Blades midfielder, John Fleck, has been one of the big success stories of the club’s rise from League One to the Premier League.
John Fleck is key for Sheffield United (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Signed on a free-transfer from Coventry City, the Scot has cemented himself as a star in the United midfield.
He’s been an almost ever-present since Chris Wilder took charge. He’s transitioned seamlessly from bossing the midfield with Paul Coutts to doing a similar job with Ollie Norwood.
And speaking prior to Saturday’s clash with Spurs, Fleck spoke of the differences between League One and the Premier League for the players.
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“It’s just being better at everything you’re doing. Off the field stuff, we used to have more group days out in League One”, Fleck said in his pre-match presser (Radio Sheffield).
“We have times to enjoy ourselves as a group. But obviously, the standards have to be higher”.
A key cog
Blades fans were worried when Fleck got injured earlier in the season. Although Luke Freeman stepped in admirably, Fleck is vital to how United’s midfield runs itself.
And since coming back from injury, he’s shown just how important he is to the cause.
A glorious missed chance against Liverpool aside, Fleck’s performances have been nigh on faultless. He’s key to the shape the midfield three maintain and also drives forward with the ball.
John Fleck should have scored against Liverpool (Photo by Visionhaus)
It’s that attacking aspect which will take Fleck’s game to the next level. While the international recognition is there already, the goals aren’t quite flowing.
In fact, his best goal-scoring season with United came in League One. Fleck scored four that season. He scored twice in each of United’s campaigns in the Championship.
Providing assists isn’t an issue for Fleck. 17 in League One and ten last season showed his class.
Fleck provided 17 assists in League One (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
However, if he can start adding goals on a more regular basis, then, in John Fleck, the Blades might just have one of the best central midfielders in the league over the course of the Premier League season.
