"Sour grapes" - Chris Wilder's Coventry City comments rubbished after Sheffield United draw | OneFootball

FLW's Coventry City fan pundit has responded to Chris Wilder's suggestion the team had downed tools under Mark Robins

Chris Wilder criticised the Coventry City players for downing tools on Mark Robins following the team’s 2-2 draw against Sheffield United.

Tyrese Campbell and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi had both given the Blades a leading position before equalisers from Norman Bassette and Bobby Thomas earned a point for the hosts on Saturday.

Speaking after the game, Wilder was complimentary of the Sky Blues, but questioned why they hadn’t shown the same attitude in their draw against his side as they did in their previous 14 or 15 games, before the dismissal of Robins as manager.

"I would say top four, top five strongest squads in the division,” said Wilder, via the club’s official Twitter account.

“They've decided to turn it on today, haven't they? And have a go.

"I'm a Mark Robins fan, and maybe, being a little bit controversial because sometimes I can't keep my mouth shut, if they had run around like that in the previous 14 or 15 games, maybe somebody else would be in a job still."

Coventry City downing tools claim rubbished

When asked about Wilder’s comments, and whether the team did down tools on Robins, FLW’s Coventry fan pundit Ryan Murphy disagreed with the assertion.

He pointed to the 3-2 comeback win over Luton Town earlier this season as an example of their fighting spirit, and the fact they stuck with the manager until the end.

“I don’t think Wilder’s claims are justified, to be honest,” Murphy told Football League World.

“We set up slightly differently, and some forced changes as well with injuries, so different personnel had come in and played a part.

“People playing in different positions as well, different formations and when Mark Robins was there I didn’t once look at that side and think they weren’t playing for the manager and downed tools.

“I think that’s just a bad, sour comment from Wilder from not getting the three points.

“Never once did I look at that team and think they weren’t playing for the manager.

“Look at Luton, they were 2-0 down and won 3-2.

“This was the same spirit again, 2-0 down at Sunderland and came away with a point, it’s the same fight back and we did it again with Sheffield United, losing and coming back to get another point.

“So the team’s always got that spirit and I think it’s just unfortunate Mark Robins lost his job but it was never down to his players downing tools, they look the same to me.

“So I think it’s just sour grapes.”

Coventry City league position

The draw with Sheffield United saw Coventry fall further down the Championship table, with the Sky Blues now 17th in the division.

Rhys Carr was in charge of the team on an interim basis for last weekend’s clash at home against the Blades, but it has been reported that Frank Lampard could be appointed as the next permanent boss.

According to Football Insider, an agreement has been reached with the former Chelsea manager.

It remains to be seen if he will be appointed in time to take charge of Tuesday night’s trip to Turf Moor to face Burnley in a 7.45pm kick-off.

Wilder stepped over the line with Coventry comments

While Wilder may feel the need to defend a fellow manager in public, this wasn’t something he needed to wade into.

To make those comments after dropping points does leave him open to accusations of sour grapes, and it is telling that he waited until after the match before saying anything like this.

Wilder should be focused on Sheffield United and not Coventry, and this is an unfair remark to make about a squad of players.