Chris Wilder comes to the defence of Sheffield United star, his season will ‘not be defined’ by Wembley moment
Sheffield United have two-and-a-half months to lick their wounds and prepare for the 2025/26 Championship campaign following their defeat in the play-off final to Sunderland on Saturday.
The Blades’ awful record in the play-offs continued, as Tommy Watson unleashed an incredible curling effort in injury time to secure Sunderland’s place back in the Premier League following eight years in both the Championship and League One.
Chris Wilder was bitterly disappointed with the use of VAR at Wembley at the weekend, with the South Yorkshire outfit being denied a second goal when they were 1-0 up, as Vinicius Souza was adjudged to have been offside when Harrison Burrows struck from distance.
However, that will do little to comfort the Sheffield United boss, who has come to the protection of one of his players after his mistake allowed Sunderland the chance to score the goal to win promotion.
Chris Wilder defends Kieffer Moore after terrible Sheffield United moment
Kieffer Moore nearly handed the Blades the lead inside the opening two minutes of the game at Wembley, with Anthony Patterson superbly stopping his downward header to keep the tie level.
He proved to be a strong threat throughout the first half, and as Bristol City did, Sunderland struggled to contain the Wales international. However, in the final moments of the game, his misplaced pass fell straight into the path of Watson who went on to score.
But Wilder was quick to ensure that Moore was not made the victim of that moment, he said on TalkSport: “His performance and his contribution this season shouldn’t be defined by that. None of us should be defined by that. We got 92 points and that gets you up most seasons.
“I’ve always said that the highs are a lot higher and the lows are a lot lower [as a United fan]. It stung yesterday but I’ve got a beautiful family supporting me, I’ve got magic pals.
“I’ve got really good people around me and I’m at a fabulous football club. I know there’ll be a little bit of negativity, I get that and I think social media amps that up, 1000%.”
Kieffer Moore’s future with the Blades will be up for debate this summer
While Moore did impress in the play-offs, over the course of the entire season, his goal contributions have not exactly set the world alight and there will be conversations about whether Sheffield United need to move him on in the transfer window.
With just five goals to his name in the league in 2024/25, the Blades know they need more from a striker who has plenty of experience at this level and with Tom Cannon also struggling, this summer will be a big one for them.
Appearances (starts) 27 (18)
Minutes played 1765
Goals (assists) 5 (0)
xG 9.15
Shots (on target) 58 (19)
Pass accuracy 62.4%
Chances created 12
Penalties won 1
Kieffer Moore Championship stats 2024/25 – (FotMob)
Nevertheless, as Moore proved in the semi-finals, in the right setup, he has more than enough quality to be a danger in the final third. However, he is not getting any younger, and Wilder must decide whether now is the right time to let go.
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