The Everton youngster is currently on loan at Sheffield United, who were held to a 0-0 draw by Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
Chris Wilder has explained why he substituted Everton’s Kieran Dowell during Sheffield United’s 0-0 draw at Sheffield Wednesday on Monday night.
Dowell scored the first goal of his loan spell to help Sheffield United beat a West Bromwich Albion side containing his Everton teammate Mason Holgate last week.
But the attacking midfielder endured a much quieter evening at Hillsborough, which lasted little more than an hour as Wilder turned to defender Martin Cranie.
Asked about his decision afterwards, the Blades boss told BBC Radio Sheffield: “I just wanted to get Ollie Norwood more on the ball. We felt that Kieran had his moments but I think their midfield players, (Sam) Hutchinson and (Barry) Bannan, did a good job defensively on Dowelly so he never really got going and we just wanted to play three versus two in there – Ollie to get on the ball and play Flecky (John Fleck) a little bit higher.
“I felt that second half we sort of got into a little bit of momentum without being in full flow and driving the game forward, but (we were) always aware and wary of what they’ve got on the counter.”
The result ensured Sheffield United lost ground in their quest to join Everton in next season’s Premier League.
The Blades now sit third in the Championship, two points adrift of top two Norwich City and Leeds United, who each won their weekend fixtures.
Sheffield United fans – how is the Everton youngster getting on at Bramall Lane?
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