There was relief all around Bramall Lane when news filtered through of goalkeeper David Lucas’ speedy recovery from concussion – but the prognosis for Steve Eyre’s Rochdale remains far less satisfactory.

Lucas was stretchered off just before the interval after colliding with defender Dean Holden and was out cold for the best part of 20 minutes.

Fortunately, by the end of the game he was on his way back to the stadium in a taxi having been given the all-clear by Sheffield Hospital.

But by that stage the contest was long since over, Dale on their way to a seventh defeat from their last nine games, leaving them third from bottom in League One.

In fairness, the 3-0 scoreline flattered the Blades. Dale were in the match until Lucas’s early exit and almost edged ahead when David Ball brilliantly opened up the hosts’ to set up Nicky Adams, goalkeeper Steve Simonsen saving well.

Ched Evans blasted home the opener after a defensive mix-up between Brian Barry-Murphy and Stephen Jordan, and if that was harsh on Dale, what followed was downright cruel.

Lucas clashed with Holden trying to cut out Lee Williamson’s free-kick and was carried from the field concussed.

Little wonder Dale were unable to lift themselves sufficiently after half-time to overturn the deficit and Lucas’s replacement, teenage stopper Matt Edwards, was beaten twice, Richard Cresswell nicking the second with a near post finish before Evans wrapped up the win with a 25-yard free-kick.

“David was knocked out clean for around 20 minutes and it came at a time when we were thinking we’d done great in holding Sheffield United, even though they’d just scored,” said Eyre.

“We had competed well for the first 40 minutes but conceding that goal and losing our goalkeeper in such a manner left us a bit flat by half time.

“We had 15 minutes to sort it out at the break but it does affect the staff, certainly from a managerial point of view because it means you have only two substitutes instead of three.

“We were all concerned about Dave but we had to get out there and weather the first 15 minutes or so when we knew Sheffield United would come out and put pressure on our young goalkeeper.

“I thought we could have contested the cross for the second goal a little earlier and it could have been defended around the near post a little better. Then when they had a free-kick 25 yards from goal I was worried because I’ve seen Ched put those away for years, they are like penalties to him.”

Rochdale: Lucas 7 (Edwards, 44), Darby 6, Holden 6, Jordan 6, Barry-Murphy 5, Bunn 6, Jones 5, Kennedy 7, Adams 5 (Akpa Akpro, 67), Grimes 5 (Bergkamp, 73), Ball 6. Not used: Widdowson, Tutte

What do you think? Have your say.

Tweet