Leon thanks Blades fans..

[Cerberus Blade]

In fairness mate quite a few are prefacing their comments with saying they had their doubts etc. Just goes to show that you have to give a new signing time before you know if it’s a good one or not

Yes absolutely. But I'm not referring to those good folks. I'm talking about those fans who just hate a player because he's been a Wednesday player in the past.

As someone kindly reminded me, I'd posted something a while ago saying Henderson was no better than Moore and Egan was no better than Stearman. At the time that's what I genuinely thought. I was quite happy with Moore as a keeper tbh - (I preferred him to Blackman - even though Blackman was formidable in the air) and I thought Stearman was one of our better defenders towards the end of last season. Egan wasn't very convincing at first - I wasn't alone in thinking that. But I have to say now that I think Henderson is the best keeper we've had since Paddy Kenny - and I rated Paddy Kenny, even though he was slightly mad. And Egan has developed into a really solid centre half and holds it together well. So, I'm really pleased with both. That post though was more about the lack of backing for Wilder - that was my frustration coming out. I just felt the club needed to give him the tools to do the job, or we'd have a worse season this season.

Quite how Wilder has "improved" the side from last season, given the lack of funds he's had to play with, is not much short of a miracle. I honestly thought we'd lose a few of our better players in the summer and struggle this season, compared to last. But, with the exception of Brooks, we held on to our better players and Wilder has recruited very well. The one thing you can be sure of with Wilder, is that if a player doesn't work out, he'll be binned off pretty quickly. So, there are no passengers down there and that's a big change from previous years.

I just hope he can put the finishing touches to the squad this season, because it's a golden opportunity to get back to the Prem - and the "auto's" are still very much "on".

 

[Cerberus Blade]

We could put them next to yours about Sharp from 2016.

Wow! Another stalker!

Mate - I really don't know what I said about Sharp in 2016, but I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't thrilled about Adkins signing him. I'd seen his two previous stints here and felt that he was a "Clive Mendonca" type player. Great for other clubs but not for us.

I've also called him out in the past when I think he's contributed very little to the team in some games. I've said he should have been subbed many times. I know this is heresy to some Blades - but I don't hold him in God like status see? I just say what I see - and I've thought that many times about him. But I will say this...he has got better with age! I think he actually looks fitter and faster now than I've ever seen him. And I don't think there's a single game this season when I've felt he should have been subbed - I think he's been outstanding - and I'm not just talking about his goals.

So, yes, it's o.k. to change your mind about a player. I think we've all done that. But it's not o.k. to hate a player and not give him a chance because of who he's played for in the past.

Enjoy trawling through my old post won't you?

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Love the hypocrites on here!

It would be great to go back and find their original posts when we signed him and compare them to these.

Yeah but who would have thought he’d be such a roaring success. In some way the negative comments he received at the beginning might have finally made realise his potential.

 

[BrayfordsBushyBeard]

Although he’s not played much this season , I feel a little bit sad he’s left ! Hope it’s just for game time and comes back fit and raring for hopefully at worst a play off campaign! Part of the side (and a big part) that really got me believing again ! Some of his goals and finishing were things of beauty and I wtreallg miss the big fella ! Hope he returns but if not , thanks for the memories big fella it was a pleasure to see you in a Blades shirt , you were a good un !!
As ever UTB!!

 

[Baaaaaaa Blades]

has been a fantastic player for us and must admit i am sad to see him to go, has proved so many including myself wrong and provided some great memories , Obviously the Pig game but the Hull home game was one of my personal favs from last season also

All the best Leon

 

[United Aren't Back.]

I’m better than that shithead Madine, but he’s in and I’m out. Goodnight.

So a bag of Warnock's tarnished rubbish arrives, whose claim to fame is serious assault on fans of both Sheffield clubs, and attacking a woman; he has a crap goalscoring record , and out goes Leon.

 

[BushBlade]

So a bag of Warnock's tarnished rubbish arrives, whose claim to fame is serious assault on fans of both Sheffield clubs, and attacking a woman; he has a crap goalscoring record , and out goes Leon.

When did Madine attack a woman?

 

[United Aren't Back.]

When did Madine attack a woman?

It was all over the press around the time Wednesday got promoted.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

He’s on Instagram

and Friends Reunited and MySpace.

 

[BushBlade]

It was all over the press around the time Wednesday got promoted.

Dunno about that. I was paying attention to another footballing story in the news at the time. Must have missed it. I’m surprised no one mentioned it in the numerous threads when we signed him.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

It was all over the press around the time Wednesday got promoted.

That said I can't find mention of it online at present. So for now that one is doubtful

 

[Dark muffy]

Sad to see Leon go, I'd much rather have him than Madine or Washington. 4 goals that stick in my mind and particularly enjoyed....
1. His first v pigs made me believe we were going to beat the tramps after going 2 up and feeling great satisfaction after all the shit he got from them about being a reject.
2. 2nd v the pigs was an amazing finish and allowed me to watch the remaining minutes with my heart rate at a steady 200 b.p.m
3. That goal at Northampton, great finish again and calmed the nerves after a fruitless 60 mins. Sadly I wasn't there but enjoyed it just as much on the screen at the lane.
4. His goal at Port Vale, what a bloody strike, great technique, another great day away from home.
Cheers Leon, top man!

 

[Pedro's Winger]

All the best Leon.
Made a great impact after getting fit at the back end of the promotion season and last year for most of the season.
Shut a lot of people up and then some.

 

[BushBlade]

Sad to see Leon go, I'd much rather have him than Madine or Washington. 4 goals that stick in my mind and particularly enjoyed....
1. His first v pigs made me believe we were going to beat the tramps after going 2 up and feeling great satisfaction after all the shit he got from them about being a reject.
2. 2nd v the pigs was an amazing finish and allowed me to watch the remaining minutes with my heart rate at a steady 200 b.p.m
3. That goal at Northampton, great finish again and calmed the nerves after a fruitless 60 mins. Sadly I wasn't there but enjoyed it just as much on the screen at the lane.
4. His goal at Port Vale, what a bloody strike, great technique, another great day away from home.
Cheers Leon, top man!

Some of his goals were top drawer, as good as you’ll see anywhere. But I still think back to the impact he had at Chesterfield when we were behind to an Evans goal. At the time I thought our lot were a bit daft singing ‘Sheffield Wednesday, we’re coming for you’ but it turned out to be a prophesy.

 

[Guesty]

All the best to you, Leon.

I always rated him (no, really!) and I'm glad he proved his worth here after a slow start. He'll always be welcomed warmly back at the Lane, which is not the case for all his former clubs!

He's had his critics here, even during his purple patch. But until we have another striker who scores a promotion-clinching goal, until another Blade grabs a brace at Hillsborough, until someone else scores four times in one half, they can have nothing to say.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

I make no apologies for posting this video and quoting the commentator.


[On Clarke’s 2nd, 10:53]
“Clarke foraging here…Lees has to get it right and doesn’t…And Clarke is there AGAIN!... It’s another one for him and surely that’s the one that seals derby victory for Sheffield United!…And on this extraordinary day at Hillsborough, he has come back to haunt his old club!”

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Leon Clarke, from around March 2017 to Jan 2018, was a revelation to me.
Goals and perforances against Bradford City, Wednesday, Hull and Fulham, will live long in the memory.
The Hull and Fulham games cemented Leon Clarke in my mind, with the handful of terrific strikers since I started watching in 1974.
Up there with Deane, Agana, Edwards.
Memories to treasure.