Chris Wilder: Sheff Utd boss says criticism of Blades players’ attitude is ‘disrespectful’

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says criticism suggesting his side “can’t wait for the season to finish” has hurt him.

Wilder, 58, was speaking after his side shared the spoils in a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Birmingham City despite spending the majority of the match down to 10 men.

Full-back Femi Seriki was sent off in the 23rd minute for a clumsy challenge on Ibrahim Osman and Blues striker Marvin Ducksch made the Blades pay by breaking the deadlock two minutes later.

Wilder’s team responded, however, through Patrick Bamford’s equaliser in first-half stoppage time and the visitors held off Blues’ attacks to get the point at St Andrew’s.

As well as praising his players’ “fabulous performance”, Wilder also used his post-match comments to address what he felt were unfair accusations about their attitude.

“I’ve been a bit disappointed this week with the minority negativity towards the players and everybody, I’ll be honest about it,” Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.

“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.”