JOK PACKS A PUNCHLINE
Serb’s bench full of top strikers 2 83 1
SHEFFIELD UTD Moussett 80, Mcgoldrick STOKE CITY
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BY JOHN RICHARDSON.
FOR Sheffield United manager Slavisa Jokanovic, it is more about finishing than starting as he attempts to rid the club of its Premier League relegation hangover.
And that’s just as well because he has not exactly hit the ground running after taking over in the summer.
But if the late goals scored by two players off the substitutes bench, Lys Mousset and David Mcgoldrick, is a guide then all could end up well as the Blades aim to bounce back into the top flight at the first attempt.
Another bumper crowd, 28,576, lapped it up as the home side recovered from a goal down to stun Stoke, who themselves have ambitions to escape the Championship jungle.
Few sides in this league are as blessed as Jokanovic’s squad with goalscorers.
Skipper Billy Sharp and French bundle of energy Illiman Ndiaye started only for Mousset and Mcgoldrick to strike in the 80th and 83rd minutes respectively, cancelling out a well-taken goal by Jacob Brown.
Oli Mcburnie remained on the bench while there was not even any room
on it for record £24million signing Rhian Brewster. The ex-liverpool striker was in the stand.
All will have parts to play as the Serb stamps his own personality on a side which has huge expectation around it.
Jokanovic said: “At times we haven’t trusted in ourselves, so this is a real boost to have a victory against one of the best teams in the Championship.
“Hopefully we will see the benefits from this and play better in future games.
“The substitutions this time were successful. I’m hopeful people on the bench and in the stand that didn’t participate can be an important part of our plans.
“I cannot always be a popular guy in the dressing room as I’m the guy who must select the 11 players who start and those on the bench and in the stand.
“It’s not that I don’t care, it’s what I must do. If they don’t start then they must be ready with a bright mind for when their chance arrives.”
Mousset and Mcgoldrick certainly were but Jokanovic has not written off England Under-21 forward Brewster, who is still to score his first league goal for the club after 33 appearances.
He said: “He is a talented guy and I’m sure he will understand and will fight to get on the field.”
For Stoke, it is about trying to improve their away form which is in stark contrast to games at the Bet365 Stadium.
Boss Michael O’neill said: “Our away form isn’t good enough. We have five points from six away games. Our home form has been excellent, so we have to address it.”