WILDER: LET’S GO ALL OUT FOR PLAY-OFFS
CHRIS Wilder hopes Sheffield United’s spirited FA Cup fifth-round display against Premier League outfit Leicester will give his Blades a shot in the arm going into the business end of the Championship season.
The South Yorkshire side competed well under the Friday night lights at the King Power Stadium, but bowed out of the competition for another year with Jamie Vardy’s header the only goal of the game.
Vardy looped an effort over the impressive Jamal Blackman 20 minutes into the second half to book Claude Puel’s side a place in the quarter-finals.
United had several chances themselves, with Enda Stevens’ first-half effort forcing a lastditch block from former Blade Harry Maguire and Foxes goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel superbly denying George Baldock in the second period.
While Wilder was ultimately disappointed to taste defeat, the manner in which his promotionchasers applied themselves against an established top-flight team filled him with confidence as his charges chase a play-off spot when they return to league action.
“We gave a good account of ourselves, but we are disappointed,” said Wilder.
“We have performed great all season, the consistency levels have been great. To not be overrun here gives us great heart, and we need a great run in the league, which has to be our priority.
“All I ask is we always leave everything out there on the pitch, and we need to push on now.
“We’re disappointed but we always knew it would be difficult when the team sheet came in. They are in a different situation to us.
“We have a big game on Tuesday (at home to Queens Park Rangers) and it was a little bit of a prioritisation for us, but not too much.
“We are the dark horses to get into the play-offs but that is what we will try to do in the remaining 15 games.”
England striker Vardy, a former Sheffield Wednesday youngster, curled just wide in a lively opening period after a storming burst from Demarai Gray, while Blackman denied Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi.
However, on 66 minutes, the Leicester No 9 peeled away to nod home Riyad Mahrez’s deep centre to break the deadlock.
United almost forced a replay late in the contest but Schme- ichel dived low to his left to tip Baldock’s 12-yard effort wide.
It could have been two for Leicester late on, but Vardy’s tapin was ruled out after Mahrez was adjudged to be offside in the build-up.
It was Algerian Mahrez’s first appearance in a Foxes shirt since his proposed move to runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City fell through on transfer deadline day. He received a loud cheer from the home faithful when his name was announced prior to kick-off and produced a typically lively display.
Foxes boss Claude Puel said: “The most important thing was to win the game but also to see again Jamie and Riyad playing together in the same game and on the same pitch.
“The most important thing in the game was the fans supported Riyad, and when I replaced him it was a good feeling with the fans. It’s important to stay united about this.
“The situation is behind us, it’s important to look forward and get the support of the fans.”