straight red card for his actions.
Any retrospective action will be announced in the coming days, but Wilder is adamant that any further punishment would be harsh.
“If I approached the referee at half-time and had a right pop at him then I would expect the necessary punishment and I won’t appeal.
“If there is a charge, I will appeal it and I’ll be OK for the Hull City game back where I want to be because I didn’t enjoy not being able to help the team.”
Further Blades Misery
The bad news continued for the Blades, with Tahith Chong ruled out for up to six weeks after tearing a meniscus cartilage in his knee. Set to make his first start last weekend against Oxford United, the Curacao international suffered the injury in the warm-up and was duly replaced by Dijbril Soumaré, while Nils Zätterström was named in the matchday squad.
Writer’s View
Whether Wilder serves a touchline ban or not doesn’t erase the disappointing start to his third stint as manager. With the international break around the corner, the boyhood Blade will have plenty of time to try and turn around the form of the Championship’s basement side, starting before the enforced break against Hull on Saturday.
