Last night the Blades tasted a 1-0 defeat away against Watford in the first game of the season.
Young Brazilian Joao Pedro scored the only goal of the game via a swift counterattack from Sheffield United’s own corner, in which the referee had an impact in the build-up. No excuses however, because John Fleck and Rhys Norrington-Davies both had the opportunity to cut out the move.
Paul Heckingbottom spoke about the goal after the game:
“It wouldn’t have happened if the ref didn’t get involved but we did have opportunities [to stop it]. The recoveries and the desire to get back is fantastic, but there was a mishap going through their legs and a bad decision to go over.” [Sheffield United YouTube]
The Sheffield United boss added:
“They’ve got some good front players, that was their threat. We knew they’d be a threat on the counter. Those three won games in the PL but they were also relegated. We fancied our chances to keep them quiet and more often than not we did.” [Sheffield United YouTube]
United did have a couple of decent chances to score, Heckingbottom said in his interview after the game:
“Set plays we had a couple and Iliman and shots from Sander from distance. When we passed the ball I thought we were alright and I felt it was our best way to get in but we didn’t pass the ball well enough in the 2nd half.” [Sheffield United YouTube]
Heckingbottom also commented on why he selected Daniel Jebbison to start up top with Iliman Ndiaye:
“We put him in for his legs, his energy. We know he’s 100%. The other boys, Rhian has been working hard, Reda + Bill played 20 minutes for us in a behind closed doors friendly. They’re massively undercut but we know they’re fit now.” [Sheffield United YouTube]
Reda Khadra looked explosive when he came on off the bench last night. He gives United a different dimension at the top of the pitch with his lightning speed coupled with skill.
Would you start Khadra on Saturday?
Yes
No
