QATAR BREAK IS OK BY US!
Baldock: World Cup will let Blades sharpen up
GEORGE BALDOCK insists the World Cup break has come at the perfect time for an injuryriddled Sheffield United side.
The Blades are in the Championship automatic promotion places after Baldock’s 64th-minute winner in South Wales. But they are close to breaking point with an injury crisis threatening to derail their season.
However, Baldock is relieved they now have time to recover. He said: “It is a bit weird with the World Cup being in the middle of the season, but it’s a blessing for us because we’ve got players out there who shouldn’t really be playing. I’m not hiding away from the truth with players playing with injuries. So, credit to them.
“I’m not saying it’s a lack of effort. Sometimes it’s just people need a bit of a break. Games come thick and fast, and it caught up with us a bit.
“Everyone put their bodies on the line and got a very important three points. I know the ins and outs of the players situations.
“There are a lot of players who are pushing their bodies to the absolute limit and beyond. It makes it even sweeter to get the win and end this period on a high.”
The visitors struggled in the first-half, but Paul Heckingbottom’s decision to throw on James McAtee turned the game.
The 20-year-old injected some much-needed pace into the Blades team, and his break resulted in the only goal of the game.
Niels Nkounkou tackled McAtee but got tangled up, and Baldock stole in and drove his shot low and hard inside Ryan Allsop’s near post.
Baldock reckons the sky’s the limit for McAtee after a sensational second-half performance from the youngster.
He said: “He’s a great talent who is still young and still learning the game, but he’s made tremendous strides.
“From his first few games to now, you can see he’s really growing in confidence.
“He’s playing the position brilliantly and he’s a joy to play with. I found him a few times in that little pocket of space within the box.” Cardiff manager Mark Hudson slammed his side for not being clinical enough in front of goal, having dominated the first 45 minutes.
He said: “We created opportunities to score, but I didn’t think we were ruthless enough. If we weren’t creating opportunities, itwould be much worse, but we are creating them.
“It’s about confidence in front of goal, and that’s something we have to work on. However, I have no doubt that we’ll score goals going forward.”