Sir Chris Basham.......

[Stretch]

Whatever else happens in this lad's career with us I don't think he is too far from earning a place at the top table of Blades' greats. I know that is a big statement but with United I [personally] think we look beyond the concept of 'who was the best player' and have a wider perspective, looking at strength of character and resilience. If we see a bit of skill in there as well then bingo!

Bash had his struggles with us at first but stuck to with it and overcame, since then he has consistently stepped up and delivered. I would trust him to perform anywhere across the defensive or midfield line; he is consistently the best tackler we have and he ain't to shabby when he ghosts his way into the opposition's penalty area either. Add to that the occasional moment of magic with his side chops and roulettes and quite honestly I haven't seen a better utility player in 28 years of watching us.

Arise Sir Chris........

 

[Groucho Blade]

Ooh ahh Bashambauer I said Ooh ahh Bashambauer!

 

[essexblade73]

He's quality..and to think he was regularly berated by some. What a valuable lad to have in our squad..can play anywhere in defence and midfield. One of my favourite players and again was top class today

 

[Ricky]

Don't think I've seen a better tackler in a Blades shirt than Basham.

Also right up there with the fittest, hardest working and most consistent.

Mr Indestructible.

 

[Stretch]

Don't think I've seen a better tackler in a Blades shirt than Basham.

Also right up there with the fittest, hardest working and most consistent.

Mr Indestructible.

I forgot to mention his fitness Ricky, but you are spot on. He just keeps going and never seems to tire. Last season v Scunny and then Bolton at home I have never seen a footballer give more and still be going at it for 90+ minutes.

 

[Ricky]

I forgot to mention his fitness Ricky, but you are spot on. He just keeps going and never seems to tire. Last season v Scunny and then Bolton at home I have never seen a footballer give more and still be going at it for 90+ minutes.

He could play 100 games a season. He's an incredible natural athlete. If he wasn't a footballer he'd be doing something else involving running, if he wanted to. He doesn't get injured either, despite putting his body on the line just about every week.

Extremely valuable player for us and as you say will definitely go down as a real Blades hero.

 

[Davalon]

I'm a fully paid up member of the B.A.S.

 

[Ricky]

I'm a fully paid up member of the B.A.S.

We are the Bashamistas.

 

[boo radley]

Count me in for membership of that fan club.
His decision making is is best asset.
Why a bloke on RS stated he has just a tiny bit of Messi and it's true. The closer to the opposition's goal he tries those little tricks but not near our own goal.passing ain't too bad either. Check out the pass for when Clark hit the bar.

 

[Superblades]

There’s nothing much better than seeing Basham flying in to a 50/50 and coming away with ball.

 

[kgchezzyblade]

Agree entirely, for me his hero status started with that ' Basham turn' against Southampton

 

[Deadly_D'Jaffo]

I was thinking yesterday how much, as a club, Wilder has brought back the identity of what Sheff Utd is all about. Not only has he brought it back, but also improved it with some of the excellent football we play.

Chris Basham epitomises what Sheffield United is all about now. Hard graft, never say die, but with a modern twist of a technical ability.

The best player of 2017.

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

Whatever else happens in this lad's career with us I don't think he is too far from earning a place at the top table of Blades' greats. I know that is a big statement but with United I [personally] think we look beyond the concept of 'who was the best player' and have a wider perspective, looking at strength of character and resilience. If we see a bit of skill in there as well then bingo!

Bash had his struggles with us at first but stuck to with it and overcame, since then he has consistently stepped up and delivered. I would trust him to perform anywhere across the defensive or midfield line; he is consistently the best tackler we have and he ain't to shabby when he ghosts his way into the opposition's penalty area either. Add to that the occasional moment of magic with his side chops and roulettes and quite honestly I haven't seen a better utility player in 28 years of watching us.

Arise Sir Chris........

Was discussing this the other day. He's never given less than everything in a blades shirt ok sometimes with less success than other times but the bloke clearly loves the club and to me is a bit of a Bob Booker cult hero just with more skill - no offence Bob.
Will quite happily applaud the guy enthusiastically whenever he comes back after he eventually does leave or retire.

 

[ShockingBadBuy]

I forgot to mention his fitness Ricky, but you are spot on. He just keeps going and never seems to tire. Last season v Scunny and then Bolton at home I have never seen a footballer give more and still be going at it for 90+ minutes.

He could play 100 games a season. He's an incredible natural athlete. If he wasn't a footballer he'd be doing something else involving running, if he wanted to. He doesn't get injured either, despite putting his body on the line just about every week.

Extremely valuable player for us and as you say will definitely go down as a real Blades hero.

Couldn't agree more. And this makes him vital to the way we play. Without qualities like these, in all three thirds of the pitch, we just couldn't play the "high tempo, high press" game the way we do. It's not all about pace, it's about relentlessness too.

Special mention in this regard to Leon, as well, who is beginning to redefine the practice of "defending from the front".

So damn much to enjoy, and to treasure, about the team (and club) we currently have.

 

[blade.i.am]

Always comes across well when interviewed (like last night). Future management material I suspect.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

He's so nimble for a big fella.

 

[Punk Blade]

utility player

Fully agree with everything except this. For me a utility player is useful to have but doesn’t specialise in any position. I think Bash can genuinely play several positions better than just filling in when required.

I was actually happy to see Bash move over to RWB (obviously gutted for Freeman) and said how dangerous he is going forward from that position. Wasn’t at all surprised to see him pop up with the goal!

I remember when he arrived he had this utility reputation and he said he wanted to hold down and focus on one position (i think midfield), but he’s continued to improve and grow in all of them.

 

[mattbianco1]

His first name is Chris, is Chris, is Chris
His second name is Basham, is Basham is Basham
His third name is Bauer, is Bauer, is Bauer
we call him Bashambauer - oh oh oh oh ooooooh

 

[super_pig]

Was discussing this the other day. He's never given less than everything in a blades shirt ok sometimes with less success than other times but the bloke clearly loves the club and to me is a bit of a Bob Booker cult hero just with more skill - no offence Bob.
Will quite happily applaud the guy enthusiastically whenever he comes back after he eventually does leave or retire.

agree was just about to post 'well on the way to being the new bob booker'

 

[S1268blade]

Was listening to Praise & Grumble during the early ours and a Blade described him as "Nick Montgomery with a bit of Messi" .....he deserves his plaudits had a fabulous game yesterday.

 

[Sheffsteel]

I always had Basham down as Nick Montgomery type, a ‘a trier that gives 100%”.

However his improvement has been quite incredible.
Maybe it’s being surrounded playing amongst quality players?
Maybe it’s the coaching?

But I’m shocked to say that Basham now looks a real player, still gives 100%, still has a great attitude but he now plays with an air of confidence and class. Never thought I’d ever say that about him.

 

[COME BACK CHED]

Bash loves a goal matters not one iota , what level its at , in a pre-season friendly he scored and you would have thought he had got the winner at Wembley , way he celebrated

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Fully agree with everything except this. For me a utility player is useful to have but doesn’t specialise in any position. I think Bash can genuinely play several positions better than just filling in when required.

I was actually happy to see Bash move over to RWB (obviously gutted for Freeman) and said how dangerous he is going forward from that position. Wasn’t at all surprised to see him pop up with the goal!

I remember when he arrived he had this utility reputation and he said he wanted to hold down and focus on one position (i think midfield), but he’s continued to improve and grow in all of them.

Was going to post something similar. I would just add that he benefits from playing in a team of similarly committed players, rather than having to try to drag performances out of others. And that he is more than a utility player, in that he changes position during a match, and has the intelligence to slot into the role immediately - I have him down as the emergency goalkeeper!

 

[DronnieBlade]

“Skin em all Zinedine”

UTB

 

[Blade1771]

I thought Basham had an excellent game yesterday. What was telling was the fact that when Freeman went down with his injury, I didn't have any concern about Basham moving to right wing back as I knew he was more than capable than slotting in there, as he is more than capable that slotting in anywhere on the pitch.

When Basham first came in, I can remember an early interview where he said he was coming in to put some roots down here, and that told me that he was committed to the club and here for the long haul. During the first two seasons he was pretty much an automatic choice under Clough and Adkins, and has was part of the team that turned in some dire performances but with hindsight he was a player who often escaped censure, whilst others rightly copped for severe criticism.

I think with Wilder and Basham, the player and manager are made for each other. Basham could literally be identikit player to fit Wilders recruitment teams 15 point criteria, and Wilder is the manager who knows how to get the absolute maximum out of Basham.

 

[Maidenhead]

I thought Basham had an excellent game yesterday. What was telling was the fact that when Freeman went down with his injury, I didn't have any concern about Basham moving to right wing back as I knew he was more than capable than slotting in there, as he is more than capable that slotting in anywhere on the pitch.

When Basham first came in, I can remember an early interview where he said he was coming in to put some roots down here, and that told me that he was committed to the club and here for the long haul. During the first two seasons he was pretty much an automatic choice under Clough and Adkins, and has was part of the team that turned in some dire performances but with hindsight he was a player who often escaped censure, whilst others rightly copped for severe criticism.

I think with Wilder and Basham, the player and manager are made for each other. Basham could literally be identikit player to fit Wilders recruitment teams 15 point criteria, and Wilder is the manager who knows how to get the absolute maximum out of Basham.

I also heard before he signed his most recent contract that all he wanted to do was get a new contract, play football, and end his career at BDTBL.

He loves it here, which is probably why he is playing so well.

 

[Need4speed]

that is just so true
Only a little bit but enough

 

[Maidenhead]

Ooh ahh Bashambauer I said Ooh ahh Bashambauer!

Ooh ahh Bashambauer I said Ooh ahh Bashambauer!

So good, I just had to join in

Ooh ahh Bashambauer I said Ooh ahh Bashambauer!

 

[Withington Blade]

Tremendous attitude as well. You can tell he loves the City and playing for the Mighty Blades. Keep it up Bash!

 

[Stretch]

Couldn't agree more. And this makes him vital to the way we play. Without qualities like these, in all three thirds of the pitch, we just couldn't play the "high tempo, high press" game the way we do. It's not all about pace, it's about relentlessness too.

Special mention in this regard to Leon, as well, who is beginning to redefine the practice of "defending from the front".

So damn much to enjoy, and to treasure, about the team (and club) we currently have.

Good shout on Leon mate. Don't know if you spotted yesterday what happened after that heart in mouth moment when Blackman passed out to Wright who was then closed down, gave the ball away and we nearly conceded. Wright was giving Blackman a deserved bollocking before Leon charged back to defend the corner and a right go at the pair of them, and I mean a right go. He is very vocal out there and does a lot of organising on defensive situations as well. Quite the opposite of his quiet, shy demeanour on camera.