Stuart Gray praised his players on gaining a point at high-flying Burnley after their third game in a week … but also reflected on a controversial decision that might have cost us all three points.
With the teams deadlocked at 1-1 in the second half, Chris Maguire appeared to be fouled in the box by Jason Shackell, only for Maguire to be booked by referee Stuart Attwell, who felt he had dived.
Gray, who said it came at a time when he felt we weren’t getting the 50-50 decisions, added: “I know Chris Maguire and he would not go down if he wasn’t touched. He was coming inside on his left foot and he will have wanted the shot, especially with the form he is in.”
The caretaker boss said Wednesday showed Burnley too much respect in the first half and gave the ball away cheaply during that time but, reflecting overall on a seventh game without defeat, he added: “They have given absolutely everything today and credit to them. They deserve the rewards they are getting with the unbeaten run because they are simply working so hard.”
He said Burnley really pressed the Owls in the closing stages but said: “We have held firm at the back and Chris Kirkland has made a super save right at the end to keep the score at 1-1.
“I’d have been very disappointed to come away with nothing today because everyone has put in a proper shift.”
Talking about the decision to name Caolan Lavery in the starting line-up, with Atdhe Nuhiu dropping to the bench, Gray said: “Caolan had scored five goals in five games. I looked at their centre halves, with two solid players, and wanted someone to run in behnd them … and that’s what Caolan did.”