Paul Heckingbottom speaks out on the mood of the Sheffield United team ahead of Blackpool

Despite sitting a strong sixth in the league and in the play-off spots, Paul Heckingbottom has admitted the mood around the club isn’t the most positive right not due to a large number of players missing through injury and fitness reasons. 

Although he has done a brilliant job since being appointed as first team manager, whether he can give the fans promotion with so many players missing is a big test for him.

Speaking to The Star, he said: “I’m not going to deny it, there’s a bit of a siege mentality building up among the group.

“Around 50% of our outfield lads will miss the game at Bloomfield Road.

“Maybe that’s a good thing? I don’t know. What I do know is that we’re going to need the fans more than ever now, because of the energy and the positivity they can bring.”

As it stands the club are currently missing Rhian Brewster, Jayden Bogle, Chris Basham and George Baldock. January signing Charlie Goode has returned to his parent club Brentford for treatment and during Saturday’s 4-1 defeat against Coventry City, Oli McBurnie had to limp off.

The Blades take on 12th placed Blackpool tomorrow evening and it looks like it will be a massive test for them. However, Heckingbottom has insisted that his side won’t give up and will try and give the fans something to cheer about.

He said: “It’s down to us and what we do on the pitch. We understand that and accept that. But because of everything that’s going on, they, the supporters, can give us a real push.

“Everyone is sticking together behind the scenes. This might have made us even tighter. But we definitely need that push our fans give us.”

The Verdict:

You’ve got to feel sorry for Paul Heckingbottom and his Sheffield United side who are facing so many injury issues at the