WILDER RILED AS BLADES BLOW THEIR BIG CHANCE
Lack of respect angers manager
SHEFFIELD United manager Chris Wilder hit out at “disrespectful” Norwich as the Blades blew a chance to go top of the Championship.
Defeat for Leeds and a draw for Cardiff meant last year’s League One champions would have led the pack with a three-point haul at Bramall Lane.
But Yanic Wildschut’s early strike and a tungsten-tough defensive display saw the Canaries notch their first away win of the campaign – and only their third of 2017.
The result eased mounting pressure on Daniel Farke but left Wilder listing a litany of grievances, starting with the visitors’ failure to arrive at Bramall Lane in time.
“Was there a big crash in Sheffield today?” he said. “No? Just traffic. Well, set off a little bit earlier then.
“If you’re in a city centre and there’s a football match on, there might be about 28,000 people there about half one.
“There wasn’t a crash on the A1 or the A14 or whatever. They were up here last night. Do your homework, get your team-sheet in on time and show the manager, the referee and everyone else a little bit of respect.”
Wilder was also furious at referee Scott Duncan after he was sent to
the stands for booting a ball out of Norwich’s technical area.
“I shouldn’t have gone into their technical area,” he admitted. “But their time-wasting was ridiculous. I just wanted to get the game moving.
“I wear my heart on my sleeve and in 750 games I’ve probably been sent off twice. I don’t think it was necessary.”
No wonder Wilder’s frustrations boiled over. Six corners, 17 shots, 68 per cent possession – the home side dominated utterly and spent all but the opening 25 minutes lodged in the Norwich half. Yet the fact that only four of those efforts hit the target – and two of those from distance – illustrates the visiting side’s impressive obduracy.
Norwich were disciplined and resolute at the back, clearly heeding Farke’s midweek demand for improved movement.
Wherever the Blades wanted to go – which was usually out wide – a yellow shirt was there to block the path to goal, shut down space or mark the free man. Every time a ball came into the box, defenders hurled themselves into blocks.
Any error was pounced upon, a counter-attack swiftly launched. The clinching goal was a case in point.
David Brooks, composed and inventive on his first professional start for United, should have capped his big day with a goal when he deftly nutmegged Timm Klose only to shoot his effort lamely at City goalkeeper Angus Gunn.
From the resulting throw, Norwich went long to Cameron Jerome. The big striker offloaded to James Maddison, he teed up Wildschut and, one thumping low drive later, the Blades trailed.
The remainder of the game was attack versus defence. Blades probed; Norwich repelled. Rinse and repeat.
Poor old Duncan, meanwhile – the unfortunate official kopped it from all angles.
With ten minutes to go, Jamal Blackman flattened Maddison with such force that the Norwich man limped off.
City players demanded a penalty; Duncan gave a goal-kick, presumably judging the ball had gone.
“How we didn’t receive a penalty is outrageous and incredible,” said Farke.
“Either he hits the man and it’s a penalty or he hit the ball and it’s a corner. The referee gives a goal-kick – how can this be? I am amazed it wasn’t me in the stand.”
Had Brooks’ late effort flown under the bar rather than over it, the German would have cut a far less chipper figure.
“Seven days ago, it wasn’t so good, but we have had a brilliant week,” he said. “Three clean sheets. Seven points. I’m happy.”