Sheffield United: The big takeaway about Wales goalkeeper Adam Davies following Norwich City display
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Deputising again for the suspended Wes Foderingham, who was serving the second match of a three game ban, Davies gifted Teemu Pukki the first of two goals the Finn scored as the visitors seized control of the fixture before being pegged back by Ben Osborn and Oli McBurnie.
Pukki appeared destined to complete his hat-trick, and seal victory for Dean Smith’s men, when City were awarded a spot-kick with only minutes remaining.
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Hide AdBut Davies, who had earlier made a fine save to deny Josh Sargent as United struggled to keep their opponents at bay, parried the ball away to safety, prompting Heckingbottom to tell The Star: “Adam has done well, he’s spread himself. Regardless of what happened earlier, he’s evened things up and, yes, at the end he’ll have been feeling proud of himself.”
Davies is set to make his third appearance for United, who slipped to fifth in the table when Swansea City beat Cardiff City in yesterday’s South Wales derby, at West Bromwich Albion this weekend. Although it would be a surprise if Heckingbottom decides against parachuting Foderingham straight back into the starting eleven at Bristol City 72 hours later, the Wales international will hope to provide the 44-year-old and his counterpart at the FAW, former United defender Robert Page, food for thought; particularly ahead of next month’s World Cup in Qatar.
“The moment I really thought ‘Well done’ came earlier,” Heckingbottom continued, describing when he felt Davies had shrugged-off his mistake. “It was when he came out to make a clearance, heading the ball away from Pukki, who would otherwise have had a run through. His starting position was good and it showed he was still ready to be decisive and make important decisions. All ‘keepers make mistakes, it’s part and parcel for them. But the good ones quickly park them and get over them.”
After a producing an error strewn display before the break - although Heckingbottom insisted there was little difference between United’s performances in either half - the hosts improved immeasurably following the interval; Osborn reducing the deficit before McBurnie, introduced from the bench, scored for the sixth time in his last 10 outings.
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Hide AdBoth United and City, now seventh, have struggled for form since entering the international break ranked first and second respectively.
“I hope it could be a rivatalsing moment,” Heckingbottom said, commenting on his team’s comeback. “It’s all about results and you have to do what you can to try and win the game. You guys (the media) might think I’m talking rubbish but the two halves weren’t so different.
“It’s about winning football matches, it’s about feeling and emotion always. We’ve gone behind but we’ve shown that intent to come back and we’ve had moments before that too. The margins are very fine. What’s going to get you out of it is bravery and desire, which the players showed.”