"Tough road" - Sheffield United man explains apology to Blades fans after encouraging verdict on season hopes
"Tough road" - Sheffield United man explains apology to Blades fans after encouraging verdict on season hopes
When the ball fell to him three or so yards out and he tapped home his first Sheffield United goal in front of a jubilant Kop, Danny Ings’ first thought was to hold up his hand in apology. He has been around the block in his storied career and, at 33, knows it should have come earlier.
A couple of chances came and went in the first half against Norwich City last night - one a simple header, one a little more difficult - before he finished from close range after some excellent work from Tahith Chong on the right byline.
Ings has found the net before in a United shirt, against city rivals Wednesday and in the following game against Portsmouth, but both were ruled out for offside - questionably so, at least in the case of the derby goal.
But there was no doubt about this one and another frustration will have been that it wasn’t enough to secure another big three points, with the Canaries making the long journey back to Norfolk with a point after a bizarre Djibril Soumare own goal.
"Tough road" - Sheffield United man explains apology to Blades fans after encouraging verdict on season hopes
“It was a big relief,” Ings explained afterwards. “I just felt like it probably wasn't going to come again tonight. I've been so close in previous games with the two offside goals. And when this one hit the back of the net, it was just a feeling of: ‘Phew.’
“I actually apologised to the fans as well because there were a couple of chances that I should have probably put away in the first half.”
Ings arrived at United after the season had begun, following his release from West Ham United, and an early injury derailed his hopes of hitting the ground running. “It's been quite a tough road for me over the last couple of years, to be honest,” he added.
“I’m just kind of trying to fight back to my old ways, and doing what I've been doing for such a long time. But sometimes it just takes a while to hit the ground running and I’m really delighted to get that goal. Hopefully I can build on that now.”
Since Ings’ arrival United have added to their striker options with the signing of Patrick Bamford, who was on the scoresheet in his second game in red and white. Things did not happen so immediately for Ings, but getting off the mark can be a big boost for both player and club as they look to continue their recent resurgence ahead of this Friday’s trip to West Bromwich Albion.
“I’ve had to be patient,” the former England international added. “When I signed, I hadn’t had a pre-season and I pulled my hamstring in the first week I was here. But I feel like with the games, I’ve felt sharper and sharper.
“It's just that last final bit that every striker knows about. It's just that part. On a personal note, it has been a difficult road, but I’m really delighted to score tonight. I feel like the fans, the lads and everybody has had to be really patient this season.
“For such a big club, and off the back of last season, obviously the expectation is high. But when there is a turnover of players and staff and things like that, you do have to have a bit of patience.
“And I know it's frustrating at times for the fans, but I think we've shown over time that we're getting better and better. I still think there's a lot of room for us to improve as well, and all of the lads want to do well. I think the gaffer said that as well. You can just see it on the training pitch.
“It's a really, really good group. There are no egos. Everybody's humble. We know it's a fight to get up the table. But all I've seen is hunger and desire to do that. And I think the fans are starting to see that as well on the pitch.”