'Their support started to get anxious': Sheffield United Chris Wilder's verdict on last-gasp Portsmouth defeat
Blades boss Chris Wilder gives his assessment of last night’s see-saw clash at Fratton Park.
Chris Wilder could sense the Fratton nerves as Pompey faltered against 10-man Sheffield United before delivering their last-gasp winner.
But the Sheffield United boss’ frustration focussed on referee Oliver Langford and his decision to send off Hamza Choudhury, in his side’s 3-2 reverse at Fratton Park.
Wilder: ‘I thought their support started to get anxious, but they've got some good players at top end of pitch’
It proved a see-saw affair under the lights, with drama in three minutes at the end of the half, as Zak Swanson smashed in a wonderful drive from outside the box and Choudhury was dismissed for a second booking.
Wilder was aware Pompey were coming into the game after south-coast derby defeat, in a clash where he felt anxiety rose in the home crowd as they gave up a two-goal lead before the late drama.
Wilder told BBC’s Football Heaven: 'We started off well. They've just been turned over by Southampton, with Southampton down to 10 men.
'So they get beat by Southampton, like us getting beat by Sheffield Wednesday.
'So I know John's a good manager with a committed group of players, so they come out and it was a big start for them.
'I thought we were okay and saw that out, we have to score - Tom (Cannon) has to score in the middle of the goal.
'I thought we were a threat, but a bit of a mistake from the clearance and the boy puts it in the top corner.
'Chongy (Tahith Chong) was causing their left-back all sorts of problems, but got done on the outside and they squirm one in.
'So down to 2-0, what's the reaction of my team? I thought it was outstanding.
'We get ourselves level and I felt pretty comfortable, the clock was ticking and we fought for we each other like mad.
'Michael (Cooper) never had to make a big save like you'd expect when they're at home and piling it on.
'Then the ball takes a deflection and falls to their boy - and there it is.
'That's a tough one to take. I thought their support started to get anxious, but they've got some good players at the top of the pitch and out wide.
'But it's more frustration and anger towards somebody.'
Wilder developed on his consternation towards referee Langford, with his ire focussed on the challenge from Choudhury which led to his second yellow card and dismissal.
He told the Sheffield Star: 'Where can Hamza go?” Is it Mr Claypole (the disappearing jester from Rentaghost) who just disappears? There are actions like that all over the pitch. Sam McCallum got blocked three or four times.
'I just don't know where Hamza's meant to go and I have to be super careful because maybe what I might want to say, I don't say. Even at the last minute of the game, one of our boys gets tugged in the area and you can see the shirt coming off his back.
'And a week ago, West Ham v QPR, West Ham get a penalty in the 93rd minute. And I spoke to the fourth official and I said: “Did he pull his shirt?’ And he went: “Yeah, he pulled his shirt.”
'So is there a little pull, a medium pull or a big pull? But that was just one of a number of decisions that incredibly frustrated me.
'And then the chat was that he wasn't going to send him off. And I get opposition players going over; gamesmanship is part of the game. But we feel a little bit hard done by.
'Where are the young up-and-coming referees who should be refereeing in the Championship now, rather than the ones who just survive?
'No doubt we'll have another survivor referee on Saturday? Where's the quality? There's a surviving group of referees.'