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This week, after our defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup, West Ham return to action in the league on Monday night, when we welcome an almost doomed Sheffield United to the London Stadium. Ahead of the game I once again spoke to hardcore Sheffield Utd fan Jack Simpson to talk about the game and the season.
Hi Jack, since we last spoke, although you have have a couple of wins including that fantastic result against Man Utd at Old Trafford, it’s not looking good for you. Are you resigned to bring relegated, or do you think you can claw back 11 points?
A couple of wins, come off it Jeff, we’ve won six out of our last eight. But you are right, it isn’t looking great at all, is it? I think even the most optimistic Blade will tell you it is the Championship for us next season. In reality for most sane Blades, we have been down since well before Christmas. To be honest at that point many were wondering if we would win all season. However, we have had a great month. FA Cup wins against lower league opposition have really boosted the team’s confidence and this has shown in performances in the league. That night at Old Trafford was special, and one of the best Sheffield United away days (even if from the comfort of our own homes) in recent times. Does show if we are on it, we can get results. I think the aim at the moment is to first get ahead of West Brom and then Fulham. I think if we can finish third from bottom and get anywhere near 30 points, that would be a successful second half of the season.
From what you’ve seen of Fulham and West Brom, are any of these 2 able to drag themselves up?
Nope, I think that is the three that will be at the bottom. All three of us struggle to win games. I think Fulham and West Brom have less wins than us. Big Sam has shown he’s lost his magic and despite spending a load of, let’s be honest wasted, money in January, they look a poor side. I think they will finish bottom. Fulham are definitely better and have gone toe-to-toe with some of the bigger teams but seem to lack goal threat. Doesn’t help that all of the teams just above the drop zone keep picking up points, too. Keep thinking Newcastle will sink like a stone and then they pick up a win here and there to pull themselves further away.
I think it takes about 3 seasons to cement your place in the Premier League, and unfortunately it looks like you have just fallen short. If you do go down, will the club sick with Chris Wilder, and do you have the resources to come straight back?
I think I said it last time around, but ‘in Wilder we trust’. This guy has more than enough goodwill in the bank, taking us from 12th in League one to 9th in the Prem in four seasons. Nobody wants him to go, and everyone still thinks he is our greatest manager of all time. Wilder seems to have the backing of the chairman even if we go down. Our owner, Saudi Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has said this publicly. And I think realistically you look out there and think who else would you want to try and take you back up. The only worry I have is Wilder getting annoyed and leaving if the board don’t support him with funds in the summer. There were some rumours of dischord in January after the board turned down Wilder’s requests to bring in loan recruits. If you asked me about a month ago if we would be coming straight back up, I would have said highly unlikely. However, since the turn of the year, our performances have improved, and many individuals, like Fleck and Norwood, who were dreadful in the first half of the season have looked a lot more like themselves. If you look at our squad on paper, you have to say it is too good for the Championship. Players like McBurnie and Brewster scored a hatful last time they were playing in it. I also think because of our poor form in the early part of the season, I can’t see too many players being sought after when we go down.
Of course all is not total doom and gloom, and Sheffield United are still in the FA cup. If you had the choice would you take a cup victory and relegation over staying up and going out against Chelsea?
Ooooh tricky one. I would say staying up this year. Would usually say the FA Cup but the fact that we wouldn’t be able to be there to watch it this season, means I’m probably pushed more towards staying up. Plus, if we managed to turn around this 14-point gap, that would be the greatest escape of all time and would probably mean we only lose three more this season….and beat West Ham on Monday.
It looks like Manchester City are taking a firm grip on the Premier League title, but who are your picks for the top 4 places?
Manchester United definitely: so stacked with class players that even if they are out of form, they still find a way to win. Then Leicester. Don’t seem to be faltering like last season, have the points in the bag and just seem like a really decent outfit. Then, I’m going to have to say Liverpool. Although they’ve been in bad form lately, They have Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Firmino. How can you finish outside of the top four with those four in your squad?
Where can West Ham hope to finish the season?
David Moyes is a bit of a genius, isn’t he? Been a complete turnaround since last season, I didn’t see that coming. I think you will finish eighth. Just looking at the table and what is behind you and think Everton and Tottenham will eventually overtake you.
Who are your top rated Sheffield United players at the moment? 1 of each from defence, midfield and up front.
Our defence is pretty solid and settled now. With our Chelsea loanee Ethan Ampadu, who plays on the left of the three, finally showing Blades fans how good he actually is. Irishman Jon Egan in the middle is also solid and has shown he can operate at this level. But our star performer in defence is Mr Sheffield United, Chris Basham. Bought back in League One, he has amassed over 300 games and isn’t slowing down. Is one of our best attacking threats with his ball carrying from right centre back and can run all day. Almost singlehandedly won us the match against West Brom two weeks ago.
Jon Fleck was useless for the first half of the season. To be fair to him, it was revealed a few weeks ago that he broken bones in his back just before the season started, and was probably playing injured for part of it. He has turned it around in the last five games, and has been our standout perfomer. If he is on it tomorrow, watch out for his driving runs from midfield.
While everyone will think Billy Sharp, when they think Sheffield United strikers. Our main man this season, as he has been for the last three, is David McGoldrick. Not the world’s greatest finisher by any stretch but he is a classy link man, who connects the play from midfield up front. We are so much more fluid when he plays.
How will you line up against us on Monday night?
Ramsdal in goal. Three centre backs; Ethan Ampadu (LCB) Jon Egam (CB) Chris Basham (RCB) Midfield: Oli Norwood (DMC) Jon Lundstram (RCM) Jon Fleck (LCM) David McGoldrick (CF) Bill Sharp (CF)
I thought you were a bit unlucky against us at your place, will you be able to turn the result around on your visit to London Stadium? Prediction for result?
That’s very kind of you. Think West Ham did what they needed to do and then apart from McBurnie hitting the bar late on, was all pretty easy for you guys after the goal. I’m a glass half full sort of guy but really don’t fancy our chances, unfortunately. Think we will lose by the odd-goal again. Maybe 2-1. Let’s hope I’m wrong.
Well many thanks to Jack once again for his considerations. I’ll be happy to see us get back to winning ways again, so will join Jack in gong for 2 – 1. COYI