Sheffield United are ready to dust down 'Terror Tuesday' template

But if Premier League competition does resume before the summer, which many people believe is unlikely given the coronavirus pandemic, Sheffield United’s players could be forced to pencil it into their diaries sooner than they might have liked. Because, when they are no longer required to semi-isolate at home, Chris Wilder and his coaching staff will put them through a mini pre-season. One designed to ensure they are prepared for what defender Chris Basham has described as a “10 game thriller.”

Seventh in the table, only five points behind fourth and in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, United’s challenge for Europe was gathering momentum before the fixture calendar was suspended in response to the global health crisis. Unbeaten in six outings and preparing for a visit to Newcastle when Mikel Arteta’s positive test triggered the shutdown, their first team squad has since been told to stay away from the training ground having initially continued to gather there, whilst observing social distancing guidelines, as usual.

Although every member has been provided with weights, watt bikes and diet sheets to help them stay in shape, United’s fitness and conditioning department has been instructed to devise a condensed version of the programme Wilder’s side completed last summer before rolling it out when - or, with some figures within the sport again calling for an abandonment, should that be if? - the remainder of the 2019/20 campaign is completed.

That could require those under Wilder’s command to experience the latest take on ‘Terror Tuesday’; the annual session which usually takes place when they are based abroad during the close season, and demands they complete a gruelling series of runs, circuits and sprints. Physically tortuous, the manager actually regards it as a psychological exercise.

“We’ve done it ever since we’ve worked together,” Alan Knill, Wilder’s assistant replied, after being asked to explain the event’s importance. “Chis wants one day when he really takes the lads out of their comfort zone. A day that says to them ‘This is going to be tough. What are you going to do about it?’

“They know it’s coming. They know it’s going to be difficult. You can sense the mood among them changing when it’s on the horizon.”

Now dispersed across the country - many of those hailing from areas outside of South Yorkshire have returned home to their families, rather than remain at their temporary bases in the city - United’s players know they will not be eased back into action when the PL gives them the green light.

Indeed, with clubs likely to receive several weeks notice before the season cranks back into gear, there is already talk of several practice matches being arranged to help squad members regain their sharpness. Those are likely to see United face at least one of their neighbours from the English Football League, and possibly a team from the North-West, ahead of their first game proper.