Soccer
Chris Wilder delighted with Sheff Utd’s defensive display against Mansfield
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder hailed his team’s defensive performance during their 3-0 Carabao Cup win at Mansfield, but confirmed he is still looking to bring in a new centre-back.
The Blades finished 13th last season in the Sky Bet Championship but only the bottom two – Leicester and cross-city rivals Sheffield Wednesday – conceded more than the 66 goals they shipped.
Wilder is understood to have made a bid for Leicester defender Harry Souttar to strengthen in that department, but admitted he was pleased with how Mark McGuinness and captain Japhet Tanganga performed
at the One Call Stadium.
Republic of Ireland international McGuinness even joined Patrick Bamford and Callum O’Hare on the scoresheet, with Wilder declaring: “We’ve spoken about centre-half being a position we need to improve on, but I thought the two of them were outstanding and I was delighted for Mark getting his goal.
“He’s a proper professional who does what is asked of him and gives you everything when he plays.
“We’ve put a bid in for another player, too, but it’s a different landscape for the football club now.
“This is our first season without parachute payments and that makes a big difference. You have to cut your cloth accordingly and be smart and patient.”
Mansfield boss Nigel Clough was less enamoured by his team’s defensive efforts.
“I don’t think we did an awful lot wrong in the first half, but we got punished for one mistake,” he lamented.
“I’m also a bit disappointed that one of my two centre-halves did not pick up their big lad for the second goal because, at 6ft 5in, we knew he was their biggest threat.”
