Sheffield United boss: Millwall will turn around their Championship fortunes
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
Chris Wilder saw his Sheffield United side pull off a late turnaround win at Millwall – then backed the South London club to arrest their form slump.
The Lions have taken one point from a possible 21 and dropped to 23rd in the Championship table.
David McGoldrick scored twice in the final 11 minutes to earn Sheffield United a 3-2 win.
Blades boss Wilder – when asked if Millwall had enough to climb out of trouble – said: “One hundred per cent. This could’ve been the game that kickstarted their season but hasn’t.
“Last week we played Preston, who finished above us and then Millwall, who finished above us. Losses turn to draws and draws easily turn to wins. Just as much as winning positions [can] turn to losses. You drop points.
“Millwall have got too many good players and too many honest professionals who want to run around and get results for the football club, similar to our ethic and enthusiasm.
“We’re not big-hitters in the division and have got to find other ways to win games of football. Millwall will, without a shadow of doubt.”
Wilder felt that his Sheffield United side should have had the three points nailed down earlier than they did.
He said: “It shouldn’t have been [a nail-biter]. But you’re up against a proud old club, proud players and a manager – I’d have preferred it if they’d won the last two because we had to be right at it today. For five minutes we weren’t and got punished. But for the majority we were [at it].
“We just kept playing our own game. In the past we might have got sucked into a little bit of desperation. Our message was keep playing, dictating the game and dominate possession – something will happen.
“I’ve got to be honest, if we’d walked away with a 2-2 I’d have been delighted with how we played.
“Credit to them [Millwall], they came flying out of the traps in the second half. It was a poor goal from our point of view but sometimes a great ball for a corner and Jake Cooper – no matter how you try to stop it – sometimes it is difficult. It’s a fantastic header for them.
“One ball to Gregory, we switch off and it’s a great finish. The momentum has gone and the place is rocking. It’s gone from a pretty comfortable afternoon to aye-aye this is going to be difficult now.
“I believed something would happen and it did with the penalty.
“Listen, this is Championship football – these are tight games. Millwall had a fantastic record last season – we’ve been done here our last two visits and deservedly so.
“You have to do enough to get a win here.
“The record this year, if I’m looking from their point of view then they’d say: ‘Got to beat Middlesbrough, being up in the game. Got to beat Leeds, being up in the game’. They turned Derby over. I’m just glad we don’t have to come here [again] because it is such a difficult place.
“No doubt they’ll get a win, get a result and be up and running. Even last week at West Brom they are in the game and they are a tough team, however you look at it.”
The Blades were awarded their second spot-kick after Shaun Williams was ruled to have barged over Mark Duffy in the box. It was the second penalty conceded by the Republic of Ireland international, Ben Amos saved the first spot-kick by Billy Sharp after the midfielder was punished for handball.
“Steve Morison has come off the pitch and battered their boy – I think that tells a story, doesn’t it? I think it’s a definite penalty, the one we score from. Duffy is stood still and he comes charging into the back of him.”
IMAGES BY BRIAN TONKS
