Ched future?

[BushBlade]

If he hadn’t had the charge on him in preseason he would have been sold for a fraction of what we paid for him. Had he not been sent down there is no guarantee what would have happened next – his contract was up, and he might have headed to a Championship club on a Bosman. Whichever way you look at it, we did not get value from the £3m paid for him. For that sort of cash you’d have expected a goals return that would have made it tough for us to be relegated in the first place.

He really wasn't suited to Blackwell's style of football, like many of Blackwell's signings. When your game is based on having a big target man why would anyone sign Evans when the money could have been spent on a back up/competitor for the injury/suspension prone Henderson? It's like signing Duffy to compete for Monty's place in midfield. I still get angry thinking about semi-pro's idiocy and total incompetence in the transfer market.

 

[Esablade]

He really wasn't suited to Blackwell's style of football

Who was?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

He really wasn't suited to Blackwell's style of football, like many of Blackwell's signings

I think pinning it on Blackwell alone (and I’m no fan of his style) works up till a point when thinking of his overall contribution to play, but there were plenty of examples where the ball would have been presented to him from a cross, cut-back, through-ball, and he would have scuffed his shots, headed it weakly, not troubled the keeper. The style of play leading up to the final pass to him isn’t relevant if ultimately it's created a decent goalscoring chance.

He was better under Speed, but still not in my view £3m worth of Championship striker. He was also the best of the strikers when we went down. Which is one of the indications why we went down. His brilliant season following that I put down to partly the system, certainly the drop in level, and also a change in mentality that forced him to knuckle down and focus on football in light of what was going on off the field.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

While I’ll disagree with the occasional rating in a match from Deadbat, I do think he gets the vast majority of assessments right, and at times like this I think it’s useful to consult the bible of player ratings – his end of season reviews. Here are his review of “Evans: The Championship Years”. The one thing to note on his 2nd season was that his mediocre season equates to one of (if not the) best score of the squad review. I’d encourage a read of both in depth for some of the full horrors of those seasons.

2009/10 https://www.s24su.com/forum/index.php?threads/deadbats-09-10-school-report.18659/#post-246229

Ched Evans – I was delighted we managed to sign Evans as the bits I had seen of him for Man City and on loan at Norwich he looked a really promising young player. Big, strong and powerful; he also always looked a goal threat with a ferocious shot. He came in and was excellent against Watford with a well taken goal and performance. He was often the one who missed out away from home as Blackwell went for Henderson as we employed the one up front. He seemed to suffer from not having a regular run in the team and the goals completely dried up. His confidence suffered and it got to the stage where he could not do much right. What surprised many was his deficiencies even n the basics of control, touch and passing. He always showed he had a decent shot but he actually was not even getting in positions to even get chances. His work rate also left a lot to be desired and he often was either taken off on the hour mark or as the season progressed became employed more as a substitute. All in all, whatever the fee was and even the board/manager seem to disagree on this; he still cost a fair bit and has been a major disappointment so far. A big season for him next year as no one will be interested in signing him so he has to bounce back and show why United chose to invest quite a significant sum in him. If he has another poor season he could go from being a promising player at a top Premiership club to someone that may have to start again in the lower leagues. At the moment my concern is I have not seen many qualities or positives in him thus far that means he could turn things around. Grade D

2010/11 https://www.s24su.com/forum/index.p...2010-11-season-and-school-report.23117/page-2

Ched Evans had a disappointing first season on the whole after a big money move from Manchester City. Debate still rages what he actually cost with figures going from £750,000 to 3 million. Whatever it was it is certain the wages that Evans was given were certainly fairly hefty and the total outlay was to borrow a phrase from Mr McCabe when describing the sum spent to acquire him was ‘significant.’ He began his season well but only finished with a measly 4 goals and often flattered to deceive as his football brain and positional sense was sadly lacking. Evans knew this season was a big one and he definitely had an improved campaign if still displaying certain inconsistencies in his game. He began with a goal at Cardiff and looked sharp in the early games. He registered a vital free kick against Portsmouth to win a game but the goals dried up again and he had spells out through injury and also loss of form. He did not score again until a purple patch of 5 goals in 7 games around Christmas including a winner against Swansea and a well taken brace against Hull. He had showed strong running, got into better areas and generally perhaps more than anything had put in some real shifts for the team showing effort and desire missing the previous season. For the final few months of the season his form dropped off as he suffered numerous injuries again that made things rather stop-start. Whenever he came back he picked up another knock and only scored one goal in the final 4 months of the season in the defeat at Scunthorpe. It was a disappointing end to the season when for long spells he had been maybe our best player and one of the few to come out of the season with any credit. The critics will say 9 goals is still not enough and that he still does not quite do enough for the side to justify whatever money has been parlayed on him. He is one player that has improved and looks more like the player we thought we had signed but overall maybe he has been a touch disappointing over the 2 seasons we have had him. He will almost certainly move on due to financial needs and I expect him to remain with a club in the Championship. It will be interesting to see if he can take his undoubted potential (still only 22) on and be more far more consistent over the course of a season at his new club. Grade C

 

[mosbolad]

A fit Ched will be like signing a new £10m striker, but unlike Jordan Rhodes, a striker who will score goals.........and step up to take penalties!!!!

A fit Ched will be like signing a striker who scored loads for us in the league below and who hasn't scored for us in the last 6 years after being out of the game for 4 of those 6.

However if he's worth 10 squillion pounds I'm all over it!

 

[Gavlar]

It amazes me how some fans are so quick (have a strong desire) to write off Ched.

Fortunately for us we have an excellent medical team and excellent support/ motivation structure.

The bottom line is Ched is close to full fitness
And will be given the chance to impress in training with I suspect occasional subs appearances.
If he impresses during game time then I’d expect him to play a major role in the 1st team.

We know he had fantastic ability, he’s our best striker when fully firing
But off course (I agree with oers) it’s unlikely he’ll get near his league 1 form this season.
Anyhow I’m prepared to keep an open mind and give him a chance for this season.

The big question for me is will Wilder keep patience and target next season (with a proper pre season) under his belt for Ched Evans to finally show that he’s a top end striker. This season people can offer valid excuses for him but next season the pressure is on to deliver.

If i had a penny for the times i've heard "he is close to full fitness" even this season i would be a rich man.

I'm also amazed folks think he is our best striker. He has had one good season in league 1 and that was 6 years ago. He was crap in the championship before that and was often injured.........see a pattern here?

I hope i am wrong and he is the messiah but good grief lets lower our expectations.

 

[Tynemouth Blade]

A fit Ched will be like signing a striker who scored loads for us in the league below and who hasn't scored for us in the last 6 years after being out of the game for 4 of those 6.

However if he's worth 10 squillion pounds I'm all over it!

I refer you to my previous post!

You seem to have missed my sarcasm aimed at Jordan Rhodes,

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

when he bangs his first goal in...

Yet another beautiful, wonderful euphemism...

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

If we ever see Giggs in the Director's Box....

 

[BushBlade]

If we ever see Giggs in the Director's Box....

I don't want Brooksy hanging around with those two.

 

[Tom Bott]

We can speculate all we like, with whatever glasses we happen read life with, but Ched needs to show us whether he is up for the challenge, like Leon and transfer listed Coutts did.

Given Chris Wilder has faith, then so have I until proven otherwise.

We will see.

 

[INTAKE BLADE]

what a beautiful euphemism...

I’ll line em up

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Am I reading that right? You’re suggesting that the club, who have basically plucked him out of obscurity following a mediocre injury-filled season, handing him a three-year deal, and giving him opportunities to play when he was able to this season, has failed Ched Evans?

Yes

His operation should have happened straight away. The second derby game was a good marker to aim for regarding getting him fit, six months.
Failed miserably, that clear it up?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Yes

His operation should have happened straight away. The second derby game was a good marker to aim for regarding getting him fit, six months.
Failed miserably, that clear it up?

No, not really. Why should his operation happened straight away? We had players ahead of him out injured at the time, and he made himself available to play through the issue he had. Are you blaming Wilder for doing what was best for the squad at the time and playing him when we had a striker shortage?

 

[Lmaobob]

Seriously? I can only assume you didn't watch him in L1. He was unplayable. He was on his way to the PL. He was still young. Players improve - it clicked for him that season.

And he had a better goals per game ratio than Rhodes. And was a much better player in almost every other aspect of the game.

yes, i've never watched sheffield united in my life. you got me ricky

 

[blade too long]

if he finally is fit , be nice to see him get some minutes, more likely last 15 or so

aby steps until hes fully fit

 

[blader]

Can’t see him getting on the pitch this season, hence why I’ve been advocating a loan move for him.

He still doesn’t look match fit (and let’s be fair, hasn’t shown any signs of championship quality since signing for us). He needs game time, which he won’t get here. He needs to go to L1 or 2 for the remainder of the season and play 10+ games. Our strikers are in good form, and he showed nothing yesterday to suggest he will be an upgrade on what we have.

Send him out for a few months and see if he still has a knack for scoring goals. My strong suspicion is that he won’t be up to it but he has to go play some games and get some match sharpness, if not just for his own sake and career.

 

[Esablade]

Can’t see him getting on the pitch this season, hence why I’ve been advocating a loan move for him.

He still doesn’t look match fit (and let’s be fair, hasn’t shown any signs of championship quality since signing for us). He needs game time, which he won’t get here. He needs to go to L1 or 2 for the remainder of the season and play 10+ games. Our strikers are in good form, and he showed nothing yesterday to suggest he will be an upgrade on what we have.

Send him out for a few months and see if he still has a knack for scoring goals. My strong suspicion is that he won’t be up to it but he has to go play some games and get some match sharpness, if not just for his own sake and career.

Wilder appears to have faith in Ched and he seems to be ahead of Lavery in the pecking order ..so it would seem our five strikers for the rest of the season are Leon, Wilson, Don, Sharp, Ched...with Lavery going out on loan/sold.

Expect it will be a mix of Under 23 games/maybe off the bench if any of the first four are injured whilst Ched tries to get up to speed.

 

[blader]

Wilder appears to have faith in Ched and he seems to be ahead of Lavery in the pecking order ..so it would seem our five strikers for the rest of the season are Leon, Wilson, Don, Sharp, Ched...with Lavery going out on loan/sold.

Expect it will be a mix of Under 23 games/maybe off the bench if any of the first four are injured whilst Ched tries to get up to speed.

Which is fine, but my point is we won’t learn anything about Ched because he’s 5th choice. In fact, with Brooks back soon that will make him 6th. So he just won’t get on the pitch. I just think it’s better for everyone involved if he had a loan move, he probably won’t even make the match day squad from now on, thinking about it, as you won’t need 3 strikers on the bench.Just seems pointless to keep him around for now.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

If we ever see Giggs in the Director's Box....

Rob Page was there yesterday, probably on his behalf. I don't think he'd made the effort just to come & watch Billy Bodin for them.

 

[fintious maximus]

I’d like to see Ched do well and make an impact. When he came on yesterday I had big expectations but he didnt stand out as a player that would/should push others out of the starting xi. He needs time on the pitch but at this point in the season there isnt time to spare. At the end of the day in Wilder we trust and if he plays him he plays him. UTB

 

[Esablade]

Which is fine, but my point is we won’t learn anything about Ched because he’s 5th choice. In fact, with Brooks back soon that will make him 6th. So he just won’t get on the pitch. I just think it’s better for everyone involved if he had a loan move, he probably won’t even make the match day squad from now on, thinking about it, as you won’t need 3 strikers on the bench.Just seems pointless to keep him around for now.

I see Brooks as more of an attacking midfielder in the Duffy/Holmes role tbh...running at defences, which would leave us with just four strikers (three of whom, to put it politely are getting on a bit!) but yeah, take your point that he can play up top.

A loan move might be best for Ched but I suspect the management have seen something in training, want to monitor him and are expecting him to feature in and around the first team.

 

[Sheffsteel]

I see Brooks as more of an attacking midfielder in the Duffy/Holmes role tbh...running at defences, which would leave us with just four strikers (three of whom, to put it politely are getting on a bit!) but yeah, take your point that he can play up top.

A loan move might be best for Ched but I suspect the management have seen something in training, want to monitor him and are expecting him to feature in and around the first team.

Totally agree.

We might all have reasonable opinions. I’m not sure what to think but I do know Wilder will have a better idea than anyone.
He sees him in training everyday. We train at full pelt and I suspect Wilder sees that Evans has still got it.

Yesterday was a tricky match for strikers because both sides were cautious and defensive.
Although Ched hardly touched the ball (a great flick header from a corner almost creating a goal was his only real touch) he did seem to put their defenders under physical pressure and the team looked more dangerous after he came on.

 

[Ricky]

He certainly puts himself about a lot these days, and uses his strength quite well. But he's lost that explosive burst he once had. He's had to adjust his game and it remains to be seen whether he can be successful with it.

There's a strong case to get him out on loan. But if he stays here we can manage his fitness more closely, and a sustained spell of fitness is hugely important for him - his career probably depends on it.

 

[originaltrueblade]

Cut him some slack.... match fitness is now needed. I do think he will get back to where he was before and start getting the goals. He needs a league goal. Start him up front with Clarke on Tuesday let him run his socks off for 45 minutes and see what it brings

 

[blader]

Cut him some slack.... match fitness is now needed. I do think he will get back to where he was before and start getting the goals. He needs a league goal. Start him up front with Clarke on Tuesday let him run his socks off for 45 minutes and see what it brings

You’d start him over Wilson and Donaldson, both of whom scored in our last league match? Really?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Rob Page was there yesterday, probably on his behalf. I don't think he'd made the effort just to come & watch Billy Bodin for them.

I will be amazed if I see Ched Evans play for Wales again. I don’t think Bodin has had a call-up to the senior squad yet, but he’ll probably be on the radar now he’s moved to the Championship – if he does well for Preston, he’ll probably get a call-up.

 

[gavtheblade]

He'll score the winner in the play off final.

 

[PokerBlade]

If anything I'd say yesterday he looked a bit too desperate. Same when he played vs. Leicester early on in the season. Doing a bit too much headless chicken running and when the ball comes his way he needs more composure. I'm sure the guy is absolutely desperate to impress but he needs to settle down. I wish Sharp had been subbed yesterday before the penalty so he could've smashed that in.

I really want the guy to do well, and I really want a chance to fall for him, goal or not, just to see if he still has that thunderbolt shot on him. Look, there's no room for sentimentality when picking the team, and if he's not a better option than the other strikers then he won't get game time and that's fair enough. Still, he cost us pennies relative to this division and whatever happens it's a decent gamble.

If there's any justice in the world then he'll have smashed in one in front of the Kop before he moves on from United.

 

[ShorehamRevolution]

Can’t see him getting on the pitch this season, hence why I’ve been advocating a loan move for him.

He still doesn’t look match fit (and let’s be fair, hasn’t shown any signs of championship quality since signing for us). He needs game time, which he won’t get here. He needs to go to L1 or 2 for the remainder of the season and play 10+ games. Our strikers are in good form, and he showed nothing yesterday to suggest he will be an upgrade on what we have.

Send him out for a few months and see if he still has a knack for scoring goals. My strong suspicion is that he won’t be up to it but he has to go play some games and get some match sharpness, if not just for his own sake and career.

Try telling the Ched loyalists this. I very much doubt he’ll ever start a league game for us again.