Sheffield United midfielder Oliver Norwood has called on his team to cut out the mistakes.
Despite boasting the joint best defence in the top-flight, United have given away goals thanks in part to their own misgivings.
Speaking ahead of the game with Burnley on Saturday at Bramall Lane, Norwood admitted that there is a big difference between the Championship and the Premier League.
“The game’s a lot quicker. The teams are a lot more athletic. A couple of times we’ve made mistakes and been ruthlessly punished,” Norwood said (BBC).
“We need to cut those mistakes out, as a group. It’s difficult enough without giving teams in this division a head-start”.
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What is Norwood hinting at?
As captain of the team when Billy Sharp is not around, it’s his job to keep his teammates on their toes. Comments like this do just that.
However, it’s hard to see the squad not discussing this already. They will be readily aware that individual errors could end up being costly in the long-run.
This season already has seen evidence of it. Chris Basham gave the ball away at home to Leicester and was punished by Jamie Vardy. Basham was again partly at fault at the weekend as Robert Snodgrass opened the scoring.
Liverpool at home was another. Although Dean Henderson made the glaring error of the day, both John Lundstram and John Egan were lucky to get away with giving the ball away in their own half.
It’s something that United would kick themselves for come season end if it cost them their Premier League place. Lapses in concentration can be vital to a team staying up or dropping down a division.
Oliver Norwood will be hoping to lead the way for his team in ensuring not many mistakes are given away.