Baldock laughs off talk of Blades star Mac’s goal drought
LIKE most clubs, the Sheffield United players’ WhatsApp group is a hive of activity.
Before a ball was kicked last August, one picture message was sent in to fire up the newly promoted side.
It was an image of the Premier League table with places 1-19 taken up by the words ‘nobody can predict what will happen.’
Except for the bottom spot, where Sheffield United’s name was consigned to the drop.
George Baldock can laugh about it now, as the ever-present right-back is part of a squad just five points adrift of possible Champions League qualification.
Some jokes are off limits within the WhatsApp group, however.
David McGoldrick’s scoring record this season being top of the list.
It’s not because the Republic of Ireland international (right) is precious about not finding the net in the Premier League.
The reason the forward, 32, has escaped any withering remarks is more to do with deep respect.
“Who are we to joke about goals with him?” said Baldock.
“He might come out and have a bit of banter with us about it, but we wouldn’t.
“When he is playing so well, no one is really bothered. He puts such a shift in, you see him tracking back and putting defensive tackles in on the edge of our box.
“Didzy is one of the best guys in football. He’s got so much respect from all the lads.
“When he talks people listen. He’s such a leader in the dressing room and on the pitch. “Although he hasn’t got the goals he deserves this season his all-round play has been unbelievable. “He’s massive for us and has got so much respect from the lads, when he has an opinion everyone just stands and listens to him. “And he knows the game inside out, as you can tell by intelligence in his play. His voice packs a punch in the dressing room, definitely.” McGoldrick’s lack of goals have not counted against him in the eyes of his manager, Chris Wilder, either. The Blades boss helped himself to a bottle of red wine after Thursday’s win over Spurs. And in McGoldrick he has a player who is maturing into the finest vintage. The club handed him a new two-year contract last month to take him up until the summer of 2022, by which point he will be just a few months shy of 35 and could become a golden oldie in the top flight. Among all the stats about his contribution to the team, one that jumps out about McGoldrick is that he has made just two fewer tackles (37) than he has had shots (39) in 24 appearances. “Against Spurs some of his play was fantastic – he links the play, rushes it when he needs to and is so vocal,” said Baldock, ahead of today’s visit to Burnley.
“He’s been the same since he came through the door. He has been one hell of a signing for us.” That is no joke.