Sheffield United 'firing on all cylinders' says George Baldock

Meetings are going on this week with the Government and within football itself about “project restart”, which aims to get the Premier League's 2019-20 campaign up and running again as soon as possible.

That felt a step closer when five top-flight clubs, including the Blades, returned to training at the start of this week.

Baldock and his club are keen to get going again as soon as it is safe to do so, with European qualification to play for.

“We’re in a position no one thought we would be and we just want to get back out there and continue what we were doing,” said the wing-back. “We’re waiting for the Government and for everyone to say it’s safe and we fully understand that. If we can get going again I'm sure the boys will be firing on all cylinders to prove people wrong and push on.

“I actually feel really fit. We've all had to stay on top of our weight and send in pictures of our weighing scales, we have to constantly give evidence of what we're doing so there are no shortcuts, we've got to do the work and if you don't there’s fines in place.

“Everyone will be fit. Judging by the runs I did on Tuesday with a member of staff, it was positive and I felt fit.

“I feel up to speed now. The training we’ve been given (while on lockdown), I can’t begin to tell you how tough it’s been. Some days it's been like pre-season.

“I woke up today, my legs are absolutely in bits, it's tougher than a lot of training sessions we’ve being doing at Shirecliffe this season!

“I'm sure all the lads will say the same, everyone will be fit and there's been no cutting corners, everything has been recorded and everyone will be fine (for a possible resumption).”

The players will need to hit the ground running if the season does resume – June 6 has been talked about as a potential date, but much will depend on the progress of the virus – because the Blades are firmly in contention to qualify for Europe, as are many of the sides they still have to play.

With 10 matches left, they are seventh in the Premier League, which would be enough to secure a first Europa League campaign provided a Manchester City appeal against their two-year ban from European competitions does not throw a spanner in the works. It could suffice anyway if one of the top six won the FA Cup, and Chris Wilder's side are still in contention themselves with a home quarter-final scheduled against Arsenal.

Although no decisions have been made on the resumption, Baldock says returning to the club's Shirecliffe training ground for individual sessions felt significant.

“It felt great, a lot better before (the session) than after considering what we got put through!” he joked.

“It was good to just drive in and see a few familiar faces from a distance and it gave me a bit of positivity that things might come back again soon. It was good.

“You're given time slots, you're on your own, you come in and the session's already been set up for you. One member of staff's in, he’s standing well away from you but he's set everything up and he's got his stopwatch ready. He explains from a distance what to do and then it's over to you to get it done.

“I think it's been good for them to see how you are mentally and physically. Even thought we are at a distance you can kind of gauge how we're doing and you can have a five-minute chat.

“Now training's being ramped up and we’re twisting and turning a lot more. It's important we do go back to a good surface rather than the lads twisting and turning on the road!”

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