Patrick Bamford has heaped praise on Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder despite a chequered history between the pair.
The striker completed an eyebrow-raising switch to the Blades in November, linking-up with Wilder just seven months after starting a derogatory chant about him during Leeds’ Premier League promotion celebrations.
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At the time of the chant, Wilder claimed he had ‘no issue’ with it despite the pair having previously clashed back in 2019.
Wilder referred to Bamford as ‘a muppet’ when Sheffield United secured promotion to the Premier League ahead of Bamford’s former side Leeds.
With multiple flashpoints between them, many were left surprised when Bamford – a free agent at the time – secured a move to Brammal Lane in the hope of pulling the Blades out of the mire.
And Bamford’s record of ten goals in 25 appearances since his arrival suggest the row between the pair is now water under the bridge.
That was further cemented by Bamford committing his future to the Blades by signing an 18-month contract in January.
All in the past
“It’s gone alright,” the one-cap England striker told eSPORTY about his six months at the club.
“Yeah, there were obviously a few questions when I joined given the previous but it’s gone well.
Asked whether he and Wilder can look back and laugh about their previous conflict, he said: “To be fair it got quashed quite early. I rang him the day after to apologise and he took it really well actually.
“He said ‘I give it as much so I’ve got to be able to take it’.
“It was brushed under the carpet and it’s not really been talked about since but we have a really good relationship so it’s all good.”
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Wilder was drafted in as Sheffield United boss for a third time last September, succeeding Ruben Selles in the dugout.
The Blades were in disarray having lost eight of their first nine Championship games, scoring just three goals across that time.
A quick upturn in form coincided with Bamford’s arrival however, with Sheffield United sat in 17th and almost certain to escape relegation, the striker revealed his disappointment that there is little to play for in the remaining four fixtures.
“It’s disappointing. the fact that we’re not pushing for promotion but he (Wilder) wants us to win every game and obviously develop that winning mentality for next year more than anything,” Bamford added.
“As you know in this league, it’s consistency and unfortunately over the last two months, we’ve not had that and it’s just kind of killed us.”
High acclaim
Bamford also reserved some words of praise for his manager, placing particular focus on his man-management skills.
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“He’s straight up, which is one of the things as a player that you want a manager to be – open and honest with you,” he said.
“Sometimes you’ve got to take it when he gives it to you. He says it how it is, he tells you what you’ve done right and wrong
“If you deliver he’ll pat you on the back, if you don’t then he’ll let you know as well.”
