Sheffield United Chief Reacts to Emphatic Win at Bramall Lane
Sheffield United returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion on Saturday afternoon, producing a clinical performance to secure a comfortable 3-0 victory over Lincoln City at Bramall Lane.
The Blades headed into the Championship fixture under pressure following three consecutive defeats in all competitions before the international break, with Chris Wilder’s side desperately needing a positive response after a difficult run of results.
The visitors started brightly at Bramall Lane and showed they were capable of causing United problems, with Sheffield United initially struggling to impose themselves on the contest.
Rob Street saw an effort blocked behind following a Sam McCallum slip before Adam Reach tested Cooper with a powerful free-kick.
However, the visitors were left to rue a huge missed opportunity in the 21st minute. Street reacted quickly after a poor clearance and nodded the ball across the penalty area towards Freddie Draper, who found himself with an excellent opportunity to put Lincoln ahead from just a couple of yards out.
Following a sustained spell of pressure, the hosts eventually found the breakthrough just two minutes before half-time. Sam McCallum delivered a low cross into the penalty area, where Patrick Bamford showcased his finishing ability with an excellent first-time effort to send the ball beyond the goalkeeper and give Sheffield United a vital advantage heading into the interval.
United carried their momentum into the second half and wasted little time in extending their advantage.
Early after the restart, Joe Rothwell produced an excellently weighted pass into the path of Chong, who found himself in a promising position despite having a difficult angle to contend with.
The Blades continued to threaten going forward and eventually added a third goal to put the result beyond doubt.
Ben Brereton Diaz delivered a dangerous ball into the penalty area from the right-hand side, allowing Bamford to demonstrate his technical quality once again.
The striker met the delivery with a superb volley, directing the ball into the far-right corner in front of the Kop to complete his brace and cap an impressive individual display.
Chris Wilder Reacts to 3-0 Win
The Sheffield United manager admitted that the result was needed, both collectively and individually, after the scrutiny that followed their disappointing run of defeats.
“We needed it. We have heard all the noise, so we needed it individually. Players needed up their game – the coaches, the manager, we all did. And we did,” Wilder said to SUTV.
Wilder also recognised that Lincoln had presented a difficult challenge, despite the eventual three-goal margin. “This was an awkward game that we had to deal with,” he added.
Wilder was also keen to address the criticism directed towards his team in recent weeks, acknowledging that the players and coaching staff had been affected by the negative reaction to their performances.
“We don’t like to get bashed up, and I don’t think you would like someone come over the top of you and bash you all the time about your performances. We don’t enjoy it and don’t like it, so always the best way to react is by putting in a performance like that,” he explained.
The Blades will now prepare for an away trip down to Portsmouth in midweek as they look to string back-to-back victories together for the first time this season.
