Walsall 1 Sheffield Utd 1: Wilson calls on Blades to storm to promotion

The Blades trailed to Craig Westcarr’s 44th-minute opener, but substitute Chris Porter rescued a point just after the hour mark, much to Wilson’s relief after he had administered a stern team talk at the interval.

“I was very angry with the entire first-half performance, especially given our league position, but the goal compounded the matter,” said Wilson. “The timing of it was far from ideal and that led to a few choice words at the break.

“In the second period, we got a positive response and that was pleasing. After that, we took the game to Walsall, who are a good side at home and, despite them having a couple of chances, I thought we deserved our equaliser.

“I think it was a fair result in the end, Walsall were much better than us in the first half, but we improved as the game progressed and deserved a point.

“Who knows what it could mean at the end of the season?”

The result left the Blades six points behind second-placed Bournemouth, but with three games in hand.

Wilson is urging his team to produce a storming finish over the final six matches to secure automatic promotion back to the Championship.

The manager, who had to withdraw Dave Kitson at half-time due to illness, added: “We need to be more forceful in our approach and not be timid, waiting for things to happen.

“In the run-in, we have to clench our fists and go at teams from the first whistle.

“Dave (Kitson) was struggling with a migraine that he had before the game, that’s why he was replaced. We never thought he would get through a full game with his back and hamstring, but those injuries were manageable.”

Walsall could still grab a top-six place, though they have only three games left.

Walsall: Johnstone, Purkiss, Downing, Butler, Taylor (Benning 57), Mantom, Adam Chambers, Baxendale (Hemmings 83), Paterson, Westcarr, Brandy (Sawyers 90). Unused substitutes: Roberts, Holden, Featherstone, Bowerman.

Sheffield United: Long, Higginbotham, Maguire, Collins, Hill, Robson (McFadzean 60), McDonald, Doyle, Murphy, Kitson (Porter 46), Forte. Unused substitutes: Coyne, Westlake, Ironside, Whitehouse, Kennedy.

Referee: D Whitestone (Northamptonshire).

Man of the match: Chris Porter.