OPINION
Chris Wilder has previous with Leeds.
After he won automatic promotion with Sheffield United, Wilder gave an infamous interview where he dubbed Patrick Bamford and Adam Forshaw “muppets”.
And he was at it again on Sky Sports after the first leg of the play-off semi-final between Leeds and Derby.
There was controversy in the match after the referee ruled out a penalty he had awarded to Derby after consulting with his linesman.
Talking about the incident on Goals on Sunday (Sky Sports, Sunday, 11am) Wilder stoked the fires saying, “Leeds have had decisions all season, the handball Kemar Roofe, the Bamford penalty at Brentford and now that one.”
Trying to start that sort of narrative isn’t helpful with Leeds in the middle of the most important games in their recent history.
And Wilder’s comments are wrong.
Leeds got away with one after Roofe handled the ball into the net against Nottingham Forest.
But they were on the wrong end of a decision against Wilder’s Sheffield United earlier in the season when David McGoldrick should have been sent off for a stamp.
And Leeds fans were even moved to start a petition earlier in the season after a 1-1 draw with Brentford saw a string of bizarre decisions go against them.
Leeds Live said, “A controversial penalty decision, a yellow card for Pontus Jansson, a missed headbutt on Gjanni Alioski, Luke Ayling’s late red card and a series of fouls that stopped the flow of the game between two sides that were eager to play, were just some of the charges levelled against Simpson, who was booed off at the end of each half.”
Pontus Jansson was suspended for a game after a post-match interview on Sky. And, more recently, Patrick Bamford was suspended for two matches, including the first leg of the play-off semi-final for successful deception of a match official.
Leeds fans were also furious after a string of decisions went Sheffield United’s way in their 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest.
All football fans think they’re hard done to. But to say that Leeds have had decisions all season is not only wrong, but a bit naughty on Wilder’s part. His team are already promoted. He should back off from the leeds comments now.