Manager Chris Wilder and four goalscorer Leon Clarke have both been reflecting on last weekend’s victory over Hull City.
Hosting Leonid Slutsky’s side at Bramall Lane for the final game ahead of the November international break, the Blades fell behind to a Kamil Grosicki effort just shy of the half hour mark but following a fantastic second half response Leon Clarke helped himself to four goals on the day to take all three points and continue the clubs’ phenomenal return to the Championship.
Speaking to the Official Site Wilder had praise for everyone following their efforts but obviously Clarke took the plaudits.
‘They are all up there, all 7s, 8s, 9s out of 10. We’ve had good individual players playing on the back foot for the majority of the game, my collective team overwhelmed the opposition. That’s when we are at our best, working as a team. There were 25,000 Blades fans desperately willing us to do well, we had great conditions to play football. We’ve missed a few chances and their goalkeeper has made save after save. It was a big result and a great performance.’
For Clarke specifically, he went on to add.
‘The first thing he said when he came off is that he should have had five or six, but that’s just Leon, we even got a little bit of a smile out of him. The reception he got from the punters was fully deserved, that is about as good as any I’ve seen in my time associated with this club. His general play, his work-rate and his determination, on top of his goals, was outstanding. We’ve got good players at this club and Leon is one of them.’
As for Clarke’s reflections on the game, well it was a good day for him on a personal level as he put himself top of our charts with a return of eight goals for the campaign.
‘The team were fantastic, we kept driving the game and ground them down in the end. The balls into the box were quality, starting with Duff in the first half when the goalkeeper saved my header. We have quality players and I just have to make myself available. The manager has us playing a certain way and it is enjoyable, as a striker you know you are going to get opportunities.’
