Sheffield United 2 Southampton 2 RECAP: Slavisa Jokanovic and Ralph Hasenhüttl reaction as Blades knocked out on penalties by Saints
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The Blades beat Carlisle and Derby County to reach this stage, and Slavisa Jokanovic is expected to shuffle his pack once again tonight as he looks to manage his squad through a testing period of games.
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Blades v Saints LIVE from the Lane
Slav on Stevens
Sheffield United: Slavisa Jokanovic provides an update on Enda Stevens' fitness after being forced to abandon the defender's recovery plan
Enda Stevens reported no adverse effects following his extended appearance against Southampton, manager Slavisa Jokanovic has confirmed, after admitting injuries to Luke Freeman and Oli Burke forced him to abandon a plan to withdraw the Republic of Ireland international midway through the second half.
More from the boss ...
Slavisa Jokanovic reveals his pride in Sheffield United's display as they bow out of League Cup to Southampton
Manager Slavisa Jokanović admits he is “proud” of the performance his Sheffield United side put in despite their exit from the Carabao Cup on penalties against Southampton tonight.
SJ on last week
It’s attitude, simple as that. A few positive results always push you in the right direction, we need to use our positive momentum and we need to be ready for some backward steps because you can’t always win in football.
SJ on Oli McBurnie
Oli played a really good game, off the ball he is an important player and he fought well for us tonight. He’s an important part of our squad but I have not found space to give him enough games. But the season is so long and so he will find the space, one hundred per cent.
SJ on injuries to Freeman and Burke, and Stevens return
Both got kicks. Burke had bruised heel, Freeman could not continue too after a kick. I was worried about Enda and wanted to change him because of his summer but could not
Slavisa Jokanovic’s post-match reaction...
Manager Slavisa Jokanović admits he is “proud” of the performance his Sheffield United side put in despite their exit from the Carabao Cup on penalties against Southampton tonight.
The Blades’ League Cup adventure is over for another season after crucial misses from Oli McBurnie and Rhian Brewster saw Southampton run out 4-2 winners on spot-kicks.
McBurnie had earlier dragged United back level, while Brewster came on at half-time for Oli Burke. The Blades led through Enda Stevens, before strikes from Mohammed Salisu and Ibrahima Diallo turned it around for the visitors.
Both sides had a number of chances to win the game in normal time, Fraser Forster denying Ben Osborn before Wes Foderingham made a remarkable save to deny former Blade Che Adams with time running out.
And Jokanović said: “We must be satisfied, my team showed great attitude and we played a decent game against a really complicated opponent for us.
“At the end my team is fighting well, we created chances and they did too. It’s part of the lottery of penalties and we are out of the competition but I must be proud, it is the right way for my team to play with a fight and even though we are out of the competition, I must be proud.
“A lot of my players against Hull showed high levels and today too, a few players showed they can be part of the competition when we play in the Championship and we will encourage ourselves.
“We are in the process but I believe there is progress too. We need to improve still as well.”
Reaction from the Southampton camp
“They were good on the ball and not easy to press and didn’t give a lot of chances away”
More here from Ralph Hasenhüttl
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhüttl full of praise for Sheffield United after cup shootout victory
Ralph Hasenhüttl, the Southampton manager, praised Sheffield United after his side beat the Blades on penalties to progress to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup tonight.
James Shield’s report from Bramall Lane
Jokanovic has even more to think about after that performance
Sheffield United bow out of Carabao Cup to Southampton but produce display which bodes well for the future
In a sense, Southampton are the team Sheffield United would one day like to become.
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