Sheffield United: McAllister throws down the gauntlet for Blades

Irishman McAllister was on loan at Shrewsbury for 15 games last term, as his parent club amassed 90 points and 92 goals en route to a heart-breaking penalty shoot-out defeat to Huddersfield in the play-off final.

But after his early volley sank his former team-mates, McAllister said: “It was great to get the ball rolling on our season and get those first three points on the board.

“But the lads aren’t too happy with how the game went; we can definitely improve our performance.

“We didn’t play as well as we are capable of, but it’s a positive start and I’m confident we can achieve one better this time around and get automatic promotion, or maybe win the league.”

After winger Ryan Flynn failed a late fitness test ahead of the game, United manager Danny Wilson was forced to deploy McAllister in a slightly unfamiliar right-wing position.

The gamble, however, paid off after just four minutes, when the former St Patrick’s midfielder escaped the attentions of Rob Purdie and volleyed home Marcus Williams’s cross from close range.

“The gaffer has said that he wants more goals from the midfield areas,” added McAllister, “and I’d like to think that’s a big part of my game. I’ve scored a few here at United, and a few back home, too, and, hopefully I’ve showed him (Wilson) that I’m the man to score goals.

“But I’m not going to get carried away; I just want to get a place in the team, whether it’s in the middle or out wide.

“I’ve just got to get my head down now and crack on, and see where it takes me.”

McAllister was one of three changes made by Wilson after their Capital One Cup exit against Burton Albion, with Chris Porter making way for on-loan Manchester United man John Cofie and Shaun Miller dropping to the bench in favour of Nick Blackman.

Blackman, who scored his first goal in United colours during an impressive second-half cameo against League Two Burton, was again the home side’s star man and could have capped a fine display with a goal after once again getting the better of Purdie, but his curling shot just went wide of Chris Weale’s goal.

Against a Shrewsbury side still riding the crest of a wave after their promotion from League Two last season, however, United certainly did not have it their own way and the visitors had their fair share of chances to get back on level terms.

Firstly, former Cardiff City winger Paul Parry hit the inside of Mark Howard’s post after he was left unmarked by Williams, and Mark Wright somehow failed to poke the ball home before it bounced clear.

Then Purdie almost made amends for his earlier indiscretions when he found himself bearing down on goal, but Howard saved well.

The United goalkeeper was finally beaten, however, when Gornell tapped home the rebound from Luke Summerfield’s shot – only for the assistant referee’s flag to cut short the visitors’ jubilant celebrations.

“We have to give credit to Shrewsbury – they played really well at times,” said Wilson.

“This game could have easily been a bit of a banana skin – no one really expected anything from them, but they came here and played well.

“We did our homework on them, and there are some good teams in this division with some really effective players.”

But Wilson has some pretty enviable talent assembled in his ranks, too – and believes McAllister possesses the potential to displace either Kevin McDonald or captain Michael Doyle in the centre of the United midfield.

“David played in a slightly unusual position for him, but he’s got great energy and an eye for goal,” Wilson added.

“Can he break up the McDonald-Doyle partnership? Yes, if they don’t start playing well. It’s an area that I’ve always said we need more goals from, and David can give you that.”

Shrewsbury substitute Tom Bradshaw spurned a golden opportunity to claim a point late on, but United held on ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Coventry City.

“Coventry will be desperate to win at home – they’ve kept some good players, and they’ve signed some experienced ones,” said Wilson. “It’ll be a tough test for us, but we go there in confident mood after a good win.

“Can we get better? Of course we can.”

Sheffield United: Howard; McMahon, Maguire, Collins, Williams; McAllister, Doyle, McDonald, Quinn; Cofie (Miller 65), Blackman. Unused substitutes: Harriott, Chapell, Philliskirk, Ironside, Long, McFadzean.

Shrewsbury Town: Weale; Grandison, Jones, Hector, Purdie; Parry, Summerfield (Hall 68), Richards (Wildig 81), Wright; Morgan, Gornell (Bradshaw 73). Unused substitutes: Jacobson, Taylor, Hazell, Anyon.

Referee: D Coote (Notts).