Kalvin Phillips scored his first Sheffield United goal in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium.
Sheffield United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has admitted he and his teammates are currently lacking confidence in themselves and each other following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium.
Following Phillips’ excellent free-kick six minutes after half-time, United went into the final quarter of an hour with their noses in front and closing in on a third successive victory at the bet365 Stadium.
However, stunning hits from Jack McGlynn and Sam Gallagher, who scored with just two minutes of regulation time left, flipped the game on its head and condemned United to a fourth defeat in their last five matches across all competitions.
In a game of very few clear-cut chances for either side, it was disappointing for United that they came away empty-handed, with boss Chris Wilder hoping his recent switch to a three-at-the-back formation would help his side claim something from the contest after being harshly beaten 1-0 by Wolverhampton Wanderers late on last weekend.
Wilder, speaking post-match, admitted that his team needs to be better with their use of the ball. However, Phillips fears recent results have dented confidence within the camp, suggesting it is impacting their ability to be braver in possession.
Asked what the key is to keeping possession better, Phillips told BBC Radio Sheffield: “I think just having confidence in ourselves. We don't really have the full confidence in ourselves and each other at the minute, which is understandable considering the results we've had.
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“I think for me, it's just [about] being brave, getting on it, playing and, regardless of whether you make a mistake, still asking for the ball, still wanting to receive the ball and, when you have to go long, you go long and shut up shop.
“It was unlucky for us today that they scored two great goals and we weren't able to do that.”
Although United have not secured the results to show for it, Wilder’s recent decision to switch formation has given his side a base to build from.
Phillips continued: “I think with the way we played against Wolves, I don't think we deserved to lose it. I think, if anything, we were the better team throughout the second half.
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“It's Championship football, it happens, and when you lose a game like that, it can knock your confidence. But I think today we came out and we started quite well.
“[In the] middle of the game, we couldn't get to grips at first. We then came out for the second half and did okay and got the goal. We just struggled to keep them two goals out, which is a shame, really, because I feel like over the last two games we've done that well, we kind of deserved at least a point or three points here or there.
“But, like I said, we're back to the drawing board. We've got two weeks to relax and then come back fighting and ready to go.”