Chris Wilder is finding it hard to express any positives in a humble manner, as Leeds United fans are unlikely to appreciate his recent comments. The Sheffield United manager has struggled to stop talking about Leeds this season, and his mind games with the club have resurfaced once again.
It’s been a long-running rivalry between the two sides, and after the international break, the battle for bragging rights will come to a head. However, for now, Wilder feels that Sheffield United are unfairly placed in the current Championship standings.
Wilder believes Leeds United are wrongly positioned in the table. Despite the Blades manager typically avoiding praise, he called Leeds’ level of performance “ridiculous,” acknowledging how tight the race has been all season. He’s right that the top three of the Championship is neck-and-neck, with the title race going right down to the wire for a second consecutive season. Leeds will be hoping to come out on top after last season’s disappointment, but Wilder feels Sheffield United’s position is unjustified.
The Blades would be at the top of the table had they not been deducted two points at the start of the season for financial issues during the 2022/23 campaign. This has led Wilder to claim Sheffield United should be in first place, even though, as things stand, Leeds would be crowned champions.
“We should be clear at the top of the table,” Wilder stated. “Nobody is talking about us going top, but we would have been even further ahead with those two points that should have been ours.”
With these comments, it’s clear that Wilder may use this point deduction as his excuse if Sheffield United miss out on the Championship title. Both managers will undoubtedly be pleased with promotion, but it’s the title that’s on the line. If Sheffield United fall short by a point or two, Wilder may point to the deduction as an unfair factor, even though the rules were clear.
Meanwhile, Leeds must focus on staying in the top two, with Michael Brown still backing them for the title despite their draw with QPR. A break could be just what Leeds need as both clubs prepare for what could be a thrilling finish to the Championship season.
Chris Wilder says Leeds United are in the wrong position after bizarre Championship admission
