How Sheffield United plan to respond to "flying bullets" after familiar failings prove costly v Coventry City
Chris Wilder details Sheffield United approach to "flying bullets" after familiar failings prove costly v Coventry City
Chris Wilder reiterated his belief that he doesn’t need to “take a wrecking ball” to Sheffield United’s approach despite admitting to a bittersweet taste in the mouth after another frustrating defeat last night. A 3-1 reverse at Coventry City was the Blades’ third in a row.
Things looked good at half-time when the Blades were 1-0 ahead against the league leaders, but the half-time injury withdrawal of goalkeeper Michael Cooper provided pivotal and two goals in 11 minutes put City ahead before a late third, in the 95th minute, sealed all three points.
After expressing his frustration at three avoidable goals conceded against Derby County on Saturday it will have frustrated Wilder greatly to see two more go in from set-piece situations, one long throw into the box for the equaliser and a corner for the crucial second.
“There were a lot of good things,” insisted Wilder. “We went toe-to-toe with the best team in the Championship, who are scoring goals and winning games left, right and centre. They’ve got a settled team and good players, so it’s a bittersweet taste again really.
“The goals are avoidable. A long throw, we switch off on the edge of the box just after half-time and then the second goal, you've seen that one as well. Not dealt with that. It’s unfortunate that these things happen, that we lose Coops and have to make a goalkeeping change at half-time.
Chris Wilder details Sheffield United approach to "flying bullets" after familiar failings prove costly v Coventry City
“I thought we were in the game for long periods of the game, especially late on. We just have to deal with that sort of direct play, and we've not really dealt with it. And I'm not saying that was direct play in terms of the overall game because they're a talented side and they play football.
“Up to half-time I was delighted with the game plan, delighted with the contribution of the players. They will always cause you a few issues in terms of the quality that they've got. But I thought we'd cause them just as many in terms of how we went about it and were well in the game.
“I didn't feel there was two goals in the game, if I'm honest. But there is one team that's got confidence and belief, and another that's struggling a little bit. But up to half-time, there was enough in it to encourage me and everybody else and the travelling support that we could get a result tonight.”
United quietened a raucous home crowd who were whipped up by a pre-match rendition of their signature anthem by local band The Enemy, with McCallum’s goal putting them on course for a memorable three points.
Even after Frank Lampard’s side turned things around United did not throw in the towel and kept going right to the end, with the celebrations between Lampard and his coaching staff after the third goal showing how important they felt the cushion was.
“It was a party atmosphere here tonight with bits and pieces that were going on,” added Wilder. “And they're on a roll. They’re top of the table for a reason, because they've got that belief, they've got that confidence.
“We know what that's like, because we experienced it last year. But for me, it was a tighter game than a top-versus-bottom game, in my opinion. But ultimately, we've not got that result. But I’m seeing in the first half enough encouragement, enough fight.
“We just need to find that belief and a little bit of composure to get ourselves back in the game. And I don't think anybody would have complained too much if we'd have got something from the game. But when you're going well, you play with that little bit of swagger.
“And when you're chasing it, you just end up being a bit frantic and a bit scruffy with that final bit. But no wrecking ball to it. The players are having a go and the reaction of the supporters afterwards is usually a good guide to how we went about it.
“But we can't be happy with getting beat. We can't be happy with the goals that we conceded again. And we have to quickly move on to Saturday. It's a big game for us now, Saturday, before the international break.
“We have to regroup and dust ourselves down. But there's enough in it to show that we can pick results up. I know there'll be criticism about it. There'll be some bullets flying around. But we have to stick together, look after each other and go again and prepare on Saturday.
“But I believe that I've got a group that's having a go. We have to find a way. We're learning about the team as well, what works and what doesn't in tough Championship games. And me and the coaches have got to find a way to get us a result. We thought we'd found a way tonight to get us a result. And we're going to have to do that again for Saturday.”