'Shocking' - Sheffield United attitude slammed by Chris Wilder following defeat to West Brom
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder slammed his side’s attitude following their 2-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion.
Wilder’s men arrived at The Hawthorns on a high having embarked on a six-game unbeaten run. During that run, the Blades had beaten the likes of Stoke City and Leicester City.
However, the run was not extended at The Hawthorns as the Baggies clinched three points on home turf.
It was goalless at half-time but within 15 minutes of the restart, West Brom were two goals to the good courtesy of Aune Heggebo and Karlan Grant.
Chris Wilder’s scathing assessment
Wilder said: “Our attitude and mentality were shocking in the second half. It’s as frustrated and angry as I have been for a long time. The players just thought the game was going to come to them.
“We knew it was a great opportunity because of the run West Brom had been on. We smelt it before the game – there was a bit of vulnerability regarding them.
“We went after it. It’s alright going after it but you have to bury them and we didn’t take our chances.
“As an experienced operator, at half-time I know how difficult it is to win a game – you have to go again and have that physicality and drive to go again.
“But we were miles off it. There was no urgency about our play and we were passive.”
Ryan Mason’s verdict
West Brom boss Ryan Mason, meanwhile, was left to savour a win that eased pressure on him.
He said: “As a coach there’s always relief when you win a game. You can enjoy it because we were good value in the second half.
“In the first half it was crucial we got through a period when they had a couple of counter-attacks and Joe [Wildsmith] made a good save. You could feel the anxiety in the group.
“I’m super proud of the effort the players put in – in the second half we were really good and could have scored a few more goals.”
Sheffield United sit 17th in the Championship table following the defeat, six points above the relegation zone.