Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder praised winless Portsmouth after his side were held to a 0-0 draw at Fratton Park.
The Blades are one of two sides, along with Blackburn, yet to lose this season in the Sky Bet Championship, but could not find a way past Pompey and their goalkeeper Will Norris.
Last season’s League One champions Portsmouth are second from bottom having gathered just four points in seven matches, but Wilder does not think they will stay down there for long.
Wilder said: “It wasn’t our day and maybe we didn’t deserve it, that’s how the game goes.
“Portsmouth were good and you have to give them credit.
“If they play like that for all their home games and their away games, they will get results and they will win games.
“They will make it as difficult for other teams as they made it for us. Teams will get beaten here if Pompey play like that all season.”
Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho wants his side to maintain the level of performance.
He said of Wilder’s comments: “It is nice to hear that from such a good coach and manager. He has so much experience at this level and the level above.
“We need more of that, we need sides to come off and know they have been in a match and know it isn’t going to be easy here.
“We have spoken about that at length this week, having conceded six in our last two home games, and we need more of that from the players.
“I am really pleased we went toe-to-toe with a promotion-chasing team. If we had come away with a win no one would have been shocked, but a point was a fair result.
“I have been much more pleased with the performances in the last three weeks. This was a much more solid display.
“I hope that win is coming, we have to do a bit more than we did today. We weren’t quite good enough to get the win but it was certainly a positive.”
The Blades almost took a first-half lead through Gustavo Hamer – who had been on a two-match scoring streak – but his header from Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s cross was sensationally kept out by Norris.
Hamer, Kieffer Moore and Andre Brooks also went close before Tyrese Campbell had a late low effort denied by Norris’ trailing leg.
Blades keeper Michael Cooper drew extra praise from Wilder after completing a month of clean sheets in September.
Having pushed away Paddy Lane’s low chance, Cooper’s best moment came when he had to react to parry away Marlon Pack’s inswinging free-kick on the cusp of half-time.
Wilder said: “I found out today that my goalkeeper can make some saves, as he hadn’t had to make a save yet!
“I’m being tongue in cheek, we knew he could make saves, but now he has proved it to everybody, including our coaching staff and supporters.
“He’s played a part today. We brought him in to make saves and when he is, he is playing his part.
“Everyone has to defend, it isn’t just the keeper and back four that have to stick their bodies on the line. We defend from the front.
“We want to win games and take risks, we feel we are an attacking team, so to get those four sheets gives us a great base to move on.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Gyokeres, Sesko and Arsenal now Tottenham have made a bid worth £70 million for Mbeumo Inter Miami ready for FIFA Club World Cup "Arrogant" vs "Style" Guess who is he Only the real ones will understand this The top four loaned things in the world Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfoot...
Inter Milan forward Mehdi Taremi will not be able to join his teammates at the Club World Cup in the United States as he is stuck in Tehran amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.Flights from all Iranian airports have been grounded following an exchange of military strikes between Iran and Israel over the past two days.That meant the Iran international was unable to take his schedule...
WHAT HAPPENED?Manchester United have accelerated talks in the last two days as they target the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, according to a report by French outlet Foot Mercato. The Red Devils have reportedly intensified discussions with the player's agent and have made contact with the club regarding the potential terms of a deal for the Frenchman.THE BIGGER PICTUREA strike...
Viktor Gyokeres has snubbed a move to Manchester United, as per reports from Portugal.The Swedish forward was rumoured to be linking up with Old Trafford to join forces once more with ex-Sporting Lisbon gaffer Ruben Amorim. Record claims that Gyokeres has binned off the chance to don the famous Red Devils shirt, with his reps giving United the cold shoulder.Arsenal now seem to be at the front of t...
Nico Williams' private words to Yamal and Barca team-mates revealedNico Williams is doing everything in his power to join Barcelona this summer. Following his agent's meeting with Barca sporting director Deco, Williams' private conversations with Yamal and Barca team-mates within the Spain squad have now been revealed.No agreement between Como and City to sign Perrone permanentlyFabrizio Romano ha...
Viktor Gyokeres' dream destination revealed after Man United snubViktor Gyokeres reportedly has his heart set on a move to Arsenal this summer after rejected the chance to join up with Ruben Amorim at Man United.The 27-year-old is increasingly likely to leave Sporting this summer despite ongoing issues with the Portuguese champions hierarchy.Man United are understood to have made an approach but w...
Gennaro Gattuso agrees to become new Italy managerGennaro Gattuso has reportedly agreed to take over the Italy national team, replacing Luciano Spalletti after his dramatic dismissal. According to Fabrizio Romano, the 47-year-old will become the new manager of the Italy national team following Spaletti’s departure.The former Napoli manager was let go following a string of disappointing resul...
'Very self-destructive' - Luis de la Fuente hits out at Lamine Yamal criticsSpain manager Luis de la Fuente has vented his frustrations at the country's "self-destructive" tendencies after recent criticism of youngster Lamine Yamal.The 17-year-old was heavily critcised for an uncharacteristically quite showing in Spain’s penalty defeat to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League.Yamal remains arg...
Alisson rejects chance to leave LiverpoolLiverpool goalkeeper Alisson has reportedly rejected an offer from Turkish giants Galatasaray as he seeks to play out his contract at the Premier League club.According to Florian Plettenberg, Alisson, 32, had received a ‘concrete offer’ from the Turkish giants who are set to be very active this transfer window.The Brazilian has since rejected th...
Germany v France - UEFA Nations League 2025 Third Place MatchFlorian Wirtz is set to become one of the top earners at Liverpool after his stunning £116m move from Bayer Leverkusen.Van Dijk SalahWHAT HAPPENED?Accoridng to Sky Sports, the 22-year-old will earn a base salary of £195,000 a week. That could rise to more than £245,000 based on individual and team bonuses, representing a p...
- 1 Portugal vs France Prediction 12 June 2025
- 2 Bryan Mbeumo 'picks between Man Utd and Tottenham' as transfer agreement struck
- 3 Bayer Leverkusen interested in shock move for Jack Grealish
- 4 Brazil vs Paraguay Prediction 11 June 2025
- 5 Daily Laugh - Morata : Me again?
- 6 Harvey Elliott opens door to Liverpool exit
- 7 Bonnie Blue banned from adult site as controversial stunt 'crossed the line'
- 8 Osimhen decides on Saudi move
- 9 Thomas Frank 'agrees' to take Tottenham job as Daniel Levy closes in on appointment
- 10 Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk opens up on retirement plans