Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder rues 'missed opportunity' after defeat to Charlton Athletic
Chris Wilder reflects on Sheffield United’s 2-1 defeat to Charlton Athletic
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder was left to rue a “missed opportunity” after his side were beaten 2-1 by Charlton Athletic.
The Blades had a chance to move into the Championship play-off places at The Valley but left the capital empty-handed.
Millenic Alli fired the hosts ahead after 12 minutes and Matty Godden restored the Charlton lead after Jordan Ayew’s equaliser.
Chris Wilder’s reaction
Wilder said: “You look at the results after we came in and you scratch your head. But the one we have to concentrate on is our own and we have not done enough things right.
“We didn’t capitalise on our moments to get the result we were all after. I’m not going to take a wrecking ball to it.
“There is always emotion in it – when you win then you’re going up and when you don’t then it is a different narrative.
“We will keep calm, like I have all the way through. I kept calm after we beat Wrexham, Bristol City and when we won on Tuesday. There are mini setbacks, mini highs and mini lows that we need to deal with.
“It is a missed opportunity. I’d have loved to have climbed into the top seven, but we need to rest and recover over the international break.”
Wilder was particularly frustrated by the nature of Charlton’s goals, as he felt the Addicks did not have to work “unbelievably hard” to register them.
He said: “It’s been a frustrating day. They have not had to work unbelievably hard for their goals.
“We have to be stronger in the lead up to the first one. Michael [Cooper] has been outstanding and it is a difficult one because it has dipped and bounced in front of him.
“The second one is the frustrating one. I played at full-back and there are going to be times that wingers go past you.
“The distances between Liam Kitching, Mark McGuinness and Japh [Tanganga] were too big. Godden is a goal-scorer and they allow him to get in front. It gave them a huge boost and huge energy.”
The Charlton Athletic view
Charlton boss Nathan Jones, meanwhile, said: “Relief is a big thing – emotionally – because of everything that has gone on. That was more like us from start to finish. We were front-footed and had real control in our play.
“I’m really proud of the group, because they’ve had to cope with so much noise and pressure.
“We have lost five or six people this week through injury and what not. So to respond in the manner we did, apart from Wembley it is probably my favourite result at this football club.
“It was wonderful. It’s only one win, but it’s an important one. We won’t over-egg it because it is just one win.
“The crowd have been really good with me. I probably used up all their patience in midweek. Hopefully I’ve taken one step back into credit.”