John Lundstram says Sheffield United still have pride and pleasure to play for

For midfielder Lundstram, that second point is an important one, as he will be looking for a new club in the summer. The Blades opened contract talks with him last season but having failed to agree anything, he will become a free agent once the 2020-21 campaign is over.

It is almost certain to end in relegation, with the Blades going into Wednesday's game at home to Aston Villa 15 points adrift of safety with only 13 matches to play. Even with the prognosis so gloomy, Lundstram says it is important to try to enjoy coming up against some of the country's top players. On Sunday they hosted Liverpool.

“It is going to be really tough,” the Merseysider conceded. “We’ve just got to enjoy it. We are privileged to be in the position we are in. I was saying to George (Baldock) beforehand, what a massive occasion (Sunday) was, playing in front of the champions at Bramall Lane.

“We’ve just got to try and enjoy it, get some points on the board and do ourselves justice.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s not lads laughing and thinking we enjoyed the game. I was not in the greatest of moods afterwards. We played against some great world-class players and the champions. We were giving our all to try and win as I think you could see. We just try and showcase what we can do, and give everything we can give.

“We have all strived to get this far. It hasn’t been great this year but we have to embrace it. We all strived to be here as kids. We’ve just got to try and embrace it and enjoy the challenge as much as we possibly can.”

Even though there is a growing acceptance that the inevitable is coming, Lundstram insists it will not be reflected by performances on the pitch.

“We won’t wrap it in,” he said. “It comes from the gaffer (manager Chris Wilder), he’s got that mentality. Even our training sessions are full-blooded sessions. It comes from him, the coaching staff and Knilly (assistant manager Alan Knill). We take that out onto the pitch.

“He (Wilder) always says we have something to play for, even if it's the last day of the season and we’re 10 points adrift. There is still lots to play for – ourselves, the fans, the badge, the club. There’s always something at stake. We’re out there representing his club and the fans. The badge is important. So important.”

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