Post by QPR Report on Mar 8, 2009 7:52:33 GMT
From Blackwell/Sheffield United Official Site
<strong>SHEFFIELD UNITED OFFICIAL SITE - BLACKWELL's VIEW</strong> - <strong>Well-earned point</strong>
- The goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers extended the Blades undefeated away run to thirteen matches and left Kevin Blackwell reasonably satisfied.
Loftus Road was not an easy prospect, not least because the home team were desperate to climb out of their slump, and the playing surface didn't help either side:
- "The pitch was so bobbly that we realised after the first 45 minutes that there was no way that we could get the ball down and play. - "It just wasn't conducive to good football and their manager, Paulo Sousa, agreed the pitch's tendency to dry out too quickly is one of the problems they have there.
- "But the energy and determination of the lads was first-class and they showed real desire to keep a clean sheet.
- They were resilient, defended when we had to, and when we got the chance to attack we created chances."
-United came under pressure early in the second-half but finished the stronger and it seemed likely that one goal either way would be decisive:
- "We expected a tough game and got one. There were chance at both ends and both goalkeepers make some first-class saves so I suppose that a draw was affair result.
- "It could have ended 2-2 but on the road it is important that if you don't score, you don't get beat, and it is nice to have extended our record to thirteen without loss away from home."
- The United boss had restored Danny Webber and Greg Halford at the expense of Leigh Bromby and David Cotterill and explained that in one case, at least, local knowledge played a part:
- "I left Cotterill out not because he was injured but because we just thought that the pitch would be deadly for him. When you see how a class winger like Wayne Routledge was ineffective for them because he was dealing with the ball round his neck all afternoon I think the decision was justified."
- Blackwell took stock of the situation and remained positive of the shape his squad is in, ahead of a vital two successive home game spell:
www.sufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Reactions/0,,10418~1582808,00.html
<strong>SHEFFIELD UNITED OFFICIAL SITE - BLACKWELL's VIEW</strong> - <strong>Well-earned point</strong>
- The goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers extended the Blades undefeated away run to thirteen matches and left Kevin Blackwell reasonably satisfied.
Loftus Road was not an easy prospect, not least because the home team were desperate to climb out of their slump, and the playing surface didn't help either side:
- "The pitch was so bobbly that we realised after the first 45 minutes that there was no way that we could get the ball down and play. - "It just wasn't conducive to good football and their manager, Paulo Sousa, agreed the pitch's tendency to dry out too quickly is one of the problems they have there.
- "But the energy and determination of the lads was first-class and they showed real desire to keep a clean sheet.
- They were resilient, defended when we had to, and when we got the chance to attack we created chances."
-United came under pressure early in the second-half but finished the stronger and it seemed likely that one goal either way would be decisive:
- "We expected a tough game and got one. There were chance at both ends and both goalkeepers make some first-class saves so I suppose that a draw was affair result.
- "It could have ended 2-2 but on the road it is important that if you don't score, you don't get beat, and it is nice to have extended our record to thirteen without loss away from home."
- The United boss had restored Danny Webber and Greg Halford at the expense of Leigh Bromby and David Cotterill and explained that in one case, at least, local knowledge played a part:
- "I left Cotterill out not because he was injured but because we just thought that the pitch would be deadly for him. When you see how a class winger like Wayne Routledge was ineffective for them because he was dealing with the ball round his neck all afternoon I think the decision was justified."
- Blackwell took stock of the situation and remained positive of the shape his squad is in, ahead of a vital two successive home game spell:
www.sufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Reactions/0,,10418~1582808,00.html