The former Sheffield United manager helping John Fleck recapture his best form

At least once a week, sometimes twice if the situation calls for it, John Fleck settles down on the couch where he spent six weeks recuperating from a broken back and opens the frequent contacts list on his mobile phone.
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Then, after scrolling through the numbers of friends and family back home in Strathclyde, the Sheffield United midfielder punches the call button when the cursor hovers over a name familiar to everyone at Bramall Lane.

“I was on the phone to Davie the other day,” Fleck says, referring to former United manager David Weir, who he first encountered as a young player at Rangers. “He’s always been a big help to me and is one of the people I chat to often. Davie’s a really nice guy and was a brilliant player too. So when somebody like him gives you advice, well, you listen.”

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Given how his own spell in South Yorkshire unfolded, Weir could be forgiven for wanting nothing to do with a club where his managerial ambitions crashed and burned during four troubled months eight years ago. But it speaks volumes about the former centre-half’s character that he is willing to share the knowledge and experience he acquired during his own playing career, which also included spells with Scotland, Hearts and Everton, to help an old team mate. Even one, with Weir currently helping oversee Brighton and Hove Albion’s development programme, also embroiled in a battle for survival at the bottom of the Premier League table.

John Fleck is coming back to form for Sheffield United: Andrew Yates/SportimageJohn Fleck is coming back to form for Sheffield United: Andrew Yates/Sportimage
John Fleck is coming back to form for Sheffield United: Andrew Yates/Sportimage

“Aye, I suppose so,” Fleck laughs, when asked if that means he needs to be careful about the advice his mentor offers. “Joking aside, though, not at all. He’s a great guy and he’s always been there for me. There same as other people I’ve worked with in the past like Barry Ferguson, another old Rangers captain.

“What they tell me always boils down to the same thing: Keep working hard, keep your head down and keep focused.”

The two Ibrox legends were both on the pitch when Fleck made his debut for the soon to be 55 time Scottish champions during a Premiership fixture against Aberdeen in May 2008; becoming one of the youngest players ever to represent the Glaswegian giants in the process. The focus of his attention now is tomorrow evening’s meeting with West Bromwich Albion - a match the 29-year-old acknowledges United probably have to win, but almost certainly can’t afford to lose, in order to stand a chance of retaining their top-flight status. Despite last week’s victory over their namesakes from Manchester, with goals from Kean Bryan and compatriot Oliver Burke propelling Chris Wilder’s side to a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford, United enter the game in 20th place and 13 points from safety following Brighton’s win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. West Brom, ranked 19th, are only four better off.

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Although it is impossible for him to ignore the perilous nature of United’s predicament, Fleck does enjoy some escape routes from the suffocating pressure of a relegation battle. Indeed, as a he prepares for a fixture set to define not only the rest of the season but possibly the remainder of his career too, Fleck believes the “chaos” inside the house he shares with his wife and two young sons, aged four and seven, has helped him rediscover his form after suffering an debilitating injury on international duty earlier this term.

David Weir , the former Sheffied United managerDavid Weir , the former Sheffied United manager
David Weir , the former Sheffied United manager

“I usually end up watching my boys play FIFA on the computer,” Fleck says, describing his usual routine away from the Steelphalt Academy, where social distancing measures remain in place because of the Covid-19 pandemic. “It’s usually ‘Sheffield United versus Sheffield United’ but fortunately they do pick me. They’ve taken me off a few times, though. Their favourite player is Billy Sharp.

“Obviously with the kids being off school, they’re getting taught from home now. It’s usually all done by the time I get back and my missus takes care of all of that. I’ve definitely got a new-found respect for teachers though.”

“Basically, I couldn’t get off the sofa,” he continues, revealing the true extent of the damage he suffered during October’s Nations League game against Slovakia. “Well, I could but it took me about 10 minutes. It wasn’t nice and a bit freakish really. I fell awkwardly and, to begin with, it just felt like when you get kneed on the leg. I played on with it for about 50 minutes or so and then couldn’t move.

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“It was then, after going to hospital, I got told I’d fractured two bones in my back.”

Barry Ferguson is another source of advice for John FleckBarry Ferguson is another source of advice for John Fleck
Barry Ferguson is another source of advice for John Fleck

After making a woeful start to the campaign, losing 15 and drawing two of their first 17 outings, United have enjoyed an upturn in form in recent weeks; winning four out of six in all competitions and going close to snatching a draw at Manchester City over the weekend. That run has coincided with Fleck’s own improved fortunes too - impressing against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s title chasing squad before coming within an inch or so of scoring an equaliser during the 1-0 defeat by Pep Guardiola’s men.

“I think there’s positives we can take,” Fleck says, noting how City walloped West Brom 5-0 recently. “If you’d have told us, before those two meetings with the Manchester clubs, that we could come away with three points we’d definitely have taken it. The key for us now is to keep accumulating them.”

Now managed by Sam Allardyce, United’s latest opponents triumphed 1-0 at The Hawthorns earlier this term despite spending most of the contest on the back foot. Both Wilder and Allardyce’s predecessor Slaven Bilic struggled to explain the outcome afterwards although, having had time to reflect, Fleck believes the contest was United’s campaign, or at least the first four months, in microcosm.

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“We’ve played well in most games, but not taken chances and that’s cost us,” he admits. “But the results and performances are getting much better now.”

John Fleck says Sheffield united's mood has improved ahead of the meeting with West Bromwich Albion: Andrew Yates/SportimageJohn Fleck says Sheffield united's mood has improved ahead of the meeting with West Bromwich Albion: Andrew Yates/Sportimage
John Fleck says Sheffield united's mood has improved ahead of the meeting with West Bromwich Albion: Andrew Yates/Sportimage

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