Former Blades manager Chris Wilder has ripped into his current Watford team and referenced Sheffield United in what they should aspire to be like.
Wilder has taken over at Watford but is overseeing a nightmare end to the season. They were dispatched with ease by Cardiff City last night and it’s all but ended any hopes of a playoff run for the Hornets.
Watford have had a stinking season given the apparent talent in their ranks. The likes of Joao Pedro, Ismaila Sarr and more have all been lauded as being too good for the Championship.
But Wilder, speaking after last night’s loss, tore into the individualism of his Watford players and believes they need to look at the likes of Burnley and Sheffield United if they’re to get better.
“Burnley have got fabulous individuals, but they’re a proper team. Sheffield United, Ndiaye, McBurnie, great individuals, Anel, but they’re a team. I know that team. I know they’ve all got good individuals but they’re a team. Are we good individuals? Are we a good team? No,” Wilder said.
Watford now sit 12th in the Championship table, five points off a playoff spot with just three games remaining.
Sheffield United News View: Wilder must be fuming
It’s interesting to hear Wilder still mentioning United in the odd interview. Earlier in the season he said similar in backing United to go up. At the time, he said we had the right characters and qualities to ensure we’d get over the line with Burnley.
How infuriating, then, must it be for Wilder to be working with a group of players who are clearly not a team at all.
Wilder’s made a career out of building teams who work together as a cohesive unit. Sure, he failed a bit at Middlesbrough but at United, Oxford, and Northampton those qualities were hallmarks of his tenure.
As a Blades fan, he’ll be delighted to see United doing so well. But as a Championship manager, he is clearly wound up by what his Watford side are showing him.
