I am pleased that all the strikers got on the scoresheet

Last updated : 01 January 2011 By Tony Scholes
Adams was in charge for the first time having replaced Gary Speed at Bramall Lane but he was far from happy with the way his new charges defended against the Clarets.

He said after the game: "It's abundantly clear that in certain areas we need a bit of strengthening. I know it was a bit of a scratch side that was put together today but the way we defended at times was awful so we can't make any bones about that.

"From a positive side of things we got the ball forward and once we got into the final third we got some decent deliveries into the box and looked liked we could cause them problems so there are a few positives to come out of it.

"We need to win games and basically the personnel that were on view were what we've got so it made sense really to play 4-4-2 and it's a system that I want to play. I know Ward and Williamson haven't had much football but the personnel really dictated what we did today.

"As a unit I'd like to see us to defend with a little bit more discipline but that takes time on the training ground and we've had one training session which was a light session before the game. It will have to be work in progress and it will need time, but we haven't got that much time because the turn round of games comes thick and fast.

"It's going to be a real test for us but when it becomes hard you find out who the characters are and you've got to roll your sleeves up and have a real go. We had a real go in the second half and we were in it until their fourth goal."

Burnley's caretaker boss Stuart Gray was delighted at the response he got from the players in this first of three games under his charge. "Obviously on the back of Brian and Russ losing their jobs and going 1-0 down so early, it was a fantastic result," he said.

"The fans stood with us and got us playing and some of our play, especially in the first half was terrific. When they got a goal so early in the second half I still thought the crowd showed spirit to keep us playing and in the end we could have won by more.

"One more goal would probably have pushed us into the play offs, but I can't be greedy and I'd have certainly taken that before kick off.

"I have real confidence and belief in these players and today we did more than enough with the ball. The effort and commitment was there and if we didn't have the ball, we worked hard to win it back.

"That's probably been the only thing that's been lacking from our game. With the ball we look fantastic and more often than not, especially at home, we are going to have 55 to 60 per cent of possession of the ball. The other 40 per cent, the ugly side, is when you need to defend with eleven players.

"I am a great believer the fans will always be behind you if you give 100 per cent with the shirt on and you can see the effort and commitment the players put in today."

Gray continued: "I am pleased that all the strikers got on the scoresheet. Chris Eagles is probably the only player on the pitch who could have done that [his goal] and he set the goal up well for Steven Thompson, who I am delighted for.

"People will see Chris Iwelumo and think he is just an aerial threat, but he is a focal point and he holds the ball up and brings players into play. We then have movement going off him and I am especially pleased for Jay, not only for the effort he put in, but because he was suffering from the flu and feeling under the weather.

"I asked him several times if he wanted to come off and he kept shaking his head at me. He just needed that little break in front of goal and he got it."

He must now prepare the side for Monday's game at Reading and when asked of his interest in the job full time he added: "First and foremost I am very honoured to take charge in a caretaker capacity. I have been given three games and that's one out of the way, but I am going to bat it back and tell you that I am just focusing on the Reading game.

"People can ask me the question again after the Port Vale game, but the most important thing is the board making the right decision."