Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has paid tribute to Wolves’ ability on the counter attack, following the Blades’ 2-0 defeat to Nuno’s men on Monday night.
In the first game of the new season, Wolves enjoyed a perfect start to the new campaign, picking up all three points at Bramall Lane to put themselves fifth in the very early top-flight standings.
The damage was done quickly for Wolves, with Raul Jiminez’ accomplished finish and a Romain Saiss header gave the visitors a two-goal advantage inside five minutes, and it seems Wilder always knew his side were going to be up against it from that point on.
Speaking to The Examiner post-match, the Sheffield United boss said: “(The Jimenez goal) is a great finish. It’s a difficult position to be in – 2-0 down against a side that possesses unbelievable pace on the counter attack.”
Discussing the approach his side had to take at that point, and the threat it left them open to at the back, Wilder continued: “You have to risk to try and get back in the game, which we did first half and especially the second.
“Obviously, 2-0 down after six minutes hurts us and gives us a mountain to climb. Wolves on the counter are lethal, (they have) incredible pace and we had to (take risks), but certainly the goals are avoidable.”
What a start this was for Wolves, and it is good to see they have laid down a marker for the rest of the campaign with the impression they have made on Wilder.
After such a short break from the end of last season, you could have almost understood it if there was something of a slow start from Nuno’s men at Bramall Lane.
As it happened however, there was nothing of the sort, which is particularly encouraging given it came against a side who caused so many problems for so many teams last season.
With that in mind, you feel that Wolves ought to be brimming with confidence heading into the rest of the campaign, and with a small squad and hectic schedule, you just hope they can maintain that sort of intensity for the rest of the season.
