Sheffield United face Millwall in the Championship tomorrow with Chris Wilder labelling the decision by some fans to give his players abuse on Saturday “a disgrace”.
The Blades lost 1-0 at Oxford United to miss out on the chance of topping the table.
United are second, one point ahead of Leeds United, with six fixtures left to play.
“The wheels haven’t fallen off – we’ll just go again,” said Wilder. “I think it (the reaction of some of the fanbase at Oxford) is an absolute disgrace to the players that represent the football club and what they’ve done this season.
“Maybe before I was talking to my media guy and told to stay away from it, but I’ll meet it head on. It’s a joke. It’s a disgrace. If that’s what you think of the players then when we have the good days don’t be clapping – go home. Be consistent.
“I appreciate the support we’ve had away from home and they have been outstanding at home. We’re going to need that because we’re going to have to lift the players because they are disappointed about what happened on Saturday. We had a chance to break a club record that has lasted about 350 years and we weren’t good enough – sometimes that is just how football is.
“If it was the group I inherited that turned it in, who were miles off it, then I get that. But not this group. Don’t do it to them. Don’t do it to me.
“We need to get back on to it and I’m sure we will, knowing the reaction of the players when they came in really early on Sunday morning to assess and analyse. They had to feel a bit of pain watching it back.
“Bramall Lane gives us a huge advantage (when it is loud) and huge boost. It gives us a huge push and huge energy. I know what I’d be doing if I was a supporter – I’d be getting right behind this team. If we hadn’t had the two points deducted then we would be top on 85 points going into the last six games.”
PICTURE: BRIAN TONKS
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