Bad decisions, staying cool and speeding up: Sheffield United's defeat to Wolves in FIVE points

“We did great last year,” he said, in between sessions as the club began ramping up its preparations at a training camp in Scotland. “But that was then. This is now. We start on zero points.”

McBurnie’s warning cut to the heart of the attitude Chris Wilder has engendered at Bramall Lane. One designed to help his squad prosper in one of the most gruelling competitions in world football.

A division containing some of the most expensively assembled squads on the planet and, as United’s exploits over the past 13 months have shown, others constructed using good contacts and an eye for under-exploited talent too.

Fifty days after finishing ninth in the table and 18 since McBurnie issued his warning, United, who were supposedly destined for relegation after being promoted from the Championship in the summer of 2019, began only their third top-flight campaign of the millennium with a tricky assignment against Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was made even trickier thanks to a desperately sluggish start, which saw them concede twice inside the opening six minutes.

They were facing an uphill task and, given the talent at Nuno Espirito Santo’s disposal, almost impossible task from that moment on.

“I think it was a positive performance during the first half from us,” Wilder said. “Because the game, from our perspective, seemed to kick off at six minutes past six.

“Seriously, though, it is a test for anyone when they find themselves two down so early. But I wasn’t surprised by the character and the application the lads showed out there. They don't want to rest, they want to drive it on."

THE IMPORTANCE OF POSITIONING AND DECISION-MAKING

Raul Jiminez’s finish, which was responsible for breaking the deadlock, was of the highest quality. Likewise the choice of pass from Daniel Podence, after skipping effortlessly past John Lundstram, to tee-up the Mexican. But United’s decision making, with Lundstram choosing to try and complete a tackle rather than simply staying on his feet, compounded by the ease with which Jiminez escaped his markers, was a source of frustration for Wilder - who also expressed his disappointment with the sight of Saiss heading home unchallenged from a Pedro Neto corner.

“Jack (O’Connell) maybe could have seen the ball out and then John could have stayed up,” Wilder acknowledged. “It was disappointing from us but we came back from that and I was pleased with the response. If we’d have done a few things differently, with what we did afterwards, I think we could have taken something out of it.”

AARON RAMSDALE UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT BUT NOT TO BLAME

United have been active in the transfer market this summer, with six new players and a seventh soon to follow arriving at Bramall Lane. Only one of those, however, Wilder’s most expensive acquisition of the window, started the meeting with opponents whose manager Nuno had committed his future to Molineux before kick-off.

While Wes Foderingham, Oliver Burke and the on loan Ethan Ampadu all began the evening on the bench - former Derby County duo Max Lowe and Jayden Bogle missing out altogether - Aaron Ramsdale made his first competitive appearance since being selected to replace the now departed Dean Henderson between the posts.

It was a sign of Wilder’s belief in the youngster’s talents that, rather than selecting a more experienced candidate, he opted for someone 14 months his predecessor’s junior instead. However, Ramsdale picked the ball out of his net twice before even breaking sweat but he was not culpable for any of the mistakes which gifted Wolves the advantage.

Indeed, just before Saiss headed home from the corner, Ramsdale had produced a fine save to deny Neto and excelled himself again to thwart Saiss late on as the contest inevitably became stretched.

“Aaron, he had no chance with either and on the first, I think it was difficult for the defenders too because they were getting overloaded,” Wilder said. “But we didn’t go out of the back door and that pleased me. Wolves weren’t able to coast through it, as Nuno will tell you. The second (goal), it was a free header.”

FALL BEHIND AGAINST WOLVES AT YOUR PERIL

Physically powerful and superbly organised, Wolves are one of the worst sides to fall behind against. Only six collected more points after taking the lead last season. Nuno’s men were never beaten, during the previous campaign at least, after edging themselves in front.

Doubtless Wilder and his coaching staff had mentioned this fact before kick-off, reminding their players about the importance of remaining concentrated, focused and aware of their positioning at all times.

So little wonder, after two defensive mistakes helped the visitors establish a grip on the game, Wilder could be seen shaking his head in frustration when Saiss turned home Neto’s corner soon after Jiminez’s opener. The Morocco international positioned his header perfectly. But, unchallenged after being protected by a posse of gold and black shirts, United’s defending left much to be desired.

The same could be said only 120 seconds earlier when, after John Lundstram had chosen to slide in rather than track Daniel Podence’s run, Jiminez escaped his own marker by simply checking his own before producing a delightful finish.

“You don’t want to do what we did against Wolves, with the quality they’ve got on the counter - they are lethal. The goals were avoidable. That was what frustrated me. Bu we showed good bravery and got into good areas, second-half especially.”

MUCH BETTER AFTER THE BREAK BUT COOLER HEADS REQUIRED

Pedestrian and predictable for long periods of the first half, United produced a much more combative performance following the break with John Fleck seeing a low drive cannon back off the foot of a post before Billy Sharp fired over from close range.

A little extra care and attention with the final pass would surely have seen United reduce the deficit and gain some reward for their second half efforts. Sharp would surely have been able to hit the target, instead of scooping over the crossbar, had George Baldock’s centre not fallen just behind him. Enda Stevens, whose bursting run set the tone for United’s improved display, also chose the wrong option when he elected to shoot rather than square for Lundstram, McBurnie or his captain, who were all calling for a centre.

“I thought we got into some really good positions to be honest,” Wilder said. “With a little bit more quality in those positions, with choosing the right cross or deciding to take one rather than passing up the chance to put the ball in, we could have made more of them.”

"I’m sure of it. We created some big chances.”

THE NEED FOR SPEED

Although it is too early to draw conclusions about how the remainder of the campaign will unfold, it is already apparent why Wilder has chosen to bring Burke to South Yorkshire and is determined to ensure Rhian Brewster soon joins him on United’s roster. Nuno’s decision to deploy Adama Traore at wing back, allowing him to gather momentum as he charged forward from deep lying areas, highlighted the importance of power and pace.

This is likely to see Burke granted an opportunity soon while Brewster, one of the fastest youngsters on Liverpool’s books, would also be an asset.

Particularly for McBurnie and Sharp, who too often found themselves trying to barge their way through a crowded penalty area as Wolves became increasingly content to play on the counter.

“Chris Wilder and his team are amazing,” Nuno said afterwards, whilst describing his own side’s performance as “excellent.” “They keep fighting and they are a very dangerous team. That’s why I’m so pleased with this result.”

Sheffield United: Ramsdale, Basham (McGoldrick 71), Egan, O’Connell, Stevens, Baldock, Norwood (Berge 76), Fleck, Lundstram, McBurnie, Sharp. Not used: Foderingham, Burke, Jagielka, Ampadu, Osborn.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Patricio, Marcal, Neto (Buur 69), Juminez, Podence (Neves 76), Boly, Coady, Saiss, Moutinho (Ferreira 86), Dendoncker, Traore. Not used: Ruddy, Silva, Jota, Vinagre.

Referee: Mike Dean (The Wirral).