I’ll Shake up old pal
TV tales about Rodwell are all nonsense blasts Wilder
CHRIS WILDER says Jack Rodwell can be a hero again after handing the former England midfielder a chance to resurrect his career.
The 28-year-old is set for his Sheffield United debut against non-League AFC Fylde tomorrow after signing a contract until the end of the season, with an option for a further year.
Rodwell, who won three caps, starred for Everton and Manchester City before he joined Sunderland in 2014.
But, as injuries took their toll, he was infamously criticised in the 2018 Netflix documentary on his former club when forced to train with the kids.
Rodwell’s £43,000-a-week contract was cancelled when the Black Cats were relegated to League One, but Wilder said: “You get lost a bit but there’s a talent there. He doesn’t play for his country, play for Manchester City or Everton without having ability.
“Jack might be getting battered in the North East but, for me, I know what went off and am not a lover of fly-on-the-wall documentaries.
“There is a lot of nonsense been talked about Jack. Maybe the spotlight should not be pointed on Jack Rodwell but a CEO or owner at the time for not putting stipulations into people’s contracts.
“Jack’s big enough to accept that, wants to kickstart his career. If he didn’t have a love of the game he could be sat in the golf club watching the TV with his feet up.
“But he doesn’t want that. Jack’s got a fight to get into the team but has all the qualities to get in and stay in.”
Wilder also gave Ravel Morrison a year’s deal and the maverick midfielder, once touted for great things at Manchester United, will also face Fylde.
“They’ve got undoubted football qualities,” added Wilder.
CRAIG SHAKESPEARE is looking forward to catching up with his old pal Micky Mellon today.
But Watford’s assistant head coach will not want to be reminded of too many FA Cup memories.
The Hornets are desperately looking to forget their 6-0 annihilation at the hands of Manchester City in the final last May.
That was before former Leicester boss Shakespeare’s time at the club.
But he also has an embarrassing FA Cup skeleton in his closet.
Shakespeare (below) was part of the West Brom side humiliated 4-2 by Woking at The Hawthorns in 1991. The result cost the then-Baggies boss Brian Talbot his job.
Yet current Tranmere manager Mellon joined Albion soon after to strike up a long-lasting bond with Shakespeare. Watford face Tranmere in the third round today and Shakespeare (left) said: “It seems strange to meet old team-mates years later. “But we won’t take this game lightly. We want to get through.”
AFC FYLDE got the Premier League draw they wanted – but don’t expect Sheffield United to show any signs of complacency.
The non-League side fully expect the Blades, despite making a host of changes, to roll up their sleeves and battle.
Defender Alex Whitmore said: “They are doing so well in the Premier League but they kind of have their nasty side as well.
“It’s going to be a real test but the way we have to look at it is we have a chance to cause an upset.
“It happened last year and I’m sure they will not want a repeat, but we have a chance.”
The Blades crashed out to non-League Barnet at the same stage a year ago, losing 1-0 at Bramall Lane.
Their boss Chris Wilder has already apologised for his intention to make 11 changes tomorrow.
And while the team fourth from bottom in the National League are not over-confident, odds of 25-1 are perhaps a bit generous.
Midfielder Ryan Croasdale said: “For all that they will make changes, they still have a full squad who can play in the top flight.
“But maybe we can get a draw and bring them back here. Maybe more.”