Chris Wilder slams Burnley security as tempers flare at Turf Moor after Sheffield United defeat

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It was an unhappy trip to Turf Moor for Chris Wilder and his Sheffield United side on Monday evening, and the Blades boss has criticised the Lancashire club for how they handled the celebrations after the game.

Sheffield United knew they had to do the impossible and take all three points from Burnley at Turf Moor to keep their automatic promotion hopes alive, and in fairness, they pushed the Clarets close.

A 2-1 scoreline, largely thanks to star man Josh Brownhill, was enough to secure promotion for Burnley (and Leeds in the process), and confine the Blades to the play-offs this season.

After the game, Chris Wilder was full of praise for Burnley and Leeds for their achievements in securing the top two spots in the league table.

But, there is one element of the trip to Turf Moor he was really unhappy about.

• READ MORE: How the Leeds United players reacted to Josh Brownhill’s promotion-sealing goals against Sheffield United

What Chris Wilder said about Burnley-Blades fracas

As the full-time whistle blew, Burnley players and fans, naturally, erupted in joyous celebration after securing their path to the Premier League.

Those celebrations spilled over somewhat, though, resulting in Sheffield United players becoming irate and clashing with the Burnley contingent as they headed down the tunnel at Turf Moor.

In his post-match press conference, Chris Wilder addressed the situation and condemned the Burnley security protocols that failed to protect his team.

He said: “We were told by the referee that we’d be getting stewards surrounding us, but I think they went on a missing list completely. It was quite scary out there where there’s people coming and doing bits and pieces [around us].

“I understand their emotions are running high, but I didn’t think we got protected by the football club and stewards, not one bit. When I spoke to the referee afterwards he noticed it, too.

“When 20, 30, 40, 50 lads are running at you, shouting things at the end of a game, it’s quite difficult to get off the pitch. But I’ll be stunned if anything comes our way on any of that. What are [Burnley] going to say, ‘Unlucky, well done, good luck in the play-offs?'”

Before the game, Wilder was probably unhappy with the referee appointment for the game, given he has had issues with David Webb previously.

But, in fairness, Webb handled the game really well overall, and he can’t be blamed for what happened after the final whistle. By the sounds of it, Burnley should have dealt with the chaos a little better, but thankfully it didn’t erupt into a full-blown scrap like Sheffield United’s last away day.

• READ MORE: Burnley vs Sheffield United player ratings as 10/10 Clarets ace seals promotion in style, while 4/10 Blade slips up

Sheffield United have had disciplinary issues all season

Just a couple of weeks ago, when United travelled to Home Park to face relegation-threatened Plymouth Argyle, Wilder was involved in a fight with players in the tunnel after losing the game.

It’s not unusual for Sheffield United to be involved in unsavoury situations when it comes to clashing with other players and coaching staff. In fact, the Blades have been charged six times for misconduct this season, which is unacceptable, really.

Wilder is a manager who plays things very close to the edge in terms of the aggressive, fighting spirit he demands from his team, and that often appears to bleed into their behaviour before and after the games, too.

United are a wily, provocative bunch, it has to be said. They can use that to their advantage most of the time, and often it gives them a resilience and determination to grind out results. But, as we’ve seen in recent weeks, it can also lead them into trouble, too.

They’ll need to keep their cool and get their head in the game if they want to improve that awful play-offs record the Blades hold right now, or they’ll be spending another year in the second tier.