'We needed more from our players' - Wilder

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says his players did not quite reach the levels needed in their 2-1 home defeat by new Championship leaders Middlesbrough.

After five successive league wins at Bramall Lane, promotion contenders Boro proved too much to handle for the Blades, who ended with 10 men after substitute Joe Rothwell was sent off on his debut.

"I've spoken to the players and told them there's a third of the season to go and Middlesbrough are the best team we've played by a long way," said Wilder.

"It's deserved that they go to the top of the division as I thought it was a statement win for them.

"We just needed a little bit more from our players. We were six-and-a-half and sevens and when you're playing a team at the top of the league with the momentum they've got and the results they've had, you've got to be right up there, seven-and-a-halves and eights.

"I don't think we really got to those heights even though to the neutral the game could have swung either way."