Watford 0 Sheffield United 2: "Experience I can't coach," Wilder hails two-goal Patrick Bamford
Patrick Bamford was the talk of both managers after his brace handed Sheffield United a 2-0 Championship victory over Watford at Vicarage Road.
The Blades striker scored twice in a nine-minute second-half spell – the second with the deftest of flicks – on a day in which both sides’ participation in next season’s English second tier was confirmed.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder praised Bamford’s impact and commitment to the club since signing as a free agent in mid-November.
Wilder said: “For Pat to have 12 goals from the amount of games he’s played is a magnificent effort.
“But it’s not just those qualities. Even at the end he didn’t want to go over to the supporters because that’s not his gig.
“He’s just a humble guy but an important one for us. He gives us that number nine profile that we’ve needed all season and that we’ll need next year. He has experience that I can’t coach.
“Recently, there have been some chances he’ll be disappointed not to have put away, but he keeps stepping up and putting himself in those positions to score.
“We’re very fortunate to have him and his second goal was a fabulous finish. We had to beat off a few people to sign him, but he enjoys playing for us.
“He has a huge part to play next season. He keeps himself incredibly fit. He has another 98 minutes under his belt today, which is a testament to his professionalism.
“We’ve lacked leadership and resilience at times this season. We’re trying to restore the young players’ confidence and to have Pat and Danny Ings around just to calm them down is a fine thing.”
Watford: Selvik, Petris, Pollock, Goglichidze, Abankwah (Bola 71), Irankunda, N Mendy (Bove 81), Louza, Maamma (Chakvetadze 58), Doumbia (Kjerrumgaard 71), Kayembe (Nabizada 59). Unused substitutes: Baxter, Ngakia, Ince, Baah.
Sheff Utd: A Davies, Seriki, Tanganga, McGuinness, Burrows, Riedewald (Peck 67), Rothwell (Arblaster 77), Brooks (Chong 60), O'Hare (Bindon 77), Hamer (Ings 67), Bamford. Unused substitutes: Faxon, Hjelde, Cannon, Hoever.
Referee: J Busby (Oxfordshire).