CONFIRMED Clayton Donaldson

[Bookers Mullet]

a steady signing nothing to get excited about but he's an extra body in an area we are desperately weak in. We just need to pray that Billy stays fit and doesn't hit a goal drought otherwise we'll be really struggling

 

[Surrey Blade]

I think this signing is a little less exciting than we'd have hoped for. However, we have built a good aquad with great team spirit organically. Wholesale changes could have been destructive to team harmony. The owners have been cautious with their spending, but better that than the recklessness of clubs like Brum who have taken a massive gamble. Let's see how we go and remember that Jan may be a better time for more ambitious investment.

 

[breeny]

I think that he's a very good signing. Work ethic, experience and looks like he's got the personality to fit in with the rest of the squad.

 

[Jon P]

Just woke up to this news. I'm calling in sick today.

 

[PeteBlade]

I don't think I've ever seen a positive comment from you...although you did manage to disappear all last season when it'd have been hard not to be positive.

Let's be fair, he wasn't the only one.
Quite a few of the people in meltdown today weren't around much last season.

 

[Macfarlane21]

He's got a decent game to goal ratio. He might be older but theres been lots of critisism of all the younger pacey strikers we've been linked with.

He's not a top championship striker but he also hasn't cost us 10 million. Worth a gamble imo

 

[DronnieBlade]

I see things the same as you as a rule mate, but we're Sheffield United, not the Billy Sharp Benevolent Society. He has to do what we ask; not the other way round. He ain't Pele, Cruyff or Beckenbauer.

Cmon Pinch.

Tell it how it is.

What was this guy - 5th / 6th choice ??

While we done some good business in July,yesterday was a #shaaaambles !

And as for Sharp, you know me better than that. Play a system to his strengths, or put him in the stands. No sentimental twaddle from moi.

Playing him alongside a target man hasn't worked in the past, it won't work going forward. IMHO.

UTB

 

[adebo]

He is a hard working striker who will hold the ball up and give us more strength up front. He won't score many and he won't give us pace but I imagine he will be a steady 7/10 most weeks. He will probably divide the fans. Half will love his work rate and half will hate his lack of pace and goal threat

So what your saying is he is a championship hanson! But with a better scoring record! I'm looking forward to the view from buddy lol!

 

[Wards]

Not really sure what to make of it, always liked him over the years and this would've been an excellent move...5 years ago.

Have to admit I've not seen him play for a while and unsure how his game has held up given his age but hope he's up to it. Met him on West Street once and he's a proper nice fella as well.

Still think we're lacking up top a bit but understandable given Wilders comments re agents last night.

 

[Rob86]

Do you seriously think this was all agreed between 10-11pm?

Yes, initial contact will obviously been earlier, but the deal was signed in the last hour IMO. With absolutely nothing to base it on, I don't think he was a main target. If he was, it would have been announced earlier surely ! Brum don't appear to have a one in, one out policy at the moment which usually stalls deals being done.

Negotiations over the 10 month contract might have stalled it though. Well fuck it at least we have a striker in and he isn't tied to the club beyond this season, so a win win.

If the gods have been cruel with us this transfer window, then please let Billy get to the end of the season without injury. Need another 30 goal minimum from him this year !

 

[SteveBlade]

If we'd have signed Devante Cole and/or Jerome Sinclair, would we see half as much moaning? Because out of those two players there's a month of goalscoring form between them.

I'd argue that in terms of the immediate future, Donaldson is much more likely to offer us more.

 

[Shalalalafenoughty]

I've just checked your profile. GrayBlade is correct. Not a single positive. Supportive post. Not only that, you say "lol" when you're in your mid-40s? You present as a juvenile and may even be a pig.

There's no doubt about it. Martin is a Wednesdayite. Gave the game away early in his trolling career by calling our ground "Bramhall" Lane. A further clue was his tendency to post within half an hour of our every defeat. For obvious reasons, he was pretty quiet last season. He's currently wearing a baffled expression trying to work out how an expensively-assembled squad of prima donnas continually fails to cut the mustard down Hillsborough way so perhaps we shouldn't begrudge him his little pleasures. He has to get them where he can.

 

[Captain]

IMO a good signing, experience worth so much at this level, well done CW!

 

[wakefieldblade]

If we'd have signed Devante Cole and/or Jerome Sinclair, would we see half as much moaning? Because out of those two players there's a month of goalscoring form between them.

I'd argue that in terms of the immediate future, Donaldson is much more likely to offer us more.

Agreed, similar story last year as well from Mr. Wilder. Sold Che Adams & Calvert-Lewin and signed players who he knew would do the required job to achieve our objectives.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Donaldson 6 goals in a poor side in the Championship since beginning of last season 6 goals 27 games.

Che Adams 7 in 40 in the same team.

Donaldson 33 years old. Two recent signings :Llorente just a year younger. Ibrahimovic 2 years older.

My particular memory of Donaldson was that night he played for Brentford when Morgan was temporary manager after Wilson had been sacked.. He absolutely terrorised us and he played left side striker running from deep on the break.

Good short term signing and will compete with Clarke for a starting place. BTW Clarke is a very good player as is Sharp.

Hanson, Brooks, Lavery when fit, Thomas, Duffy, Carruthers could all partner Sharp or Clarke or Donaldson and we could play 4-5-1 with one striker anyway, even Baxter did that job for months.

RELAX we are in the top 6 already. This is not a crisis. We have signed loads of players to improve on last seasons squad. We have an excellent squad and money to spend in January.

 

[Davalon]

I'll get behind any player pulling our shirt on. Not ripping him to bits but he represents the clubs ambition, everybody happy with that?

It seems a foreign concept to some that you can actually voice your concern, disappointment, frustration, anger, or whatever on here regarding budgets and signings, but still back the team on match day.

I know....cccccrŕrrraaazzzzyyyy

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Really wanted us to sign this lad when his contract expired at Crewe 6 years ago and we'd just been relegated to League 1. Firmly believe we'd have coped with the loss of Ched if we'd had him then and got up ahead of the pigs. Now, at 33, I'm pretty underwhelmed given that his outstanding attribute was pace. Still, better to have him in that no striker at all as we are/were ridiculously light in that position.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Yes, initial contact will obviously been earlier, but the deal was signed in the last hour IMO. With absolutely nothing to base it on, I don't think he was a main target. If he was, it would have been announced earlier surely ! Brum don't appear to have a one in, one out policy at the moment which usually stalls deals being done.

Negotiations over the 10 month contract might have stalled it though. Well fuck it at least we have a striker in and he isn't tied to the club beyond this season, so a win win.

If the gods have been cruel with us this transfer window, then please let Billy get to the end of the season without injury. Need another 30 goal minimum from him this year !

Given the fantastic record of all our very well connected ITK experts this transfer window, I don't think any of us know who are main targets, possible targets, fantasy targets, stand-by targets or barrel-bottom targets. Whatever, Donaldson is on a short contract, a bit of experience around the place and useful addition, if only whilst suspensions are completed and injuries are recovered from. I don't know, but it is possible that other targets not completed now will happen in January, or maybe given circumstances different targets are then identified. The experience, coupled with the contract length, does give the opportunity to get to January and clearly identify areas to strengthen.

 

[Liverpool blade]

Given the fantastic record of all our very well connected ITK experts this transfer window, I don't think any of us know who are main targets, possible targets, fantasy targets, stand-by targets or barrel-bottom targets. Whatever, Donaldson is on a short contract, a bit of experience around the place and useful addition, if only whilst suspensions are completed and injuries are recovered from. I don't know, but it is possible that other targets not completed now will happen in January, or maybe given circumstances different targets are then identified. The experience, coupled with the contract length, does give the opportunity to get to January and clearly identify areas to strengthen.

Very well said. Wilder knows how to get the best out of him. In wilder we trust. Utb

 

[Jon P]

Got Wayne Alison written all over him. Not happeh sorry but he'll be comical to watch. I know I'm being harsh it's just we were linked with a 17 and 22yo and ended up with a has been OAP. Absolute panic buy.

 

[Stretch]

Just listened to Wilder's interview.

He describes Clayton as the 'big one' with regard to transfer business and 'an outstanding player and individual'. Tried to sign him a few times before apparently.

A few on here should give it a listen.

 

[Gimli]

He arrived with a great song though...

Ole ole, ole ole, Clayton Donaldson!! To the tune of feeling hot hot hot.

 

[Longdog]

We still need a forward with real pace , and I,m worried how we would cope if billy ever got injured.. we have to trust wilder and get behind him , but I am worried because teams ain't going to gift us goals every week and previously we didn't look great up front .. hope I am proved wrong.. UTB

 

[snootyfenooty]

He's the perfect signing to help us in our quest to consolidate our position and avoid relegation. Should therefore also be the perfect signing for 95% of the members of this forum.

 

[davidblade]

Despite my feeling of he's not exactly what we need and reservations about his age I think he'll do a good job for United . Wilder knows exactly what he's doing. He run the channels chase lost causes and generally give the opposition a hard time. He no doubt has lost a bit of his scintillating pace that he had (wish we'd signed him 8 years ago )but still enough to for most centre backs.
I don't think however he's going to score an abundance of goals unfortunately.
So on balance I'm not to happy this morning.
The bright point for me that Brooks hasn't gone.
He has the potential to score loads pace ,trickery and a decent shot all he needs is more strength. I suppose if he had the lot he wouldn't still be at United. Let's hope he gains this strength this season.
UTB FTP.

 

[Lard_Lad]

 

[LSF]

Clayton Donaldson, oh how I've wished him to be playing for us over the years.
From first encountering him at Crewe he's always impressed me with his qualities.
Now we've got him, albeit at 33 and maybe not the power of old, I'm still pleased.
Injury free and boosted by Wilders management, I reckon we can get a season or even two of good service from this fellah.

 

[Tray]

Donaldson is a player I wanted at the lane 5 years ago, 4 years ago, I could go on. Yes, he probably isn't as mobile as he used to be, but he's powerful, got an eye for goal, and has got experience at this level.

I'm happy with this signing, plus on a 1 year contract with an option to extend we have got this deal spot on. If he chips in with 7/8 goals it'd be worth it. When Clarke's back from suspension our options look better, and when Lavery is fit again I'm fairly content with our striking options.

I would've liked some more pace in the side, but that's not what Donaldson was bought for, that's what the 3 failed signings were for by the sounds of it.

If we had only signed Cole or Sinclair I'd have been much less enthused.

UTB

 

[GrayBlade]

Looks like he'll be good for the dressing room.

 

[FinchleyBlade]

Just listened to Wilder's interview.

He describes Clayton as the 'big one' with regard to transfer business and 'an outstanding player and individual'. Tried to sign him a few times before apparently.

A few on here should give it a listen.

A few years ago perhaps, not now. The views of Birmingham fans seem pretty clear on that.

I fear Wilder has this one wrong. He is not the pace we need upfront to get in behind teams.