Pre-match press conference v Birmingham

[Westran]

Billy Sharp

Fighting for a new deal?​

It's what I want. I am not ready to end my career I have made it clear I want to stay and it's up to me to make sure I earn another year
I can't let that hinder me I just have to do the best I can for the team and I am sure I will get my first goal soon

Will you finish here?​

I am not ready to finish my career at the end of the season, so we'll have to see what happens then the ball is not in my court it was last year but not this time

Any talks yet?​

No but I am not expecting anything I have been on the injury table for last four or five months I have had a hamstring injury, I came back popped my calf in training and then started against Middlesbrough and feeling really good first 10 or 15 then rolled my ankle it was nice to get back on the pitch at Preston

PH up next...

 

[Westran]

BS cont...​

​

Oli McBurnie back in goals, Iliman playing well, going to be tough to get back in?​

Oli I have said before when you can't get the ball in the net it gets harder and harder and then they all come
The one at Luton was the one he was wanting the one that comes to you with no time to think his all-round game he can concentrate on that now because the goals will start to flow.
Iliman is a breath of fresh air he is the one player who consistently his performancs have been 8/9 out of 10 and he's in good form.

How good is it to see United top of the table?​

It's where we want to be it's good for our fans to see us top of the league. Why can't we stay there all season? We just have to put in the performances we have been doing and away from home that was something we needed to put right from last season and we are being very consistent

 

[Balham]

Billy Sharp
No but I am not expecting anything I have been on the injury table for last four or five months I have had a hamstring injury, I came back popped my calf in training and then started against Middlesbrough and feeling really good first 10 or 15 then rolled my ankle it was nice to get back on the pitch at Preston
PH up next...

Sad to say but that catalogue of injuries might just be age catching up with Sharp. Hope not.

 

[Westran]

International break, what did you think to it?​

Not a fan but good to have everyone back. It's a different energy when everyone comes back

Anel, do you have a prognosis?​

He never even went away. I saw they [Bosnia] released a statement we knew he was injured before we sent him for the scan he is out they have given Birmingham that advantage he didn't even go and see them he's going to be out, hopefully won't be too long

How have others come back?​

Egan, George and Sander played two lots of 90s so they have not really done anything today

 

[Westran]

They reported a month, that timescale correct?​

I want less than that. They have done well reporting a timescale when they haven't even seen him

Did you take in any action?​

Saw highlights went to the 21s the other night but only Reda played and the others came on I am more looking at how many minutes they have played

 

[Westran]

Rhian got a couple for England a real boost for him?​

We say it all the time it's a matter of time with him he's working hard, fully recovered and we are really pleased with him

Billy, Jayden and Davies played in youth game​

Yeah the plan was for Billy and Jayden to get 45 and Davo the full 90 they could have done more but they wouldn't have gained much from that extra risk to have them back in the group is a huge bonus

Are they back in the group now?​

They are still building up you can't exect Jayden to be at the levels he was however he is pain free, which he wasn't last season, and he has shown enough in training and in that game if we need him we can use him

 

[Stretch]

Potentially not too bad for Anel then? It's been almost 2 weeks since first reported, and it sounds like he was injured at least a few days before that.

Maybe back for next weekend?

Good to hear that Bogle is available if needed. Just having him on the bench is a huge boost.

 

[Westran]

Anyone else close to being back?​

No

Change of formation or rejig at the back then for Saturday?​

Yeah going to have to change whether that be shape or personnel

Is there a bigger target on your team's back now?​

Maybe teams will use it to paint the picture in terms of us and how we have been playing nothing changes our focus

Pressure anyway with expectations at a club like this?​

Maybe. We are pleased where we are but 10 games in it's not what we are thinking about - the standards we expect is non negotiable it's a result of a level of consistency

Birmingham - tough start but picked up recently​

I was at the Rotherham game and it was two set play goals certainly in the last three games their organisation without the ball and threat on the counter
They have kept clean sheets and are really tough to break down - we will have to be patient and be prepared for a really tough game

John Eustace big opportunity for a young coach​

Yeah he's got the experience in terms of coaching it's not like he's just finished playing in terms of the grass and coaching I think he will be very comfortable there
The strcture of the club has changed I would have thought everyone is pulling in the same direction and a good opportunity for John and looking at the last three games it's got his fingerprints on that and that is from the training ground.

Home record​

Yeah keep it going. I say it all the time there are no more points home or away we just want to keep winning we have different challenges and this game we will have to be really switched on to the counter.

 

[Torrix1889]

Anyone else close to being back.....No

Has Clarke actually lost a leg or something....he was a week away 6 weeks ago....

 

[Houston_Blade]

Anel’s playing, kidology at its finest

 

[Addison]

Football Heaven - 'We’re pleased where we are... but we’re ten games in' - BBC Sounds

Sheff Utd boss Paul Heckingbottom on injuries, the international break & Birmingham City.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Bladesman]

Potentially not too bad for Anel then? It's been almost 2 weeks since first reported, and it sounds like he was injured at least a few days before that.

Maybe back for next weekend?

Good to hear that Bogle is available if needed. Just having him on the bench is a huge boost.

Yeah I think he might be out for like a week or so. Hecky said to the question he would be out a few weeks: "I want less than [a few weeks]"

 

[Charlieblade]

Football Heaven - 'We’re pleased where we are... but we’re ten games in' - BBC Sounds

Sheff Utd boss Paul Heckingbottom on injuries, the international break & Birmingham City.

www.bbc.co.uk

Thanks for that link. Much appreciated by this exile.