2 new faces for the weekend....

[ChipButtyBlade]

The main 11 that played out of their skins last season,will be expected to do the same again this season,if they dont then quite simply we will be fooked,simples.

If we have made our big signing ( ),then any that do come in,will be for squad depth,and will not be better than what we already have.

Quality wise we will be treading water,just hope we can emulate Burnley with hard graft and stay up.

 

[Houso]

Tbh I don’t have an issue with the clubs direction. My concern is our squad is to small to survive next season. Last season we were very lucky with suspensions and injuries compared to say Norwich and Bournemouth and look hat happened to them.
Yesterday we had 2 players out with Covid and for whatever reason McB and McG out (injured?) and we had to field numerous academy players both on the field and as bench fillers. The newly promoted sides seem to be in a position to strengthen, yes we reportedly spent £18m but I don’t see Rammers for Hendo as strengthening only standing still at best.
Unless there’s some rabbits to be pulled out of Wilders hat our depth and strength could be our downfall and come January the big clubs will be circling over JOC, Egan, Berge et al.
This is not negativity, yes we were 9th, yes we spent £18m to stand still but it’s a new season playing world class good strong sides getting stronger and we can’t field a full bench of seven 1st team players yet. Survival has to be the plan unless those rabbits appear.

All fair enough. I think what I'd counter with that is that we will be signing more players. There's absolutely no doubt on that.

My issue is with the view that we HAVE to make 20m+ signings.

People looking at the promoted sides forget that they're where we were last season at this point. Since then we've made three signings in the region of 20m, then a number of others for substantial sums. Leeds are doing some interesting business, but they've already lost their best player back to Brighton. West Brom also had a predominance of loan players and don't seem to have vast amounts to spend.

Finally, it's pre-season and it's likely that all those injured/infected players will be back for the start of the season.

 

[Houso]

The main 11 that played out of their skins last season,will be expected to do the same again this season,if they dont then quite simply we will be fooked,simples.

If we have made our big signing ( ),then any that do come in,will be for squad depth,and will not be better than what we already have.

Quality wise we will be treading water,just hope we can emulate Burnley with hard graft and stay up.

What's changed since last season? And don't tell me other sides, but hardly anyone has signed players and the clubs coming up don't yet have the quality of at least two of those dropping to the championship.

 

[Kop sufferer]

Tbh I don’t have an issue with the clubs direction. My concern is our squad is to small to survive next season. Last season we were very lucky with suspensions and injuries compared to say Norwich and Bournemouth and look hat happened to them.
Yesterday we had 2 players out with Covid and for whatever reason McB and McG out (injured?) and we had to field numerous academy players both on the field and as bench fillers. The newly promoted sides seem to be in a position to strengthen, yes we reportedly spent £18m but I don’t see Rammers for Hendo as strengthening only standing still at best.
Unless there’s some rabbits to be pulled out of Wilders hat our depth and strength could be our downfall and come January the big clubs will be circling over JOC, Egan, Berge et al.
This is not negativity, yes we were 9th, yes we spent £18m to stand still but it’s a new season playing world class good strong sides getting stronger and we can’t field a full bench of seven 1st team players yet. Survival has to be the plan unless those rabbits appear.

I think you're right B56. It's the bench that needs strengthening, which is no mean feat, the rest ain't broke so don't need too much mending. The problem CW has is keeping the bench warmers happy, ideally older game changing Pro's who can manage 30 minute cameo's, maybe cloud cuckoo land but we definitely need some sort of quality off the bench

 

[EddieColquhoun]

So we are now saying it’s the Pandemic that’s reduced the budget. Everyone else seems to be looking to spend.

 

[Booker4]

Seems the loan market will be used according to Wilder, he's said that before also. Hoping that'll be Rhian Brewster who looks like a cracking player. If we can sign Matty Cash, some defensive and midfield cover and Brewster, having already signed Ramsdale, then I think that'll be a good transfer window. Burke may well be part of the cover and has time to develop.

I do think that although Berge hs been mentioned foe the deep role, it would seem strange to have arguably our most consistent player and most important set piece taker, Norwood, on the bench. Also we've not signed Berge to sit on the bench so I would imagine Berge will continue in the RCM position. In Belgium he often did well on the right side running through, I think he can do well there and that means we only need a cover player for him, maybe a loan or a £3-5m player, but seems that may well not be Swift now.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

What's changed since last season? And don't tell me other sides, but hardly anyone has signed players and the clubs coming up don't yet have the quality of at least two of those dropping to the championship.

We will have to wait and see.

In the meantime have a look here

https://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/Football/Premier+League/Transfer+News

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Seems the loan market will be used according to Wilder, he's said that before also. Hoping that'll be Rhian Brewster who looks like a cracking player. If we can sign Matty Cash, some defensive and midfield cover and Brewster, having already signed Ramsdale, then I think that'll be a good transfer window. Burke may well be part of the cover and has time to develop.

I do think that although Berge hs been mentioned foe the deep role, it would seem strange to have arguably our most consistent player and most important set piece taker, Norwood, on the bench. Also we've not signed Berge to sit on the bench so I would imagine Berge will continue in the RCM position. In Belgium he often did well on the right side running through, I think he can do well there and that means we only need a cover player for him, maybe a loan or a £3-5m player, but seems that may well not be Swift now.

https://www.football.london/tottenh...-tottenham-transfer-rumours-brewster-18829248

 

[Houso]

We will have to wait and see.

In the meantime have a look here

https://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/Football/Premier+League/Transfer+News

So, your post that suggested our first 11 would struggle and we'll only stay up based on graft (entirely forgetting what we achieved last season) is based on:
a) we'll have to wait and see, and
b) a set of in the main rumours on a news aggregator website.

Blimey. I know as Blades we're pessimistic, but you'd think our last 4 seasons would have shook that to a certain extent. Obviously not.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

All fair enough. I think what I'd counter with that is that we will be signing more players. There's absolutely no doubt on that.

My issue is with the view that we HAVE to make 20m+ signings.

People looking at the promoted sides forget that they're where we were last season at this point. Since then we've made three signings in the region of 20m, then a number of others for substantial sums. Leeds are doing some interesting business, but they've already lost their best player back to Brighton. West Brom also had a predominance of loan players and don't seem to have vast amounts to spend.

Finally, it's pre-season and it's likely that all those injured/infected players will be back for the start of the season.

The squad is good! As evidenced by our performances last season, so I don’t think we desperately need the £20m plus players just yet.

However, we will need to replace a good chunk of the side before too long - Norwood, mcgoldrick, Stevens, sharp, basham are all 30 or pushing it.

I think we will make a few sensible signings to improve/upgrade the squad. The bench for example looked weak yesterday with some players missing, so we are going to have to improve there or hope we stay injury free.

So for me the loan market is key.

Signing at least one player who might have the impact of hendo could transform our season. If money is tight that’s where I would be looking to make progress.

Fringe players At the big clubs are oftenready on the England / international reckoning example, so could certainly improve is a as a squad.

 

[Houso]

The squad is good! As evidenced by our performances last season, so I don’t think we need the £20m plus players just yet.

However, we will need to replace a good chunk of the side before too long - Norwood, mcgoldrick, Stevens, sharp, basham are all 30 or pushing it.

I think we will make a few sensible signings to improve/upgrade the squad. The bench for example looked weak yesterday with some players missing, so we are going to have to improve there or hope we stay injury free.

I'd agree with most of that, although it's harsh on Norwood to say he'll need replacing soon being as he's only 29! He has a good number of seasons yet. I mean, Enda is only just 30. No need to worry for a couple of seasons yet.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

I'd agree with most of that, although it's harsh on Norwood to say he'll need replacing soon being as he's only 29! He has a good number of seasons yet. I mean, Enda is only just 30. No need to worry for a couple of seasons yet.

I do agree - not suggesting the don’t all have another couple of good years left yet. We wouldnt have given them new contracts for example

my worry is replacing their output and you will be looking at at least £20m a pop for relative certainty at similar production.... that for 5 players soon adds up

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

The name of the game is incremental improvement.

It involves good judgement and value for money.

The most expensive player in one of the Premier League`s best defences last season cost £4million - John Egan.

The most expensive player we have ever signed cost over £20million - Sander Berge.

Players such as Basham, Fleck, O`Connell, Stevens, Norwood, Baldock and Lundstram cost us nowt or next to nowt.

All those players I have named are the result of good judgement and value for money.

Those who panic if we are not spaffing millions like the billionaire owned clubs need to calm down, consider the above, and trust Chris Wilder.

 

[Bladezz]

Who's spending? Don't get why people still don't understand where we're at as a club.

Leeds are close to going over the £50million mark already. Also doing everything in power to get Ben White it seems.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Updates from YorkshireLive Q&A with Nathan Hemmingham

(On whether any close) understand United are not too far away from a breakthrough with one target, Chris has left it in the hands of Carl Shieber back at Bramall Lane and is waiting for updates out here in Scotland. Not able to say for definite a number before Wolves but he told me yesterday at Tannadice that he is still confident of getting the players he wants in before that game

(On how soon for deals) No timescale but he's working on a few deals, they have bids in for players but the market is slow and it's a waiting and then reacting game at the minute - definitely working on one in particular that he is hoping for an update on - would expect something in the next seven days

(On whether Covid has limited interest getting in from abroad) I don't think United are looking at too many players abroad - there's a possible loan for a European player that has been mooted out here in Scotland, similar to the deals for Zivkovic and Retsos, but no names - but there won't be too many, but Chris is definitely looking at the loan market at home and abroad

(On whether all targets have so far been mentioned in the press) not aware of every target of course, Chris rightly, and understandably so, keeps his cards close to his chest, but I believe there is definitely one they are going after that so far has not managed to make its way into the papers, hoping it remains that way too as United have had to watch a few targets, like Antonee Robinson, get away because of other teams coming in

(On total targets) Hard to put a number on because a couple of players will be moving out. He wants five strikers and the striker to have pace, hence his interest in Oli Burke but he could bring in two if the deals are right - will definitely be bringing in a RWB and possibly competition for Enda Stevens then it's a case of seeing who moves out, for example Lundstram, that would mean a midfielder needed.

(On Burke) I know Chris is a big fan of Oli and sees his pace as crucial to United's forward line right now, especially away from home, not sure about the exact details of the deal but with West Brom interested in Callum and United interested in Oli there's obviously scope for a deal to be done there and I believe the two clubs are trying to reach an agreement on this

(On Retsos/Besic) Yeah Chris has moved on from those two - all deals of this nature are with a view to a permanent so a fee is always agreed first and then it's up to United if they want to turn this deal into a permanent - they did it with Norwood but have decided against with these two

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

So, your post that suggested our first 11 would struggle and we'll only stay up based on graft (entirely forgetting what we achieved last season) is based on:
a) we'll have to wait and see, and
b) a set of in the main rumours on a news aggregator website.

Blimey. I know as Blades we're pessimistic, but you'd think our last 4 seasons would have shook that to a certain extent. Obviously not.

Go back and read #301 again.

Where do you go for your nuggets "And don't tell me other sides, but hardly anyone has signed players"

 

[S15Blade]

Leeds are close to going over the £50million mark already. Also doing everything in power to get Ben White it seems.

Terrible comparison, 1st year up. of course they have to spend just as we did last year.

You wouldn't be swapping their squad with ours as it stands right now that's for sure.

 

[EddieColquhoun]

Also doing everything in power to get Ben White it seems.

3 bids now and they're up to half of the asking price.

 

[jono_t2000]

For anyone saying "oh we finished 9th last season, we will be fine with no significant signings" are underestimating just how small our squad is.

We used the same 11 more than any other team last season. At times when we had just 1 player with a short term injury, we looked a lot weaker.

Ok other teams might not have signed players either, but we HAVE too, otherwise we're gambling on going another whole season playing the same 11 all the way through and not getting any major injuries.

 

[Blade56]

For anyone saying "oh we finished 9th last season, we will be fine with no significant signings" are underestimating just how small our squad is.

We used the same 11 more than any other team last season. At times when we had just 1 player with a short term injury, we looked a lot weaker.

Ok other teams might not have signed players either, but we HAVE too, otherwise we're gambling on going another whole season playing the same 11 all the way through and not getting any major injuries.

⬆⬆⬆⬆⬆⬆THIS⬆⬆⬆⬆⬆⬆​

 

[Tongeincheek]

Can’t see Callum Robinson or Luke Freeman amongst the squad in today’s training pics.



Could this mean that Cash and Burke are on their way to us??

 

[Sam64]

Robinson's in that, haven't seen Freeman in any of the pics and vids though.

 

[Silent Blade]

Can’t see Callum Robinson or Luke Freeman amongst the squad in today’s training pics.

View attachment 89766

Could this mean that Cash and Burke are on their way to us??

Robinson is behind Sharp and Berge

 

[Vikkster]

Have you had a bang on the head - why are you so desperate to create bad news?

Do you realise that with the exception of Chelsea, Spurs and City, we've spent more than any other club?

 

[SufcBilly]

Freeman having a medical at Forest.

 

[Vikkster]

It was the ‘bang on the head’ quote which got me

 

[Mojo]

Wrong thread

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Wilder today: “I do still think there’s a lot of lazy recruitment out that jump on ‘Sheffield United are interested in someone’ and then other clubs are suddenly interested.”

Seems he’s onto you Dean Smith

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Wilder today: “I do still think there’s a lot of lazy recruitment out that jump on ‘Sheffield United are interested in someone’ and then other clubs are suddenly interested.”

Seems he’s onto you Dean Smith

Scott Parker.

 

[Dean Smith]

Wilder today: “I do still think there’s a lot of lazy recruitment out that jump on ‘Sheffield United are interested in someone’ and then other clubs are suddenly interested.”

Seems he’s onto you Dean Smith

Must be on about that Scott Parker.