'Two really poor goals' - Sheffield United disappointment after defeat to Charlton Athletic
Sheffield United lost 2-1 to Charlton Athletic at The Valley
Chris Wilder reflected on some poor Sheffield United defending which cost the Blades their recent unbeaten run at Charlton Athletic.
The home side, who haven’t won since August 29, took the lead through Millenic Alli whose long-range effort caught out Blades keeper Michael Cooper at the near post.
Jordan Ayew equalised with an instinctive header for his first goal for United.
But the Blades were rocked in the second half when Femi Seriki came off the bench and lasted just a few minutes before having to be stretchered off, with the full-back now out for the remainder of the season.
With clear chances at a premium, the Addicks would go on to score the winner in the 79th minute when Matty Godden hooked in a cross.
“Yeah, really disappointing,” said Wilder. “I think plenty of effort. Typical third game in a week, Championship football.
“Could have gone either way. I think we've had the sort of better of chances. Two really poor goals from our point of view.
“I think Michael will be a touch disappointed on the first one. I know it's just bounced just in front of him. It would have been a good save.
“And yeah, we never really got control of the game as we would have wanted it against a team. As you could tell with the atmosphere here, absolutely fighting for their life. Their performance was a positive one.
“But yeah, missed opportunity. Missed opportunity and obviously the news regarding Femi. Sort of one of those days where you feel it's not going to be your day.
“You have to try and make it your day. And then the situation with Femi is possibly the most damaging aspects of today. “
On the winning goal Wilder added: “With the second goal, it's avoidable, isn't it? The cross. Is that particularly frustrating that it's another goal from a wide area that could have prevented the service getting in there in the first place?
“Well, listen, not every full-back is going to stop a cross and it's what it looks like after that. And that was my criticism of the back three, because we're spread and we have to defend inside the goal and we don't allow those spaces to appear and we allowed those spaces to appear and the boys got across and scored the goal.”