Billy Sharp

[Tyler Durden]

Can you refer to them as "twats with beards and sleeve tattoos" please, hipster is too nice.

No, because I myself am a beardy twat with tattoos...but that's another story

 

[Tunstall Fred]

To those having a pop at Billy,ask yourselves where we would be without his goals,both this and last season

 

[Balham]

To those having a pop at Billy,ask yourselves where we would be without his goals,both this and last season

It's a moot point but...

This season Sharp's goals have gained us 23 points this season: only those at Wimbledon and Chesterfield - putting us 2-0 and 3-1 up respectively in games we went on to win - didn't directly influence the outcome. That is astonishing.

Had Sharp not been playing though someone else (McNulty last season, Lavery this?) would have been. Given 40 games I would have expected McNulty to score 10 goals; enough to keep us away from relegation.

To put that in context: had I not cycled to work this morning I would have caught the train. Same end, different route.

 

[Tunstall Fred]

It's a moot point but...

This season Sharp's goals have gained us 23 points this season: only those at Wimbledon and Chesterfield - putting us 2-0 and 3-1 up respectively in games we went on to win - didn't directly influence the outcome. That is astonishing.

Had Sharp not been playing though someone else (McNulty last season, Lavery this?) would have been. Given 40 games I would have expected McNulty to score 10 goals; enough to keep us away from relegation.

To put that in context: had I not cycled to work this morning I would have caught the train. Same end, different route.

I think you make my point rather better than myself

 

[northsomersetblade]

So, you're saying you think Keith Edwards might have been a better striker than Billy is now?

Yeah, probably. That could be why he does our commentary instead of someone like Cadette. Because he's a legend.

I definitely think he'd have got more goals. I'd be surprised if people didn't agree

 

[PokerBlade]

Has Billy Sharp scored a lot of goals this season? Yes

Has Billy Sharp scored penalties this season? Yes

Has Billy Sharp played will this season? Yes

Has Billy Sharp missed chances this season? Yes

Has Billy Sharp missed penalties this season? Yes

Has Billy Sharp had poor games this season? Yes

Is it heresy to point out that all the above facts are not mutually exclusive? No. He's had poor games and scored, he's had good games and not scored. He's our top scorer and should be lauded for that - but he does miss chances and he shouldn't be immune from criticism. It's just all about finding a balance.

Well, let's not talk about this in the abstract, what criticism needs to come his way that he's been immune from?

Strikers miss good chances and it's about the number of opportunities they find for themselves against conversion rates. In that sense, a guy on 21 in February doesn't need any criticism. It's easy to say "he should have more" but it ignores the empirical reality that almost nobody ever does and calls into question the standards that people would be holding him too.

It's also easy to say that sometimes he doesn't contribute much to overall play, the Scunthorpe games being an obvious example, but then we all know that the odds of him scoring are still so high no one sensible would take him off anyway, so it's redundant criticism.

No, he's not immune from criticism, it's just that he's too good for this division and so it's futile criticism. It doesn't matter.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

First he was being slated throughout pre-season. Most notably after Grimsby away when he was slagged off for being selfish by not laying off to McCuntly despite scoring.

Then there were the numerous "he only scores penalties" wibblings.

Then there was the "he's shit at penalties" jibes in December.

Then there has been all the "he should've scored 40/50/2000 by now" rubbish.

Then this utter crock of shit post #5

https://www.s24su.com/forum/index.php?threads/billy-sharp.52330/#post-1227948

But above all? The reluctance from this forum in general to appreciate Billy and what he has done for us. It's feint praise or silence most of the time. Compare that to the (justified) positivity about the midfield and it becomes even more striking.

I don't know if people think it's clever or cool to not acknowledge the clubs top scorer (Like hipsters who don't like a band because they've gone "too commercial") but it's a pathetic attitude to be honest.

Billy Sharp has been the most important player we've had here for years, not the best but completely invaluable all the same.

Fair play, you’ve backed up your assertion with some examples unlike one or two others who have failed to do so in recent times.


BUT, I still think your assessment is somewhat exaggerated. The vast majority appreciate Billy for what he brings to the team. His workrate, commitment, and awareness around the box are unquestionable. He also demonstrates excellent technique in some of his goals (Rochdale at home, Shrews away and first goal at Cov being prime examples). He also has that experience and is a master of the dark arts of football.

I think there are some who don’t rate him as much as say Evans in his prime or Bent, Deane, Blake etc. at their peak because he doesn’t have that pace and ability to beat a man to make things happen and tends to rely on good service, more like Beattie in his first spell.


For what it’s worth, I agree he’s a key player and am loving seeing him succeed in a blades shirt after a couple of false starts in the past.


But he is shit at penalties……

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Dane Whitehouse never scored 50 league goals for us.

Ah sorry, right you are. I missed the “League” in your post.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Good points and the one thing that could seriously derail us is a serious injury to Billy. I know Lavery hasn't had a long run of starts, but does anybody seriouly think that he, McNulty or Hanson could match Billy's contribution?

Someone made the point a few days ago about how good it is to have locally born fans as owner, manager and captain, let alone top scorer. If any other club in the country came near to this, it would be all over the meejah but we at SUFC seem a little shy in boasting about it.

More power to Billy Blade. Those tossers in South Barnsley can call him 'Billy Blunt', but he will score twice as many goals as whichever useless wanker they have up front.

I don’t think they could match Billy’s contribution. Nobody in the division has managed that so far.


BUT, if he got injured, Lavery, Hanson, Done, McNulty and Clarke (with the likes of Duffy, O’Shea, Scougall, Carruthers, Chapman all able to play the number 10 role behind) isn’t a bad set of options to have. There’s good variety there.

 

[LJBlade]

First he was being slated throughout pre-season. Most notably after Grimsby away when he was slagged off for being selfish by not laying off to McCuntly despite scoring.

Then there were the numerous "he only scores penalties" wibblings.

Then there was the "he's shit at penalties" jibes in December.

Then there has been all the "he should've scored 40/50/2000 by now" rubbish.

Then this utter crock of shit post #5

https://www.s24su.com/forum/index.php?threads/billy-sharp.52330/#post-1227948

But above all? The reluctance from this forum in general to appreciate Billy and what he has done for us. It's feint praise or silence most of the time. Compare that to the (justified) positivity about the midfield and it becomes even more striking.

I don't know if people think it's clever or cool to not acknowledge the clubs top scorer (Like hipsters who don't like a band because they've gone "too commercial") but it's a pathetic attitude to be honest.

Billy Sharp has been the most important player we've had here for years, not the best but completely invaluable all the same.

But as i've pointed out to you before, those 'slating' Sharp are a very, very small minority on here yet you bring it up at every given opportunity like there's only yourself who appreciates just how good he's been.

No matter how good a player is there's always going to be a few who have their own agenda, a little bit like when you slate the defence which has got us to the top of the division.

 

[8lade]

Not sure if you're a **** or being sarcastic?

That my good boy was is what is known as comedy, your calling me out has doubled the humour given that the comment is over 2 months old and people have 'liked' it giving you a clue!
Therefore you must be feeling like a ****, a very, very slow **** at that.

 

[snootyfenooty]

This seasons team is exponentially better. Basham has remained adequate at best. When you look back at the goals conceded throughout the season, you'll find him to have been culpable for an unacceptable number of them. Our record since Jake Wrights return bares this out even more starkly.

I think you'll find that you've answered yourself there regarding Basham's supposed shortcomings. Jake Wright's return mean't that Basham didn't have to cover for the two woodentops alongside him in addition to doing his own job. The Fleetwood game was a perfect example of this.

United are having their best season for ages. Basham has been almost everpresent this year. There could be a correlation in there somewhere.

 

[JordoBlade]

That my good boy was is what is known as comedy, your calling me out has doubled the humour given that the comment is over 2 months old and people have 'liked' it giving you a clue!
Therefore you must be feeling like a ****, a very, very slow **** at that.

You're

****

 

[8lade]

You're

****

Yeah well I'd love to get involved in calling out over who's (there you go) (and there) a **** and grammar but things to (there) do and all that.

 

[I should coco]

Yeah well I'd love to get involved in calling out over who's (there you go) (and there) a **** and grammar but things to (there) do and all that.

Google TranslateTM is struggling with that.

Can you give me a pointer as to which language I should select?

 

[Tyler Durden]

But as i've pointed out to you before, those 'slating' Sharp are a very, very small minority on here yet you bring it up at every given opportunity like there's only yourself who appreciates just how good he's been.

No matter how good a player is there's always going to be a few who have their own agenda, a little bit like when you slate the defence which has got us to the top of the division.

The defence hasn't "gotten us to the top of the division" otherwise it would be the best defence in the division. The goal-rate has (and I wonder who could be behind that).

It's a point that you've failed to grasp over and over again.

 

[LJBlade]

The defence hasn't "gotten us to the top of the division" otherwise it would be the best defence in the division. The goal-rate has (and I wonder who could be behind that).

It's a point that you've failed to grasp over and over again.

I didn't say that the defence was solely responsible for getting us to the top because that wouldn't be true. Just like suggesting the goal rate is solely responsible for getting us there also isn't true. The defence have played a big part though, it's a shame your strange agenda just won't allow you to see it.

Anyway, get back to telling us all just how much we all hate Billy Sharp.

 

[Tyler Durden]

I didn't say that the defence was solely responsible for getting us to the top because that wouldn't be true. Just like suggesting the goal rate is solely responsible for getting us there also isn't true. The defence have played a big part though, it's a shame your strange agenda just won't allow you to see it.

Anyway, get back to telling us all just how much we all hate Billy Sharp.

Well it's quite evidently not an "agenda" since I've outlined my points and reasoning perfectly clearly. Also, if I did have any agendas then it stands to reason that I'd be consistantly criticising the same things in the face of all contrary evidence. (Which has been conspicuously absent).

Sort of like those who don't appreciate having one of the best goalscorers in the football league at their doorstep really.

 

[LJBlade]

Well it's quite evidently not an "agenda" since I've outlined my points and reasoning perfectly clearly. Also, if I did have any agendas then it stands to reason that I'd be consistantly criticising the same things in the face of all contrary evidence. (Which has been conspicuously absent).

Sort of like those who don't appreciate having one of the best goalscorers in the football league at their doorstep really.

The evidence is that we're top of the league so the suggestion that 'we have no defenders' (except Jake Wright, you've obviously been supportive of him), as you have said on several occasions, is quite clearly incorrect. But again, if you don't want to see something is true it won't matter what I say.

Care to point out the masses of people on here who don't appreciate Billy Sharp?

 

[Tyler Durden]

The evidence is that we're top of the league so the suggestion that 'we have no defenders' (except Jake Wright, you've obviously been supportive of him), as you have said on several occasions, is quite clearly incorrect. But again, if you don't want to see something is true it won't matter what I say.

Care to point out the masses of people on here who don't appreciate Billy Sharp?

Well there's the aforementioned Grimsby thread, there's the one that I've posted on here, then there's the ones after Walsall where Billy Sharps missed penalty brought a few peoples true colours out.

In between that, you'll find several threads from August and September containing similar crap (one comment saying he wouldn't get 15 goals for the season if I recall rightly).

They've gone quieter since January obviously, because anyone slating him now would look very silly indeed.

Anyway, there you are.

 

[LJBlade]

Well there's the aforementioned Grimsby thread, there's the one that I've posted on here, then there's the ones after Walsall where Billy Sharps missed penalty brought a few peoples true colours out.

In between that, you'll find several threads from August and September containing similar crap (one comment saying he wouldn't get 15 goals for the season if I recall rightly).

They've gone quieter since January obviously, because anyone slating him now would look very silly indeed.

Anyway, there you are.

Again, those are just a very small minority. The vast majority on here appreciate Sharp and the rest of the team. I'm not sure why you feel the need to bring it up at every opportunity and make it out to be a lot worse than it actually is.

 

[Bladesman]

 

[Grizzly blade]

I'm more than prepared to back my opinion that early in the season Sharp wasn't doing it. He went on to score more consistently in games as our midfield improved its creation rate.

However, Sharp still doesn't score goals that he has made himself from nothing, and will often miss out on goal scoring positions due to his lack of pace, as was evidenced most recently against Scunny when the defender got back to block in the first half when he was clean through with a head start.
He has also taken all penalties, and missed some of them, and rarely if at all this season scored more than once in a game despite playing more than any other striker and with us giving a fair few teams a good thumping.

What he does well, is he gets in good positions in the box and needs the ball putting in the right place where he often gets a shot away. But that doesn't make him particularly unique or special. That is the job of a striker. He is also a handful as he is strong and well balanced and will graft for the team. He is a decent finisher, but not special.

Question that needs answering is there a player who will create something out of nothing due to pace and skill and get shots away when presented with chances while working hard? I believe there will be, and not only that would probably be on less money than Sharp is. He is replaceable.

Now that is an honest opinion....no agenda, no hate for the fella it's how I see it. At the moment, Sharp will benefit from Hanson alongside him but IMHO we need something else if we go up.

Here's another honest opinion....McNulty is a better finisher than Sharp....but the lack of graft and professionalism is what sets him apart. If he could be arsed he would score as many as Sharp with the control we have of the ball and chances we create. He's had his chance and will also be off.
I believe Wilder will look to add more pace for next season.

 

[8lade]

Google TranslateTM is struggling with that.

Can you give me a pointer as to which language I should select?

ah you had to follow the whole thread, however I've just read it again and it makes perfect sense is English your native language? If you need another pointer I can talk you through it.

 

[Lane Ender]

Well there's the aforementioned Grimsby thread, there's the one that I've posted on here, then there's the ones after Walsall where Billy Sharps missed penalty brought a few peoples true colours out.

In between that, you'll find several threads from August and September containing similar crap (one comment saying he wouldn't get 15 goals for the season if I recall rightly).

They've gone quieter since January obviously, because anyone slating him now would look very silly indeed.

Anyway, there you are.

Anybody slating anytime throughout the season would look very silly indeed

 

[Houston_Blade]

No, because I myself am a beardy twat with tattoos...but that's another story

You're only a good shave away from being a twat with tattoos.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

 

[Dkc]

Is Billy still our main penalty taker? Many of the pens he has scored have been hit pretty much in the middle, gambling that the keeper will go one way or the other. He doesn't clinically put them in the top corner with pace. As much as I admire him, I'm wondering if we have a better pen taker in the team. Hanson maybe?

 

[Tunstall Fred]

Is Billy still our main penalty taker? Many of the pens he has scored have been hit pretty much in the middle, gambling that the keeper will go one way or the other. He doesn't clinically put them in the top corner with pace. As much as I admire him, I'm wondering if we have a better pen taker in the team. Hanson maybe?

Step forward Paul Coutts,however i expect Billy to take the next one