Manager Nigel Adkins has conceded that despite giving their all, Sheffield United lacked quality in the game against Bury last night.
Travelling to Gigg Lane for the game, a first half goal from the hosts secured the game in their favour and try as they might, United just couldn’t get the telling breakthrough to level the scores.
It was a first away defeat since the end of October and Adkins wasn’t going to get too carried away with things, but speaking to the Official Site in his post game press conference his frustration was clear to see as he knew again we had missed an opportunity to make up some ground on those above us in the League One table.
‘We went to Bury in confident mood following the win at Doncaster and made a bright start. We were forced into making a change with Chris (Basham) replacing the injured Neill Collins and I hoped that would allow us to pass the ball more, but we lacked quality and that was disappointing because could have dominated possession. Bury score at a crucial time, it was a fantastic strike from the lad, but there was a clear handball in the build-up and the referee misses it.’
Adkins said he made the substitutions in the hope of being positive and giving us an extra spark in the final third, and whilst he got the effort from the players he didn’t get that touch of quality when it came to our final ball.
‘We looked to be positive with the introduction of the likes of Billy (Sharp) and Matty (Done) and we were always trying to win the game. Che (Adams) had a shot cleared off the line and Bash had a great opportunity, as did John (Brayford), it comes down to fine margins but it wasn’t the result we wanted or needed. We were determined to win the game and the repercussions because we haven’t done are that everyone is bitterly disappointed and frustrated.’
Jose Baxter was also interviewed after the game and he was honest and admitted that United let the fans down in the game and with their recent run of form that has seen us win just one of the last five.
‘We can only say sorry to the fans, it was a bad performance. I think we are letting them down a bit too much at the moment. I’m a football fan myself and losing a game ruins your week. These are the games that we have got to go and win to get up the table where we should be. It’s very hurtful to get beat. I’m not really sure what was missing, because we started the game well. They say goals change games and it did. Once the goal went in we were chasing the game but there’s no excuses. It was a poor performance from us.’
