I got the first half wrong tactically - Evans

Last updated : 08 September 2013 By Deano
Speaking today after yesterdays win, when the Millers came from a goal down, the gaffer took responsibility for paying the Blades too much respect in the first 45 minutes

"I go away dissapointed tonight, I apologise to my players at full time for getting it wrong in the first half with the shape of the team and the system and the way we were trying to play, it didnt help with Craig Morgan twisting his ankle after 15 minutes because we couldnt engage the play."

"I've spent so much time analyzing and working harder, first thing I need to go away and have a good think about myself and what I need to do because I got that badly wrong. I said to the group at half time don't blame it on them, blame it on me. I got it wrong and we changed it, we had to change it anyway with Craig so it was a forced change, but second half we saw the Rotherham United thats there!"

"Sheffield United are difficult to play against, so we tried to combat that in the first half, the boys probably took the ticket too much and literally took it word for word and they forgot to express themselves at the opportunity. But as I said, theres nobody else to blame, I apologise to the supporters, I'll apologise to the chairman when I see him and I've apologised to the group. I suppose I beat myself up more than anyone, I'll leave tonight and clear my head and I can't make decisions like that, if you make decisions like that you don't deserve to be a manager if your making decisions like that."

"We played some super football second half to be fair, Notts County last week was a 1-0 annihilation and of course we can't forget teh win over Sheffield Wednesday here but they stepped upto the plate and the big players became big players, we had some super performances, Pablo cost us the goal and he put's his hand up to that, but he was sensational in the second half. I could talk about the energy of Frecklington and Milsom and Brindley came in for his first game for a while. They were sensational and I'm proud of the second half. I'm proud of the players regardless, but I let them down first half today and I let my chairman down because I got it wrong."

"We were depleted but the boy Brindley comes in and he was outstanding, Claude Davies second half was outstanding alongside Pablo, they were both a rock in the second half, much better than the first of course."

"We got another 45 minutes out of Nard's, he wasn't ready to start this week but I'm sure another 90 minutes in the reserves this week will get him up to speed."

"This Football club shouldnt be waiting 30 years to beat the Blades should they? It's a special football club with a special owner and he's got the highest of standards as you would expect and what goes down from that is that I've got the highest of standards within my group and the group have delivered against those standards today."

"Theres only one man in the stadium that let us down today and that was me, I'm happy to take the pats on the backs and the praise and pull players pillar to post in the dressing room if it needs to be constructive or negative I'll do it, but I've thanked them for getting me out of a hole today, I apologise for being tactically inept."

Asked if he would be looking to utilise the loan market next week when the window re-opens; "I need to go home and think everything through. We've got players we like and players we'd see as being able to add somethign to what we've got. But that's for Monday."

 

 
"The match was played in a brilliant atmosphere; both sets of supporters were outstanding in the backing of their teams. We only get three points for winning this match but for the lifeblood of our football club, our supporters, I know it means so much more."
 
He added of the latest injury situation: "Craig Morgan twisted his ankle about 15 minutes into the match and his lack of movement further compounded our problem of trying to get further up the pitch. He tried to play on but he was getting worse and at half time it was an easy decision to substitute him. It will be a few days before we know how long he will be out of action.
 
"Mark Bradley may be fit for the visit of Oldham Athletic next Saturday. His groin injury is responding to treatment and each day there is an improvement so let us hope that continues. David Worrall's training programme will be stepped up this week but it is thought that he will not be available for next Saturday and Walsall away is looking very likely."
 
Evans is hoping to bolster his squad when Tuesdays loan window opens with the news that Mitch Rose also faces a knee operation and will be out for much of the season.