Sheffield United Press Conference: Team news and live updates from Slavisa Jokanovic ahead of Hull City clash
and live on Freeview channel 276
The Blades will take on a struggling Hull City side who are desperate for goals having not scored in the Championship since racking up four against Preston on the opening day, while United certainly look like they’ve brought an end to that issue having fired in eight times in the past two games.
Sheffield United boss Slavisa Jokanovic is speaking to the media today before his side’s trip up the road where we will get the latest team news and his thoughts on United’s form since the international break.
Sheffield United Press Conference LIVE: Slavisa Jokanovic speaks ahead of Hull City trip
Sander backed to be a key man for Slav
Sheffield United: Sander Berge will keep on getting better, predicts Slavisa Jokanovic, after delivering his verdict on the midfielder's conduct behind the scenes
Sander Berge refused to allow the uncertainty surrounding his future at Sheffield United earlier this summer to become a distraction, manager Slavisa Jokanovic has told The Star, after predicting the midfielder’s versatility means he can bring “many positive things” to the club providing he remains in South Yorkshire.
Sheffield United: Boss reveals why he reluctantly allowed Tyler Smith to join Hull City ahead of Saturday's Yorkshire derby
Slavisa Jokanovic has admitted he sanctioned Tyler Smith’s move to Hull City earlier this season after deciding it would be unfair to demand he remained at Sheffield United without the prospect of regular first team football.
That’s it from Jokanovic
There’ll be more throughout the day from today’s press conference in the SHeffield United section of The Star
Slav on keeping everyone happy
I didn't come here to make them happy. I came here to wins games. It's impossible. I expect my team will put me in trouble to choose the best solution. I expect there will be more clear competition, to fight for starting XI. I am not Santa Claus, I am a football coach - I must prepare and pick whichever player I need.
Slav on Hull City
We watched the games, we know what to expect from them. They are working hard, not conceding goals but have a problem scoring. For us, I hope we will dominate the game. We need to focus on our starting position and concentrate on our press after the loss, even tactical fouls. I believe we will dominate them more than they will dominate us. They are a defensive team but we need to attack the spaces.
Slav on Jack Robinson
All the criticism is now over. Jack could do a better job the past two games. We expect he can be at a better level. He's a good pro, we need to coordinate more in a defensive line. We made a mistake. We conceded a goal in injury time, it's the second time it's happened. This is the moment you need extra focus or concentration, don't stop all the work the team has done in the 90 minutes.
I believe Robbo needs to be more organised in the defensive line. We didn't have a lot of trouble in the box. [We’ve conceded] five after set pieces, two after corners, three after throw-ins and one after a free kick like against Preston in the last game. We are finding a problem with that and the process is going in a positive way to fix it.
It's a natural position for Jack. It's a different situation, a different shape. My full back needs to adapt himself and my centre backs too. John Egan is playing a different way too. I can agree with you and understand Jack Robinson can offer us more but as a team we need to do better things. If you expect I am going to blame my player, we need to be brave and show the personality and improve in the spaces to stop making unnecessary mistakes.
Slav on Ndiaye’s availability
He played a brilliant first game, a good second. I need to change him in both games. We will take a decision. He's not played that many games in senior competition. We will try and choose what we believe is best for us.Iliman showed te personality, a player that we missed, with his characteristics, he's different to y players. Good passes, control, speed. He impressed us but we have to check the best way to manage him. We can't put too much responsibility on him. He's done well but we need more people with similar personality and quality for more games.
We don't have injury problems but everyone is fit. Bogle has a problem, he wasn't in training for tomorrow he might back
Slav on Enda Steven
Enda Stevens started working with us today. This was my first one with Enda since I arrived here.
I know him well, today we tried to try and adapt some exercises as it was the first time with us. It's great news we can work with him now
Slav’s Team News
Ben Osborn started working with us and he will be available for the next game. Ben Davies... soon, he has only made two sessions after the international break and after two sessions he can be soon ready to return. He has a calf problem, we need to have him recover. When he came to us, he hasn’t played a lot. He’s a work in progres, he will be in the right conditions soon, maybe the next game.