“Non-Sense, i never felt they were MENTALLY tired and didn’t look it”- “Wilder Breaks Silence on Blades’ collapse after Leeds and Burnley Pull away”
Chris Wilder Dismisses Claims of Mental Fatigue After Another Blow to Sheffield United’s Promotion Hopes
Chris Wilder has dismissed suggestions that mental fatigue is affecting his Sheffield United squad following their 2-1 loss to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday — their third defeat in just seven days. The result leaves the Blades third in the Championship standings, trailing joint leaders Burnley and Leeds United by five points with only four games remaining.
To avoid the play-offs and secure automatic promotion, United now need a dramatic turnaround. Their recent form has been concerning, managing just one goal in matches against Oxford United, Millwall, and Plymouth. Despite leading 1-0 against the league’s bottom club, they conceded twice in the final 10 minutes.
Missed chances proved costly. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi was denied by Plymouth keeper Conor Hazard, and substitute Tyrese Campbell could only find the side netting after miscontrolling at 1-1.
While the season has taken its toll, Wilder rejected any notion that his players are mentally drained: “No, I don’t think we looked mentally fatigued. I thought we controlled the game, particularly in the second half. We had enough possession and created chances, but we didn’t take that opportunity to score a second goal.”
Wilder emphasized that United had the game under control and wasn’t under constant pressure: “It wasn’t like we were clinging on, making last-ditch tackles or clearances. The goals came out of nowhere. Vini [Souza] was off the pitch, we didn’t defend a corner, and then the atmosphere shifted — which was expected, given what’s at stake for them.”
He also lamented a missed opportunity by Campbell late in the game: “Ty has to score to quieten things down and win it for us. He doesn’t. Then they score the winner after getting in behind too easily.”
Wilder acknowledged the team’s tough week, saying they need to take responsibility: “We were in a great spot after beating Coventry, and we’ve let that slip. We have to own that.”
Sheffield United will look to bounce back on Good Friday at home to Cardiff City, though Wilder knows their hopes of automatic promotion may already be slipping away.
