Sheffield United’s players stand full square behind manager David Weir’s radical overhaul of the club’s tactical blueprint, midfielder Conor Coady has revealed.
Weir, whose team suffered a shock Capital One Cup defeat by Burton Albion in midweek, has introduced an intricate passing game since taking charge two months ago.
United return to League One action at Brentford tomorrow having beaten Notts County on the opening weekend of the new season seven days ago.
Brushing aside suggestions that Weir’s principles could prove difficult to implement, Coady told The Star: “All the lads believe in what we’re doing. We’ve got a top manager with top staff around him.
“The way he wants us to play and is asking us to play is the way we want to play too.
“It’s the right way and if we stick at it and keep working hard then it will really come good. Everyone has bought into it which is important.”
Coady, on loan from Liverpool, could make his full United debut against last term’s beaten play-off finalists after delivering an impressive display during the first round tie with Albion.
Weir was appointed five weeks after Yeovil Town, who secured the division’s third promotion berth, overcame United at the semi-final stage.
Despite being a surprise omission from the England squad which entertains Scotland in an under-21 fixture at Bramall Lane next week, Coady is convinced that his move to South Yorkshire will strengthen his claims for an international place.
“The stature of this club is massive. Huge,” he said. “That was a big part of my decision to come here, coming and playing in front of a big crowd.
“The fans have been superb and they really stuck by us the other night. We’re just sorry we couldn’t give them the win.
“But you saw against County what we can do. This is a club that, not so long ago, was in the Premier League and it’s one that really wants to push on.
“I really want to be a part of that and my focus is on doing well here before anything else.”
Coady’s endorsement comes after Weir, the former Everton, Scotland and Glasgow Rangers centre-half, acknowledged “there are still aspects” United must improve before they become a well-oiled footballing machine.
Lyle Taylor could be granted an opportunity to grease the wheels following his lively second-half cameo against Albion. However, the ankle injury he sustained towards the end of that 2-1 reverse will curtail the centre-forward’s involvement unless it responds to treatment over the next 24 hours.
Full-back Tony McMahon also hopes to feature after returning to training ahead of Albion’s visit.
Together with goalkeeper George Long, Coady was a member of the England squad which appeared at the recent England under-20 World Cup.
Handed the captain’s armband by coach Peter Taylor, the 20-year-old midfielder insisted the lessons of that tournament in Turkey, which saw the Young Lions failed to progress beyond the group stages, apply at domestic level as well.
“I’ve come up through the levels from the under-16’s onwards and hopefully will soon take the next step. If you look at all the top teams, like Germany, that’s what they’ve all done.
“Italy were the same in that competition. They were superb because, not only are they all fantastic players, but they all know each others movement so well, they’ve been playing together for a long time.
“It’s the same when you are at a club. If you really buy into something then that helps to make it a success.”
