Gary O’Neil was left bemoaning both refereeing decision and his team’s second half performance, after Wolves’ unbeaten run came to an end in the tenth minute of added time at Bramall Lane.
Another controversial penalty against the Old Gold, given against Fabio Silva, saw Sheffield United win the contest with the last kick of the game. The head coach had been impressed with his side’s performance before the break, but was frustrated by the lack of goals, which allowed errors and decisions to hurt Wolves when the tide turned in the second 45.
On not taking control first half
“First half I think we should have been clear really. We created some big chances and didn’t take them. A couple of strange decisions in front of goal – we had a clear look at the goalkeeper three or four times, which should be enough to go in at least 2-0 up and it looks very different. We didn’t take our chances.
“They were forced into the change with the injury and the second half looked different and we didn’t get to grips with it, which is disappointing because there was opportunities still there for us and we didn’t manage to find them. My job is to improve that with the lads, understanding the difference between the first and second half.”
On letting standards slip
“The talk to the lads after the game was about us second half not responding and making bad decisions with the ball. Sheff United had come slightly more aggressive second half and we didn’t make good decisions. Even towards the end we had a foul throw during injury time, so we created some of our own problems in that second half. We worked hard to get ourselves back in it and a terrible referee decision has cost us more points.
“The first goal ricocheted, but we created that by the way we went about the second half. Improvement needed and we need to be more clinical. Disappointed with us second half and we need to be better because we can’t let these mad decisions, things that go against us, cost us. We should have took our chances in the first half and been better in the second, so any crazy decisions doesn’t cost us.”
On the penalty decision
“It’s not a penalty. I spoke to the referee, and I told him why it wasn’t a penalty. He says there’s contact – Fabio’s shinpad probably grazes Baldock’s calf. I’ve watched it loads of times and there’s minimal contact and if we’re giving fouls for that, there would have been a million fouls in that football match.
“The referee is so quick to want to give it, but it’s never a clear penalty. He needs to wait, be calm and if you’ve made a big error VAR will tell you. I’ve given up on penalties. I’m honestly lost, I don’t know where to go with it. I’m told to go in and have a sensible conversation, but he still watched it telling me it’s a penalty, which tells me we’re in a crazy place.
“I know exactly what’s happened, I played long enough, and Baldock knows just to move his foot across and he doesn’t even wait for contact, he starts to go down before, and he doesn’t see that which leads me to believe we’re in a bad spot.”
On being together still
“Of course, we lose here together. That’s not on Fabio, that’s me, the players and staff, we win and lose together. Fabio had a part to play in the penalty which wasn’t a penalty. He was very upset. Young lad, he has my full backing and support, and we move on and make sure we do better next week.”
On the position of being level
“I wanted to win the game, of course, and we went about it to win. At that point, with the way the second half went and us struggling to show what were doing first half, leaving here with a point would have deserved. There’s no way we deserved to lose that football match.
“I’d have been disappointed with a point, but it would have been better than where I’m sat now. We move on, everyone will feel bad tonight and tomorrow, but Monday we need to get to work on a big game against Tottenham next week.”
