Wilder and the Brooks transfer

[Houso]

Loads of tears, foot stamping and recriminations over Brooks (potentially) going these last 24 hours. And for the most part it's understandable. Too many players in the past have been undersold without a second thought; Adams, Maguire, Naughton and Walker perhaps the most obvious.

McCabe has to take blame for pretty much all of those. Whether the players wanted to go or not, we should have held out for more where we could. The Walker/Naughton transfer was an absolute joke and ranks alongside Deane/JAF for my money as the worst deals in the clubs' recent history.

Every single time those players were sold (Deane/JAF aside), we had yes-men in the manager's office. This time, I feel it's very very different. We have a manager who, if Brooks was sold without his agreement, would not hold back his feelings in public. My gut instinct is that if Brooks goes, Wilder will come out and say that we couldn't hang onto a player who wanted to leave. I think he'll also comment that the fee is acceptable (I happen to agree, but others are welcome to think he was undersold).

Ultimately (if the above happens) it boils down to whether you trust Wilder or not. He's not a patsy, he's not a yes man, he'll only sanction a move if he feels like it's not for the best.

So.... in Wilder we trust? Or not?

 

[BLADES1988]

I personally think wilder would walk if it wasn't ultimately his decision. I'm sure he said that in one of the recent(ish) interviews.

 

[South Bucks]

My guess is despite all the spin with the team needing strengthening and the owners in dispute so probably reluctant to invest until its sorted, Brooks being sold this summer was the obvious solution.
Seems a good price to me so I'm happy and lets face it he had a decent number of chances but didn't really do much for us, a lightweight easily knocked off the ball and can't shoot but relies on flicks and passing the ball into the net.
My suspicion is he might not improve further so a good timely deal for us if we use some of the money wisely.
A good call by our management.

 

[Carlton Blade]

I trust Wilder and am bitterly disappointed that we've sold Brooks. Not mutually exclusive

 

[Revolution]

We have a manager who, if Brooks was sold without his agreement, would not hold back his feelings in public.

I have seen this sentiment expressed many times re various different matters (most notably Ched Evans), and I am still unconvinced that it is true.

 

[Houso]

Indeed, I don't think any of it is unreasonable. Let's be honest, we would all have loved Brooks to stay at the club and us to spend money on players this coming season, but that's not where we are. I'm hopeful we'll see Wilder invest above the 12m we get as a down payment for Brooks, but that would be impressive and somewhat surprising still.

I think there's only one or two clubs in this division who wouldn't sell Brooks in our position for this fee.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Why do you think we haven't brought many people in yet ? Seems clear to me that the Brooks deal was key to what happens next and Tufty will have been fully involved in that IMO. I suspect that might have been the case last January as well.

He said he was key to our plans but also that everyone has their price so I can't see why there would be any issues with this (inevitable) transfer unless he doesn't get the funds to re-invest.

 

[Houso]

I have seen this sentiment expressed many times re various different matters (most notably Ched Evans), and I am still unconvinced that it is true.

He very clearly came close to walking in the Summer Rev. While he didn't say anything, actions speak louder and all that.

Plus, didn't he take a chairman to task on TV while at Northampton and was very outspoken at both Oxford and Alfreton too. Lots of evidence for me (given the contrary).

 

[Houso]

I trust Wilder and am bitterly disappointed that we've sold Brooks. Not mutually exclusive

My post says that no?

 

[Esablade]

My guess is despite all the spin with the team needing strengthening and the owners in dispute so probably reluctant to invest until its sorted, Brooks being sold this summer was the obvious solution.
Seems a good price to me so I'm happy and lets face it he had a decent number of chances but didn't really do much for us, a lightweight easily knocked off the ball and can't shoot but relies on flicks and passing the ball into the net.
My suspicion is he might not improve further so a good timely deal for us if we use some of the money wisely.
A good call by our management.

Wilder is pragmatic and despite the talk of ‘evil agents’ “turning heads” ( twirls moustache..) I think you are right.

Brooks is Wilders budget, putting aside the lads merits( or lack of ) if we push on to top six/promotion, it’s a master stroke, if we don’t, it’s a ‘mistake’...such is life.

UTB!

 

[Geordie Blade]

My guess is despite all the spin with the team needing strengthening and the owners in dispute so probably reluctant to invest until its sorted, Brooks being sold this summer was the obvious solution.
Seems a good price to me so I'm happy and lets face it he had a decent number of chances but didn't really do much for us, a lightweight easily knocked off the ball and can't shoot but relies on flicks and passing the ball into the net.
My suspicion is he might not improve further so a good timely deal for us if we use some of the money wisely.
A good call by our management.

I agree. A couple of points that I think are worthwhile mentioning:

1. I've seen a lot of comments that we have sold our 'best player'. This is very far from the truth. He may be have the most potential but I don't believe he would even make it into Wilder's preferred starting eleven if the full squad was fit.
2. Since time began, people have said that our board are 'money grabbers' and that we 'always undersell'. I think those points contradict each other. Surely if we really could get £20m for him, why wouldn't the board hold on for that? It would be in their interests! They may have faults, but McCabe is a very successful businessman and isn't naive enough to take the first offer on something without knowing what else could be possible.

All that said, his nutmeg at Hillsborough is in my top 10 Blades moments of all time.

 

[Newarkblade]

Completely agree, at the end of the day if Wilder wasn't happy with the terms of the transfer Brooks simply wouldn't be leaving.

Brooks despite the odd flash of genius has been pretty inconsistent and still hasn't found a position that he can call his own, he's not a striker in my opinion and although he may eventually grow into the Duffy role I don't think he is currently ready to displace Duffy from the team

At £12m is that a bad fee for a player who has had his head turned, allegedly, and maybe isn't 100% committed to the cause, one of Wilders biggest traits in a player. Yes we would all like more for him but at the end of the day only 1 club has actually made an offer that we're aware of, the other option is to keep him and let him sulk while he ruins squad harmony, doesn't play and his value drops.

Is Brooks any better than we assumed Diego would be at a similar age pre injury? He has played 30 games for us and probably only stood out in maybe 3-4 of them

IF and this is the big point, Wilder gets all the funds to spend and brings in 3-4 players to strengthen the squad as a whole I think this is a good deal.

Based on the last 2 years I think we have to trust Wilder, he has got far more right than he's got wrong...

 

[Carlton Blade]

My post says that no?

I may or may not have not read the whole thing closely enough

 

[BigBed]

Rumours of Holmes being handed Brooks shirt...............anything in it!??

 

[The Crab]

Rumours of Holmes being handed Brooks shirt...............anything in it!??

Might need to change the name on the back......................

 

[mattbianco1]

Rumours of Holmes being handed Brooks shirt...............anything in it!??

He's always liked the number 36 apparently

 

[Harry's Game]

Rumours of Holmes being handed Brooks shirt...............anything in it!??

Last seasons shirt? A parting gift?

 

[Baaaaaaa Blades]

he has showed flashes of brilliance but is certainly not our best/most important player- but does have great potential but that doesn't always end up being shown

if you take away the Pig game ( which he was great in and was on TV and a big derby win so understandably got rave reviews from all ) , he hasn't been great and was quite poor in decision making /loosing possession /not tracking back etc ( although in fairness coming back from a very bad illness at the end of the season )
IMO I have never seen him as a replacement for Duff Man , more a 2nd striker

with CW , he could use the money wisely
its all IF he gets all the cash to spend and if he can find a striker who bangs the goals in and a imposing /scoring! CB and LWB , I'll be happy

i would be far far more bothered if one of Fleck, Coutts or Duff man were sold - that would be a shocking decision by the board .

 

[Fanny magnet]

Rumours of Holmes being handed Brooks shirt...............anything in it!??

Think its his spot on the bench ,holmesy wants to be nearer the kop

 

[B14Nco]

I just think it makes sense.

Although I’d have loved to see him (potentially) develop with us I think Wilder has had to choose between building a forward line around Brooks or potentially use him as we have this season as an impact sub.

You never know... (and although unlikely) after looking at what the ‘proven’ forwards (who will perform consistently at this level) we want to bring in are going to cost we might have actively touted him. All will become clearer when we see what we buy/ bring in.

Again although unlikely but if tomorrow we suddenly unveil Sam Gallagher and Scott Hogan/ Vidra the business would look good to me.

 

[B14Nco]

...or Troy Deeney

 

[FinchleyBlade]

Wilder stated that Brooks would not be leaving unless it was 'silly money'.

Is the reported fee for him really 'silly money' in today's market?

I don't think so myself.

 

[1066blade]

After all is said and done, I always thought all things considered, the pragmatist in me just thinks Brookes was a luxury we couldn't afford.

 

[snootyfenooty]

After all is said and done, I always thought all things considered, the pragmatist in me just thinks Brookes was a luxury we couldn't afford.

Agreed. But Brooks was.

 

[1066blade]

Oops :-(

 

[The Crab]

He's always liked the number 36 apparently

So do I, with some chips and a side of Prawn Toast

 

[Bert]

Wilder stated that Brooks would not be leaving unless it was 'silly money'.

Is the reported fee for him really 'silly money' in today's market?

I don't think so myself.

Wilder knows Brooks better than any correspondent here, he obviously thinks it is silly money.

 

[Billy's Boots]

He hasn't passed medical yet !

 

[John Street West Terrace]

Brookes has massive potential and has a rare commodity nowadays.. the ability to take a player on and beat him out too many of those about at the moment , yes he can be frustrating / wasteful but with experience & better physique he will become a very very good player , one I fear that yet again we’ll rue parting with in years to come .
I don’t think his has been conducted behind CW’s back so you have to trust in the managers judgement on this one , with the ownership dispute neither party is going to want to throw money in the pot with a potential trap door awaiting on3 of them so I think / hope Wider is going to get access to the £12M to bolster up a few positions .
If he doesn’t see the cash then yet again it will be another ground hog day in the Sheff Utd sell your talent story .. something in the last 40 years that we’ve been leaders at

 

[DronnieBlade]

McCabe : David. Is there anything we can do to get you to stay with us for our promotion push.

DB : No Kev. I’m off to Ballmouth. Thanks all the same.



UTB