Morgan has put steel back into the Blades

LYLE TAYLOR insists Sheffield United have re-discovered their trademark steel.
Sheffield United manager Nigel CloughSheffield United manager Nigel Clough
Sheffield United manager Nigel Clough

Sagging spirits are starting to be lifted among Blades supporters by virtue of a three-match unbeaten run following the wreckage of the opening two months of the campaign, with several key individuals deserving credit, according to Taylor.

The principal person who deserves a pat on the back, in the view of the striker, is Chris Morgan, who helped put the combative edge back in the Blades during his time as caretaker-manager, with new chief Nigel Clough busy building on that sterling work since his arrival at the club.

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Taylor said: “It’s amazing what a couple of results can change. The mood is very much different, while still remembering where we are in the league.

“Anyone who has seen the games can see the difference. But we have to keep that going now.

“There’s a change of approach and we showed a little bit of steel at Coventry and Peterborough. At Peterborough, we were really hard to break down and at Coventry we were fighting to get back into the game and fighting for our lives. I think that’s brought everyone a little bit closer as a group and everyone can see we are fighting tooth and nail.”

Paying tribute to Morgan for generating an attitude change, he added: “It was Morgs, he is this club through and though. I don’t think there’s anyone in the world who will give you anything more than Morgs will. He will back you to the hilt and give you everything he’s got, expecting you to give everything you have got.”

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That same intensity and high-tempo focus has also been there on the training ground under Clough and while it has been hard graft, it has been rewarding for Taylor and his team-mates.

Taylor added: “I’d say the training day has been shorter, but the workload is probably still pretty much the same, if not a little bit more intense. But it’s been good.”

Taylor admits his confidence has been bolstered after his brace against Coventry on October 13.

He said: “A couple of goals at Coventry have changed me and made me a little bit more confident and it’s allowed me to work harder for the team.

“From working harder, you put teams under more pressure and, ultimately, you are more likely to get a good result.”