Chris Wilder sends blunt warning to Sheffield United players after Fleetwood Town shock

Chris Wilder has admitted that some Sheffield United players have lost his trust following their shock Carabao Cup defeat to Fleetwood Town.

The Blades were beaten 1-0 at Highbury after Rhys Norrington-Davies scored a bizarre own goal, with the result prompting jeers from sections of the club’s sold-out away support at the final whistle.

Wilder accepted that the reaction was understandable, insisting his players must be prepared to face criticism when they fail to deliver after enjoying praise when performances go well.

Although Sheffield United produced a respectable first-half display, their performance deteriorated after the break. Wilder felt too many players abandoned the team’s plan, with some showing what he described as arrogance and entitlement.

Several players had been handed an opportunity to push for a place in the Championship side, but the manager believed too many had failed to make the most of their chance. Norrington-Davies struggled after a promising start to the season, while Tyrese Campbell and Jairo Riedewald also endured disappointing outings.

Instead of creating a selection dilemma ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stoke City, the defeat left Wilder with greater clarity over which players he can rely on. Fleetwood, meanwhile, advanced to the next round, where they will face Premier League champions Arsenal.

“This will take a bit to get over for me, personally,” Wilder said. “We don’t want to get criticised. We don’t want to get abused. But we have to accept it because we’ve sold out and we’ve let everybody down.

“I’m not going to get over this easy. And the players out there are part of it. A lot of players had an opportunity to take a big step forward tonight, and they took a big step back.

“I’ve seen it and it has given me clarity. These are the ones that really sort the men out from the boys. And I think there were a lot of boy performances out there after half-time.”

Wilder suggested that some players may have chosen to ignore his instructions and follow their own approach, warning that such behaviour would ultimately have consequences.

“The players have had enough warning and possibly people will be saying: ‘Well, they’re not listening to you.’ Well, if they’re not listening to me, then there’s only one winner on that.”

The Sheffield United boss did not single out any individuals, but he made it clear that some members of his squad now face a difficult task to rebuild his confidence in them.

“It’s my team so I have to take that responsibility,” Wilder added. “It has given me so much clarity in who I can trust, and who’s going to take us forward. And who’s got a lot to do to get themselves back on side and on track with me.

“Players just did what they wanted instead of sticking with the plan. That doesn’t go unnoticed. I see everything.

“Ultimately, I have to take that responsibility, which I’m big enough to do. But I can’t stand here and defend the players. Some players just didn’t do enough and that will stay with me for quite a long time.

“They’re going to have to do a lot to drag that back. I think, like I said, the clarity that I get from it is who I can trust and who is here 24/7 for us.”