Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder admits why the opening stages vs Bristol City were ‘awkward’, he expected more

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Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has spoken about why his side particularly struggled in the opening minutes vs Bristol City.

A 3-0 win at Bramall Lane sees Sheffield United rightfully earn a spot in the Championship play-off final after dispatching Liam Manning’s Bristol City.

Sheffield United went ahead courtesy of a fine header from Kieffer Moore, whilst Gus Hamer and Callum O’Hare popped up with the rest of the goals to confirm the Blades’ place at Wembley.

Aside from the goal scorers, Harrison Burrows shone for Sheffield United in a game that initially called out for individual quality to help the Blades consolidate their advantage.

It wasn’t the most convincing of performances in the early stages of the tie, with Sheffield United being put onto the back foot by Bristol City, something that Chris Wilder admitted that he wasn’t too keen on when reflecting after full-time.

• READ MORE: Sky Sports commentator sympathises with Bristol City after ‘cruel’ play-off defeat to Sheffield United, it’s ‘tough to take’

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder discusses slow Blades start to tie and how Bristol City could have capitalised

Speaking to Sky Sports following the win for the Blades, Sheffield United boss Wilder was clearly jubilant for his side to reach Wembley in such a comprehensive manner, but also remained grounded by reflecting on where his side could have improved.

Wilder noted the first 20 minutes of the tie where his side were up against the cosh at times; the last thing that Sheffield United need when looking to see out their three-goal aggregate advantage.

“It was a real awkward one, because they’re possession-based, and they’re a smart side, and they move you about all over the pitch, so I thought at times we got caught in between a little bit. I didn’t think the press from our front four was very good in the first 20-25 minutes, and they opened us up a couple of times. 

“You know what football is like,” Wilder continued. “One moment can all of a sudden change the environment and atmosphere of a ground, so to get through that first 20-25 minutes was key, and then we found a little bit of rhythm.”

• READ MORE: Five things we learned in Sheffield United vs Bristol City as Blades seal Wembley visit with convincing victory

Scott Twine opportunity could have significantly turned the tie in Bristol City’s favour

The opening stages saw Bristol City forward Scott Twine, on his return to the starting 11, handed a grand opportunity from inside the box, but rather than testing the trusty Michael Cooper in-between the sticks for the Blades, he instead opted to attempt an intricate flick to the right, which was unable to find a fellow Robins attacker.

The missed chances that Bristol City had in the opening stages only woke up the Sheffield United ranks, who, after a difficult start to the tie, soon gained control of the game, and were fully out of sight after Moore’s goal to make it 4-0 on aggregate before half-time.

If Bristol City did notch an early goal, a comeback certainly couldn’t have been ruled out by Manning’s side, who could have disrupted the Bramall Lane faithful if they showed better composure in the final third.