Don't think this has been posted elsewhere, interview with Gary Madine, taken before Good Friday, but now up on the SUFC website.
Gary Madine was the main focus of our Good Friday 'Question Time' in UTB - United's ever popular matchday programme.
The powerful striker adorned the cover of the Nottingham Forest issue, before going on to speak exclusively at length about a host of United related topics, including the Blades pursuit of promotion to the Premier League and his desire to remain a Blade beyond the summer.
UTB: You scored your first Blades goal at the Kop end last Saturday, but how disappointing was it to concede so late in the day against Millwall?
GM: I'd have swapped that goal for all three points. But that result just about sums this league up, really. No disrespect to Millwall, but they are down at the bottom for a reason, just like we're challenging at the top for a reason. They came for a point and right at the death snatched a draw. We were disappointed we didn't kill them off when we had the opportunity, having gone in front. We looked a bit leggy towards the end and it was just a typical game against Millwall, it's always rough and tumble, but we got punished for inviting the pressure on ourselves.
UTB: Did the result take the shine off what should have been a special moment for you and more importantly another three points?
GM: Definitely. I couldn't enjoy my goal at all in those circumstances. I honestly felt dizzy and sick at full-time because it was such a blow to concede so late. I want another promotion on my CV more than anything else, obviously it's nice to score but at this stage of the season it's about those three points. It was a frustrating day, but we're still fighting with four games to go and I'm sure the gaffer, the lads and all the supporters would have snapped your hand off to be three points off second entering the Easter fixtures. Leeds have still got to go and win games and if they don't we've got to make sure we're in a position to capitalise. I don't think we'll play as bad as we did last Saturday, so we have to focus on the positives.
UTB: How pleased are you that we're at the Lane for this one, with a chance to get back on the winning trail?
GM: The Millwall disappointments are gone now, we've had a good week's training and despite a few bumps and bruises we're raring to go again against Forest. It's been difficult in the last few games, having to go without Jack and now the likes of Bash and Billy are doubts and John is suspended, but that's why the manager has recruited the players he has, for these situations and I'm sure whoever gets the nod in the coming days will put a right shift in and the important thing is that the lads are ready to play - that's something the management are big on here. Whoever plays will be desperate to perform and make sure we get a positive result to take with us to Hull City.
UTB: How do you reflect now on your red card against Brentford?
GM: I was just starting to feel good; I was feeling much fitter and sharper and then a stupid tackle puts me out for three games, with the international break in there too. The most annoying thing for me is that I never meant to smash him. I literally went to try and slide round him and nick the ball, he stepped across and I caught him high. It could have easily just been a yellow, but the referees are told to stamp out those types of challenges which meant it was a straight red, but that's behind me now.
UTB: Despite it not been a winning goal, is your main hope that the strike against Millwall can get you back up and running again?
GM: Hopefully. I was gutted that I'd let the gaffer and the lads down. I'd scored a couple against Reading and I thought I was just starting to really contribute. The manager has shown great faith and belief in bringing me here, but now it's down to me to make up for lost time, hopefully the goal against Millwall is just the start of it. I'm a terrible watcher, sitting there not being able to influence the game kills me, I'm more nervous watching than I am playing, that sounds daft but I can't stand it.
UTB: What's your assessment of the current state of play in terms of the race for promotion?
GM: We're still in a great position, we really are. It's easy to say, but the pressure is firmly on Leeds, Elland Road won't be an easy place for them to play with the level of expectation that surrounds that club. We've got to take care of our business and not look further ahead than beating Forest. We've done something right to get to this stage, let's keep going and see where it takes us.
UTB: It's fair to say the fans' opinions were split upon your arrival, what would be your message to them following the way they've got right behind you in a red and white striped shirt?
GM: The fans have been absolutely incredible, I mean that, I really do. I always knew this lot were great fans, not a lot of people know this but I came to watch games here when I played for other clubs. And, I know first-hand over the years how hard it can be to come to Bramall Lane as a visiting player. They've booed and jeered me constantly over the years, but it's great having them right behind you, firmly on your side. They are a loyal and passionate bunch and I'm sure they will be right behind us until the end of the season, whatever the outcome. I'd like to thank them personally for making me feel like one of their own.
UTB: Bearing in mind, how much you've enjoyed your time here, what would be your ideal scenario beyond the summer?
GM: This feels like home to me now, I'd be devastated if I had to move on from here at the end of the season, I'd love to stay for as long as the manager wants me to and hopefully that's beyond the summer. I knew I'd enjoy it here, that's why I jumped at the chance to come, but I wasn't thinking about the future, I just wanted to come and play games, score goals and win promotion again. These lads are a special bunch, working daily with this manager and his staff is something I've relished. I don't want to be disrespectful to Cardiff City, but it's a long way from home and it's never really happened for me there. I'm settled here, I'm content and happy, I've proved I play my best football when I'm happy and I couldn't be happier than I am at Sheffield United.
https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2019/april/question-time-gary-madine/
Gary Madine was the main focus of our Good Friday 'Question Time' in UTB - United's ever popular matchday programme.
The powerful striker adorned the cover of the Nottingham Forest issue, before going on to speak exclusively at length about a host of United related topics, including the Blades pursuit of promotion to the Premier League and his desire to remain a Blade beyond the summer.
UTB: You scored your first Blades goal at the Kop end last Saturday, but how disappointing was it to concede so late in the day against Millwall?
GM: I'd have swapped that goal for all three points. But that result just about sums this league up, really. No disrespect to Millwall, but they are down at the bottom for a reason, just like we're challenging at the top for a reason. They came for a point and right at the death snatched a draw. We were disappointed we didn't kill them off when we had the opportunity, having gone in front. We looked a bit leggy towards the end and it was just a typical game against Millwall, it's always rough and tumble, but we got punished for inviting the pressure on ourselves.
UTB: Did the result take the shine off what should have been a special moment for you and more importantly another three points?
GM: Definitely. I couldn't enjoy my goal at all in those circumstances. I honestly felt dizzy and sick at full-time because it was such a blow to concede so late. I want another promotion on my CV more than anything else, obviously it's nice to score but at this stage of the season it's about those three points. It was a frustrating day, but we're still fighting with four games to go and I'm sure the gaffer, the lads and all the supporters would have snapped your hand off to be three points off second entering the Easter fixtures. Leeds have still got to go and win games and if they don't we've got to make sure we're in a position to capitalise. I don't think we'll play as bad as we did last Saturday, so we have to focus on the positives.
UTB: How pleased are you that we're at the Lane for this one, with a chance to get back on the winning trail?
GM: The Millwall disappointments are gone now, we've had a good week's training and despite a few bumps and bruises we're raring to go again against Forest. It's been difficult in the last few games, having to go without Jack and now the likes of Bash and Billy are doubts and John is suspended, but that's why the manager has recruited the players he has, for these situations and I'm sure whoever gets the nod in the coming days will put a right shift in and the important thing is that the lads are ready to play - that's something the management are big on here. Whoever plays will be desperate to perform and make sure we get a positive result to take with us to Hull City.
UTB: How do you reflect now on your red card against Brentford?
GM: I was just starting to feel good; I was feeling much fitter and sharper and then a stupid tackle puts me out for three games, with the international break in there too. The most annoying thing for me is that I never meant to smash him. I literally went to try and slide round him and nick the ball, he stepped across and I caught him high. It could have easily just been a yellow, but the referees are told to stamp out those types of challenges which meant it was a straight red, but that's behind me now.
UTB: Despite it not been a winning goal, is your main hope that the strike against Millwall can get you back up and running again?
GM: Hopefully. I was gutted that I'd let the gaffer and the lads down. I'd scored a couple against Reading and I thought I was just starting to really contribute. The manager has shown great faith and belief in bringing me here, but now it's down to me to make up for lost time, hopefully the goal against Millwall is just the start of it. I'm a terrible watcher, sitting there not being able to influence the game kills me, I'm more nervous watching than I am playing, that sounds daft but I can't stand it.
UTB: What's your assessment of the current state of play in terms of the race for promotion?
GM: We're still in a great position, we really are. It's easy to say, but the pressure is firmly on Leeds, Elland Road won't be an easy place for them to play with the level of expectation that surrounds that club. We've got to take care of our business and not look further ahead than beating Forest. We've done something right to get to this stage, let's keep going and see where it takes us.
UTB: It's fair to say the fans' opinions were split upon your arrival, what would be your message to them following the way they've got right behind you in a red and white striped shirt?
GM: The fans have been absolutely incredible, I mean that, I really do. I always knew this lot were great fans, not a lot of people know this but I came to watch games here when I played for other clubs. And, I know first-hand over the years how hard it can be to come to Bramall Lane as a visiting player. They've booed and jeered me constantly over the years, but it's great having them right behind you, firmly on your side. They are a loyal and passionate bunch and I'm sure they will be right behind us until the end of the season, whatever the outcome. I'd like to thank them personally for making me feel like one of their own.
UTB: Bearing in mind, how much you've enjoyed your time here, what would be your ideal scenario beyond the summer?
GM: This feels like home to me now, I'd be devastated if I had to move on from here at the end of the season, I'd love to stay for as long as the manager wants me to and hopefully that's beyond the summer. I knew I'd enjoy it here, that's why I jumped at the chance to come, but I wasn't thinking about the future, I just wanted to come and play games, score goals and win promotion again. These lads are a special bunch, working daily with this manager and his staff is something I've relished. I don't want to be disrespectful to Cardiff City, but it's a long way from home and it's never really happened for me there. I'm settled here, I'm content and happy, I've proved I play my best football when I'm happy and I couldn't be happier than I am at Sheffield United.
https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2019/april/question-time-gary-madine/
.
.
