Gary Madine and James Hanson

[LondonBlade89]

Not sure it's been said on here before but the signing of Madine already feels very similar to the signing of Hanson, doesn't it?

Hanson was signed at a time when we were flying high but didn't really have an out ball option. As we all know and has been discussed on here many many times, Wilder recognised we needed a different option for the second half of the year because teams would likely either shut up shop against us or take a more physical approach, or both. That goal Sharp scored against Peterborough to win us the game late on off a Hanson knock-down perfectly encapsulated what Hanson brought to us. As soon as we got to the Championship, big Hans' job was done.

The signing of Madine feels similar. And early signs are that Wilder's nailed it again, at least profile-wise. Whether he propels us to the Premier League, and then sticks around after if he does, we'll see, but he's certainly given us a different option and one that is very, very needed.

Well done Wilder (again).

 

[mattbianco1]

I said it when we were linked with him. It was obvious what Wilders intentions were

 

[Bobby Boo]

To be fair to the Washing Machine, he can play a bit too. He is a beast in the air though.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Agree, he definately gives us a new dimension.

It’s interesting how we tried our plan A intricate passing game, but Boro were physically stronger, well organised and it looked like we’d struggle to score. On comes Madine and the game totally changes, maybe it’s was Flint going off but their defence seemed to really struggle getting to grips with Madine. He was a thorn in their side all night but it was t just his physicality, his hold up play and lays off to players around him was impressive.

 

[BladeInIreland]

Personally don’t think it’s quite the same. When we signed Hanson every team was getting everyone behind the ball deep holding on for the point. I think even now very few teams in this league respect us enough to do that. It’s just another string to our bow more so than a reaction to other teams like Hanson was.

 

[S64 Blade]

Said the same to my mate last night. Hoping Gary can score more than 1 though.

 

[LondonBlade89]

To be fair to the Washing Machine, he can play a bit too. He is a beast in the air though.

I agree to an extent. He's obviously a better player than Hanson, but he still doesn't look great with the ball at his feet. That Sharp lay-off should've been put away but he barely managed to get a shot off. Rustiness, perhaps, but we'll see.

 

[LondonBlade89]

Personally don’t think it’s quite the same. When we signed Hanson every team was getting everyone behind the ball deep holding on for the point. I think even now very few teams in this league respect us enough to do that. It’s just another string to our bow more so than a reaction to other teams like Hanson was.

You're probably right, but at this point it's just semantics I guess. Main thing is that Wilder thought "we need to find another way of getting results".

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

their defence seemed to really struggle getting to grips with Madine.

Actually their defenders spent the whole half literally getting to grips with Madine...

 

[Grizzly blade]

Madine has always been a handful, he’s a big strong lad who puts himself about, and so obviously different to the strikers we had before January.
He allows us to change tactic, and last night showed perfectly how it can work when sides are negative in their own play and get men behind the ball.
Boro in the first half were closing us down in midfield and restricting the space, so we changed tactic, got it forward quicker and had the midfield bombing on to pick up the lay off.

On the down side it will also mean he isn’t always in positions to score, he’s always going to be behind the play or later into the box. Plus although he’s neat and tidy with both feet he looks slow to sort his feet out and get a shot away when in the box.
He was unlucky his shot while being dragged to the floor hit the keeper from point blank range, and maybe just needs one to go in off his shoulder, but if he scores more than 3 for us I will be surprised.

That said, he was a player we clearly needed as without him last night I couldn’t see us breaking their giants down. We looked toothless from set pieces due to Bash and Jack being missing, and this really changed with Stears and Madine coming on.
All in, you have to say WellDone Wilder

 

[DronnieBlade]

UTB

 

[SirNibletsO'Korne]

Whatever else I might have levelled against him, his work rate is superb and he's giving everything for this team-especially last night when he was getting a ragging off those dirty Boro defenders.He holds the ball up well, and he's making himself hard to defend against.
I hate myself for saying it, but he's winning me over.

 

[bornablade]

The link up play between Madine and Billy was sublime. Keegan / Toshack comes to mind.

As soon as Billy could see a long ball being released to Madine he stepped up to be closer. Took the knock down (how Billy's first touch has improved) and then tried a pass back to Madine.

I'm sure it will provide dividends as the season progresses. It certainly gives us a completely different option that the opposition are going to have to deal with.

 

[Wards]

He's a much, much better footballer than I ever gave him credit for.

 

[Ricky]

The key difference being that one can play football, and the other can't.

The partnership between Madine and Sharp is looking better than I thought it would, and way beyond what Sharp had with Hanson.

They've already shown that they're on the same wavelength.

 

[sheffielder]

My opinion changed about Madine the player when Bolton came to the Lane last season. He was unplayable and showed his potential

 

[Baaaaaaa Blades]

Completely agree with the above
Madine looks like a great piece of business by CW - if he wants to keep doing what he is doing and score his first few goals for us on the 4th march that's fine by me !

he has really impressed me so far and any doubters are surely being won over -

also Billy's general hold up / center forward play is excellent these days - the man is just a fantastic player for us , scores goals for fun and gives us so much, never stops running /always hassling defenders / good hold of play/ strength / finishing

that front 3 2nd half were very good and caused a vile , horrible team lots of problems

 

[blade too long]

hes still short of full match fitness, the more he plays the more he will offer
my one worry is his lack of goals , its a year since his last championship goal on jan 20th 2018 with bolton

 

[Ricky]

I have no worries at all about the lack of goals. Firstly, it's still early. Secondly, he's looking likely to score every time he plays. Thirdly, I don't think he's fragile enough to be affected by not scoring for a while. Lastly, his main role won't be as a goalscorer anyway.

 

[originaltrueblade]

we have to admit it..he made their defence panic, laid off balls, won headers, held the ball, made space. Now he can score against the pigs and he will be completely accepted. Changed the game and Boro did not know what to do about him

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Not sure it's been said on here before but the signing of Madine already feels very similar to the signing of Hanson, doesn't it?

Hanson was signed at a time when we were flying high but didn't really have an out ball option. As we all know and has been discussed on here many many times, Wilder recognised we needed a different option for the second half of the year because teams would likely either shut up shop against us or take a more physical approach, or both. That goal Sharp scored against Peterborough to win us the game late on off a Hanson knock-down perfectly encapsulated what Hanson brought to us. As soon as we got to the Championship, big Hans' job was done.

The signing of Madine feels similar. And early signs are that Wilder's nailed it again, at least profile-wise. Whether he propels us to the Premier League, and then sticks around after if he does, we'll see, but he's certainly given us a different option and one that is very, very needed.

Well done Wilder (again).

Interesting comparison.

Hanson was an insurance policy for us - we were always going to win the league - Hanson helped us to the magic 100 point figure, but we would have won it regardless.

Madine is different - his presence last night helped us win the game - his presence v Villa nearly won us the game and helped us draw at Norwich. He's a go to option in a very tight league against teams that are much better skilled than L1 teams who generally sat deep. Madine might just be the difference that gets us over the line.

Madine and Dowell appear to be first on the team sheet for away games, with Dowell perhaps putting himself in the frame for home games too now.

I still expect our A team for Reading assuming Baldock and JOC are fit, with only Crainie being the one forced change.

We need to go back to what we know best - 3412 and outplay Reading - we don't really want to get into a scrap with Reading who are fighting for survival.

UTB

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I still expect our A team for Reading assuming Baldock and JOC are fit, with only Crainie being the one forced change.

I would have assumed that before last night. I reckon this might be the first home game though that we see Dowell started in place of Duffy. Reasons being:

• Reward for the Villa performance, and for the way he went about being asked to fill in yesterday
• Duffy’s performance and subbing last night

 

[Harry's Game]

James Hanson started off average and progressed to being terrible by the end of the season.

I know why we went for him as we looked a bit samey up top around January that season but he was not much cop.

Fortunately Leon Clarke then commenced the best nine months of his career shortly after Hanson’s arrival so we didn’t need to see a lot of him.

 

[JohnDenver]

Madine’s touch with his back to goal is as good as I’ve seen. As a skinny twat, I can’t trap a bag of cement with a defender leaning into me. But Madine is an absolute beast - he can’t be put off his touch without being brutally assaulted.

He’s like Chief’s evil twin. Sort of...

 

[LondonBlade89]

James Hanson started off average and progressed to being terrible by the end of the season.

I know why we went for him as we looked a bit samey up top around January that season but he was not much cop.

Fortunately Leon Clarke then commenced the best nine months of his career shortly after Hanson’s arrival so we didn’t need to see a lot of him.

That's total revisionist history. Hanson started the majority of games while he was here, and Leon's form only kicked-off once promotion was virtually in the bag. Look it up if you like.

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

Madine’s touch with his back to goal is as good as I’ve seen. As a skinny twat, I can’t trap a bag of cement with a defender leaning into me. But Madine is an absolute beast - he can’t be put off his touch without being brutally assaulted.

He’s like Chief’s evil twin. Sort of...

Neil Shipperley was one of the best I've seen in a Blades shirt at that particular art , even though he was in the twilight of his career when he came to us .

Crucially , he also contributed 11 vital goals to our Premiership campaign and therein lies the difference between a good all round striker and one whose main attribute is causing problems for defenders .

 

[Harry's Game]

Madine’s touch with his back to goal is as good as I’ve seen. As a skinny twat, I can’t trap a bag of cement with a defender leaning into me. But Madine is an absolute beast - he can’t be put off his touch without being brutally assaulted.

He’s like Chief’s evil twin. Sort of...

Whereas Hanson had a good 5th touch

 

[JohnDenver]

Neil Shipperley was one of the best I've seen in a Blades shirt at that particular art , even though he was in the twilight of his career when he came to us .

Crucially , he also contributed 11 vital goals to our Premiership campaign and therein lies the difference between a good all round striker and one whose main attribute is causing problems for defenders .

How could I forget about him - Shipperley really was very good at it too wasn’t he. If we can’t play through a team, the option of creating a beachhead in the opposition half is great to have.

For Warnock it was generally plan A and plan B. Nowadays it’s strictly B or C. Good times.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I would have assumed that before last night. I reckon this might be the first home game though that we see Dowell started in place of Duffy. Reasons being:

• Reward for the Villa performance, and for the way he went about being asked to fill in yesterday
• Duffy’s performance and subbing last night

yep, it will be an interesting call by CW.

I still expect, on balance, Duffy to start. Reason being that Reading want to play football and where teams don't close us down, we tend to punish them. Duffy was apprehensive of the aggressive nature of Boro and in the first half as they gave us very little space.

If Reading come at us, there will be space behind - if they drop off we'll play round and through them. Thought Dowell was excellent 2nd half, but not so much, like a lot in the first half last night.

Last night was a good result, but not a footballing night - we shouldn't forget what got us into this position - mainly our A team out footballing the opposition.

UTB

 

[Broomhall Blade]

Said the same to my mate last night. Hoping Gary can score more than 1 though.

He will on March the 4th