So far, so who?

[shorehamview]

As the end of July approaches, and the start of the season looms, it's time let our appraising eyes check out the improvements made to our squad.

Ins.

Andy Taylor, from Tranmere. He used to play for Blackburn, you know, and they're a Premier League club.

Kyel Reid, from West Ham, and they're a Premier League club too, even though they shouldn't be. And Reid has made THREE appearances for them! Three!

Lee Williamson, from Watford. Yes, another attempt to turn the Hornets into SUFC Academy (South).

Outs.

Danny Webber is really the only name of note to leave, and how many of us are really sad to see him go? Not Webber of a few seasons ago, Webber of the last two seasons.
Ugo was a decent stop-gap signing, but he was too old. Bromby can fill his role, and he's a damn sight younger too.
Sun Jihai didn't do enough. Good on the ball, but Jackie Chan off it.
Big thanks and good luck to Halford, shame he didn't fancy another season or two with us.

Shake it all abouts.

It'd be nice to see Carney go, as he's not done anything worth reporting in a United shirt. I'm still undecided about Lee Hendrie. I had big hopes when he signed, and if he played I'm sure he could make a decent contribution, but do we want to pay him undoubtedly big money just to get bench splinters in his arse?

As for the Kyles, they've not gone yet but it's highly unlikely they'll be playing for us at the start of the season.


The ins don't exactly fill me with confidence, but they could be worse. Could be better too, but at least we've not gone for old players after one last fat paycheque - Williamson is the oldest of the three and he's only 27.

The only difference even if we do get rid of the two Kyles is we've swapped some young players for other young players. We could still do with getting rid of the excess, and I'm afraid that includes Geary, a player we'd all love to see back in a Blades shirt, but as his knee is shagged then let's put him to better use - either get rid or get him coaching.
I'd be tempted to use Billy Sharp as a makeweight in a possible transfer deal for another striker too. Yes, he's a Blade, but he's supposed to be a goalscorer. If he can rediscover the form he had at Scunny then keep him. Is it worth sending him on loan for a while, to a lower league or maybe Ferencvaros?

Any other thoughts on the team? Not speculation on who we could or should sign, just thoughts on who we have signed and who has gone, and those that you think we can do without, and why.

 

[Linz]

FPed: So far, so who? - Incomings and Outgoings at BDTBL

 

[SBSP]

I'd be tempted to use Billy Sharp as a makeweight in a possible transfer deal for another striker too. Yes, he's a Blade, but he's supposed to be a goalscorer. If he can rediscover the form he had at Scunny then keep him. Is it worth sending him on loan for a while, to a lower league or maybe Ferencvaros?QUOTE]


I think this should have happened at the beginning of or at least some way through last season.


Let him to go out for a few months, or even a full season, bag a few goals and gwet his confidence back. If still then he doesn't do it for us I would let him go.

As you said he would be a good bartering tool for another lower league striker as we all know he can do it at that level.

 

[jose_d_blade]

If you take Beattie out of the equation i think sharp was last seasons top scoring striker.
i think there’s a 60% chance that the influx wingers could bring back his goal scoring form since he’s more of a box player / goal poacher.
give him 10 games if he doesn’t improve loan him to a lower league team he'll score shed loads this would give us a better chance of recouping the 2.5m.

I know he can do it given a chance.

 

[keenzy]

if you take beattie out of the equation i think sharp was last seasons top scoring striker.
I think there’s a 60% chance that the influx wingers could bring back his goal scoring form since he’s more of a box player / goal poacher.
Give him 10 games if he doesn’t improve loan him to a lower league team he'll score shed loads this would give us a better chance of recouping the 2.5m.

I know he can do it given a chance.

wasnt it quinn????

 

[Robbie]

wasnt it quinn????

Top scoring striker he said.....

But I am certain Hendo got one more goal than Sharp anyways....

 

[DazBlade88]

If you take Beattie out of the equation i think sharp was last seasons top scoring striker.
i think there’s a 60% chance that the influx wingers could bring back his goal scoring form since he’s more of a box player / goal poacher.
give him 10 games if he doesn’t improve loan him to a lower league team he'll score shed loads this would give us a better chance of recouping the 2.5m.

I know he can do it given a chance.

I would say 51 games in 2 seasons is a pretty big chance to prove yourself.

The signings we've made are ok, but not setting the world alight. I was expecting more by now, but never mind.

I agree with you on Carney and Hendrie purely because they're not justifying earning their wages. Whether it's their fault or not, there's no point having them.

 

[Linz]

Top scoring striker he said.....

But I am certain Hendo got one more goal than Sharp anyways....

Yup... full squad stats here:

http://www.soccerbase.com/squad_season.sd?teamid=2328

 

[Come from away]

As for Carney and Hendrie - it is interesting that we are giving Carney a run at fullback as he might prove a useful back-up to Taylor until Naysmith is available (he does play there for Aussie). Hendrie has always looked useful but unlikely anyone else can afford him, so he just may see his contract out if we fail to bring in much more. So far, nothing spectacular but good quality - as good as the loans that helped us through last year with a successful end of year run.

 

[SwissBlade]

I would say 51 games in 2 seasons is a pretty big chance to prove yourself.

The signings we've made are ok, but not setting the world alight. I was expecting more by now, but never mind.

I agree with you on Carney and Hendrie purely because they're not justifying earning their wages. Whether it's their fault or not, there's no point having them.

I'd disagree slightly about Sharp. He's not great and is never going to set the world alight but I feel for him at times. He's had his chances, but he's always been the first player subbed, often without justification and how many games has he finished.

Some games when BT was having a sulk, Sharp'd be running his nuts off and looked more up for it, only to be hauled off. Robbo didn't like him but this was by no means confined to Robbo as Blackie did the same.

When Blackie came in Sharp was given a chance and he started scoring, but then he got dropped again.

Cotteril had the same, but reason was because he was so off form, yet he was given another chance.

At times with Billy he looks like he'll grab a hatful and never does, other times he just works hard for the team and never looks like scoring... and doesn't!

Having said that none of the strikers have been prolific. Take BT's penalties and freekicks away and he didn't get that many.

Cotteril has set a target of 15 for this season... considering his only goals were pens then its a tough ask for himself!

 

[Linz]

Cotteril has set a target of 15 for this season... considering his only goals were pens then its a tough ask for himself!

Unless we get Jack Lester back

Now there's a boy who knows how to win a penalty...

 

[Foxy]

Cotteril has set a target of 15 for this season... considering his only goals were pens then its a tough ask for himself!

Wasn't it a target of 15 assists?

 

[Jimbo]

15 decent performances (preferably in a row) would do for now!

 

[SotonBlade]

I worry for Sharp a little bit as he really didn't get a look in at all towards the end of last season, the like of Craig Beattie and Webber weer chosen on the bench ahead of him. To me, if Blackwell had Sharp in his thoughts for this season, he would have chosen him on the bench ahead of Webber who was destined to leave this season anyway. All those reasons point to the fact thaty Sharp will more than likely be used in some sort of swap deal before the end of August

 

[Sensiblade]

I worry for Sharp a little bit as he really didn't get a look in at all towards the end of last season, the like of Craig Beattie and Webber weer chosen on the bench ahead of him. To me, if Blackwell had Sharp in his thoughts for this season, he would have chosen him on the bench ahead of Webber who was destined to leave this season anyway. All those reasons point to the fact thaty Sharp will more than likely be used in some sort of swap deal before the end of August

Sharp was out injured for the last few months of the season, I think he would have got more of a look in if not.

 

[happyhippy]

Top scoring striker he said.....

But I am certain Hendo got one more goal than Sharp anyways....

.... and I know this is ultra-critical, but three of Billy's goals came in one short spell against QPR. His record is about one goal in five and a half matches on average, and about one in seven based on scoring appearances.

I'd love him to go on and be the Blade who leads the line, and all the rest of it, just as we all would, but it just isn't happening. I also think a spell away, or part exchange deal would be best for all concerned.

Carney can go with our best wishes as far as I'm concerned, and Hendrie too, if we're not going to play him. Trying to shift Hendrie could be a problem though, given his wages. I really hoped he'd be the midfielder we'd been crying out for, and while nobody could shine in the turd shower which was Sornob's regime, nothing happened afterwards either.

 

[SBSP]

Carney can go with our best wishes as far as I'm concerned, and Hendrie too, if we're not going to play him. Trying to shift Hendrie could be a problem though, given his wages. I really hoped he'd be the midfielder we'd been crying out for, and while nobody could shine in the turd shower which was Sornob's regime, nothing happened afterwards either.

You will probably all tell me I am wrong but I still think Hendrie is our best midfielder.

He can be the creative spark we have been missing and I cannot understand at all why he wasn't the first midfielder on the sheet every week.

If no-one else is going to pay his wages, put him in the side and let him do the job he is paid for.

As for Carney - he can go back to Oz.

 

[happyhippy]

You will probably all tell me I am wrong but I still think Hendrie is our best midfielder.

I almost agree with you. I think Hendrie could be our best midfielder.

He can be the creative spark we have been missing and I cannot understand at all why he wasn't the first midfielder on the sheet every week.

If no-one else is going to pay his wages, put him in the side and let him do the job he is paid for.

Only if he's prepared to put in the graft, and that has often been his problem. That said, he has had a few niggly injuries.

 

[jose_d_blade]

.... and I know this is ultra-critical, but three of Billy's goals came in one short spell against QPR. His record is about one goal in five and a half matches on average, and about one in seven based on scoring appearances.

yes I remember that match do you think it had something to do with the fact cott's was on form that game and we were playing the ball a lot wider allowing sharp to get in the box more?

That’s why I think there’s a better chance he could get more goal's now we have more wingers.

SwissBlade
I'd disagree slightly about Sharp. He's not great and is never going to set the world alight but I feel for him at times. He's had his chances, but he's always been the first player subbed, often without justification and how many games has he finished.

I agree that he was subbed too quickly when outher players were having a far worst game.

I think Hendry defiantly is the most creative player, when he wants to be.
He seemed to buck up his ideas after returning from Blackpool.
I’d like to see him given another chance but if he’s not going to get it get rid quick

 

[happyhippy]

yes I remember that match do you think it had something to do with the fact cott's was on form that game and we were playing the ball a lot wider allowing sharp to get in the box more?

That’s why I think there’s a better chance he could get more goal's now we have more wingers.

Possibly, and I've been banging on about us getting the ball out wide for ages (if we re-widened the pitch, it would help). The fact that QPR were absolutely dire helped enormously too

 

[gregblade]

Some games when BT was having a sulk, Sharp'd be running his nuts off and looked more up for it, only to be hauled off. Robbo didn't like him but this was by no means confined to Robbo as Blackie did the same.

When Blackie came in Sharp was given a chance and he started scoring, but then he got dropped again.

Even when Beattie was off sulking, he stuck the ball in the net. Sharp runs round like an headless chicken and doesn't look like scoring.

Having watch many of Uniteds games since Blackwell came in I am yet to see Sharp start "scoring". Apart from Barnsley away the season before last when it snowed and sharp scored a good goal, and the hat trick he got against QPR (i think) at the very begining of last season, I am actually yet to see Sharp look dangerous in front of goal. Out of all of our strikers he ranks bottom for me. Saying that, theres only Henderson and Ward above him.

I dont think Blackwell fancies him either. Sharp was back fully training before the end of last season and didn't even make the bench (i dont think) after getting fit. Instead Blackie went with C(rap) Beattie, which tells its own story.

 

[happyhippy]

At the risk of being sacreligious, but could I mention the name "Beattie(pen)"? He scored a few alongside Beattie(James).

Let's be fair, and it's hardly surprising when we have a side managed by a goalkeeper, we score fuck all goals. We need a midfielder to play through, and we need goals.

Catches win matches? Yup, we know this in cricket. Scoring is boring? No, it's what we have to do to ..... win.

Our 'goals for' record last year was diabolical really.

 

[SwissBlade]

At the risk of being sacreligious, but could I mention the name "Beattie(pen)"? He scored a few alongside Beattie(James).

Let's be fair, and it's hardly surprising when we have a side managed by a goalkeeper, we score fuck all goals. We need a midfielder to play through, and we need goals.

Catches win matches? Yup, we know this in cricket. Scoring is boring? No, it's what we have to do to ..... win.

Our 'goals for' record last year was diabolical really.

I don't see the relevance in whether the manager was a keeper or a striker.

We've needed a midfielder since 2003-04 and NW, Robbo or Blackie have been able to get the right man. He's tried Howard, Robbo tried Hendrie (briefly) but neither have produced. To be fair to Blackie even though he's not been able get the right one he's trying to get wingers in to give the supply.

 

[Robbie]

I don't see the relevance in whether the manager was a keeper or a striker.

They're too defensive and don't on the attacking options enough.

 

[Linz]

They're too defensive and don't on the attacking options enough.

To be honest though, two managers who were defenders during their playing days aren't doing too bad... Messers Wenger and Mourinho.

 

[SotonBlade]

To be honest though, two managers who were defenders during their playing days aren't doing too bad... Messers Wenger and Mourinho.

And they weren't even that good at playing!

 

[Robbie]

To be honest though, two managers who were defenders during their playing days aren't doing too bad... Messers Wenger and Mourinho.

Not goalkeepers though are they?

Defenders can be very attack minded people as we well know.

 

[TonyAgana]

I know there's not as many of them so not as easy to judge, but how many GKs have made "good" managers?

 

[Robbie]

I know there's not as many of them so not as easy to judge, but how many GKs have made "good" managers?

If someone can give 2 examples.... I would be VERY suprised.

Although Chris turner was a keeper wasn't he? Oh wait

 

[mattbianco1]

Back to Sharp.... I think he has lived in the shadows of James Beattie. He played a role that wasn't his game ie. "Go fetch doggy!" and when you've got the ball pass it to James! That's not Sharp at all. He's meant to be a "fox in the box" player, 18 yard box and definately 6 yard box he'll snap them up.

When Beattie left sharp played against Hull at Hull in the cup. He was awesome, played very well, scored and should've had a penalty! It was like a weight off his shoulders that he could play as the main striker and he was loving it. Then he got injured and we've not seen of him since!

I think he could have a big season IF we play to his strengths like we did vs Hull and not use him as a scapegoat and make him do the creating for the others.