Sheffield United midfielder Ollie Norwood has been speaking about all things Blades, including the spell under Slavisa Jokanovic.
Jokanovic was the board’s choice to replace Chris Wilder once United were relegated from the Premier League. However, it was a disastrous spell as the Serbian never quite ‘got it’ and was quickly moved on.
And speaking on the latest One Of Our Own Podcast, Norwood has explained how things just weren’t the right fit between United and Jokanovic.
Oliver Norwood explains why Jokanovic didn’t work out
Speaking to Paul Walker on the latest episode of the Blades official podcast, Norwood admitted – with a smile on his face – that Jokanovic just didn’t suit that crop of Sheffield United players.
“How do you describe it really? It just wasn’t Sheffield United, if that makes sense” Norwood said.
“He was and still is (a good manager), I don’t want to discredit him (as a coach) but it was just the wrong club at the wrong time. These things happen, as it did with me when I went to Scunthorpe and Carlislie. The way he wanted to play football, tactically, it was a slow build up and a big shift in the intensity we were used to doing. He used to have to tell us in training to relax. It was his way of playing, it worked at Fulham and worked at Watford. But as I say, I just think it was wrong place wrong time. It just didn’t work did it.”
Sheffield United News View: Things could be worse
When you hear Norwood speak about the time under Jokanovic here, it’s a stark reminder that things could be far worse than they are right now.
Yes, we are losing games and having rotten luck with injuries under Paul Heckingbottom. But this is the Premier League and under Jokanovic, we were getting beaten with ease by Championship teams.
The clash at Blackburn away when we lost 4-1 was the most telling of Jokanovic’s time at the club.
Norwood’s comments here ring true and it’s interesting to hear him be so honest about that time.
Thankfully, things have improved considerably under Hecky and if you think back to that time under ‘Slav’, then those who do call for the boss to be sacked already maybe need to be careful what they wish for.