Where does the released list leave us?

[Pinchy]

Major recruitment will include:

A keeper, probably Etheridge.

A kingpin Centre-Back.

At least one more striker in addition to Ched.

A wide player.

I see the Bladey campaign for No-Goals Nick has already started. His total of 19 goals in the last 5 seasons really sets the S2 hearts racing. His total of 33 in his entire career in English football sends the mercury through the roof. If it's recent form you're after a stunning 1 (one) last season makes him a 'must have'. Don't miss out on this returning hero, will you Tufty?

Dontbringimback.

Dontbringtheuselessfuckerbackunderanycircumstanceswhatsoever.

 

[pommpey]

Thanks for trying. I agree that he is low risk if its £150K, I agree that he could be good. But the thing that worries me is the hype and statements like him being the "best since Dearden", (which i totally disagree with by the way). Playing for Man.City in europe is meaningless, did he come on as sub in a 1 game? He only scored 1 goal for Man City in his whole career. The Norwich goals were 10 years ago. His most recent tally was 7 in division 3.

Just out of interest, i would love to know why you think he was a better striker than Deane and Agana bearing in mind it was division 3 football he was playing, and Deane scored regularly for us in the premier league? Beatie scored loads for us in the championship also. Ched had one great season in div 3, the previous years in the championship before we went down he was crap, and could well be crap again.

Now please dont mishear me. He could be a very astute buy, and Wilder definitely has earnt my trust. But please, lets not build Ched up to be bigger than he is.

^This^

And also the whole 'Ched Evans Shitstorm' which will follow him around makes me cynical about his acquisition, but hope upon hope him, Clarke, Lavery and Sharp score a fucktonne of goals next season to get us onto the sunny uplands of the Championship. As his record shows, a good season five years ago does not make him anywhere near Edwards or Deane.

pommpey

 

[Blade56]

I've heard on good authority that Ched has a misdiagnosed injury. He has been treated for an injury that he hasn't got and the problem that he has got hasn't been treated at all. He's quite pissed of with Chesterfield medical staff.
The real injury is not serious and will be fixed soon.

It's easly treated as well, all you have to do is pull the rope and the soap pops out

 

[Sheffsteel]

I really hope youre right, but Brian Deane played and scored regularly in the premier league for most of his career and is a total blades legend. I really cant understand what evidence you have for Ched being as good aside from some goals in league 1 about years ago?

Again, i hope Ched does well,but bloody hell I cant understand this kind of hype.

Gavlar,

I can only assume you don't go to matches or didn't go in the 2012 season.

I accept that in general Ched was dissapointing and I'm not his biggest fan
But I have to admit that for the last 6 months of his contract he's the most impressive and I'd say best striker we've had since Deane. He was scoring goals from nothing and ripping up league 1. Far far better than how Sharp has been this season. Ched was that good we were becoming a one man team and it's rare we've had a player who we've been so reliant on.

If Ched reaches his potential he'll easily be the best allround striker at the club.
Still put Sharp as the best finisher but Ched had more to his game.

I think we'll adopt a cautious financial approach, money will be there but only spent when it's essential. We'll no doubt use the loan market to bring in the top quality needed.
And I also think we'll hold back a decent part of the budget for the January transfer window.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Still think we need 2 forwards, and a couple of centre halves especially if he's thinking of playing 3 at the back in the Championship. For all the hyperbole around our players this year our defence (and keeper) would have to step up considerably to get us in the top half of the Championship. Bradford may fill one, but there's is at least one first team starter who needs to be brought in.
Same could be said for our midfield. There were many times when we moved he ball well but lost it due to not having the necessary quality to play the final/killer ball. Of course there were plenty of time when we did but this is a level above so I personally think we need another body in central midfield. Slightly disappointed that we've retained O'Shea so still think we need another 1 or 2.
Our width came largely from our fullbacks so if we aren't playing 3 or want the option to switch I think a couple of wide players would be sensible, it would also keep the pressure on those in the team to perform. We're also desperately short of pace in an attacking sense so that needs to be remedied.
Up front we're definitely 2 short. I'm not getting into the Ched stuff as it's been done to death. If the gamble works then great, but there is no tangible evidence in his past that suggests he will be a consistent and prolific performer at Championship level and he's been out a long time - we wait and see if he is to hit his best form and performances of his life. We need two forwards who can perform at this level, both I'd suggest would need to bring some pace to our game.
So all in all I think we're looking at 7-8 new players coming in (or coming back) 4-5 proposed first
teamers, and I'm sure we already have them in mind.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Just out of interest, i would love to know why you think he was a better striker than Deane and Agana bearing in mind it was division 3 football he was playing, and Deane scored regularly for us in the premier league? Beatie scored loads for us in the championship also. Ched had one great season in div 3, the previous years in the championship before we went down he was crap, and could well be crap again.
is.

It's all about opinions but Ched wasn't crap in the Championship, he was underwhelming. Sharp has a better record at Championship level, however there is a theory that managers have an affect on a players form. Whilst Blackwell was manager Sharp struggled more than Evans.

Cheds great season in league 1 was rediculously good. Head and shoulders above league 1 level, better than Jordan Rhodes (and look how much he's now worth) Arguably better than Championship level. The most impressive one man displays since Brian Deane ( agree though that he only showed these great displays for a mere 6 months).

For me it's a low cost risk. Wilder has the knack of getting the best out of his players and we know Cheds best is arguably upper Championship/ lower PL level.
Personally I don't think he'll reach his heights but I still predict he'll be decent Championship level when fit to play.

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

My main concern is defensive midfield

I think championship attackers will over run us down the middle

 

[davidblade]

Probably the best teams in the league will , until we adapt and we will adapt with Wilder at the helm. Yes I agree we need the right calibre of player the correct physical attributes and football brain, not a ragamuffin ball chaser.

 

[robbiez666]

Depending is Long stays or go, we'll probably need a back-up keeper

Signings at the back are dependent on formation. If we stay as we are, we're covered at RWB (Freeman/Brayford), short at LWB (Lafferty), and short at CB (Basham/JoC/Wright). Both Brayford and Lafferty can cover at CB. I'm not sure how much of a role Wright will play. May be a bridge too far. I can see Riley coming in again for a season loan at LWB. I think we should be able to pick up a CB for League 1 for not a lot who would slot in.

We need someone else in midfield who can play a similar role to Coutts and Fleck. Not just as cover as I'd expect them to be involved on a regular basis. Even if it's off the bench. It's going to be much harder to win the midfield battle next season. Neither Fleck or Coutts were expected to be able to do it this season. To their credit, they did, but I'd like to see us signing a Coady-type player as well. Duffy struggled with fitness at the end of the season. I'd expect Carruthers (if he sticks around) to share duties with him with O'Shea coming off the bench. By the end of the season, Duffy is likely to be a bench option.

I'm not convinced Hanson will be very successful in the Championship. I'd be slightly surprised if he doesn't move on. Ditto to Clarke. May be off the bench but I can't see him starting and having an impact. So, we've got Sharpe, Evans and Lavery. If Evans hits the ground running, then shouldn't be a problem. It's 50/50 for me whether Lavery has the fitness or ability to make it in the Championship.

As a team, we've been lucky with injuries and suspensions this season. I'd be surprised if this continued, so we'll need a bigger squad.

So, I think this shopping list is likely:

1 x experienced GK for cover.
1 x LWB (Riley)
2 x CB - One permanent, one loan
1 x CM - permanent - Whiteman to be more involved as well
Brooks to have more involvement in the squad
1 x Hanson replacement, probably on loan.

So, not many really. This is obviously making the assumption that we don't sell anyone........

 

[Chief_Froley]

Good examples, and I'm sure Wilder will target players who are flexible.

But that discounts Ched as a signing and I also think we're very likely to sign a keeper, so that would take it to 6. On top of that I think we'd still be a bit light at the back and I think we'd want a more dedicated left wing back option.

A striker who can play wide might be ideal, and Ward and Blackman are good shouts, but I think Wilder might be more likely to go for a good big man, especially if Hanson moves on.

Don't get me wrong, I think the areas you said are ones we need improvement on too. I would still want a keeper (I thought Etheridge but it seems like he's going to Cardiff) and some more dedicated wide options (Riley back on loan for filling in wing back and further up the pitch?). On top of that like you said it still discounts Ched as a signing.

I guess the point I was mainly trying to make was that if I can come up with some decent versatile targets sat on my arse at home then I wouldn't rule out Wilder's ability to come up with just a few targets that tick all of our boxes.

 

[Gavlar]

Gavlar,

I can only assume you don't go to matches or didn't go in the 2012 season.

I accept that in general Ched was dissapointing and I'm not his biggest fan
But I have to admit that for the last 6 months of his contract he's the most impressive and I'd say best striker we've had since Deane. He was scoring goals from nothing and ripping up league 1. Far far better than how Sharp has been this season. Ched was that good we were becoming a one man team and it's rare we've had a player who we've been so reliant on.

If Ched reaches his potential he'll easily be the best allround striker at the club.
Still put Sharp as the best finisher but Ched had more to his game.

I think we'll adopt a cautious financial approach, money will be there but only spent when it's essential. We'll no doubt use the loan market to bring in the top quality needed.
And I also think we'll hold back a decent part of the budget for the January transfer window.

I think we're going to have to agree to disagree on this mate.

You're right that I don't get to many games. Though I have a feeling a fair few folks who hold seasons tickets on here would probably disagree that Ched was 'far far better than How Sharp has been this season'.

I'll say it again, I hope it works out for Ched, and if its a low fee then its not a gamble, but I worry that we are expecting the return of the messiah from the esteem he is held with in some quarters. 'Ripping apart league 1' isn't really the worlds biggest achievement in football terms. lets see if he turns it on next season, and if he is as good as you say, he should be playing international football in no time. I wait with baited breath.

Its all about opinions of course.

 

[Gavlar]

It's all about opinions but Ched wasn't crap in the Championship, he was underwhelming. Sharp has a better record at Championship level, however there is a theory that managers have an affect on a players form. Whilst Blackwell was manager Sharp struggled more than Evans.

Cheds great season in league 1 was rediculously good. Head and shoulders above league 1 level, better than Jordan Rhodes (and look how much he's now worth) Arguably better than Championship level. The most impressive one man displays since Brian Deane ( agree though that he only showed these great displays for a mere 6 months).

For me it's a low cost risk. Wilder has the knack of getting the best out of his players and we know Cheds best is arguably upper Championship/ lower PL level.
Personally I don't think he'll reach his heights but I still predict he'll be decent Championship level when fit to play.

Youre spot on that its all about opinions. We can agree to disagree on this one.

As for the better than Jordan Rhodes. For league goals only Rhodes scored 36 in 40 the season Huddersfield went up, Evans scored 29 in 36. I would say that's about the same or Rhodes is slightly better. Not sure if its arguably better than championship either seeing as Rhodes has never yet cut it in the prem.

Low risk, I agree, and that's why ive come around to the fact that signing him might work out. My worry as I keep saying is we are expecting him to be as prolific as he was in league 1 before he got sent down, which is really unrealistic.

I really cant agree that he is lower prem or upper championship but I wait to be proved wrong on that. He is almost 29 and hasn't played a full season for over 6 years.

I really hope it works out for him and more so, us.

 

[mancunianblade]

Feel like I bring this up too often but we owe James Wilson a debt of gratitude, If it wasn't for him scoring the winner against Oxford this season could have been very very different. Thank You James, its a shame he will become a forgotten man very quickly

 

[blade67]

Iif Ched can score 10 or more goals ( and I think he would if he stays reasonably fit) then he'll be a success in my eyes.

It's a big step up from his successful season with us. Same from Sharp and a contribution from Clarke and Lavery and we'll be OK

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Iif Ched can score 10 or more goals ( and I think he would if he stays reasonably fit) then he'll be a success in my eyes.

It's a big step up from his successful season with us. Same from Sharp and a contribution from Clarke and Lavery and we'll be OK

Around 25 goals from our strikers and we'll be OK?

 

[mancunianblade]

I see our squad as follows

Goalkeeper
George Long(3rd choice for sold
Simon Moore
New addition (Etheridge or Smith)

Defender Left
Daniel Lafferty
New Addition (maybe Riley)

Defender Centre
Jack O'Connell
Jake Wright
Chris Basham
New Addition
New Addition

Defender Right
Kieron Freeman
John Brayford


Midfield
John Fleck
Paul Coutts
Mark Duffy
Jay O'Shea
New Addition (Harry Chapman)
Samir Caruthers
(New Addition) (Holding player) (Bostwick?)
(New Addition)

Strikers
Caolan Lavery
Billy Sharp
James Hanson
Leon Clarke
Chen Evans

Minimum 2 players for each position with different options up front, very well balanced squad yet at 25 players still close knit. Riley and Chapman seemed well liked amongst the other players so no issues integrating these two, 9 new additions with 4 having already played for the blades. Another bonus from this season is Basham seems to have finally found a position, which is good for him, he can now be viewed as an established CB and not a stick him anywhere type of player. I also don't think we will sign EEL, and Wolves will really regret offering him a contract.



David Brooks (Loaned Out)
Ben Whiteman (Loaned Out)
Louis Reed (loaned Out)
Regan Slater (loaned Out)
Jake Wright (loaned Out)
Kieran Wallace (no idea)

 

[Davalon]

I really hope youre right, but Brian Deane played and scored regularly in the premier league for most of his career and is a total blades legend. I really cant understand what evidence you have for Ched being as good aside from some goals in league 1 about years ago?

Again, i hope Ched does well,but bloody hell I cant understand this kind of hype.

Yeah we all hope he can turn back time but I don't get how some just assume it's a given.

Also don't get this 'he's one of our own' that a few come out with. He's quite clearly not.

If Wilder and Knill really want him and believe he can cut it, then I'm all in. However considering the neverending saga we've had, and the fact that only one person from the club has spoken publicly about him, I still can't help but feel it's a KM pet project. Hope to be proved wrong.

 

[blade67]

Around 25 goals from our strikers and we'll be OK?

who said 25 ?

I said 10 or more from the main 2 and contribution from the other 2. Call that 30/32 in total. Our top 4 scoring strikers this year scored 44 between them and we ran away with the league.

 

[mancunianblade]

Iif Ched can score 10 or more goals ( and I think he would if he stays reasonably fit) then he'll be a success in my eyes.

It's a big step up from his successful season with us. Same from Sharp and a contribution from Clarke and Lavery and we'll be OK

Cheds first season back was always going to be riddled with injuries, hopefully now that has passed bid body should settle back into the game, Id also trust our medical and conditioning team to get Stephen Hawking up and running so Ched will be a a piece of cake for them

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

who said 25 ?

I said 10 or more from the main 2 and contribution from the other 2. Call that 30/32 in total. Our top 4 scoring strikers this year scored 44 between them and we ran away with the league.

I just don't think 10 from the main 2 is anywhere near enough unless one gets 25+ on their own and then the other chips in with your 10.
Just my thoughts but I think you need to be looking at 35 from your main 2-3 strikers to be OK.

 

[Ricky]

Coutts and Fleck are going to remain our midfield base and they're not goalscorers, and we'll also find it harder to score from set pieces, so it is important to get a good number of goals from our strikers - maybe not as many as this season but hopefully 35-40. We could also do with an attacking midfielder who gets towards double figures, as Maddison, Holmes and Oztumer are probably capable of doing.

We will find it much harder to score goals so we can't be complacent when it comes to defensive recruitment. We should make sure we have some good experience at the back, and adequate options for either a back 3 or a back 4. Also important to sign a midfielder who can defend and get about the pitch.

 

[larkymasher]

I see our squad as follows

Goalkeeper
George Long(3rd choice for sold
Simon Moore
New addition (Etheridge or Smith)

Defender Left
Daniel Lafferty
New Addition (maybe Riley)

Defender Centre
Jack O'Connell
Jake Wright
Chris Basham
New Addition
New Addition

Defender Right
Kieron Freeman
John Brayford


Midfield
John Fleck
Paul Coutts
Mark Duffy
Jay O'Shea
New Addition (Harry Chapman)
Samir Caruthers
(New Addition) (Holding player) (Bostwick?)
(New Addition)

Strikers
Caolan Lavery
Billy Sharp
James Hanson
Leon Clarke
Chen Evans

Minimum 2 players for each position with different options up front, very well balanced squad yet at 25 players still close knit. Riley and Chapman seemed well liked amongst the other players so no issues integrating these two, 9 new additions with 4 having already played for the blades. Another bonus from this season is Basham seems to have finally found a position, which is good for him, he can now be viewed as an established CB and not a stick him anywhere type of player. I also don't think we will sign EEL, and Wolves will really regret offering him a contract.



David Brooks (Loaned Out)
Ben Whiteman (Loaned Out)
Louis Reed (loaned Out)
Regan Slater (loaned Out)
Jake Wright (loaned Out)
Kieran Wallace (no idea)

Regan Slater will not go on loan as he is only a second year scholar next season. Callum Semple will go out on loan when fit next season. Possibly in January.

 

[blade67]

I just don't think 10 from the main 2 is anywhere near enough unless one gets 25+ on their own and then the other chips in with your 10.
Just my thoughts but I think you need to be looking at 35 from your main 2-3 strikers to be OK.

I suppose it depends what you mean by "OK". Huddersfield's top 2, have scored 22 and their top 4 have scored 30. I'd settle for the play offs now.

w*dnesday have a top 2 with 22 between them and 31 for their top 4 strikers

Just saying like

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I suppose it depends what you mean by "OK". Huddersfield's top 2, have scored 22 and their top 4 have scored 30. I'd settle for the play offs now.

w*dnesday have a top 2 with 22 between them and 31 for their top 4 strikers

Just saying like

I always want more than them

 

[FTPE]

We have (basically) 5 strikers now.
I'm worried about goals next season so I looked at the championships top scorers.
Wood at Leeds is running away with it and has 26.
Not only is that doable, not only did he not get signed for mega money, but up until this season he'd not even matched Billys record of 15 goals in one championship season.
I'm basically reassuring myself.
We don't need to waste Rhodes type money, Sharp doesn't need to get 30+ goals again, and who's to say Lavery, Clarke or Ched couldn't set new personal records next season.
I fully support his efforts and he did a job for us but I really don't want to see much of Hanson next season.