Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder admitted after the shock 1-0 loss to struggling Oxford that his promotion chasers did not do enough to get anything from the game.
Siriki Dembele’s 38th-minute winner, following a long throw by Will Vaulks, gave Gary Rowett’s team a massive three points in their bid to beat relegation from the Sky Bet Championship.
However, the defeat for the Blades was a painful one for Wilder on his return to his old club, as Burnley overtook them to go to the top of the table.
Wilder said: “We were up against a team fighting for their life and they stuck it on us with long throws which were massive, and quality at the top of the pitch, and we never really dealt with that.
“We had one or two opportunities before they scored which we should possibly have taken.
“But that’s what happens when you’re up against an opponent you’re expected to beat and the crowd’s vociferous and right behind their team. When they get a goal in front in that situation it becomes a difficult afternoon.
“Gary’s an extremely talented manager and a good operator, and one (goal) was always going to be enough.
“They sat in, the pitch was dry, it was windy, so it wasn’t a fast game from our point of view and we tried to slow it down, which I didn’t enjoy.
“We played too slow, we were too ponderous, the ball speed wasn’t quick enough from us and allowed them to sit into their shape.
“Then I thought, from a technical point of view, the quality of our players…. we made so many poor decisions in terms of what to do with the ball, and technically poor decisions with loose passing, crosses behind the goal and not playing well as individuals.”
Defeat ended his team’s hopes of creating a new Sheffield United club record of seven successive away wins in the Championship.
Wilder added: “It is what it is. There was an opportunity there to gain three points but when you don’t do enough, and full credit to Oxford United and to Gary – they deserved their win – it obviously means an incredible away record comes to an end.
“I didn’t see this coming,” Wilder admitted.
Rowett said: “It was a massive performance. I thought from the word go we looked on it and up for the fight and up for making it a very competitive game.
“When you looked at the conditions and the opposition we were up against, we had to make it a little bit scruffy and a bit of a fight, and I thought we started on the front foot, very brightly.
“At this stage of the season it’s just about trying to get the results you need, not about how they come about.
“I thought the atmosphere was brilliant from the start and that makes such a difference to me, to the staff, to the players and the crowd got behind us because they saw a team fighting with less tools than the likes of Sheffield United – and we certainly made them work today.
“Jamie Cumming made a fabulous save (in the) first half and that’s a big moment that makes sure we don’t go behind.
“Siriki Dembele’s been excellent. At the start of the season Tyler (Goodrham) had that shirt, but I know what ‘Dems’ is capable of.
“He’s got so much talent and he’s put so much hard work and energy into that, playing very diligently for the team.
“He has got that danger about him and he’s won us the last two home games.
“It’s nowhere near job done. But this win gives us a fantastic opportunity and we have to now make sure we don’t under-perform on Wednesday.
“After such a big result like this, we’ve got to put in another big performance against a QPR side who will be fighting for their own points.
“I’m proud of my team today and their desire to keep a clean sheet.”
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