BILLY THE POCKET ROCKET
Sharp’s aiming to hit top form again.. just like his pal O’sullivan
BILLY SHARP hopes some Ronnie O’sullivan magic might rub off – and help him get back on the goal trail. The 31-year-old Sheffield United striker, top scorer for the last two seasons, spent time with a grateful pal and five-time world champion last week. Snooker-crazy Sharp helped ‘The Rocket’ get physio treatment for a sprained ankle – allowing him to play in the English Open in Barnsley. And now the forward would love to get his first goal for the highflying Blades for almost two months at home to Reading this afternoon. Sharp, who last netted against Derby on August 26, said: “The Star Academy in Sheffield, where Ronnie practises and overseas pros are based, is next to our training ground, so we play some frames in there. “I was going to see him, then he did his ankle, and so I watched him limping around the table in practice. We got him some treatment from Ruth, one of the Sheffield United physios. “But he still knocked in some brilliant breaks, even hobbling around. “It would be great to get back on the scoresheet. I started the season really well with four goals, before a frustrating injury that kept me out. “But I am getting back up to speed and confident when that first goal comes, it will lead to many more. “Everyone knows that if you’re going to be successful in a division, then two points a game is what you aim for – and we’re doing that at the moment, we’re bang on it. “It has been a good start and we have carried on just where we left off last season and kept up that momentum. “We strengthened in the summer and believe we can compete. But also, it is only 12 games in, and now it is about the next 12. There are so many points to play for. “There are tough games coming up, but we think we can continue to win games, and stay up there at the top of the table. “There often is a team that gets promoted, or into the play-offs, that wasn’t tipped to do well. Look at Huddersfield last season. And it could be us this time, you never know. Reading were probably deflated losing the play-off final last season, but they know they can do well because they still have many of the same players. “After a stuttering start, they got a great result at Leeds last time out (a 1-0 victory at Elland Road). And we know they keep the ball very well, but we’re at home and we are doing well there. “They try and keep the ball off the opposition with their possession, but everyone knows it is about scoring goals. When we get our spells, we need to punish them. “I was grateful to Reading when they took me on loan (in 2013), because I was a bit in ‘no man’s land’ at that time in my career.”