Blades boss Wilder frustrated after red mist descends on Griffin Park

Posted Saturday, March 31, 2018 by PA

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder was reluctant to focus on the double sending off of Brentford midfielder Ryan Woods and his keeper Jamal Blackman after the sides fought out a fiery 1-1 draw.

The pair both saw red for tussling over the ball in the back of the net after Chris Mepham’s debut goal for the Bees cancelled out Chris Basham’s opener.

Wilder said: ”I’m not really sure what he was thinking about dealing with a 6ft 7 lad. Jamal doesn’t have to hand the ball back. Woods has a slap and Jamal retaliated and made it easy for the ref.

“It’s frustrating for both benches because the ref missed quite a lot for both sides during the game but not that incident, and we both lose good players for three games. For me, not every tackle is a yellow card in the conditions.”

Wilder paid tribute to Brentford, adding: “It was an excellent game between two different teams. I have nothing but respect for Brentford in the way they play and recruit.

“The organisation of the team was really good and we had the best chances in a tough game where both teams went for the win. We haven’t gone anywhere and set up to frustrate. We came for the win, as shown by the chances we’ve had.”

Wilder admitted his side were “disappointed and frustrated but not in a bad way” at being pegged back, but added: “Brentford have beaten better sides than us but we are in a good place going into last seven games of the season.

“Every game in the Championship is a pleasure to be involved in. We have gone toe-to-toe with a really good team and if we finish ahead of Brentford it will be a great achievement because they are excellent.”

Brentford boss Dean Smith bemoaned the referee’s inconsistency, but added: “In the end it was a good point because we didn’t deserve much. That was the poorest we’ve been for a long time, but you can’t knock our spirit and character.

“On the ball, I thought we were very poor. Some of it might have been down to the conditions and the fact that United worked very hard and made it difficult for us.”

He added: “We didn’t create many opportunities of note apart from a few snapshots and efforts from range because of our quality on the ball.”

Smith joined Wilder in questioning referee Jeremy Simpson.

Smith said: “He could have sent the boy Basham off for a second yellow, but to be fair we scored from the free-kick. Then seconds later we score and lose Ryan. Certainly the keeper deserves a red but I’m not sure about Woodsy as I didn’t see it.

“It was a disappointing performance but we kept trying to get in behind them. Ryan’s red means a chance for others to stake a claim for the shirt but I’ll take a look at it and if there are grounds to appeal then we will.”