Best striker at Lane since Deane left in 93?

[Ollessendro]

Ok, I've done my best to balls this thread up already. For those of you that inpuuted and it's been deleted I apologise. I'm a plank. Pleas do vote again and give any opinions you stated before!?

Away from all the doom and gloom and Blackwell in, Blackwell out stuff at the moment I thought I’d ask people who they think our best striker has been since Brian Deane left in 1992. Micalijo started a fantastic thread about great away goals and although I don’t expect this to take off like that, I hope that it stimulates some good debate.

I’ve put 11 options for people to look at.

My favourite was Rob Hulse. I thought he was just magical and believe we’d have had at least an extra season in the Premiership if he had not broken his leg. When I talk of Hulse I’m saying before he broke his leg.

Hulse was extremely strong, powerful and good in the air. But not only that he could play on the deck. I was really sad to see him leave and (although he’s not quite back to his best) still when I see him playing for Derby wish he was donning a Blades shirt. I remember the Carling Cup semi final last year and Hulse gave Vidic (one of the best defenders in the world) a really torrid time. He battled and fought and you could see that Vidic really struggled to play against him.

Another one of my favourites (it is a real close call between him and Hulse) was Jan Aage Fjortfot. I had a season ticket on the kop when Jan Aage was firing it on for the Blades. Yes he was a little lazy, but boy could that guy finish. I remember his early years for Swindon when they were in the top flight and he was ace then. When we snapped him up I was very excited. He had real ability. He was massive (thighs as big as my waist) and boy could he finish. In his short period at the Lane he scored some real crackers. I could easily reminisce about some of the screamers he scored during the late 90’s.

I guess I have to say James Beattie. I understand he’ll probably be the favourite as he was a fantastic finisher. His goal scoring record for the Blades was excellent. Plus he came in and started converting penalties after we’d been very bad at taking them for a while. I don’t think he was a team player and he effort could be question, but his true class could not.

I would also understand if people said:

John Stead: did his best to keep us up in 2006/2007. great eye for goal.

HMS Shipps. Overweight, out of contract, unskilled and past it. So we thought when we signed him. However he was nothing short of brilliant in the promotion season. Strong, great target man and (surprisingly) decent on the deck. I even remember him scoring a scissor kick once.

Kabba: fist half of the promotion season he was brilliant. Never played anything like that after his new contract. Still at the time he was electric.

Webber: Second half of the promotion season Webber took over from Kabba. Played really well of Shipperley and was instrumental in us going up.

Marcus Bent? Didn’t see much of him as I stopped going to the Lane for a while after McDonald and Green were really taking the piss out of the club 9plus I was a skint student not living in Sheffield anymore). Hence, I don’t remember him at united. From what I gather he had a fantastic strike record though.

Peschy: great finisher and offered us a night we will never forget by tearing Forrest apart.

Flo?

Nathan Blake? Big fat arse, lazy git, but great finisher. Remember his brace at home to Newcastle that almost kept us up in 93/94

 

[Houso]

I don't see Laurens Ten Heuval...

For this reason I'm out.

(I actually voted Blake as on his day he was unplayable)

 

[raul]

Would have gone for Hulse if he'd never played again after his terrible leg break, but went for HMS in the end because I think he was the glue which pulled everything together for the promotion season. Could hold it up, had the vision to play his quicker colleagues in (Webber and Kabba probably had their best seasons alongside him) and was there whenever we wobbled (Hi Neil's JTW signings) using his experience to steady the ship.

There have been better players, but I think his overall contribution wins it.

And he was the double of Sir Keef on BU...:gallop:

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

No Ashley Ward !

Asaba and Andy Gray both had better scoring records than some in the list. In fact how many have had 10 at this stage in recent years as Hendo has ?

 

[S64 Blade]

It was between Beattie and Hulse for me. Ended up going for Beattie due to his prolific goalscoring record for us.

 

[raul]

Martin Smith?

 

[Ollessendro]

No Ashley Ward !

Asaba and Andy Gray both had better scoring records than some in the list. In fact how many have had 10 at this stage in recent years as Hendo has ?

People are always happy to pick holes in arguments.

Ashley Ward, are you winding me up.

Andy Gray would be on the worst strikers list since Deane.

Why don't you shoot down my attempt to start a debate away from Blackwell and current form by suggesting some more mediocre (or worse striker names). Oh, I missed of David White, Gareth Taylor, Phil Starbuck.

The answer to your last question I don't know. But does anyone seriously think that he is the best striker at the Lane since Deane? I'll buy you a drink Jim if somebody else genuinly thinls that Henderson is that brilliant (and gives me a good explanation why).

Come on get voting you buggers!

 

[jodman]

Jan-Aage just pips Beattie for me; perhaps the acrimonious departures of both elevates them above the others but i just remember feeling like we would always score goals with each of them in the side.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

People are always happy to pick holes in arguments.

Ashley Ward, are you winding me up.

Andy Gray would be on the worst strikers list since Deane.

Why don't you shoot down my attempt to start a debate away from Blackwell and current form by suggesting some more mediocre (or worse striker names). Oh, I missed of David White, Gareth Taylor, Phil Starbuck.

The answer to your last question I don't know. But does anyone seriously think that he is the best striker at the Lane since Deane? I'll buy you a drink Jim if somebody else genuinly thinls that Henderson is that brilliant (and gives me a good explanation why).

Come on get voting you buggers!

Not picking holes, just adding another few names. If you're including the likes of Stead then surely Asaba and Gray are worth including as they played more games for us and scored more goals.

Yes, Ward was a wind-up

Hendo is almost 1 in 3 for us now and whilst his recent goal rush has made the stats look better than his performances, I also think we look back at strikers and remember the glory goals, not necessarily their overall record. Andy Gray did bugger all for the team but was almost 1 goal every 2 games for us which can't be matched by many over 50 plus games.

 

[JJ Sefton]

Andy Gray would be on the worst strikers list since Deane.

Considering he scored 18 goals for us in 2004-2005 I never understood why people were so eager to get shot of him. He didnt put much work in granted, but he got the goals.

 

[SwissBlade]

Great Poll Ollesendro

I've gone for Peschi, In a way its difficult to compare a player like Pesch to target men, but I just think Pesch had a great impact during what was one of the most exciting seasons since 93.

A super sub in many ways, but Pesch for me was a quality poacher/ finisher somehow got into the right places at the right time.

Plus he worked his socks off.

Wardy reminds me of Pesch and with any luck he'll turn into the same sort of player if he can keep improving his finishing and calmness in front of goal.

 

[mattbianco1]

It was between Beattie and Hulse for me. Ended up going for Beattie due to his prolific goalscoring record for us.

100% agree.

Beattie tops my list with Hulse just behind.

I think if Hulse didnt get injured we might've never seen Beattie.

What about Akinbadbuy or Djaffo? They should make the list just because they've scored decisive goals vs Pigs.

one more thing, FLO FLO, FLO FLO FLO FLO, FLO FLO There's no limit!

But does anyone seriously think that he is the best striker at the Lane since Deane? I'll buy you a drink Jim if somebody else genuinly thinls that Henderson is that brilliant (and gives me a good explanation why).

Come on get voting you buggers!

No, not the best since Deane BUT i do think Henderson is a very very good asset to us. Yes he gives a lot of fouls away but he also gets the sh1t kicked out of him every game. He's big, strong and has a decent shot on (i've noticed recently) and i also believe we would lose more than we would win without him in the team.

Think he came on leaps and bounds after Beattie left and he was then seen as the 'target man' ... Ollesandro - :beer: cheers

 

[Selly]

Since the question is in regard to since Deane left in 93, I'd have to say there is an arguement for including Deane himself.

 

[Hilltop Blade 4 life]

An argument for another Dean.... Mr Saunders anyone?

 

[Paulus]

Certainly on the stats he deserves to be in there 17 goals in 42 appearances including the magic one off the goalies back. Christian Nade anyone?

 

[JJ Sefton]

Pound for pound we got good service out of the Chief.

 

[Grecian2000]

I went for Blake, but now I know Houso did too I want to change!

How the hell with did Flo get on the list? Surely he'd be on the "signings that got us relegated" list with Guthrie.

 

[Guesty]

Since the question is in regard to since Deane left in 93, I'd have to say there is an arguement for including Deane himself.

I reckon so. His second debut, against Sunderland, was magnificent. And he scored 1 in 2 before being moved on again.

 

[sitwell]

Blake ????????????
The most arrogant talentless dick to play up front for Utd ever apart from Trenton Wiggan.

Dean Saunders would be there for me.

 

[Darren]

List of no. of goals scored by all strikers since 93-4 (league only). Strikers only (so no Brown for example). Though some may disagree with my definitions - i.e. I have included Devlin but not Ndlovu and White (and the latter were mainly wide players and the former played a substantial number of his games as a central striker).

The most striking thing (as Revolution never fails to point out is the low number for our leading scorers) over 16 years - only 34!


34. Blake, J. Beattie
25. Gray
23. Taylor, Marcelo, Asaba, Devlin
22. Webber
20. Walker, Bent
19. Katchuoro, Fjortoft
18. Peschisoldio
17. Flo, Saunders, Kabba
16. Henderson
15. Veart
12. Lester
11. Deane, D'Jaffo, Shipperley
10. Smith
8. Shaw, Hulse, Stead, Sharp
7. Allison
6. Morris, Kelly, Windass, J.Ward
5. Suffo, A.Ward
4. A.Scott, Littlejohn
3. Campbell, Notman, Akinbiyi, Nade, Evans, Cork
2. Angell, Furlong, Lupoli
1. R.Scott, Davison, Battersby, Hall, Thomas, Lovell, Onoura, Forte, Cadamarteri, Shelton, C.Beattie, Creswell, Camara.

 

[JJ Sefton]

That list does rather knock the idea that Gray was bobbins on the head.

 

[Guesty]

That list does rather knock the idea that Gray was bobbins on the head.

Some people will never be convinced of that I'm afraid.

 

[Blade]

I was gonna say Deane but someone else said it. i'd fit him in again twice even if his last spell with us was somewhat short (15 minutes playing time in total)

 

[Railway Blade]

Went for Hulse myself. Beattie is probably a more consistent scorer, but the pre leg break Hulse contibuted massively to our decent start in the prem and his injury was probably one of the main reasons we went down.

 

[shorehamview]

The best? Beattie by a mile. His stats are the best by a Blades striker since God, and probably Darren, knows when.

Favourite? The supersub, the one with legs going quicker than bee's wings. Pesch. Every time I see the "Oh My God"" goal it brings a big cheesy grin to my face.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrTe4b7Dces#t=4m24s

 

[Worksop II]

How high did you all jump for Kabbas goals Vs the Pigs, Leeds in the FA Cup and Forest in the Playoff Semi ?

Name me a striker with 3 bigger goals for the Blades, since Deane.

Pah ! Beattie only took Penalties

 

[Bladesman]

How high did you all jump for Kabbas goals Vs the Pigs, Leeds in the FA Cup and Forest in the Playoff Semi ?

Name me a striker with 3 bigger goals for the Blades, since Deane.

Pah ! Beattie only took Penalties

Or the long range free kick Beattie scored against the pigs to avoid losing our record against them but unfortunatly we got rid of that record last season.

 

[raul]

Aparrently, he can't access the site at the moment, but Big Mart wants to vote for Sarbs.

 

[Slugger]

Nathan Blake for me. Averaged a goal every 2 games and I don't remember many of them being penalties. Quality!

 

[davidpinder]

I went for beattie just for his record. Lets be honest Ollessendro couldn't include every striker, under warnock we had shed loads of strikers with average records can't put everyone on the list.