Hard work the key for Fleck

Midfielder John Fleck insists there is no secret to Sheffield United’s success under Chris Wilder, with hard graft the order of the day. Tipped for relegation before a ball had been kicked in anger, the Blades currently sit ninth in the Premier League standings, with 12 points from nine games played having beaten Arsenal 1-0 at Bramall Lane on Monday evening.
They are one of five clubs on that number in a congested middle of the table but it has been an encouraging start the campaign for the South Yorkshire outfit.
United gained automatic promotion from the Championship playing open, attacking football but have been understandably more circumspect in the top flight, with Wilder hoping to do enough to stave off the threat of the drop.
Only time will tell if the are able to stay in the division but it they do, Scotland international Fleck believes it will be down to one main thing. “It’s just hard work, honestly,” he said. “Just trying our best every day in training and that was his message from the start. You must try your best and see where it takes you and it has taken us this far.”
Next up on Saturday is a trip to the London Stadium to face West Ham United before Burnley come calling seven days later.
They will both be tough games but ones from which the men in red and white could realistically take points.
Wilder has spoken about the spirit within his camp and how it is key to success, while honesty is also a vital ingredient to ensure payers do not get ahead of themselves.
That is unlikely to happen with the Blades as Fleck acknowledged that there “are more tough games to come” urging the players to “keep working hard because we can always improve”.