Wilder can't give players an excuse - McAnuff

Former Reading midfielder Jobi McAnuff believes that Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder's criticism over the scheduling of the football season could have contributed to the side's shock 1-0 loss to Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup.

Wilder, who has been a vocal critic of the number of matches played in a short time, made seven changes to his side for the game against the League Two outfit, but an own goal from Rhys Norrington-Davies sealed their exit from the competition.

"It's easy to come out after that and say the players haven't done enough and maybe that's true," McAnuff told the Football Daily podcast.

"The side is stacked. That is a side that should be, respectfully to Fleetwood Town, able to go and win a game of football no matter how much you've played or not played.

"From the manager's perspective, it's a tough balance to strike. I get it's been busy but you can't let the players smell that because they look for excuses."

The Blades' upcoming visit to Stoke City on Saturday will be their ninth game in four weeks.