Sheffield United v West Ham - Enda Stevens stuck on repeat at home and abroad

After addressing Sheffield United’s under-whelming and worrying start to the season, attention later turned to matters with the Republic of Ireland when he fielded questions from some Dublin-based journalists on the Zoom call.

The enquiries may have been different, but the detail and tone of Stevens’s answers was pretty similar as he referenced an inability to finish chances, issues regarding availability and circumstances conspiring against the national team.

Given what he had uttered earlier about club affairs, it had the whiff of Groundhog Day.

As far as 2020 is concerned – a bit of an ‘annus horribilis’ as far as Ireland are concerned – it is at least now over and a line can hopefully be drawn under proceedings.

Across the three international breaks in September, October and November, Stephen Kenny’s side played eight matches and won none.

It is the first time since 1971 that Ireland have gone an entire calendar year without winning a single match. A pitiful haul of one goal this calendar year is even more lamentable.

Stevens, perhaps fortunate to have missed Ireland’s recent three games with a knee injury, can at least count on the fact that while the international year is over for the Boys in Green, he can do something about his club’s plight in the coming weeks.

As with Ireland, the Blades’ vital statistics in the second half of this year make for depressing reading with just one point claimed in eight winless Premier League matches in 2020-21.

After fighting so hard to get to the big time and making those who doubted them eat their words last season and the campaign before, Stevens and his team-mates are faced with their toughest mission to date.

There has been defiant talk and positive tones on the United training ground at Shirecliffe of late, with a group of proud players who have been through plenty in their careers hurting badly. Now deeds are required,

Ahead of tomorrow’s home encounter with West Ham, Chris Wilder spoke of embracing the battle in the weeks and months ahead.

A lifelong ‘Blade’, this was not just a manager speaking, but also a fan. Sometimes, what does not kill you makes you stronger and this is a club who have overcome major odds before. Remember 1990-91 anyone?

Wilder referenced taking a perverse sense of enjoyment in terms of the fight United find themselves in, given that the sense of achievement if they turn things around will be colossal.

For those who step out in red and white tomorrow who can truly affect things, it is also about ‘enjoying the pressure’ in what will constitute a key part of the club’s season, as Stevens rather succinctly put it.

Never one for hyperbole, the defender, fit again after missing Ireland’s internationals, said: “The period up to Christmas is a massive opportunity to put a lot of points on the board.

“We have got to enjoy the pressure and challenge of having to do that. We cannot be too disappointed, but we have to improve on certain aspects.

“We just want to get out on Sunday and put things right. We have assessed where we have been going wrong and looked at all the positive things.

“We are not going to forget the last eight games, but need to look forwards.

“We have had to earn everything we have been given in our careers. A lot of people have different backgrounds, but have been through the leagues and all have that experience.

“Over the course of a football career, it is not going to be all roses and you have tough times and bad patches and it is about coming out of the other side as quickly as possible.

“There is plenty of experience to lift the lads and keep everyone together.”

The mood on the training ground has been lifted by the welcome sight of John Fleck and Lys Mousset back on deck. Their return is well timed.

The return of the club’s jubilant Scotland international duo of Oli McBurnie and Oli Burke – fresh from helping the Tartan Army clinch a spot in the Euro 2021 finals following a memorable night in Belgrade – should also have raised spirits.

The congratulations from Stevens, John Egan and David McGoldrick – part of an Ireland squad who failed in their own mission to reach the finals – were sincere and not said through gritted teeth either.

It is not the Blades way at a club where success is shared.

Stevens, who has switched from wing-back to a central defensive role, added: “Once they pulled up, the first thing I said was ‘congratulations’ and take those good feelings back here and that confidence will help us.

“That bit of success can really lift things and that mentality can rub off on all the other lads and we will go into Sunday fighting.”

As is the case at United, players have been searingly honest in their self-appraisal of their own displays in reflecting on their individual part in the club’s poor start to the season.

Stevens himself is candid enough to acknowledge that adapting to a position on the left-hand side of the back three has not been easy.

He continued: “It has been difficult and a big change. I had a similar spell in the Championship where I had to cover for a few games.

“It is a different position and there is a lot more responsibility defensively and a lot more concentration. It is one I need to improve on and get better and bring into my game.”

Such honesty is refreshing and hopefully the precursor to improvement in these critical weeks ahead.

Stevens and co must all improve again, having splendidly shown their capabilities last season. It is within them.