Blades manager Chris Wilder has recently expressed the significance of the January break to have a consistent period for training with his players. Since his return to Bramall Lane in early December, this was the first opportunity for him and his coaching staff to work with the team on the training ground on things other than match preparation.
Wilder hoped that during this break, his group would become stronger both in terms of recruitment and medical conditions, looking forward to their return to action against West Ham this Sunday afternoon.
The break is anticipated to have assisted in the recovery of some of the club’s injured players, bringing them closer to full fitness. Players such as former Everton man Tom Davies are expected to play a crucial role in the second half of the season. The likes of Jayden Bogle, Anel Ahmedhodzic, Auston Trusty and George Baldock are set to return to the squad.
The latter, Baldock, has urged his Sheffield United teammates to turn the “doom and gloom” surrounding the Blades’ survival prospects into additional motivation as they prepare for their return to Premier League action this weekend.
“[Mentality] has to be [positive]. There’s only one way. We can’t have any other mentality. If we’re not at it one million percent then you may as well not play. We’re up against the best in the world and our mentality has to be positive. Even though many have written us off and think it’s doom and gloom, talking about Sheffield United this and that,” via The Star.
Should the Blades find a victory on Sunday they would sit on 12 points, five behind 17th placed Everton. While that seems like a distance away, Everton could be on the receiving end of a further points deduction. Nottingham Forest could receive one as well.
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