Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has lauded his team’s 2-2 stalemate with West Brom as potentially the “best result of the season”.
A thrilling first half saw Callum O’Hare and Tyrese Campbell reverse the lead initially secured by West Brom’s Torbjorn Heggem, who celebrated his first goal for the club.Despite Tom Fellows pulling the teams level after the break, neither could clinch the win. Nonetheless, the draw vaults United to the summit of the table, nudging ahead of Leeds by a single point.
Wilder expressed his satisfaction, stating: “Absolutely delighted. That’s arguably our best result of the season. “.
With an eye on the youth in his squad, Wilder noted: “At one stage we had six under-22 players on the pitch and they’re learning at the top of the division.”
He cited the match against West Brom as a vital challenge, describing them as a “This (West Brom) is a big test for us, fabulous club, great squad of players and front four right up there.”
Despite acknowledging West Brom’s frustration at not turning draws into victories, he praised their aggressive play and acknowledged the encounter as “a massive test” for his Sheffield side.
Wilder recognised some youthful indiscretion, commenting: “(We were) a little bit naive at times, gung ho. I need to temper that a little bit and teach them, but what I don’t want to take away is their ambition and personality to get a result.”
Although he admitted Leeds are “miles ahead”, Wilder continues to find his squad’s performance remarkable.
He revealed: “The chat in the week was we could swallow a defeat and it’s still a great start, but I told them I’m not having any of that. ” “They will all benefit from that great experience from a big club in the division. They keep surprising me, we’re missing some huge players from our own doing.”
“Leeds are miles ahead of us. We have our own fight to improve individually and as a team and along the way keep picking up points. I’m not focused on anyone apart from us.”West Bromwich Albion’s Carles Corberán expressed his views after yet another draw: “When the results are not good it can be difficult to believe in the coach. When they are good, they think you’re a genius. ” He continued with high praise for his squad: “This group of players, they have something which is special, they don’t find excuses. When I came to this club two years ago we have faced difficulties, but this team have never stopped fighting.”
Corberán also commented on the squad’s resilience: “This year with limitations we are competing a lot. In front of the difficult moments we are not making excuses.”
He further emphasised their character: “When things are not working well the easy way is to find an excuse. Some of these players have big personalities to keep growing and use these difficult moments to improve.”
