Mark Sykes has admitted he could feel the “confidence” that his Bristol City teammates were playing with in the first half of their draw with Sheffield United, before being introduced in place of Max Bird at the break.
Liam Manning’s side extended their unbeaten run in the Championship to six matches with a 1-1 draw against the Blades on Tuesday evening, with Sykes’ 90th-minute strike enough to ensure the points were shared at Bramall Lane.
Chris Wilder’s Blades had taken the lead on the hour mark when Tyrese Campbell calmly slotted into the bottom corner having been slipped into the Reds’ penalty area by former Liverpool prospect Rhian Brewster. The forward’s strike looked to have secured all three points for the home side, only for Sykes to smash in a late leveller just as the fourth official raised his board to indicate six minutes of additional time.
Although they made life difficult for themselves, the former Oxford United man felt a draw was the least City’s display warranted having dominated large periods of the game, before and after his introduction at half-time.
“It’s a great point, we deserved more if anything,” Sykes told the Robins’ media team after the full-time whistle. “I watched from the sidelines in the first half and I was itching to get on. I felt like we were in a great spot and when I got on the pitch, I felt the exact same.
“I felt we were much the better team and I was just shouting to the lads that it was here for the taking and thankfully I was able to pop up and grab a goal.
“I just felt the confidence the boys were playing with,” the winger continued. “Everyone wanted the ball, we had a lot of possession and everyone looked confident. The last couple of times we’ve played Sheffield United, we’ve looked the better team but not been able to get anything. Tonight we got a point and like I said I felt it was the least we deserved.”
Having been played into the Blades’ penalty area by George Earthy, Sykes wasted no time striking his right-footed effort which he cannoned past the helpless Michael Cooper. It may not have been quite as spectacular as his leveller against Oxford United last month, but it could prove to be just as important come the end of the season.
At the Kassam Stadium, the versatile winger celebrated away from the travelling support. That wasn’t the case at Bramall Lane however, where Sykes jumped up onto the advertising board and embraced the away fans alongside his teammates who could barely contain their excitement. Though he wouldn’t delve further into his celebration, the ex-Oxford man was just happy to send the City supporters home happy.
“That was what they deserved,” smiled the Irish international. “It’s not an easy one to come here on a Tuesday.
“I suppose everyone’s going to get home late tonight and have work tomorrow so thanks to them and hopefully, that gives them something to talk about on the way home in the car.”
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After their draw with the Blades on Tuesday night, the Robins now sit two points adrift of Coventry City and the play-off places with just nine games remaining of the regular Championship season. Before they can enjoy a gap between fixtures during the March international break however, Manning’s side face Norwich City at Ashton Gate on Friday evening.
The quick turnaround is far from ideal given the sheer amount of football the already stretched City squad have played so far this season, but Sykes is ready to go again having missed out on a start in midweek.
“I’m fine. I only played 45 so I’ll be alright but the lads looked out on their feet towards the end there,” the 27-year-old smiled. “It’s been a tough enough season, a lot of congested fixtures.
“We’ve missed a few games with being out of the cup and that and we had a bit of a break but now the fixtures are grouping up and we’ve got an international break as well. We’re digging away, just staying amongst it and hopefully, we can keep going.”