Off-pitch worries but Blades make big point on field
UNCERTAINTY is everywhere off the pitch at Sheffield United right now, but on it they continue to look a decent bet to reach the Premier League.
Certainly, Blades fans with half-full glasses saw this point as another step towards the Promised Land.
It was not an inspiring affair against a Rotherham side fighting for their lives, with genuine goalscoring chances at a premium.
But after a week in which the second-placed Blades were threatened with the sale of prized assets Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge as takeover talk intensified, a hard-earned point was not to be sniffed at.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side remain under a transfer embargo for defaulting on a payment to another club.
However, United’s Saudi owner Prince Abdullah is in talks over a sale of the cashstrapped club to African billionaire Dozy Mmobuosi.
Sources last night confirmed Mmobuosi’s credentials were being examined by the EFL to ensure he passes its stringent fit and proper person test.
When asked about the proposed change of ownership, Blades boss Heckingbottom said: “I don’t know – you will have to ask those who know about it.
“I’m not trying to be rude to anyone but get someone else in front of you to answer those questions.
“From me, from now on it’s going to be about the football and the players – and that’s the way it should be.
“The club will tell you something when they’ve got something to say.”
Rotherham, who handed debuts to new signings Conor Coventry and Jordan ........ 0
Hugill, fully deserved their point and are now unbeaten in three games.
They almost led early on when Chiedozie Ogbene hit a low right-foot shot which drew a smart stop from Wes Foderingham.
The visitors threatened only fleetingly as Berge, who stayed at United in the transfer window as did Ndiaye, shot straight at Viktor Johansson.
Nine minutes before the break, Tariqe Fosu crossed dangerously and Hakeem Odoffin directed a firm header goalwards, drawing a superb save from Foderingham.
The Millers were on the back foot for most of the second half, United going closest in the 67th minute when Berge found wingback Jayden Bogle and he blasted over from 12 yards. Substitute Billy Sharp had a shot blocked but the Blades lacked the quality to unlock a resolute Rotherham rearguard.
Heckingbottom added: “There were some moments where we needed to be better.”
Millers boss Matt Taylor backed the Blades to go up, and said: “They’re the second best team in the league by a mile from what I’ve seen. We probably didn’t create enough but we defended our box so well.”