Promotion hero Chris Wilder has blamed alcohol and high emotions after his rant at two Leeds United players earlier this week.
Wilder, who guided Sheffield United to the Premier League after last weekend’s 2-0 win over Ipswich coupled with Leeds’ controversial draw with Aston Villa 24 hours later, branded Patrick Bamford and Adam Forshaw ‘muppets’ during their raucous celebrations.
Bamford, a former Nottingham Forest academy graduate endured a tough week, being charged with deceiving a referee before being banned for two games after his behaviour during Leeds’ draw with Villa on Sunday – before being criticised by the Blades chief.
During the run-in, both Forshaw and Bamford suggested that pressure may hinder the Blades’ hopes of promotion, which saw Wilder hit back with a stinging response after guiding the Blades to the top flight.
“Emotions were high and we’d had a couple of drinks but that’s how it is and that’s how I am,” Wilder told the Sun.
“I’m old school and when people open their mouth and say things they’ve got to expect stuff to come back.”
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Leeds, having missed out on automatic promotion, will have to settle for a place in the play-offs, and could face Forest’s arch-rivals Derby County in the semi-final.
The Rams are in the driving seat for sixth place, knowing a win over West Brom at Pride Park on Sunday would see them finish inside the play-offs, but do have Middlesbrough and Bristol City breathing down their necks.
With Aston Villa, West Brom and Leeds already assured of their play-off places, Wilder believes Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites do have the upper hand going into the semi-finals.
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“But it’s nothing personal. Leeds are an outstanding team and I wouldn’t bet against them coming up in the play-offs.”
