Chris Wilder hails Patrick Bamford’s impact as Sheffield United win at Watford

Patrick Bamford was the talk of both managers after his brace handed Sheffield United a 2-0 Championship victory over Watford at Vicarage Road.

The Blades striker scored twice in a nine-minute second-half spell – the second with the deftest of flicks – on a day in which both sides’ participation in next season’s English second tier was confirmed.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder praised Bamford’s impact and commitment to the club since signing as a free agent in mid-November.

Wilder said: “For Pat to have 12 goals from the amount of games he’s played is a magnificent effort.

“But it’s not just those qualities. Even at the end he didn’t want to go over to the supporters because that’s not his gig.

“He’s just a humble guy but an important one for us. He gives us that number nine profile that we’ve needed all season and that we’ll need next year. He has experience that I can’t coach.

“Recently, there have been some chances he’ll be disappointed not to have put away, but he keeps stepping up and putting himself in those positions to score.

“We’re very fortunate to have him and his second goal was a fabulous finish. We had to beat off a few people to sign him, but he enjoys playing for us.

“He has a huge part to play next season. He keeps himself incredibly fit. He has another 98 minutes under his belt today, which is a testament to his professionalism.

“We’ve lacked leadership and resilience at times this season. We’re trying to restore the young players’ confidence and to have Pat and Danny Ings around just to calm them down is a fine thing.”

Watford manager Ed Still agreed that Bamford’s reading of the game and his calmness in front of goal had divided the sides.

Still said: “The experience that he has is vital in key positions. He was ultimately the difference between winning and not winning.

“The game was there to be won. You need your big players to take those moments. That experience today in Bamford was fantastic.”

Of more pressing concern to Still was the lack of collective fight in his team after conceding the second goal.

It is something that he has witnessed from afar in Watford sides in recent seasons.

He added: “It was a difficult day. Our reaction after the second goal was probably the biggest disappointment for me.

“It just doesn’t happen out of nowhere. It’s what hurts me the most. It’s just totally against my nature.

“I’m not going to point the finger at anybody because it’s important that you stay together and react collectively. Everybody has made mistakes in the defeat.

“I’m convinced that I can get Watford through this. I’m not someone who gives up. I’m a fighter, a winner.

“But it’s not just me that’s got to crack it.

“It’s about everybody in the building, players, staff, people around the team, it’s on all of us to push, to find the answers and to change something.”