Three games and it's called a drought

The very fact that the Sheffield United striker, who is preparing for tomorrow’s emotional journey to Glanford Park, used the word “drought” to describe his three-match barren streak speaks volumes about his talent in front of goal.

Not that Sharp, or his adoring public for that matter, are in the business of questioning his ability.

And nor should they.

Indeed, it would take a brave man to bet against him opening his account with a typical poacher’s’ effort when he faces the team which provided him with the opportunity to showcase his talents to the Football League.

Sharp is appreciative of Scunthorpe’s role in shaping his career but, should he pounce, there will be little sympathy.

“People are asking me when I’m going to score and, of course, I want to get off the mark sooner rather than later but there’s no problem,” he said.

“The chances just haven’t been falling for me, it’s as simple as that. But they will.

“I’ve been hampered by a hand injury a little bit but this isn’t the worse drought, if you like, that I’ve been through. I had a particularly bad Christmas during my first season at Scunthorpe when I went something like five games without scoring so it doesn’t worry me.

“I’m just working hard for the team.”

Oozing confidence, Sharp went on to explain how a change of role has also played it’s part.

“At Scunthorpe I was leading the line but here I’ve been asked to drop into the pocket a little bit more,” he said.

“That’s fine by me because I’m being asked to do something I’ve not really done before and it’s making me a better player because of it.

“James Beattie has been the target man so far and he’s had one chance in the game and he’s taken it.”

Such is Bryan Robson’s belief in his young marksman that the United manager has refused to have a quiet word with Sharp about how to handle the demands of the press - or those he places on himself - ahead of the fixture with Scunthorpe.

“There’s no need,” Robson confirmed. “In any case Billy doesn’t even know if he’s going to be selected yet. But, if he is, then there’s no problem. I don’t have to.”

It seems incomprehensible that Sharp will start the game on the bench, and the 21-year-old is anticipating a good reaction from the home fans whose club he helped secure promotion last season.

“I think I should get one,” Sharp continued. “I hope I do because I don’t think I ever did anything wrong there.

“I left at the right time - I could have gone in January, but I wanted to win a medal with Scunthorpe - and in any case they’ll manage okay without me.

“But Scunthorpe’s aim, no disrespect, is staying up this year whereas United’s is to reach the Premiership, and that’s where I want to be.”

And, if Sharp does reach the top-flight with United, he will enjoy the rare professional pleasure of helping the club he supported as a boy to have reclaimed the status they controversially lost last May.

“Everyone knows how I feel about United but that doesn’t put me under any more pressure other than the pressure that I put on myself,” he said.

“The fans have been great to me and that’s a real help.

“I could hear them chanting my name against West Brom (to the tune of KC and the Sunshine Band’s ‘Give it Up’) and I couldn’t work out what it was at first but then I realised.

“That was a great feeling to have.”

Nearly as good as that all-important first strike.

And, given the evidence so far, it will arrive sooner rather than later.