United manager Keith Curle spoke more about a very disciplined performance from his players on Saturday which takes them to a replay against Championship side Sheffield Wednesday and into tonight’s Emirates FA Cup fourth round draw.
“We come away feeling very pleased because it means we’re still in the draw, with all of the excitement that brings,” he said. “A big draw will act as an incentive for players to want to get in the team, so that they get the opportunity to play whoever it is we could have the chance of going up against.
“Having said that, what we can’t do is take anything for granted. Yes, it is exciting to be part of it, but we still have to go up against a very, very good team on their own patch.”
“It’s good for the football club to be in the hat for the next round,” he added. “Saturday’s performance showed discipline and a willingness to take on board the information which was implemented on the training ground.
“It’s hard work when you allow a team to have possession of the ball, even though we knew if we did it in the right way it they wouldn’t be able to hurt us. They’ve got to have that trust in me and the information I’m giving them. As a manager, the pleasing thing is that the trust is there and works both ways.”
“As I say, Sheffield Wednesday will be favourites again in the replay,” he commented. “They have a new manager and a big stadium with very noisy fans - who will probably give me stick! I’ll take it, but I won’t enjoy it. I think Neil Warnock used to enjoy it, but I’ll just absorb it.
“We’ll go there confident in our ability. Wednesday haven’t had a good time at home, but the new manager will be looking to change that. His first game will be a fantastic derby with Sheffield United at Brammall Lane on Friday. That will leave him in no doubt as to the level of passion there is for football in that city.
“Our job will be to give the players the information they need to deal with the threats they’ll face and to go on and cause problems. We might have personnel available to help with that, but whoever we choose we know we’ll be competitive and we’ll be doing what we can to progress in the competition.”