BLADES UNDER ORDERS TO PUT UP HECK OF A FIGHT
PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM urged his Sheffield United players to show a Premier League mentality after warning there will be no mass exodus following relegation.
The Blades are heading back to the Championship after two seasons in the top flight.
But Heckingbottom, who was made interim manager when Chris Wilder was sacked in March, insists the future starts now – and that players will only be sold in the summer if the price is right.
Heckingbottom is hoping to show enough in the next month to be given the job permanently.
And he said: “What’s gone has gone and our outlook has been how we manage ourselves and perform in the last few games.
“You can’t say the shackles are off and that it doesn’t matter. You still need to care and produce performances and have an edge.
“If anything, that’s more difficult when there is nothing to play for, but they are playing for their pride and for their futures.
“It’s no good just going back to the Championship and thinking, ‘This might be easy, I might score goals, I might play every game’.
“Everyone should be asking why they came up short and what can they do to be better next time.”
Heckingbottom’s side responded to the defeat at Wolves that confirmed the drop by beating Brighton last week.
Now, they visit Tottenham and Heckingbottom added: “If players here are under contract, then that takes care of itself because the club will only let them go for the right amount.”