11 March 2024 , 07:47
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Chris Wilder has hit out at Jamie Carragher for his “lazy” criticism of his Sheffield United players after they were smashed by Arsenal.
The Blades were demolished 6-0 by the Premier League leaders last Monday as another low point was added to their miserable season. Wilder’s side are rock bottom of the Premier League table, having won just three of their 28 matches, and are braced for relegation back to the Championship.
They were 3-0 down within 15 minutes against Arsenal, prompting some fans to head for the concourse to get away from the shambolic display. Carragher was shocked by how bad the home side were and made some eye-catching comments on Sky Sports.
“That was a disgrace, that," he said when the score was 5-0 at half-time. "It's one of the most one-sided games I've ever seen. And to consider you come in on the back of losing two home games 5-0, that's shocking. I can't think of anything worse that I've ever seen in a half of football than that."
Sheffield United produced an improved performance to draw 2-2 at Bournemouth on Saturday. They held a 2-0 lead through goals from Gustavo Hamer and Jack Robinson before Dango Ouattara and Enes Unal clawed back a point for the Cherries after Dominic Solanke missed a penalty and had a goal ruled out by VAR for handball.
Carragher doubles down and insists "worst run club" Everton proved him right
Speaking after the match, Wilder used the result as an opportunity to fire back at Carragher. “I think sometimes the criticism is lazy. Because they don’t understand it, they come out with a narrative and just say things,” he said.
“Do I think we are what people have said about us? No. It can happen and it doesn’t make it any better when it’s happened two or three times. We reminded the players of their responsibilities, why they first played football and who they’re representing: their families, themselves, their team-mates, the club, the fans, the badge, me.”
Sheffield United put in an improved display against Bournemouth (Michael Steele/Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Are Sheffield United one of the worst Premier League sides in history? Comment below.
Wilder’s side are 10 points from safety with 10 league matches remaining and have a goal difference of -50 due to their many thrashings. Although he continues to fight on, Wilder knows he is preparing his side for another campaign in the Championship.
Plans are already being put in place for relegation and Wilder is flying out to Saudi Arabia to meet with owner Prince Abdullah to discuss his future. "I'm going out to Riyadh next week for meetings with the owners, for four or five days," the 56-year-old revealed last week. "They understand the situation that we're in. They're not liking the situation and I didn't expect them to."
The Blades face Fulham on March 30 before tricky games against Liverpool and Chelsea at the start of April. "There's still some life in us. I've not been told we're relegated yet," Wilder said before the Bournemouth game. “We will be if we continue to play like we did for half an hour or 40 minutes like we did against Arsenal. That will happen pretty quickly. So that's got to be our challenge, for that not to happen."
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