Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says players keen ‘to get back to work’

Sheffield United are adhering to all the relevant social distancing and medical protocols involved in the Premier League’s ‘Project Restart’ and the lines of communication between himself, his captain and players will remain open – should any have concerns about football’s return.

Yet the uniform view across his Blades squad, who started training in small groups this week, is that they feel comfortable and secure in following the guidelines laid out and are embracing being back in work.

Across football, unanimity is not so total.

Watford captain Troy Deeney, for instance, has outlined his personal reasons at returning to training including concerns over his young son and unanswered issues around BAME players.

Wilder accepts that is the wont of Deeney and others.

But among his squad, there is confidence in the safety procedures laid out so far ahead of Premier League clubs discussing contact training protocols next week.

The Blades boss said: “Obviously, the question that everybody has asked is if it has got government and NHS backing and it is ‘yes’. From a moral and social point of view, everyone seems happy with the situation.

“It is a huge responsibility from myself and the staff to talk to the players and me to talk to the skipper and to pass those messages on and be involved in the process.

“They are human beings and opinionated and have got their own points of views as Troy and everybody has. I have that open relationship with them and they have the opportunity of going through the skipper.

“Everybody is on the same page at Sheffield United, they all want to go back to work. The players have shown an enormous enthusiasm to get back working and competing.”

For Wilder, the data has so far reinforced his belief that Project Restart in on track for a return to football behind closed doors next month, possibly on June 19.

It was revealed on Tuesday that there were just six positive results from the 748 coronavirus tests that had been carried out among 19 Premier League clubs.

Three positive tests were at Watford, including a player and two members of staff, while Burnley assistant manager Ian Woan has also tested positive.

Wilder, whose players and staff are being tested twice a week, added: “Obviously, there have been a couple of cases detected over the weekend – over 750 tests. I know Ian Woan has been detected with it and one player.

“There are encouraging numbers from our point of view. I am not surprised about the numbers because of how healthy the players are and what lengths they have gone to in making sure that they do their bit and are responsible and disciplined in their approach to the awful virus that has affected the nation.

“Our next test is on Friday and we have been tested twice a week and that shows what lengths the Premier League are prepared to go to – to get the football back up and running.”

Training grounds may have opened up again across the Premier League, but fissures still remain regarding Project Restart, more especially regarding the issue of neutral grounds.

Among others, Watford, Aston Villa and Brighton have publicly spoken out against the idea of not using home grounds.

According to some reports, a decision on neutral venues is possible before the end of the week.

Splits regarding what should happen if the season has to be curtailed are also evident, but for Wilder, the bigger story is the top-flight’s desire to finish the season when it is safe to do.

Wilder said: “That’s the way of life – that people will look after their own football clubs. That’s their decision to do that and I don’t think I am being controversial, but honest and realistic.

“It is understandable and it has come out that there are different views from Liverpool to Manchester City to Sheffield United and other football clubs.

“But I think we are all on the same page in terms of (finishing) when it is safe to do so and health is a priority. The CEO’s have come out and said exactly the same.

“The call we had (between clubs) was brilliant from my point of view and the information I received.

“It came out it was split, but that was not the feeling I had and my call to the LMA (League Manager’s Association) the day after – and they were on the call before –was not the feeling they had.

“There might be a couple of people with fears, questions to be answered and reservations and a couple of managers asking the same question. But for me, there is the same attitude of getting back to work and playing.

“There are an awful lot of opinions and speculation flying about. But thankfully for me, there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel and we can all get back to normality in terms of working.”

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