During Chris Wilder’s two stints as manager of Sheffield United, he’s had some fantastic players at his disposal.
From goalscoring hero Billy Sharp to the likes of John Egan and John Fleck.
Fleck, a free transfer from Coventry City in the summer of 2016, was a rather understated at the time but quickly became a mainstay in many a Blades lineup with United jumping all the way up from League One to the top-flight under Wilder.
John Fleck's heroics at Sheffield United
It all began with that free-kick against Sheffield Wednesday in the Steel City derby in 2017. Since that moment, he became a firm fan favourite at Bramall Lane.
Fleck quickly turned into a Premier League capable performer at Bramall Lane, with the now 33-year-old ace going on to immortalise himself as a United great across a hefty 278 appearances.
The Glasgow-born ace would effectively become an honourary citizen of the Steel City by the time of his exit to Blackburn Rovers last year, having tallied up a mighty impressive 16 strikes and 48 assists across those games, culminating in two promotions also coming his way.
Many players in Wilder’s camp now will be hoping they can follow in the footsteps of the former number four, with Fleck managing to end his long-standing association with the Blades by notching up a fine nine top-flight goal contributions.
In particular, one holding midfielder – the same role Fleck regularly lined up in – will be taking direct inspiration from the now Chesterfield man.
Wilder's new Fleck at Sheffield United
Originally hailing from Enfield, United number 42 Sydie Peck might not have expected Sheffield to become his permanent footballing home during the early days of his playing career.
But, the emerging talent has now become a first-team regular under Wilder this campaign and for good reason, with his full-blooded yet composed displays centrally meaning his senior minutes have rightly been bumped up.
Games played
35
Games started
26
Goals scored
0
Assists
1
Touches*
48.8
Accurate passes*
29.9 (82%)
Big chances created
4
Duels won*
3.7
Whilst he isn’t anywhere near Fleck’s creative best just yet, Peck has shown signs of promise in an attacking capacity, considering this is his first daunting senior season with the side, resulting in four big chances being created away from his singular assist.
Despite deficiences being present in his growing game, Peck is slowly but surely becoming a fan’s favourite at the Championship high-flyers, with one Blades based content creator in Nick Ingood even heralding the 5 foot 8 engine as a “superstar” off the back of another well-rounded display against Coventry to close out March.
It will be up to Peck to deal with the harsh step-up in quality if Premier League action returns to the red and white half of Sheffield, but if he is aiming to follow Fleck’s upward trajectory, he should be able to deal with the gulf in class in his stride.
After all, the four-time England U20 international – who has been further lauded as “outstanding” by his passionate head coach – already has a Premier League appearance next to his name, with the potential here for Peck to become United’s next modern hero in the middle like Fleck.
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