Ruben Selles makes Sheffield United “illusion” future point as pressure builds following Millwall defeat.
The idea that Ruben Selles will be fairly judged as Sheffield United manager after the summer transfer window closes is “an illusion,” he has admitted, as pressure mounts. The Blades’ setback at home to Millwall on Saturday was their fourth loss in four games since he took over earlier this summer.
A chorus of boos directed at him during the game indicates that patience is soon running out on the terraces, and Selles must find a way to solve his team’s recent dip, just three months after losing last season’s play-off final, and swiftly.
Further reinforcements are expected this week, with a deal for Millwall’s Japhet Tanganga moving forward and a decision on Ben Mee’s future set to be made after the former Burnley and Brentford player joined the Blades for training.
Ruben Selles makes Sheffield United “illusion” future point as pressure builds following Millwall defeat
However, Selles is under no idea that he will be given much more time after the transfer window closes, if United’s poor form continues. Speaking ahead of United’s trip to Middlesbrough this weekend, Selles was asked if the best moment to judge him would be a few weeks after the deadline, when the parts of his puzzle were in place.
“That is an illusion,” he answered. “You are judged for everything you do every day. I am judged based on what happens on the pitch and the results I achieve. the performance of my team. To think we’ll be assessed in three or four weeks once the transfer window is closed… I don’t think it’s realistic.
“We are where we are right now, and maybe on Monday, we can keep working hard so that next week, we can show something a little different – with or without a transfer window – to win football matches. Any other condition would be an excuse in my opinion.”
On a human level, it was difficult not to feel sympathy for a crestfallen Selles, who waved his arms in resigned frustration as two of his defenders allowed the lively Mihailo Ivanović to jump unopposed on the edge of the United box and flick on for Luke Cundle to score the winning goal.
But he has been in sport long enough to understand its realities, and United’s fortunes, which are already nine points behind Stoke City and Boro at the top of the table and seven behind the early play-off group, must alter – quickly.
“No one will be more disappointed than I am already,” Selles said. “If anyone can change the situation, it’s me. I can do it, and I’ve done it before. I’ve been in situations like this one before.
“The formula is to be comfortable with yourself and keep working, identifying and correcting mistakes. Finding even greater closeness and moving forward. Because you never know what action will affect your destiny.
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