This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
There’s damning with faint praise, but is there such a thing as praise with faint damning?
Because that’s the situation that the staff and players at Sheffield United might just find himself in after some rather weird remarks from former Blades boss Neil Warnock.
What’s he said?
Speaking to talkSPORT, Warnock praised Wilder for the work that he is doing at Bramall Lane right now even though the players he’s working work aren’t exactly of the highest quality:
“It’s an amazing system. I’m not being disrespectful, but he’s got bang average players playing top of the Premier League standards. That’s what you talk about man-management, these lads believe in what Chris is doing and good luck, the fans are loving it and I’m sure they’ll do well.”
Unleashing the beasts
Warnock has always been one that isn’t afraid to voice his opinion on all things football, but this might come back to bite him in the backside at the end of the season.
The praise for Wilder just seems to be never-ending, with ex-pros like Tony Cascarino saying that he should be considered for ‘bigger’ Premier League jobs further down the road, but a comment like this, is exactly what players like those in the Bramall Lane dressing room should be looking for, extra motivation.
Whilst Warnock might not exactly hold the highest esteem when it comes to the world of football, much in the same way John Terry made disparaging remarks about Robbie Savage a number of years ago, the chance to go and prove someone wrong should be a big motivator for the players as they go on this season.
Whilst some might write the Blades off, including to a certain extent us at FFC as well, they should take all these comments and use it as a way to prove everyone wrong.
They’ve already exceeded expectations by even getting into this division, and a quote like this might just be that little bit extra that they need to really kick on and make this season a memorable one.
