CONFIRMED John Lundstram signs

[Blade56]

Radio Sheffield confirms we've near enough signed him

So, that's another target we've missed out on

 

[Superblades]

Just been on the Yellows Forum and some belting comments, its started he was great the closer it came to us completing he now cant pass and they are better with out him

"No way should Lunny be sold for less than £2.5million! Wilder taking the p*ss again! John's advisers should tell him that he should only go to a top Championship team - IF he leaves at all!!"

"Sheffield Utd can f*ck right off"

"It would take a lot more than 500k to get Eales to sell."

"To replace him with a comparable player would probably cost in excess of 500K.

i.e Ryan Leonard-Southend and Brad Potts-Blackpool spring to mind.
Personally I would go for Jamie Allen at Rochdale.

If we lose Johnson and Nelson, Marcus Maddison and Aaron Pierre should be considered as possible replacements."

"worth more to us if he stays and helps us get promotion."

"He was the best long-range passer of the ball at OUFC for some time, and in the top half dozen of that type in Div 3 last season. He shared some of the normal demerits of such a player: no pace, weak under pressure but he well out-stripped players of his type in defence, mostly.

Very good Div 3 passing midfielder, I wouldn't have thought that would automatically translate to Div 2 but Wilder has an astute football brain (A. Knill prop.) and may well want Lundstram as a defensive midfielder who can turn defense into attack. We'll see.

Anyway, thanks and good luck to the lad. Hopefully he'll have time to meet up with Apples when he leaves the Blades and resume learning the game."

"I thought he was average and nothing special so won't miss him."

"Too many long Hollywood passes which usually ended up in the stands. I won't miss him ."

"working under Wilder is a challenge for any player. He's not exactly Mr Personality."

and this comment about Wilder, fuck me Oxford fans don't know good football when they see it do they?

"They won't be relegated under Wilder, he is a Pullis/Allardyce type at heart, I could see him forging a career in keeping championship clubs up once Sheffield United fans tire of him."

Thanks for that....I was looking forward to Roy's view from but you've gone and spoilt it for me now.

 

[Tunstall Fred]

Bought a house in Ridgeway

 

[bladesmanluke]

What a remarkable set Oxford fans are. I'll miss them. They truly are one of the most deluded sets of fans I've ever come across. They give the pigs a run for their money

 

[Mouth of the South]

Moore

Freeman - Basham - Stearman - JOC - Stevens

Coutts - Fleck

Brooks

Sharp - Clarke
_____________

New GK, Wright, Baldock, Lundstram, Leonard, Carruthers, Lavery

Things change game by game and Wilder wants options. Sometimes players will find themselves totally out of the 18. They'll have to grin and bear it.

No Duffy?

 

[FriethBlade]

No Duffy?

Looks like they've lost their top scorer to Bury too !

 

[Sheffsteel]

What a remarkable set Oxford fans are. I'll miss them. They truly are one of the most deluded sets of fans I've ever come across. They give the pigs a run for their money

Agree, as well as being deluded they are a very bitter lot too.

When the news of our interest broke the typical comments were
"Can't believe Wilder thinks he can offer only £500K for our best player ha ha ha. What planet is he on?
He's easily worth £1 million minimum and could easily join a far bigger club that Sheff Utd
Also why would he want to join a club that could easily be relegated next season when if he stays with us
We could easily be swapping places with them next season. Seriously doubt he's going to Sheffield.

A week later the typical comments are
"We'll not miss him anyway. Admit he's good at passing but he can't tackle and is too slow. He's not that good really and definitely not Championship standard. It's another bad signing from Wilder. Why does he seem obsessed with buying players from us, is he still bitter? We need better players than Lundstram if we want promotion from league 1. Good riddance to him"

 

[Lee Baxter]

Can anyone advocating the (500k+) signings of both Leonard and Lundstram please post me a feasible starting 11 and 7 subs?

I think a lot if it depends on just what our budget is for this season. I would advocate the signings of both players but only providing we have enough left in the budget to address our more important weak spots. If we're able to afford another keeper, central defender & forward while also adding Lundstram & Leonard I'm all for it.

To accommodate Lundstram I think it's a straight battle between him & Coutts for that role. Coutts injury history is spotty at best and I'd be concerned heading into the season without having someone else who can step in and play the same role if anything were to happen. I wouldn't trust any of our other midfielders to play that role, and as far as I know, Leonard isn't that sort of player either.

Fitting Leonard in looks much more difficult to me. If we do sign him I wouldn't be surprised if our deepest central midfield pairing ends up being Leonard alongside either Coutts/Lundstram with Fleck moved slightly further forward. It'd be a gamble to move Fleck from a position where he's been so influential but I'm not sure where else a work-rate driven midfielder could fit in. It's all guesswork at this point but right now I'm in the camp that doesn't think we'll be able to get away with playing like we did last season without adding more athleticism to the midfield.

How about:


-----------------------------------------Moore-----------------------------------------
----------------------Basham----------Stearman----------O'Connell-------------
Freeman---------------------------------------------------------------------Stevens
---------------------------------Leonard-------Coutts---------------------------------
--------------------------------------------Fleck-----------------------------------------
-------------------------------Brooks*---------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------Sharp---------------------------------------

This way Brooks has less defensive responsibility, Fleck has more freedom and we've got more bite in the midfield with Leonard there to break things up. Lundstram would come in if Coutts has any drop off in form/injury problems.

Let's hear how wrong I've got it, then!

*wishful thinking

 

[Sheffsteel]

I think a lot if it depends on just what our budget is for this season. I would advocate the signings of both players but only providing we have enough left in the budget to address our more important weak spots. If we're able to afford another keeper, central defender & forward while also adding Lundstram & Leonard I'm all for it.

To accommodate Lundstram I think it's a straight battle between him & Coutts for that role. Coutts injury history is spotty at best and I'd be concerned heading into the season without having someone else who can step in and play the same role if anything were to happen. I wouldn't trust any of our other midfielders to play that role, and as far as I know, Leonard isn't that sort of player either.

Fitting Leonard in looks much more difficult to me. If we do sign him I wouldn't be surprised if our deepest central midfield pairing ends up being Leonard alongside either Coutts/Lundstram with Fleck moved slightly further forward. It'd be a gamble to move Fleck from a position where he's been so influential but I'm not sure where else a work-rate driven midfielder could fit in. It's all guesswork at this point but right now I'm in the camp that doesn't think we'll be able to get away with playing like we did last season without adding more athleticism to the midfield.

How about:


Moore
Basham Stearman O'Connell
Freeman Stevens
Leonard Coutts
Fleck
Brooks*
Sharp

This way Brooks has less defensive responsibility, Fleck has more freedom and we've got more bite in the midfield with Leonard there to break things up. Lundstram would come in if Coutts has any drop off in form/injury problems.

Let's hear how wrong I've got it, then!

*wishful thinking

Last season our midfield was brilliant in possession but found wanting regards defensive responsibilities.

That's an attack minded team so we really need a commanding high energy Nick Montgomery type defensive midfielder. Can Ryan Leonard fit that requirement.

 

[Lee Baxter]

Last season our midfield was brilliant in possession but found wanting regards defensive responsibilities.

That's an attack minded team so we really need a commanding high energy Nick Montgomery type defensive midfielder. Can Ryan Leonard fit that requirement.

That's what I'd be banking on with that team. Leonard doing all the legwork to allow our more attacking players to do what they do best. Whether any of that would work in reality is another matter entirely.

 

[Slim Man]

No Duffy?

Not for me, but he'll play his part

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Christ, the oxford forum has to be one of the most painful viewings on the internet. Whoever designed that website needs to be shot.

yellowsforum.co.uk

 

[The Crab]

Agree, as well as being deluded they are a very bitter lot too.

When the news of our interest broke the typical comments were
"Can't believe Wilder thinks he can offer only £500K for our best player ha ha ha. What planet is he on?
He's easily worth £1 million minimum and could easily join a far bigger club that Sheff Utd
Also why would he want to join a club that could easily be relegated next season when if he stays with us
We could easily be swapping places with them next season. Seriously doubt he's going to Sheffield.

A week later the typical comments are
"We'll not miss him anyway. Admit he's good at passing but he can't tackle and is too slow. He's not that good really and definitely not Championship standard. It's another bad signing from Wilder. Why does he seem obsessed with buying players from us, is he still bitter? We need better players than Lundstram if we want promotion from league 1. Good riddance to him"

What the fuck would Oxford know about being a big club? Their main claim to fame as far as I can tell is that Robert Maxwell once owned them and wanted to merge them with Reading.

 

[Treeton Blade]

They also have hilarious japester Timmy Mallett as a fan.

 

[Need4speed]

Last season our midfield was brilliant in possession but found wanting regards defensive responsibilities.

That's an attack minded team so we really need a commanding high energy Nick Montgomery type defensive midfielder. Can Ryan Leonard fit that requirement.

I disagree and I think Wilder has also said we want midfielders that can do the job of a midfielder, that is both defend and attack. I liked Monty but there is no point in a player being able to win the ball if he can do nothing with it once he has it

 

[Sheffsteel]

That's what I'd be banking on with that team. Leonard doing all the legwork to allow our more attacking players to do what they do best. Whether any of that would work in reality is another matter entirely.

Agree, at the higher levels defensive midfielders playing in front of the back 4 become more important.
These types of players dont grab the headlines and are not always appreciated as much as they should.
There was Claude Makele at Chelsea, Didier Deschamps was called the "water carrier".

Maybe Wilder sees Leonard as our defensive midfielder, as upgrade on Basham (when he played defensive midfield last season). Hence why he's still keen.

 

[FriethBlade]

What the fuck would Oxford know about being a big club? Their main claim to fame as far as I can tell is that Robert Maxwell once owned them and wanted to merge them with Reading.

However they are one of the many clubs who have won a proper trophy in my life time unlike our club !

 

[Sheffsteel]

I disagree and I think Wilder has also said we want midfielders that can do the job of a midfielder, that is both defend and attack. I liked Monty but there is no point in a player being able to win the ball if he can do nothing with it once he has it

Wilder does seem to only buy players comfortable on the ball who can pass to feet in a straight line.
It's a bit of a novelty for us older Blades ha ha.

 

[ucandomagic]

I disagree and I think Wilder has also said we want midfielders that can do the job of a midfielder, that is both defend and attack. I liked Monty but there is no point in a player being able to win the ball if he can do nothing with it once he has it

Win the ball and give it to Tony.

That worked OK for the werewolf!

Magic Days

 

[MobileBlade]

I disagree and I think Wilder has also said we want midfielders that can do the job of a midfielder, that is both defend and attack. I liked Monty but there is no point in a player being able to win the ball if he can do nothing with it once he has it

I loved Monty. My dad always used to say that he was brilliant at winning back the ball from the player he has just passed to.

 

[The Crab]

However they are one of the many clubs who have won a proper trophy in my life time unlike our club !

Fair point, I bet they don't win another one in mine though.

 

[Bladezz]

I think Leonard will be for when we take off or don't start with a CAM and we start with a more defensive player or if we play with a 3 in midfield.

 

[Keen Blade]

I disagree and I think Wilder has also said we want midfielders that can do the job of a midfielder, that is both defend and attack. I liked Monty but there is no point in a player being able to win the ball if he can do nothing with it once he has it

Monty was exactly that - half a midfielder - great marker/tackler , totally useless on the ball. In some ways Coutts is the opposite cos he can't really hassle or tackle when we're not in possession , but is great at keeping & using the ball. Im sure CW will have told him to up his defensive game. Maybe the Leonard/Lundstrum signing is to warn Coutts he can't ignore the improvement CW has demanded. We could afford to carry Coutts lack of bite last season coz we were always in possession. Such will not be the case this season.

 

[Pinchy]

Wilder does seem to only buy players comfortable on the ball who can pass to feet in a straight line.
It's a bit of a novelty for us older Blades ha ha.

Indeed. It's absolutely Tuftastic!

 

[Bladeinleeds]

Like the idea of seeing fleck pushed abit futher forward....

Having a Leonard/lundstram type along side coutts should give us a bit more defensive solidity in the league above but still maintain possession.

As has been pointed out could put Duffy/brooks closer to sharp to unlock some defences then.

 

[LenTednTony]

Moore

Freeman - Lenaghan - Stearman - JOC - Stevens

Coutts - Fleck

Carruthers

Sharp - Lavery

Bench
GK. Baldock, Lafferty
Evans Basham Leonard Duffy

BUT..... WTF do I know!

 

[Pinchy]

I think a lot if it depends on just what our budget is for this season. I would advocate the signings of both players but only providing we have enough left in the budget to address our more important weak spots. If we're able to afford another keeper, central defender & forward while also adding Lundstram & Leonard I'm all for it.

To accommodate Lundstram I think it's a straight battle between him & Coutts for that role. Coutts injury history is spotty at best and I'd be concerned heading into the season without having someone else who can step in and play the same role if anything were to happen. I wouldn't trust any of our other midfielders to play that role, and as far as I know, Leonard isn't that sort of player either.

Fitting Leonard in looks much more difficult to me. If we do sign him I wouldn't be surprised if our deepest central midfield pairing ends up being Leonard alongside either Coutts/Lundstram with Fleck moved slightly further forward. It'd be a gamble to move Fleck from a position where he's been so influential but I'm not sure where else a work-rate driven midfielder could fit in. It's all guesswork at this point but right now I'm in the camp that doesn't think we'll be able to get away with playing like we did last season without adding more athleticism to the midfield.

How about:


-----------------------------------------Moore-----------------------------------------
----------------------Basham----------Stearman----------O'Connell-------------
Freeman---------------------------------------------------------------------Stevens
---------------------------------Leonard-------Coutts---------------------------------
--------------------------------------------Fleck-----------------------------------------
-------------------------------Brooks*---------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------Sharp---------------------------------------

This way Brooks has less defensive responsibility, Fleck has more freedom and we've got more bite in the midfield with Leonard there to break things up. Lundstram would come in if Coutts has any drop off in form/injury problems.

Let's hear how wrong I've got it, then!

*wishful thinking

I see lots of people are wishing Brooks straight into an automatic first team place. We should rightly be excited about this lad who seems to be a real talent, but a sense of perspective is always to be recommended. He'll be eased in via the subs bench, and that's the right way.

Tufty The Right Way.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

I see lots of people are wishing Brooks straight into an automatic first team place. We should rightly be excited about this lad who seems to be a real talent, but a sense of perspective is always to be recommended. He'll be eased in via the subs bench, and that's the right way.

Tufty The Right Way.

Tend to agree - I think it's a lot of pressure to expect him to come in and shoulder the vast majority of our creative burden straight away.

Surely the player will also be happy to get his chances off the bench and show what he can do to start. His development will be aided by being sensible with him and not expecting the world - it's a more responsible position than say giving naughton and walker a chance in the side.

However, I do think he needs some assurances of a chance at first team football so that he sees the benefits of staying as opposed to being in the reserves in the premier league with a healthy wage rise - but it's nice to hear wilder talking positively of the way he's improved and kicked on in the last 6 months. The reports from him are much more glowing than wilder ever spoke about say Adams or DCL.

 

[elgoog44]

Thanks for that....I was looking forward to Roy's view from but you've gone and spoilt it for me now.

Sorry I too am a big fan of Roygbiv view from (Which I also get on Facebook (Exiled Blades)), he has a magic touch and I am sure he will do it miles better than me and that is why we all love his views from

 

[The Crab]

They also have hilarious japester Timmy Mallett as a fan.

Oh dear, my sympathies.