Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman was already in the news regarding Sheffield United this week, and he didn’t hold back again yesterday before the Blades played Coventry City.
In midweek, Goodman had told the EFL Podcast that he felt United’s position and performances in the Championship were a ‘disgrace’. The Blades have struggled massively since relegation and at the moment, are sleep walking towards another relegation battle if they aren’t careful.
Yesterday saw United draw at home to Coventry. It was another lacklustre display from Slavisa Jokanovic’s men. Barring a decent last 20 minutes, the away side were arguably the better side. 0-0, then, doing little to inspire Bramall Lane.
Scathing
Prior to the game, David Prutton asked Goodman if he stood by his comments on United and to elaborate further. And in fairness to Goodman, he didn’t hide away.
Instead, the former Wolves striker stuck to his guns and revealed in more detail why he was shocked at something Slavisa Jokanovic had written in his pre-game programme notes.
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“I did say that I wouldn’t just be pointing the finger at Slavisa Jokanovic. I think players in modern football don’t take enough responsibility. I think, when you look at the quality players within that dressing room, 99% of the other teams in this league would kill for them,” Goodman said live on Sky.
“It’s there. But what’s wrong? I look at Mark Robins’ team and I look at the fight, the character, the heart. The fact they come from behind and win games. And then I read the manager’s (Jokanovic’s) programme notes this afternoon and he says he’s ‘trying to get the players to give 100% all of the time’.
“100% all of the time? Are you having a laugh? That is the least the players should be giving. It’s about looking in the mirror as players and having some personal and professional pride.”
Certainly, the Blades players did little to prove Goodman wrong against the Sky Blues.
Our View: Goodman has a point about Sheffield United
Like him or loathe him, it’s hard to argue with his comments here and not see some truth in them. This Sheffield United team are going through the motions and it’s just not happening.
That comment about 100% all of the time is worrying. That was always a given, and especially at Sheffield United, simply has to be a given. If there are players in this squad not doing that, then they need moving on quickly.
At the moment, things are looking a bit of a mess. Off the field, the board is silent and missing. On the pitch, it’s like watching square pegs in round holes week after week.
Something will eventually have to give. And as usual in football, it will probably end up being the manager.