In a tight, scrappy Steel City derby, it was Sheffield United who came out on top in a 1-0 win. For Sheffield Wednesday, the cause of their downfall can be attributed to one particular thing they simply got wrong on the day.
While Sheffield Wednesday were the better team in the first-half, Chris Wilder’s men came out of the traps firing on all cylinders in the second, and got their reward just five minutes after the restart.
From there, it was mightily difficult for the Owls to get back into the game. The players gave it their all, and the spirited display provoked a positive response from the Sheffield Wednesday fans after the final whistle.
Danny Rohl will now have the international break to pick his players back up and work on the issues he may have seen during the game.
While there were plenty of positives to take from his first taste of the Steel City derby, Rohl will be well aware of Wednesday’s shortcomings, but they have been pointed out to him quite clearly just in case he missed anything.
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Sheffield Wednesday lost their heads in Steel City derby
Ryan Dilks and Justin Peach were discussing the game on the latest episode of the Second Tier podcast, and offered plenty of praise for Sheffield United, while highlighting exactly where things may have gone wrong for the Owls.
Peach said: “I really thought it was a lesson in discipline from Sheffield United. It wasn’t an open game, it was almost a typical derby where the atmosphere is pumped, the football’s not as sexy as you hope it’s going to be.
“It’s a who blinks first moment, and obviously Sheffield Wednesday blinked first and Sheffield United took advantage. They were fully deserving of this win. Discipline is what got United the three points. Not necessarily managing emotions, but tactically they were spot on.”
Dilks agreed, adding: “They got their chance and they took it, and then killed the game excellently… they by and large kept Wednesday at arm’s length… they played the game, not the occasion. I don’t think Wednesday dealt with it as well as United.
“Particularly after going behind, I think Wednesday seemed to have lost their heads a little bit. That’s where it helps having an experienced coach like Chris Wilder.”
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Top level experience paid dividends for Sheffield United
At the end of the day, it was a real case of effective game management from Chris Wilder. The Blades went in at half-time reeling from a brilliant and very restrictive display from the visiting Wednesday side, and they needed a reaction.
Whatever Wilder said in the dressing room at half-time, twinned with the changes he made in personnel, it all worked perfectly for him, and his players had the experience and resilience to hold firm once they got their goal.
| Statistic | Sheffield United | Sheffield Wednesday |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 8 | 10 |
| Shots on target | 1 | 0 |
| Total passes | 444 | 313 |
| Pass success | 76% | 67% |
| Average pass streak | 5 | 3 |
| Fouls | 15 | 22 |
| Possession | 59% | 41% |
Statistically, United controlled the game in terms of possession and passing, but it was the Owls who had the more chances in front of goal. Unfortunately, it was another case of Sheffield Wednesday lacking composure in attacking areas that really cost them dearly in the derby.
It’s something Rohl will have to learn from and take forward into future games, especially games against the bigger sides in the Championship where you have to take every chance you can get, and then see the game out to grind out a result.