Impact transfers

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

The sad news about Len Allchurch prompted thoughts about the impact new players can make. He arrived with 8 games to go, when we had a good team, but had not replaced Kevin Lewis on the right wing, who had been sold the summer before (sounds familiar?). United won 5 and drew 1 in the following 6 games, and in 4 of the 5 wins, Allchurch scored the winner. The 6th game saw them safely promoted. Sometimes a new player takes time to make an impact (think Coutts?); sometimes the impact never comes (think Hammond); sometimes the impact is immediate (think the first coming of The Beard?). The so-called impact super-sub is not uncommon, but how many new players have made an immediate impact for United, and is there any observable pattern? Or is it down to chance?
As a footnote to Len Allchurch, I see from the United Who's Who that he played over 600 league games, and never got booked. Our very own Gary Lineker.

 

[Blade for Sale]

Good thread. Glynn Hodges springs to mind. We looked like a different team for the first few games after his arrival.

 

[Wards]

Matt Phillips/Billy Clarke
Kabba

 

[grafikhaus]

1970-71. We brought in John Hope, Trevor Hockey and David Ford on the same day to push us over the line.

 

[Blade for Sale]

On the other side of the coin of course, we have John Ebbrell, the signing that would just about guarantee promotion for an already strong side.....

 

[Bladeinleeds]

Thank god we signed horsefield and akinbyi to get us over the line to the prem!

Be interesting to see if wilder fancies anyone in jan? We bid for the millwall cb so presume there is some cash left.

 

[Slim Man]

Moore and EEL made a huge difference straight away.

 

[WestwoodBlade]

Could be said Ched took time to make an impact, first 2 seasons fairly minimal, but boy did he make an impact in that 3rd season. In so many ways!

 

[FriethBlade]

Saw us linked to Webster again but surely he has to be the fall back option if we can't keep hold of EEL?

Back to the original title, impact transfers, who would be the one player who is both gettable and likely to seal promotion or do we even need one given how well it's going? We are scoring goals for fun and our strikers are now all fit, the midfield has gelled well and we look secure at the back.

I'd like to see us sign

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I thought Nathan Blake made a great impact when Bassett signed him and almost kept us up. Remember his 2 goals at home to Newcastle that meant job almost done.

 

[Bladey McBladeface]

I would add John Stead to this list. Sure, we didn't stay up, but it was through no fault of his.

Notable mentions to Matt Phillips and Steve Kabba.

 

[ZoneManWilf]

Brian Gayle in 1991. Immediately solidified that defence and let to the great form in the second half of that year.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

Paul Wood
"The board won't be happy to pay that but if you think it's needed to get us over the line" or something along those lines from the Great Derek Dooley to Great Dave Bassett.
I think the fee was £90,000.
Daft thing is I can't remember if he helped get us over the line or not.

 

[Revolution]

Glen Cockerill in 1983-4.

Fjortoft in 1997 - 10 goals in 17 games to push us into the playoffs, plus another goal when we got there.

 

[finlaytheblade]

The sad news about Len Allchurch prompted thoughts about the impact new players can make. He arrived with 8 games to go, when we had a good team, but had not replaced Kevin Lewis on the right wing, who had been sold the summer before (sounds familiar?). United won 5 and drew 1 in the following 6 games, and in 4 of the 5 wins, Allchurch scored the winner. The 6th game saw them safely promoted. Sometimes a new player takes time to make an impact (think Coutts?); sometimes the impact never comes (think Hammond); sometimes the impact is immediate (think the first coming of The Beard?). The so-called impact super-sub is not uncommon, but how many new players have made an immediate impact for United, and is there any observable pattern? Or is it down to chance?
As a footnote to Len Allchurch, I see from the United Who's Who that he played over 600 league games, and never got booked. Our very own Gary Lineker.

Great post, broken thumb! bringing a player in before the window shut in those days was a real gamble.
He also did it with Hope &Hockey ( Harris) when that team was having a few problems away from home.both
times it paid off with promotion.
Went to both debuts Allchurch away at Leeds where he scored the winner
won 2-1, and Hockey at Oxford same score in that one 2 -1. Harris did it twice let's hope wilder gets whatever recruitment he makes right in January as there is no deadline signings in March now.
I Beleave he will. Exciting times fellow blades.

 

[Bartyblade]

Great post, broken thumb! bringing a player in before the window shut in those days was a real gamble.
He also did it with Hope &Hockey ( Harris) when that team was having a few problems away from home.both
times it paid off with promotion.
Went to both debuts Allchurch away at Leeds where he scored the winner
won 2-1, and Hockey at Oxford same score in that one 2 -1. Harris did it twice let's hope wilder gets whatever recruitment he makes right in January as there is no deadline signings in March now.
I Beleave he will. Exciting times fellow blades.

Was at that game too.
Hockey was a real character, but the revelation was John Hope in goal - we suddenly had a goalie that could actually CATCH a ball in the penalty area.
With respect to Hodgy, who was a great goalie, but most crosses, high balls, he punched or hoped that a defender would head away!

 

[8lade]

I know some people don't agree with this: Vinny Jones, whether it was his skill, leadership, or just intimidation of opponents his arrival coincided with an upturn in form.

 

[Grecian2000]

Nathan Blake was introduced a couple of weeks too late to save us.
Chris Guthrie was introduced 9 months too early.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Glen Cockerill in 1983-4.

Fjortoft in 1997 - 10 goals in 17 games to push us into the playoffs, plus another goal when we got there.

Cockerill, great player for us. He'd fit in perfectly with Wilder's style of play..........dream on I tell myself.

 

[BushBlade]

I know some people don't agree with this: Vinny Jones, whether it was his skill, leadership, or just intimidation of opponents his arrival coincided with an upturn in form.

I don't disagree as such but I have no recollection of that happening.

 

[BushBlade]

Nathan Blake was introduced a couple of weeks too late to save us.
Chris Guthrie was introduced 9 months too early.

No, he didn't get on with Bassett and got dropped over his weight. He missed quite a few games after he'd started for us. I still think that was Harry's biggest mistake. He should have played him and then dealt with him after the season.

 

[Iffy Onuora's Shiny Head]

Will Hoskins - ready to fill the gap if our 30 goal centre forward couldn't finish the season off for some reason or another.

Oh wait...

 

[BushBlade]

Will Hoskins - ready to fill the gap if our 30 goal centre forward couldn't finish the season off for some reason or another.

Oh wait...

DW1 dropped a bollock there. So did Hoskins.

 

[Roygbiv]

Bobby Davidson in terms of coming straight into the team and making himself a hero in just one game

 

[Blade for Sale]

Bobby Davidson in terms of coming straight into the team and making himself a hero in just one game

End of thread!

 

[Tynemouth Blade]

Bobby Davidson in terms of coming straight into the team and making himself a hero in just one game

I was about to post the same!
11th March 1992

 

[blade too long]

doubt if anyone would ever match Davison in terms of what it meant



no apologies for posting this

on the 25th anniversary of this win , march 11th 2017 we are at home to millwall

 

[Benny and the Blades]

Bill Punton.
Never to be forgotten for his goal against the dark side.
FL. Apps 16 goals 1

 

[N20 Blade]

Brian Gayle in 1991. Immediately solidified that defence and let to the great form in the second half of that year.

Yes that was a huge bit of business and similarly Vinnie Jones coming in made difference; think of the way the team kept together in no small way to him and the number of goals from his long throws that season. It was also a statement of intent I remember getting home from 6th form reading it on ceefax and calling my dad at work I was so excited.

 

[Bladesway]

Darren Bullock