Carla Ward's doubts growing as Sheffield United Women continue to discuss possible return

Sheffield United's women's team are in constant discussions about when they might be able to return to training after the coronavirus lockdown but manager Carla Ward admits the longer it goes on, the more she is questioning whether the season needs to finish.
CONCERNS: Sheffield United manager Carla WardCONCERNS: Sheffield United manager Carla Ward
CONCERNS: Sheffield United manager Carla Ward
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The Blades are second in the second-tier Women's Championship after 14 of their 20 matches, six points behind Aston Villa. The season has been suspended rather than abandoned, but with only part-time players, the consideration is different to that for the men's leagues still hoping to restart.

“I had a call on Tuesday with the club doctor and we're looking at solutions to try and get back in but everything is just discussions and speculation until we ge the green light to do so it's tough,” admitted Ward.

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“The club have been absolutely brilliant from day one. They will treat us just like they will the academy lads and the men's first team and take into consideration the fact that we've still got to finish our season.

“Providing the season gets back on, hopefully we'll be able to return at some point.

Sheffield United's business model is very, very good, which allows us to be sustainable. Good business over the years has probably put us in a position over the years to be able to – I hope – cope with the current situation.

"It's tough for every club and it's going to be tough for Sheff United as a whole but good business in previous years has probably helped that.

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“Although I'm reassured, you never know what's going to happen. This could continue for months and things might change.

“On the whole, I'm quite comfortable I'm at a football club doing things the right way.”

As to whether matches should restart, Ward admits she is not as firmly in favour as she was at the start of the lockdown.

“I've gone round the houses for this for weeks,” she admitted. “I really want to see our league finished because we're in a good position but at the same time the longer this goes on you start to question what's important in life and what risks are worth taking. They have to be key questions.

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“Footballers aren't guinea pigs and I appreciate there's a lot of money in the Premier League but when you look at the Women's Championship that's part-time, you have to really assess the risks.

“Quite a few players have come to me with their own concerns. I've been in regular contact with our club doctor, who is the men's doctor as well. We're constantly in dialogue around certain concerns but naturally it's about making sure everyone's comfortable. We certainly wouldn't make anyone come back to playing if they weren't ready.

“I have an other half who absolutely pesters me and I'm not even allowed to go to the supermarket sometimes so we've been isolating quite well.

“There would have to be conversations around the safety aspects as well because we have got a young family and we want to make sure we're protected.

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“Everyone's different and we have to treat them all differently.

“At the minute we've got some people working from home, some people travelling into work, people going through serious times at uni. Everyone's different and the conversation you have with every player is individual. We're trying to look after everyone in the best possible way with the support of everyone at the football club we feel like we're in a position to do so.”

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