Paul Heckingbottom pinpoints where Sheffield United must improve ahead of second leg

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom has identified where his side must be better from their first leg defeat against Nottingham Forest. The Blades trail heading into the match at the City Ground after losing 2-1 on home soil at the weekend.

While United enjoyed the lion's share of possession, they will consider themselves a little fortunate to still be in the tie due to the abundance of chances Forest created on the break. The pace of the likes of Brennan Johnson and Djed Spence meant Heckingbottom’s side were extremely vulnerable at the back whenever possession was lost.

And ultimately that it was led to the concession of the second goal, as the Blades lost the ball inside their own half which allowed Joe Lolley to pounce and set up Johnson. Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the second leg, Heckingbottom admitted that his side must be better off the ball to prevent Forest from creating as many chances as they did at Bramall Lane.

He said: “No, it’s sort of the opposite - you have to be better away from the ball. We’ve had so many games where we’ve had a lot more ball but didn’t get countered. The way it’s setup - we’re a team who does have a lot of the ball, and every time you’ve got the ball you’re vulnerable to a counter.

“It’s that first pass, that organisation behind the ball and what Forest do they did really well the other day. Countered well, defended the box well - that’s the thing we have to change, be better at what we can do.

“It’s counter attacks, that’s what it was. We’re really disappointed with the first goal - two things happened that don’t happen. They didn’t play through us, it’s two big errors from our point of view.

“All the other chances were counter attacks, I keep