Sheffield United 1 Derby County 0: Reaction from Slavisa Jokanovic and Wayne Rooney as Billy Sharp's late penalty downs the Rams
Wayne Rooney’s side made the trip to South Yorkshire bottom of the table following their 12-point deduction, and suffered further frustration when Billy Sharp fired home an 89th-minute penalty.
This is how the game unfolded, with reaction from both managers.
Blades v Derby LIVE from the Lane
Blades defender makes a surprising confession
Rhys Norrington-Davies deserves to start today’s match against Derby County, his Sheffield United team mate Enda Stevens has admitted after acknowledging they are now direct rivals for a place in Slavisa Jokanovic’s first choice eleven.
Speaking ahead of the meeting with Wayne Rooney’s side, Jokanovic challenged Norrington-Davies and Stevens to ‘confuse’ him when it comes to deciding who is handed the task of marshalling the left flank of United’s defence over the coming weeks.
With Stevens missing the start of the season through injury, Norrington-Davies has emerged as Jokanovic’s preferred option for the role and appears destined to get the nod this afternoon.
However with Stevens confirming his return to fitness during the Carabao Cup tie with Southampton four days ago - the Republic of Ireland international scored a goal before going on to complete the fixture - Jokanovic could be tempted to hand him another opportunity either when United travel to Middlesbrough on Tuesday or AFC Bournemouth next weekend.
“Rhys, it’s his spot now, it’s his shirt to lose,” Stevens said, after telling The Star how a misdiagnosis was responsible for his lengthy absence. “You just have to wait for your chance in situations like this and that’s what I have to do because Rhys, for me, he’s done brilliant.”
M A T C H D A Y
and the Blades are back in Championship action this afternoon after their League Cup exit in midweek, facing Wayne Rooney’s Derby at Bramall Lane - they travel to the Lane in the midst of a financial crisis and having been docked 12 points for going into administration, so will no doubt be extra motivated to chalk three of those off today against Slavisa Jokanovic’s Blades...
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