What Sheffield United striker David McGoldrick has told his manager ahead of Boxing Day's game against Watford

Chris Wilder suspects this might be the moment.
David McGoldrick is expected to face Watford on Boxing Day: Simon Bellis/SportimageDavid McGoldrick is expected to face Watford on Boxing Day: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
David McGoldrick is expected to face Watford on Boxing Day: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

The match when, at the 16th time of asking, David McGoldrick scores his first Premier League goal.

And, relaying details of a conversation they shared following Sheffield United’s win over Brighton and Hove Albion, he reckons the centre-forward, who missed a gilt-edged opportunity at the AMEX Stadium, thinks so too.

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“He’s waiting for a home game, he said to me afterwards,” Wilder revealed, as his side prepares to face Watford at Bramall Lane on Boxing Day. “There would have been some scenes if he had scored. But it will come. Definitely. It will come for Didzy.”

McGoldrick’s miss in Sussex, despite rounding Albion’s goalkeeper and shooting at an empty net, was the latest in a catalogue of chances he has spurned since helping United gain promotion last term.

But the Republic of Ireland international retains the faith of his team mates, manager and supporters alike thanks to a series of superb all-round displays which have helped Wilder’s side climb to fifth in the table.

Speaking at the Steelphalt Academy on Monday, Wilder cited an incident moments after McGoldrick’s latest unsuccessful attempt as further evidence why he recently labelled the 32-year-old “invaluable”.

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“Even his reaction when he missed a chance late on in the game at Brighton, he chased back 40 or 50 yards to try and make a tackle,” Wilder said. “It wasn’t out of frustration. It was because he wants to help the group. So his attitude has been brilliant.

“It will come and there will be a big noise when that happens.”

United will enter the game on the back of three straight victories after beating Norwich City and Aston Villa en route to the south coast. Impressive at Carrow Road, McGoldrick underlined his quality by producing an exquisite assist for John Fleck’s second against Dean Smith’s side.

“I’ve told David I think he’s waiting to do it in front of 30,000 supporters,” Wilder said. “It will come, it will do.

“The majority of fans know players who give their all and the ones who pretend. That’s why he’s so well thought of. It’s coming, even though he’ll have been disappointed not to have scored.”