Chris Wilder steered Sheffield United to seventh in the table, just four points off dizzy Champions League heights, with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday. The Blades outstanding form since returning to the Premier League continued, as did the excellent displays from their central midfielder John Fleck. The Scot grabbed a well-taken brace to ensure his side head into the new year well clear of the threat of relegation.
Defensively Fleck left a little to be desired, he made just a single clearance and allowing most of the duties to his midfield partners Enda Stevens, John Lundstram and Oliver Norwood. But their contribution let Fleck take a relatively free role where he could burst through the centre and beyond the strikers.
While in possession Fleck was by no means the most creative midfielder, his 31 passes were the same as goalkeeper Dean Henderson. Though his pass accuracy of 80.7 per cent was tidy enough to ensure he did not concede the ball cheaply. Fleck’s ratio of a third of his crosses being accurate was the highest of any Sheffield United player, and both his long balls found Blades players.
But where the midfielder really shone was in attack, his shooting was nothing short of clinical. Both of Fleck’s shots found the back of the net to double his goal tally in the Premier League this campaign and keep his side in the hunt for a shock European finish. Furthermore, no player on the pitch achieved a higher number of dribbles around opponents than Sheffield’s star man’s three, showing an alternative attribute to his teammates neat passing.
With first-choice striker David McGoldrick yet to find the back of the net, though he did provide an assist, Fleck stepped up to put the match beyond Aston Villa’s reach. If he continues to put in displays akin to the one against the Villans, the Scot will become one of Wilder’s most vital assets.
