Turn round the view on the squad

[blade too long]

Which of the team thats got us up

Who doesn't deserve a bash at the prem

Who'd deny Basham the chance
How many centre backs have assists like OConnel
Does Billy deserve a start
And Baldock and Stevens havent they earned the chance ;
Most of all the midfield
Norwood . Done the donkey work 3 times now. Surely worth a shot
DUFFY and Fleck who's saying they don't have it in them
Hogan Crainie even Freeman can do a job

 

[Topplayersleave]

They'll all get their chance, but they will have competition from somebody better

 

[bromtom]

They'll all get their chance, but they will have competition from somebody better

Which can only be a good thing if they raise their games even further.

 

[AnstonBlade1]

If we get Henderson for next season the defence will remain the same also Fleck and Norwood.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Wilder will apply a critical eye to how players respond during this close season. They'll have a short break, hopefully return in good shape, and from there on in it's all a question of stating their case for inclusion. New faces should push everyone to do well, but should any player assume anything it's no secret that Wilder will be merciless in his decision making. The often talked about team spirit will need to be there by the bucket load, no quarter asked or given. This will be a monumental season for everyone connected with the Blades, let's hope we give ourselves the best chance imaginable to do more than become one-season wonders.

 

[Rodders]

Which of the team thats got us up

Who doesn't deserve a bash at the prem

Who'd deny Basham the chance
How many centre backs have assists like OConnel
Does Billy deserve a start
And Baldock and Stevens havent they earned the chance ;
Most of all the midfield
Norwood . Done the donkey work 3 times now. Surely worth a shot
DUFFY and Fleck who's saying they don't have it in them
Hogan Crainie even Freeman can do a job

Someone: “I might have doubts over Hogan and his fitness in the PL”

OP: “All our fans are even miserable when we’ve got promotion” etc etc

 

[John Snow]

One things for sure.
Whoever they are all 11 will need to be "on it" for 90 plus mins every single game.
Any drop in competitiveness or any sloppiness, backing off, sitting back and surrendering midfield will be punished way way more than in the championship.
Obviously Wilder will know this but it will require a huge step up from a number of our existing squad.

 

[BladeInIreland]

We need numbers for next season regardless. And there’s no point aiming for worse.

There’s two outcomes
Either the new players come in and are better performers and displace our current players

Or the current lads perform really well and the new lads have to wait there turn.

That’s how it has to work, no room for sentiment.

 

[Torrix1889]

We need numbers for next season regardless. And there’s no point aiming for worse.

There’s two outcomes
Either the new players come in and are better performers and displace our current players

Or the current lads perform really well and the new lads have to wait there turn.

That’s how it has to work, no room for sentiment.

We can name a squad of 25, so we don't need numbers, we need quality.

 

[Barney]

It's time for a few "thank you for helping to get us promotion but sadly the PL is a step too far for you".

It's harsh but if we went on sentiment we wouldn't replace anyone and we'd almost certainly be relegated.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Wilder is no idiot. He will know that some of this season’s squad won’t be joining us for the next stage of the journey, and sentimentality ultimately won’t trump the realism that Wilder will approach all this summer’s business with.

Think back to the League 1 squad. Lafferty was a near ever-present, and most would have expected him to carry on. Instead we brought in Stevens and Lafferty never got a look in again. Wright, who was a key part of our defensive solidity, was another that we upgraded with through Stearman’s signing – immediately making him first choice. Moore, who was ever-present after signing, was reduced to back-up with Blackman’s signing and has been back-up since. Players that had contributed a lot in the season were released (like Done) or loaned out.

We’re going to have exactly the same sort of squad shift this time again. I would expect 2 or 3 new starters come January that would be:

• A new first choice striker
• A new first choice RWB
• Some genuine competition for Duffy

Baldock has been steady this season, but doesn’t assist or score enough for me and while he had a good engine isn’t quite at Stevens’s level. I think there will be good options to bring someone in here, meaning we probably sell Freeman as we should have 2 senior back-ups for that position (this isn’t a 14/15 Clough squad).

We have really struggled to get a consistent player to compete with Duffy, but I think we will sort this out in the summer. Similarly, we’ve not been successful in getting our first choice permanent targets up front in recent windows – think with the available funding we’ll be getting someone in that starts.

All the loans out will likely be moved on. I also think Coutts, who I’m sure will want to be playing regular football, would prefer heading elsewhere rather than have a peripheral role with us next season.

 

[Barney]

Wilder is no idiot. He will know that some of this season’s squad won’t be joining us for the next stage of the journey, and sentimentality ultimately won’t trump the realism that Wilder will approach all this summer’s business with.

Well said that man.

My thoughts, with far better articulation.

 

[Harry's Game]

Nailed on starters day one..

Hendo (if signed)

Stevens
Egan
O'Connell

Fleck
Norwood

Mcgoldrick



Sharp, Bash, Baldock, Duffy might have to compete with new signings but should be on the bench at worst.


Lunny, Coutts, Freeman, Washington have possibly played their last games for us.

 

[BritishSteel]

Wilder is no idiot.

• A new first choice RWb

Baldock has been steady this season, but doesn’t assist or score enough for me and while he had a good engine isn’t quite at Stevens’s level. I think there will be good options to bring someone in here, meaning we probably sell Freeman as we should have 2 senior back-ups for that position (this isn’t a 14/15 Clough squad).

Absolute horsepiss about Baldock.

Yes he does need serious competition at RWB but more than sure that he is up to the job and very welcoming of the competition. Still has lots to learn but has the right attitude and application to make a top player.

When we concede a goal it is very rarely down to his mistakes , going forward he is always available even if the cross from the right comes from Bash or Duffy.

Don`t underestimate him. Think we have yet to see the best of him . His energy and enthusiasm will be a big plus for us.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

so we don't need numbers, we need quality.

100% correct.

UTB

 

[BladeInIreland]

We can name a squad of 25, so we don't need numbers, we need quality.

I’m automatically assuming the likes of Johnson , hogan, madine , Clarke etc won’t be here. So yes, numbers and quality.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Absolute horsepiss about Baldock.

Yes he does need serious competition at RWB but more than sure that he is up to the job and very welcoming of the competition. Still has lots to learn but has the right attitude and application to make a top player.

When we concede a goal it is very rarely down to his mistakes , going forward he is always available even if the cross from the right comes from Bash or Duffy.

Don`t underestimate him. Think we have yet to see the best of him . His energy and enthusiasm will be a big plus for us.

I like Baldock. But we don’t get anywhere near the amount of production from him in the final third. One assist all season was it? Defensively he gives away a lot of needless free-kicks, probably more than any other of our defenders. He may well continue to grow as a player, but I think there are players we could be going for that will vastly upgrade that position. He already had serious competition in Freeman – there isn’t actually a lot between the two when you look at what they contributed last year, though Baldock is a much fitter and consistent player based on last season – but if we’re serious about strengthening where we’re weakest we need to be looking at RWB as an area we can do better with.

 

[BritishSteel]

I like Baldock. But we don’t get anywhere near the amount of production from him in the final third. One assist all season was it? Defensively he gives away a lot of needless free-kicks, probably more than any other of our defenders. He may well continue to grow as a player, but I think there are players we could be going for that will vastly upgrade that position. He already had serious competition in Freeman – there isn’t actually a lot between the two when you look at what they contributed last year, though Baldock is a much fitter and consistent player based on last season – but if we’re serious about strengthening where we’re weakest we need to be looking at RWB as an area we can do better with.

I`m not disagreeing about him needing competition and I`m not even suggesting that we can`t get better. If Wilder thinks we need better then I am sure that he will get such a player in. What I am suggesting is that Baldock is more than capable of stepping up to the job in hand. Serious competition may yet be the making of him.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I`m not disagreeing about him needing competition and I`m not even suggesting that we can`t get better.

Right. So not “absolute horsepiss” then? Cheers.

 

[BritishSteel]

Right. So not “absolute horsepiss” then? Cheers.

Written off before we have had a chance to see is " absolute horsepiss" in my opinion. Seen far worse than him plying their trade in the Premier League.

 

[Kev Gee]

We should replace the players who are squad members with better players (if budget allows)

They then can compete with out current first 11 for starting berths.

What is more important is maintaining squad morale and cohesion.

 

[BritishSteel]

We should replace the players who are squad members with better players (if budget allows)

They then can compete with out current first 11 for starting berths.

What is more important is maintaining squad morale and cohesion.

I agree, anyone who wants to play for this club will have to earn the right to wear the shirt rather than trading on a reputation or potential.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Written off before we have had a chance to see is " absolute horsepiss" in my opinion. Seen far worse than him plying their trade in the Premier League.

Would you have started Lafferty in the Championship then rather than get Stevens in? Because that’s the sort of situation we’re talking about. If Baldock starts in August he’ll have my full support, but if you’re looking at the current XI and had to pick 2 areas where we can realistically get players in that will significantly improve the number of goals created from that position – and as a result, improve our chances of staying up – then that would be one of the areas. If come August we have two players definitely making their debuts, which positions do you realistically think they’re playing?

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I would just love us to sign a speedy winger. We haven’t got one. No, not even one.

We’ve managed very nicely without them of course, so this is NOT a complaint, (although no doubt some will want to try and make it sound like one!). But when you’ve been raised in an era where wingers, like Woodward, were game changers with their speed and trickery, it’s natural to yearn for the type of player who can single-handedly rip through defences and create havoc.

What’s that Ojo bloke doing thesedays? Him who played for Fulham 2 seasons ago? I thought he was very good. Caused us a lot of problems.

 

[blade67]

all threads of this nature can wait until Wednesday morning for me

 

[BritishSteel]

Would you have started Lafferty in the Championship then rather than get Stevens in? Because that’s the sort of situation we’re talking about. If Baldock starts in August he’ll have my full support, but if you’re looking at the current XI and had to pick 2 areas where we can realistically get players in that will significantly improve the number of goals created from that position – and as a result, improve our chances of staying up – then that would be one of the areas. If come August we have two players definitely making their debuts, which positions do you realistically think they’re playing?

The two positions that have been most difficult to fill this season are in centre and attacking midfield ( Fleck and Duffy ) when either or both are off form or injured we have had issues. My concerns is there rather than at RWB. Going forward we do need to add a bit of bite ( Fleck) and guile ( Duffy ). I haven`t written either of those two off but I do think we need real options and competition in those positions.

 

[blade too long]

I think even Lundstram could cope as a bench player . Last 15 games he came on and did a great holding job. I don't want us to emulate Fulham buying "quality" at random and starting a new squad of fresh faces that never gel. We need 3 players much better than we have to start the campaign with the option to add a couple on loan if required. The trouble for Wilder will be finding the right 3. Till we find them loans will let Chris tinker the system till he gets it as he wants

 

[Chali 2na]

I would just love us to sign a speedy winger. We haven’t got one. No, not even one.

We’ve managed very nicely without them of course, so this is NOT a complaint, (although no doubt some will want to try and make it sound like one!). But when you’ve been raised in an era where wingers, like Woodward, were game changers with their speed and trickery, it’s natural to yearn for the type of player who can single-handedly rip through defences and create havoc.

What’s that Ojo bloke doing thesedays? Him who played for Fulham 2 seasons ago? I thought he was very good. Caused us a lot of problems.

If we wanted to play with wingers we'd need 2 or 3 - hence why it's not going to happen.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

You may be right. Certainly with the way we set up currently it’s hard to see how we’d accommodate an out and out wide man. However, I’d still like one! (Or two).

In games where the going gets tough and the “overload” system isn’t working, having a bit of a “wild-card” on the bench could be an interesting option. We mainly depend on a methodical build up based on possession and switching of play from side to side until we spot a gap. Then flood that gap with players.

I think there’ll be many games next season where we have to soak up pressure and are forced to sit deep. In that situation having a speedy player who can break fast and catch the opposition on the break could be invaluable to us.

 

[ForgeBlade]

Sentimentality will play no part in the choices CW makes in the coming weeks. Most players will be given a chance to stake their claim for next season...those who come up short will be sold or released with our eternal gratitude and respect.

For now though, let's just allow this fantastic bunch of players to enjoy their magnificent achievement.

UTB