Boss reminds Sheffield United's players they can lift spirits of their fans during Covid-19 crisis
Paul Heckingbottom has reminded his Sheffield United players that they can lift spirits of their supporters during the Covid-19 crisis by their performances between now and the end of the season.
United have been badly affected by having to play games behind closed doors, losing 25 of their 31 Premier League games so far this season after winning only three of their 11 matches after Project Restart last season.
Many supporters have suffered with their mental and physical health during the coronavirus pandemic, with many seeing their jobs and business affected during lockdowns as Britain battled to get a grip on the crisis.
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And Heckingbottom, speaking ahead of this weekend’s trip to Molineux, admitted: “We have to focus on being better, getting the most out of these last seven games.
“Everyone connected to the club wants a lift, staff players fans, it’s been touch for everyone since lockdown and for us as a club, so anything we can do to raise spirits, we’ve got to try our hardest to make sure we do that.
“The belief and spirit can’t falter, no matter what happens in terms of results and performances.
“It’s going to be that spirit of anyone connected to the club that brings the good times back.”
The Covid-19 crisis is understood to have cost United around £11m in television rebates, lost revenue and associated costs with playing games behind closed doors, while no Blades fan has seen their side play live since March 2020’s win over Norwich – which strengthened United’s push for European qualification at the time.