An insight into how Sheffield United's players will spend their Christmas Day

It is a sign, after climbing to fifth in the table following a run of three straight wins, that coaching staff believe the season could deliver more than survival or a mid-table finish; a scenario defender George Baldock admitted was “probably unthinkable” at the start of the campaign.

But, picking up the theme his manager Chris Wilder peddled at the Steelphalt Academy yesterday morning, Baldock used United’s latest pre-match media briefing to remind United’s squad that they cannot afford to “look beyond” the visit of Watford on Boxing Day. Even though, the wing-back conceded, United’s forthcoming trips to Manchester City and Liverpool will probably generate more publicity.

“I don’t know, about the top five, it’s too early to talk about that isn’t it,” Baldock said. “It’s been half a season, so it’s not luck. But who knows if we can keep it up?

“It will be tough. We’re here on merit now. We’re just trying to get points on the board.

“The gaffer won’t let us get too far ahead. Seriously, all we are looking at is the next one and that’s Watford. Nothing else. That’s the way it is.”

“Watford have obviously got a brilliant squad,” Baldock, who took part in United’s goalless draw at Vicarage Road two months ago, said. “They’ve got a really good manager in and we need to be at our best to pick up a result.

“We will try and hurt them and the gaffer will go about it in the normal way.”

It is a measure of the threat United believe Pearson’s men pose that Wilder has resisted the temptation to grant his side extra time-off over the festive period.

“For footballers, Christmas isn’t really Christmas,” Baldock continued. “We can’t eat too much and there’s no alcoholic drinks, obviously. We can’t have too many desserts either.”

Wilder, however, explained why sacrifices have to be made. Rescheduling the timing of Wednesday’s session is the only festive gesture he has made, with United travelling to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday before January 2nd’s trip to Merseyside.

“The schedule is similar to previous Christmases,” Wilder said. “The players understand.

“There’s no easy part, but over this period it’s ramped up, definitely. So it’s Christmas dinner and then getting around to preparing.”

United enter the meeting with Watford on the back of victories over Norwich City, Aston Villa and most recently Brighton and Hove Albion.

Midfielder John Fleck could return following suspension while Oli McBurnie will be hoping to retain his place in the starting eleven after scoring the only goal of the game at the AMEX Stadium.

Pearson must decide when to hand Brazilian youngster Joao Pedro a Watford debut following his arrival from Fluminese.

Baldock, on target during United’s Boxing Day win over Sunderland two years ago, said: “I scored, Boxing Day, a couple of years ago. It’s always a great occasion.

“We’re fully focused on Watford now.”