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Sheffield United overcome Yeovil but Ched Evans’ spectre looms large Sheffield United overcome Yeovil but Ched Evans’ spectre looms large
(about 1 hour later)
Nigel Clough celebrates a year in charge of Sheffield United with his team in the League One play-off positions following a 2-0 victory over Yeovil.Nigel Clough celebrates a year in charge of Sheffield United with his team in the League One play-off positions following a 2-0 victory over Yeovil.
Marc McNulty and Jamie Murphy scored the goals that lifted them into sixth position and afterwards Clough spoke about the match as well as his year in charge, but there is one question that hung in the air and is not going to go away any time soon. The possible return to the club of Ched Evans. Marc McNulty and Jamie Murphy scored the goals that lifted them into sixth position and afterwards Clough spoke about the match as well as his year in charge. But there is one question that hung in the air and is not going to go away any time soon: the possible return to the club of Ched Evans.
The former Wales international was released from prison last Friday after serving half of a five-year sentence for rape. Now he wants to return to football and Sheffield United in particular with the club, who paid £3m for him in 2009 and saw him score 48 goals in 113 appearances, yet to make any definitive statement bar the fact they are deliberating. The former Wales international was released from prison last Friday after serving half of a five-year sentence for rape. Now he wants to return to football and Sheffield United in particular while the club, who paid £3m for him in 2009 and saw him score 48 goals in 113 appearances, have yet to make any definitive statement bar the fact that they are deliberating.
While they do so, it is Clough who faces the questions and he was the epitome of calm after a storm of emotion, argument and debate over the past week. “We are just focused on what we are doing. There is no hurry to make any decision either way,” the manager said. “Everybody is just going to take time to make sure every angle is considered. We are just concentrating on the games, it doesn’t affect the football side, honestly. We just pick the team and get on with that side of things.” While they do so, Clough faces the questions and he was the epitome of calm after a storm of emotion, argument and debate over the past week. “We are just focused on what we are doing. There is no hurry to make any decision either way,” the manager said. “Everybody is going to take time to make sure every angle is considered. We are just concentrating on the games, it doesn’t affect the football side, honestly. We pick the team and get on with that side of things.”
Clough knows he is not going to be able to always avoid the Evans question. “Ideally we would like to be talking about the two last clean sheets we’ve had and a couple of great victories and being in the top six now,” he said. “It’s the same answer, I’m afraid: when the club makes a decision or has something to say, they’ll say it.” Clough knows the Evans question will keep coming. “Ideally we would like to be talking about the two last clean sheets we’ve had and a couple of great victories and being in the top six now,” he said. “It’s the same answer, I’m afraid: when the club makes a decision or has something to say, they’ll say it.”
What Clough has done for Sheffield United cannot be underestimated. He became the club’s seventh permanent manager in a little under six and a half years and inherited a team struggling in 21st place in League One. What Clough has done for Sheffield United cannot be overstated. He became the club’s seventh permanent manager in a little under six and a half years and inherited a team struggling in 21st place in League One.
And under him the wheels started turning as United finished seventh as well as producing an heroic performance before losing 5-3 to Hull in the FA Cup semi-final, witnessed by more than 32,000 Blades fans at Wembley. Importantly, he has also brought harmony to the club, on the pitch and in the stands. However the question of Evans – who has consistently proclaimed his innocence – has put the club back into the spotlight. And under him the wheels started turning as United finished seventh as well as producing a heroic performance before losing 5-3 to Hull in the FA Cup semi-final, witnessed by more than 32,000 Blades fans at Wembley. Importantly, he has also brought harmony to the club, on the pitch and in the stands. However the question of Evans – who has consistently proclaimed his innocence – has put the club back into the spotlight.
On Saturday a vocal minority of Blades fans chanted in support of Evans, much to the disgust of others. Last night there were murmurs of ‘Super Chedwyn Evans’ from the Kop after less than three minutes and they were repeated in the first half before a louder burst in the second.On Saturday a vocal minority of Blades fans chanted in support of Evans, much to the disgust of others. Last night there were murmurs of ‘Super Chedwyn Evans’ from the Kop after less than three minutes and they were repeated in the first half before a louder burst in the second.
Indeed the loudest moment at Bramall Lane before the arrival of the first goal came in the seventh minute with a minute’s applause for two Sheffield children who had passed away.Indeed the loudest moment at Bramall Lane before the arrival of the first goal came in the seventh minute with a minute’s applause for two Sheffield children who had passed away.
The flag that made an appearance on the Kop had ‘Sheffield’s Red & White’ emblazoned upon it rather than a Wales one.The flag that made an appearance on the Kop had ‘Sheffield’s Red & White’ emblazoned upon it rather than a Wales one.
It helped that the team were ahead after less than 15 minutes. Given there were 155 Yeovil fans in the crowd of 19,353 there was little room for taunting from the opposition fans.It helped that the team were ahead after less than 15 minutes. Given there were 155 Yeovil fans in the crowd of 19,353 there was little room for taunting from the opposition fans.
More than 19,000 fans at a League One match on a Tuesday is evidence of a loyal and large fan base. While the owners are deliberating it would be worth them remembering what went before and how the harmony brought to the club by Clough can underpin success.More than 19,000 fans at a League One match on a Tuesday is evidence of a loyal and large fan base. While the owners are deliberating it would be worth them remembering what went before and how the harmony brought to the club by Clough can underpin success.