itsinyerblood
Well-Known Member
A few observations.....I saw little mention of Luke Freeman when it comes to considering midfield-attacking options. whenever I've seen him he looks bright, inventive, works hard, and a good buy for what we paid...I get that Wilder likes a relatively settled side, so do I, and of course it's tough on any player asking them to be patient, but if anyone has any insights into why he seems an almost forgotten man I'd be interested to learn more.
As for new recruitment, the addition of a permanent 'Keeper is essential and something that I'm sure Wilder is more than focused on securing. Whether we sign Henderson or not remains to be seen, far too many variables that colour his situation. If it were possible I'd take him in a shot, a good player that's only going to get better (especially as DH has gone on record as saying he feels he'd improve under our goalkeeping coach, Darren Ward), but whether our future and his are meant to be, well Man Utd seem to have most of the aces where Dean's career is meant to be. No doubt Wilder has a plan that's being sounded out, so a case of watch this space I guess.
The final question surrounds our attacking threat. When it was announced we'd signed McBurnie and Robinson I wasn't unhappy, McB had a reputation that many Blades recognised as being a player who, when he'd played against us, had impressed and was probably worth our interest. So far I feel underwhelmed with a player who I had hoped would deliver far more in return of goals and the workload he'd be willing to bear. I feel that with Robinson we've gone from considering a player who might be a shoe-in to someone who can't cut it at this level. Maybe he needs time to adjust, maybe there's a player who's waiting to move up a level that we've yet to see...but up until now he seems lacking in the most essential qualities that separate the good and outstanding from the mediocre. I hope I'm wrong, time will tell.
One quality I think a forward has to project is to impose himself, both on the opposing defence and with his teammates. In the past we've had forwards with varying degrees of success, whether it's Sharp, whose willingness to work, make himself available, and have the instincts that have given us such a healthy return on goals scored, or Beattie, that's James not Craig, or our former forward, Keith Henderson. These and several others all had the qualities needed to make a difference, but players of the quality we need are in demand, thus their price tags are usually at the top end of the fee scale. In real terms McB wasn't at the top end of the valuation scale, but for United it seemed like a hefty chunk of money that we were about to part company with, but I was also happy that we were showing the necessary ambition to be fit for purpose. There's still time for McB or Robinson to convince us of their worth to the Blades, but they need to show far more, otherwise we need to part company and look elsewhere for more convincing recruits.
For the moment we're looking to ensure that we remain in this division. That's about the sum total of our ambition, even with the lofty position we currently deserve to be in. Next season may be a very different kettle of fish, so strengthening between Jan and the summer will the single most important areas for Wilder and his team...but for now we're doing amazingly well, expectations have been well and truly exceeded, and I'm as happy as a Blade could be. Whatever we spent during last summer, I expect us to spend more next summer. Not because I get a buzz from the club spending tens of millions, but because it's a necessity that we can't avoid.....unless we manage to produce an Academy player capable of making a difference.
As for new recruitment, the addition of a permanent 'Keeper is essential and something that I'm sure Wilder is more than focused on securing. Whether we sign Henderson or not remains to be seen, far too many variables that colour his situation. If it were possible I'd take him in a shot, a good player that's only going to get better (especially as DH has gone on record as saying he feels he'd improve under our goalkeeping coach, Darren Ward), but whether our future and his are meant to be, well Man Utd seem to have most of the aces where Dean's career is meant to be. No doubt Wilder has a plan that's being sounded out, so a case of watch this space I guess.
The final question surrounds our attacking threat. When it was announced we'd signed McBurnie and Robinson I wasn't unhappy, McB had a reputation that many Blades recognised as being a player who, when he'd played against us, had impressed and was probably worth our interest. So far I feel underwhelmed with a player who I had hoped would deliver far more in return of goals and the workload he'd be willing to bear. I feel that with Robinson we've gone from considering a player who might be a shoe-in to someone who can't cut it at this level. Maybe he needs time to adjust, maybe there's a player who's waiting to move up a level that we've yet to see...but up until now he seems lacking in the most essential qualities that separate the good and outstanding from the mediocre. I hope I'm wrong, time will tell.
One quality I think a forward has to project is to impose himself, both on the opposing defence and with his teammates. In the past we've had forwards with varying degrees of success, whether it's Sharp, whose willingness to work, make himself available, and have the instincts that have given us such a healthy return on goals scored, or Beattie, that's James not Craig, or our former forward, Keith Henderson. These and several others all had the qualities needed to make a difference, but players of the quality we need are in demand, thus their price tags are usually at the top end of the fee scale. In real terms McB wasn't at the top end of the valuation scale, but for United it seemed like a hefty chunk of money that we were about to part company with, but I was also happy that we were showing the necessary ambition to be fit for purpose. There's still time for McB or Robinson to convince us of their worth to the Blades, but they need to show far more, otherwise we need to part company and look elsewhere for more convincing recruits.
For the moment we're looking to ensure that we remain in this division. That's about the sum total of our ambition, even with the lofty position we currently deserve to be in. Next season may be a very different kettle of fish, so strengthening between Jan and the summer will the single most important areas for Wilder and his team...but for now we're doing amazingly well, expectations have been well and truly exceeded, and I'm as happy as a Blade could be. Whatever we spent during last summer, I expect us to spend more next summer. Not because I get a buzz from the club spending tens of millions, but because it's a necessity that we can't avoid.....unless we manage to produce an Academy player capable of making a difference.
)? Fantastic. That’s all that matters to me.
