Sheffield United are nowhere near the relegation zone and are pushing for a spot in next season’s Europa League but manager Chris Wilder said on Friday that his primary focus is on ensuring their Premier League survival. The Blades, who won promotion to the top flight last season, are sixth in the standings with 36 points after a stellar campaign but Wilder’s target is 40 points which virtually guarantees a team stays up. “It’s a push for three points, 40 has always been a big number for a newly-promoted side,” Wilder told reporters ahead of Sunday’s home game against Bournemouth. McGoldrick is yet to open his goal-scoring account in the Premier League while 23-year-old Dutchman Zivkovic scored 16 goals and made three assists for Chinese second tier club Changchun Yatai last season. “There always has been competition for places but when quality players come in like they have over the last week, the intensity, tempo and standard definitely increases 5 to 10%.”--Reuters

Source: New Strait Times February 07, 2020 12:45 UTC