Neil Warnock has heaped the blame for two lost points solely on Claude Davis.
Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock has heaped the blame for two lost points solely on the shoulders of Claude Davis.
The Blades defender made a tragic error in a mix-up with goalkeeper Paul Gerrard that consequently gifted Portsmouth a point in the game.
United had taken the lead early in the game, with a tremendous free kick from Stephen Quinn on 22 minutes.
And they looked set for victory with less than ten minutes remaining before Davis slipped up.
Davis had thought Gerrard was going to claim a through ball into the area, while the Blades goalkeeper believed the Jamaican was going to clear.
In the end neither happened, and Portsmouth captain Gary O'Neil was left with an open net to give Pompey a point.
Asked whether Davis had held his hand up to the mistake, Warnock replied: "Held his hand up? No, because his head is still in his hands after that.
"You've got hope he learns from it, and hopefully he does. He wants to be the ideal centre-half, but if that's the case then he has to learn some of the bread and butter parts of defending."
Warnock was full of praise however for fellow centre-half Chris Lucketti, who made an impressive Premiership debut after being overlooked all season.
"Chris was excellent," said Warnock of a player who remains transfer listed despite his performance.
"I wish it had been him on the ball for their goal because I know where it would have ended up - row Z."
Warnock also exonerated Gerrard.
"Claude makes up Paul's mind for him because he is able to whack it wherever he wants," he said.
"But you see what happens and we get punished for it, and in conceding a goal like that this result feels more like a defeat."
