We are working at maximum without a number of bodies
Burnley and Sheffield United fought out a 1-1 draw at the Turf this afternoon, a result that both managers, in the end, thought was probably a fair one.
Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United boss, said: “I didn’t think it was a game with a lot of quality. Conditions didn’t help, blustery and a dry pitch, but it is always going to be difficult coming here. There was never going to be anything handed out to us.
“I’m delighted we got something out of it, it’s been a tough week for us. We looked a bit leggy and the quality wasn’t as good as it was in midweek, but four points off Burnley is a good result for us, and we’ll take four points in a week.”
Wilder did have a say about the drinks breaks. “They’re a time out,” he said. “It’s been turned into four quarters. I was delighted to have my Bovril after 22 minutes because I’ve never had one at a game in July.
“I don’t think anything should have been changed, number of subs or drinks breaks. It’s not a drinks break, it’s a chance to look at tactics for managers. We use it but for me, let the players go. I don’t see it happening in a World Cup and didn’t think you needed one today with the temperature and the wind howling around the ground.”
Sean Dyche, despite is being in front for close on forty minutes thought the result was fair reward for his depleted side.
“There is a bit of balance. They could have gone up early in the game and then we had a good one too. In the second half it was another tight one and after the goal we had a great chance to get 2-0 up through Dwight, but unfortunately that didn’t go in and they go up the other end and get a point.
“I thought it was a competitive game, with both teams vying for the points and both trying to find the breakthrough. We’ve had golden chances, but they don’t go down easy and I think in the end we will probably both take the point apiece.”
With more injuries hitting the Clarets ruling out both Ben Mee and Jack Cork, Dyche admitted: “A three game week is not helpful, but it could be touch and go whether they get back this season. Ben has a thigh strain, so I don’t think it’s going to be an easy or quick turnaround, and Jack has a reasonably serious ankle injury and there is a chance he’ll need surgery.
“That’s looking likely and we’ll have to wait on that, but that certainly means he’s going to be out, certainly for this immediate spell of games and, for both of them, possibly for the remaining games. It’s not ideal, but it’s been that since we got back, and we still have a competitive edge to us and seven out of nine points is not something to get too down about in this league.
“I’m proud of the players. We’ve got our second highest points tally ever in the Premier League and still have games to go, so I am not going to be over critical of them at the moment. We are working at maximum without a number of bodies and unfortunately the injuries have come at an awkward time when we still have games to go. But as you see, whatever team we put out there is ready for the challenge. They are challenges we weren’t expecting, but we don’t make excuses. We just take games on and the only message from me is to be really competitive in the closing games and see where it takes us.”
Follow UpTheClarets:
Share this page :