Heckingbottom on VAR, Brewster and Fulham
- Published
Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom has been speaking to the media before his side take on Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.
Here are the best lines from his news conference:
Heckingbottom said the club are "nowhere near where we need to be" and "want to stay" in the Premier League after working so hard to be there.
John Egan is "going to be out for a while" and will see a specialist tomorrow with Heckingbottom describing it as "another big injury".
Asked about Jurgen Klopp's comments that Tottenham v Liverpool should be replayed, Heckingbottom said: "I've heard the audio... within a couple of seconds everyone knows there's an error. Those moments where we can see [the wrong decision has been made], I think there maybe be scope to change the rules to be able to intervene in a set period of time because something has categorically gone wrong and everyone can see it. From our point of view we want consistency and we're striving for that and I think VAR has got a place to play in that but it's how it is implemented and used. I want consistency, everyone wants consistency. The instance with Liverpool, it was a goal, everyone could see it was a goal."
On positive injury news, Heckingbottom said: "We've got Rhian [Brewster] coming through, getting closer and making steps towards it [coming back]." He hailed his mentality and attitude as "top class" and described him as the team's "biggest supporter" while out injured as well as saying that he has "matured a hell of a lot" over the last few years.
He added that United will have "one or two" coming back after the international break.
On Tom Davies' fitness development: "We were very patient, we've been working hard with him, day by day, week by week, you could see his levels getting better and better to the point where he comes on and has a big impact in the game for us. So he's one of the ones who is a doubt."
On facing Fulham: "They've not changed since the season they went up in terms of approach, there have been subtle changes to it more around the personnel because they have gradually improved the squad. They were very strong in the Championship when they went up, improved and did really well in the Premier League and tried to improve again this season as well. We pretty much know the tactical set up of how it's going to be. A good team with some good players so we're going to have to be very strong without the ball and also really good with it to have our moments."