James Shield's Sheffield United Column: Stupid headlines and help for Paul Heckingbottom

You know, the ones which claim ‘All Viewers/Twitter Users/Whichever other group of people we’d like to con into reading this nonsense…are all saying the same thing’ about something nobody with an IQ of above five gives two whatsits about. Because they really aren’t, are they. Well. not unless the study sample consists of two social media accounts run by a relative of the editor who is happy for his or her title to churn this type of utter guff out.

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I’m sure, whenever he stumbles across these on his ventures into cyberspace, Heckingbottom’s response is exactly the same as mine. Or anyone else, come to think of it, with the solitary brain cell required to spot drivel when they see it.

Unfortunately, unlike these completely made-up articles about phoney celebrities, the Sheffield United manager can’t ignore the fact he’s been prevented from making any sort of plans for next season by events behind the scenes. Not when Luton Town, a club whose recent success has been built on strategic thinking and a foresight, are today’s visitors to Bramall Lane.

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Dozy Mmobuosi’s presence at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Tuesday night, to watch the club he hopes to buy beat Reading, suggests a changing of the guard at United is edging ever closer. Providing, of course, the English Football League give their approval. Which, despite a flurry of speculation to the contrary, they haven’t actually done yet. And despite the perilous nature of United’s financial situation at present - illustrated by the fact they remain under a transfer embargo despite indications it would be lifted nearly two months ago - the governing body’s clearly forensic scrutiny of the Nigerian’s proposed takeover plan should be welcomed by everyone, including Mmobuosi himself. The EFL’s tests aren’t foolproof by any stretch of the imagination. But if he does eventually receive the go-ahead to replace Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the helm, whether he turns out to be a good, a bad or an average custodian, at least the 43-year-old’s reign will begin with a sense of legitimacy. Something, given that he’ll be acutely aware of the doubts many supporters have expressed about his candidacy, Mmobuosi would certainly welcome.

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The only person who won’t benefit from the wait is, unfortunately, Heckingbottom. Which is disappointing given that he, his staff and all of the players who have either featured for or trained with United so far this term deserve a bigger pat on the back than it’s possible to give them after achieving such consistently high standards since August. Truthfully, they really shouldn’t be sitting second in the Championship table and seven points clear of third.

Town, by no means the biggest name in the division or the most minted either, are fifth. Given that they also qualified for the play-off last season, their ranking reveals how good organisational skills and intelligent recruitment plans can positively impact results on the pitch.

Heckingbottom and his associates possess these two qualities in abundance. But until United get their house in order, they can’t even negotiate new contracts with existing squad members.

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