Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder bemoaned injury and illness problems which forced him to make eight changes for the 1-1 draw with Norwich.
Danny Ings put the home side ahead early in the second half, with a 65th-minute own goal from Djibril Soumare securing a point for Norwich to end the Blades’ four-match winning run.
Substitute Amankwah Forson failed to capitalise on a great chance to snatch a winner for Norwich in time added on after finding himself through on goal, with keeper Michael Cooper touching his low shot wide.
Wilder said: “I’ve got to say, personally for myself and the coaches, it’s possibly one of the most challenging last 24-48 hours that we’ve had. Players dropping out like flies and stuff like that.
“I think you always understand as a manager, every decision you make is put under the spotlight. One of those decisions that I made today for that team selection wasn’t a tactical one, it was a physical situation.
“Should have won it I think, in my opinion. But you’ve got to give the opposition credit. They started brighter than us.
“We started to get back in the game and created some good chances, got ourselves in front. I can’t fault the players’ attitude, can’t really fault the players’ application in trying to win the game.
“We’d love to have kept the run going, the winning run, but we haven’t. We’ve got to reset and go again Friday (against West Brom) and see who’s available.”
Norwich head coach Philippe Clement said he was “really proud” of his team’s performance.
Clement said: “If you see how the squad is stretched for the moment and you need to play players out of position, players coming in, players coming out of injury. I’m really proud what the team showed today.
“So the important thing is, after three weeks together, you see that everybody knows the basics of their job, what to do, and that they did today.
“A lot of good stuff together as a team, in organisation, but also on the ball. We’ve seen a team against a good opponent and we had a lot of good moments on the ball, creating the right spaces, creating good chances also.
“And then it’s disappointing. It’s two away games in a row that we’re alone in front of the goalkeeper – that’s the best chance you can have in football – that we don’t score those because then these weeks could have been totally different than they are now.
“The belief is there. It’s clear for everybody. The team is working really hard, giving their all in every game. And that’s for me also one of the basics.”
