Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder was left bemoaning the standard of officiating following his side’s home defeat to Derby County.
The Blades were beaten 3-1 by The Rams, and Wilder was unimpressed by what he saw from the referee, Michael Salisbury.
Wilder Chooses Words Carefully After Controversial Incident
Wilder’s side was already 2-0 down when an incident involving Alex Matos and Derby’s Patrick Agyemang angered the manager.
The United midfielder was adjudged to have handled the ball, but appeared to have been pushed by Agyemang, a move that caused the ball to strike his arm.
Derby was awarded a penalty, and captain Carlton Morris stepped up to complete his hat-trick. Morris’s 8th goal of the campaign put his side 3 goals up and all but ended United’s hope of rescuing anything from the contest.
Speaking after the match, Wilder was wary of what he said, having already faced disciplinary action this season.
“I have just got to be so careful in terms of what I say.”
“As I say, I got off a charge that I didn’t think I should have got off with and got cleared on it.”
“For me, I won’t be speaking to anybody on it next week.”
“Once the referee’s report is in, I will get somebody else to do it because, for me, I have got to say I have lost quite a lot of faith in terms of the standard and the official sort of situation – not just the third goal but bits and pieces that were around it.”
Congratulations To Derby, We Have To Find A Way
Following the defeat, Wilder was unhappy with how his side performed, particularly with Derby’s first 2 goals.
“We have helped them score their [first] two goals. The third goal, you can all make your decisions and make your minds up on that one.”
Despite the problems in defence, the manager saw positives in attack.
“We have had enough bits, pieces and opportunities, first and second half, to score. We look okay at the top of the pitch; we are creating.”
The 58-year-old commented on the performance of his opponents, complimenting John Eustace’s side for their match-winning approach.
“It’s difficult when teams come and counter-attack and sit in, but that’s their prerogative, and if they get a result, they should be commended and congratulated for that, and we have to find a way.”
Two Steps Forward, Two Steps Back
After successive victories over Watford and Blackburn Rovers, Chris Wilder has now seen his side lose 2 on a row. This loss follows a defeat at Preston North End last week, and Wilder believes his side has missed an opportunity to make a move up the table.
“It’s two games where we really should have taken a step forward from two really good, positive performances and results, but ultimately the game is decided in both boxes.”
