Loss leaves Warnock bitter
08 Apr 2007 - 15:06:46
Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock blamed defensive frailties for his side's 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United at Bramall Lane.
The loss leaves the Blades in the bottom three and, with Charlton Athletic and West Ham continuing their recent revivals, looking increasingly likely to be making an immediate return to the Championship.
"I'm as sick as the old proverbial." admitted Warnock. "You can't ask anymore of your players when they give everything.
"But it's disappointing that Newcastle haven't really had to work for any of their goals.
"You don't need me to tell you that their second goal is a straightforward corner kick. To concede an elementary goal like that was a kick in the teeth.
"At the moment, you can't put the bitterness away - you can almost taste it, because you know how important these games are.
"At least we won't be the favourites now to stay up. I can't even blame the referee today - I thought he was excellent.
"Obviously heads are down - you wouldn't expect anything else after a game like that.
"We all thought we should have got something from this match but, if you lack concentration like we did on both of the goals, then you get punished. It shows what a fine line it is."