[Confirmed] Britton back to Swansea?

[SteelCity Blade]

General question. How long do people think it will take us to obtain (not borrow), a player of equivalent touch and passing ability as Britton?

One that actually makes an impact? - probably a long time

One that is similar to Britton? - probably in less time

As I've already touched upon, he is a steady player that is reliable and can do the basic things well. He sits in the middle of the park and plays safe passes in order to maintain possession. Whilst I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that, I dont see what impact he has. He brings nothing to the table, other than an ability to regularly find another player similarly lacking in attacking prowess.

In other words Leon Britton is the kind of play that looks very good in a good side. Put him with a bunch of novices and he's as average as everyone else. That is not the mark of a good player.....it is the mark of a steady player. He'll do well again at Swansea because they have good balance and different kinds of footballers to compliment him.

There is nothing wrong with Britts, he's just a tad overrated.

 

[Houso]

I disagree. While yes, he's good in a good team, he's also good in a passing side. Swansea haven't always been as good as this season, and he's been phenomenal for them for years. There's a good reason they want him back despite already having such a good balance.

He was outstanding at the start of the season, and while I think he'll struggle in the current side and tactics, that says more about the nature of a passing midfielder in a direct style of football than about Leon.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

I disagree. While yes, he's good in a good team, he's also good in a passing side. Swansea haven't always been as good as this season, and he's been phenomenal for them for years. There's a good reason they want him back despite already having such a good balance.

He was outstanding at the start of the season, and while I think he'll struggle in the current side and tactics, that says more about the nature of a passing midfielder in a direct style of football than about Leon.

A bit of an exaggeration that Houso. Anything he has done has been far from outstanding. The closest thing to it was his pass to Ched at Cardiff (which was a nice ball admittedly). He sits in the midfield and plays the safe pass (usually sideways) and thats it.....I've seen little else from him. But I've seen him do very little wrong either so I cant knock him for anything other than being ok.

The whole misconception about Leon Britton being a wonderful artistic footballer, came from this sweeping desire for the Blades to play free-flowing passing football. He was thought to be the centre of this project.....which has failed to bear any fruit for various reasons including the fact that Leon Britton isnt exceptional enough to be the catalyst that he was hailed as.

At the end of the day it is about the team and what suits it best. If Leon Britton doesnt fit in it is because he is a) not good enough to shine individually and b) cannot adapt to a different style of football to what he's used to. The two points go hand in hand.

We dont have a good enough team to be able to carry a luxury player that wants to stroll about laying the ball off in the middle of the park. It is as simple as that. To me it is far more a case of him not suiting our requirements than the other way round.....which is what some people seem to be arguing. To me that is complete nonsense but opinions are entitled.

 

[puppet]

In other words Leon Britton is the kind of play that looks very good in a good side. Put him with a bunch of novices and he's as average as everyone else. That is not the mark of a good player.....it is the mark of a steady player. He'll do well again at Swansea because they have good balance and different kinds of footballers to compliment him.

There is nothing wrong with Britts, he's just a tad overrated.

So much so that 2nd in the league want him back

 

[SteelCity Blade]

So much so that 2nd in the league want him back

In a league full of mediocrity

 

[Houso]

A bit of an exaggeration that Houso. Anything he has done has been far from outstanding. The closest thing to it was his pass to Ched at Cardiff (which was a nice ball admittedly). He sits in the midfield and plays the safe pass (usually sideways) and thats it.....I've seen little else from him. But I've seen him do very little wrong either so I cant knock him for anything other than being ok.

The whole misconception about Leon Britton being a wonderful artistic footballer, came from this sweeping desire for the Blades to play free-flowing passing football. He was thought to be the centre of this project.....which has failed to bear any fruit for various reasons including the fact that Leon Britton isnt exceptional enough to be the catalyst that he was hailed as.

At the end of the day it is about the team and what suits it best. If Leon Britton doesnt fit in it is because he is a) not good enough to shine individually and b) cannot adapt to a different style of football to what he's used to. The two points go hand in hand.

We dont have a good enough team to be able to carry a luxury player that wants to stroll about laying the ball off in the middle of the park. It is as simple as that. To me it is far more a case of him not suiting our requirements than the other way round.....which is what some people seem to be arguing. To me that is complete nonsense but opinions are entitled.

We're going to have to agree to disagree on that one then because I genuinely thought he put in a couple of the best midfield performances for us since Brown and McCall were at the club. He dictated the play, was always there for the ball, got past players and put his foot into tackles to win the ball back for us.

He's not an Andy Reid style of footballer with killer passes, I wouldn't expect that from him. But on the the flipside he has the ability to be a bigger influence.

 

[Pinchy]

Are our 'requirements' set in stone forever? Someone had better tell Pembo quick before he ruins any more potential hoofers and plodders by getting them to play the game properly.

A great day for the 'We Love Hoofing' Brigade: A depressing one for proper football.

 

[puppet]

"In a league full of mediocrity "


Are you seriously infering theres not much between 2nd and 21st?

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

there's a 1 for starters.

 

[puppet]

We're going to have to agree to disagree on that one then because I genuinely thought he put in a couple of the best midfield performances for us since Brown and McCall were at the club. He dictated the play, was always there for the ball, got past players and put his foot into tackles to win the ball back for us.

He's not an Andy Reid style of footballer with killer passes, I wouldn't expect that from him. But on the the flipside he has the ability to be a bigger influence.

A midfield of Reid and Britton wouldve been fantastic, with Williamson on the fringes. Now we're back to Monty & Quinn....

---------- Post added at 01:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:58 PM ----------

Well its ONE louder, isnt it?

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I'm with him a potential midfield of a fit Willo with Reid and Britton is mouthwatering. Monty and Quinny just simply doesn't do it for me.

---------- Post added at 02:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:59 PM ----------

Well its ONE louder, isnt it?

you're on ten Where can you go from there? Where?

 

[SteelCity Blade]

"In a league full of mediocrity "


Are you seriously infering theres not much between 2nd and 21st?

Did we or did we not beat them at Bramall Lane????

Besides that, I said the league is mediocre....what does that have to do with a difference between the sides? They obviously feel he can do a job in their midfield again. That doesnt mean he's a great player puppet. When Cardiff signed Jon Parkin do you think they signed him because he's better than Chopra or Bellamy???? They signed him for a specific weapon.

My argument has nothing to do with "hoofball" or "proper football" bollocks. It has everything to do with a player that is apparently so good, he transformed the way we play and made everything cli.....oh wait.....

This idea of "playing the game properly" always makes me laugh. If the ball gets from A to B successfully I dont give a monkeys how it gets there. If you do, thats up to you. I want to see my side win, the brand of football comes second. If its stylish great, if its not *shrug*

 

[Kenilworth]

If the Britton deal is to free up funds for bringing in Reid then I am all for it.
As others have stated, apart from the pass to Ched at Cardiff the only other thing of note he has done is give away a penalty.
Mind you that goes for most of the rest of the team as well.

 

[Houso]

If the Britton deal is to free up funds for bringing in Reid then I am all for it.
As others have stated, apart from the pass to Ched at Cardiff the only other thing of note he has done is give away a penalty.
Mind you that goes for most of the rest of the team as well.

This genuinely amazes me.

 

[puppet]

This idea of "playing the game properly" always makes me laugh. If the ball gets from A to B successfully I dont give a monkeys how it gets there. If you do, thats up to you. I want to see my side win, the brand of football comes second. If its stylish great, if its not *shrug*

20 years ago, 10 even, I'd have bought into that but the old fashioned long ball game is as dated as Leeds sock numbers. We aren't winning games either, incase you hadnt noticed.

---------- Post added at 02:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:19 PM ----------

If the Britton deal is to free up funds for bringing in Reid then I am all for it.

If Adams didnt fancy Britton what makes you think he'd want Reid?

 

[Kenilworth]

My argument has nothing to do with "hoofball" or "proper football" bollocks. It has everything to do with a player that is apparently so good, he transformed the way we play and made everything cli.....oh wait.....

This idea of "playing the game properly" always makes me laugh. If the ball gets from A to B successfully I dont give a monkeys how it gets there. If you do, thats up to you. I want to see my side win, the brand of football comes second. If its stylish great, if its not *shrug*

Not bothered about Great Britton I want a UNITED Kingdom!

I want to see chances and goal mouth action where we actually have a chance of scoring a gola or two. I am not here to see crab football, nor do I want to damage my neck looking for the ball in the clouds. A good mixture of quick incisive play resulting in some end product, dead simple. A lot of people talk absolute twaddle about a pure style of football, The aim of the game is to score more goals that your opponent - that's it. How you get there doesn't really count as long as the game is exciting and enjoyable to watch. Sadly, there are too many that believe there is only one way to address this and they pour scorn on anything else that may be different. The real tragedy is that managers and coaches strive to reach this holy grail of "Spanish / Arsenal" style football without having the quality to deliver it. The trend for one striker up front is a prime example but that only works if you have a pacey and skillful midfield who can get up to support the front man before they lose possession.

Personally I like to see width in a game with good wingers making runs, skinning their full back and putting in a decent cross for the front pair to attack. I like to see people shooting from outside the area, I like to see quality headed goals form set pieces. I don't like to see my team being negative throughut the 90 minutes like they have been for months before MA joined. He has a massive job to do and needs to freshen it up a lot otherwise the malaise will see us drop. Britton is not the awe inspiring midfield general we all hoped he would be. He will not be a great loss to this team so if he can be used to bring in someone that will make a difference then I am fully behind Micky and how he is transforming the club into something we can believe in and get behind again.

As I said, I am not bothered about Great Britton I want a United Kingdom

---------- Post added at 02:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:21 PM ----------

This genuinely amazes me.

How many goals and assists has Britton this season - Amaze me!

 

[Houso]

Do you really think a player's worth can only be measured in goals and assists?

How many goals did McCall set up in his halcyon season for us?

 

[Kenilworth]

If Adams didnt fancy Britton what makes you think he'd want Reid?

When Reid has played he has made an impact. Scoring, creating chances for others that have scored goals. We look a threat when Reid has been in the side whereas we look a team going nowhere fast if we rely on the passing and creativity that Britton has demonstrated this season. Britton seemingly cannot take an attacking free kick - Reid certainly can. It's very clear and simple to me. I would rather have Reid than Britton - if that is a choice Micky has then I believe he would too,

 

[puppet]

When Reid has played he has made an impact. Scoring, creating chances for others that have scored goals. We look a threat when Reid has been in the side whereas we look a team going nowhere fast if we rely on the passing and creativity that Britton has demonstrated this season. Britton seemingly cannot take an attacking free kick - Reid certainly can. It's very clear and simple to me. I would rather have Reid than Britton - if that is a choice Micky has then I believe he would too,

I may be wrong but I dont think Reid even played under Adams. Reid was on the bench for Sunderland on Sunday youre living in dreamland if you think youll see him in red & white stripes other than on MOTD

 

[Kenilworth]

Do you really think a player's worth can only be measured in goals and assists?

How many goals did McCall set up in his halcyon season for us?

As a supposedly creative midfielder yes. Otherwise, what's the point in them being in the squad?
We have enough cloggers and destroyers already. Why would you want one that cannot tackle as well but can pass the ball sideways to a fellow defensive midfielder?

On McCall - he was also a leader on the pitch and in the dressing room. Britton wouldn't scare a mouse.
I also recall McCall playing the ball on many occasions to wingers to do their stuff and being the link in play to build attacking football. Maybe it's the tactics that Speed utilised but I cannot recall Britton making defense splitting through balls nor do I recall seeing him carve out many chances for the forwards bar the one at Cardiff on the first day.

I am not saying he is pants but he is not an attacking player, which is what we need at the heart of the midfield now. He probably suits Swansea much more because they keep the ball better and he links the play when they go back and build again. But they have Pratley, Sinclair, Cotterill and Dyer to feed from him. We have Monty, Ertl, Cresswell, Yeates and Ward. (Willo is still not fit). Chalk and cheese.

---------- Post added at 02:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:34 PM ----------

I may be wrong but I dont think Reid even played under Adams. Reid was on the bench for Sunderland on Sunday youre living in dreamland if you think youll see him in red & white stripes other than on MOTD

So Micky doesn't get to see footage of matches played before he arrived or are you saying he would not look at the Football League show to see how Utd are doing? Maybe we won't see Reid in a Blades shirt again. I am not saying that we will. All I am saying is that I would prefer to have Reid as opposed to Britton if there was a choice and I believe that MA is of a similar opinion - otherwise, why would he be letting Britton go?

 

[puppet]

As a supposedly creative midfielder yes. Otherwise, what's the point in them being in the squad?
We have enough cloggers and destroyers already. Why would you want one that cannot tackle as well but can pass the ball sideways to a fellow defensive midfielder?

I dont think he is a creative midfielder but hes a damn sight better than Monty or Quinn. A creative player beside him and we'd have been onto something. Now we're back to the dross, harsh though it is to say about M/Q they just arent in the same class as Britton... and selling the good and keeping the crap only sends you one way.

 

[Kenilworth]

I dont think he is a creative midfielder but hes a damn sight better than Monty or Quinn. A creative player beside him and we'd have been onto something. Now we're back to the dross, harsh though it is to say about M/Q they just arent in the same class as Britton... and selling the good and keeping the crap only sends you one way.

I don't see Britton being a defensive midfielder either so th ebalance would be all wrong if you had a creative midfielder and Britton - there would be no bite and we would be over run constantly. Even Arsenal have some muscle in midfield to allow the liskes of Nasri and Fabregas to perform. Alex Song and Diarby are their midfield power houses. Britton is a million miles away from being a power house - unless someone has a hamster wheel and a dynamo attached to it for their fairy lights.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

A good mixture of quick incisive play resulting in some end product, dead simple. A lot of people talk absolute twaddle about a pure style of football, The aim of the game is to score more goals that your opponent - that's it. How you get there doesn't really count as long as the game is exciting and enjoyable to watch.

I coudnt agree more kenilworth. In regard to this idea of "playing the right way" you're also spot on.....twaddle is exactly what it is. The best sides mix it up and when they do it well they are the hardest opposition to beat.

We could of course perceivably change the rules of football so that the game is won by most passes completed. We would then see a glorious mixture of Arsenal and crab style football to please those who simply dont get a sophisticated enough experience from watching variety.

If it calls for passing it around the opposition, then lets do that and revel in it. If it calls for ramming it down their fucking throat then lets do that! Whichever helps us win.

---------- Post added at 02:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:48 PM ----------

Do you really think a player's worth can only be measured in goals and assists?

How many goals did McCall set up in his halcyon season for us?

No comparison. Stuart McCall was twice the player (in his prime and twilight of his career).

 

[JohnDenver]

Are our 'requirements' set in stone forever? Someone had better tell Pembo quick before he ruins any more potential hoofers and plodders by getting them to play the game properly.

A great day for the 'We Love Hoofing' Brigade: A depressing one for proper football.

I don't think this is a reflection of strategy but rather of exigency. Which grinds me because retrenchment shouldn't take as long as this, and the longer it takes, the worse the position we'll find ourselves in when the upturn comes. Britton isn't the answer to all our ills, but he could have been a big part of it.

Will there be a sound when we finally hit the bottom? Hopefully it's the sound of Britton's Range Rover leaving the carpark...

 

[Houso]

I coudnt agree more kenilworth. In regard to this idea of "playing the right way" you're also spot on.....twaddle is exactly what it is. The best sides mix it up and when they do it well they are the hardest opposition to beat.

We could of course perceivably change the rules of football so that the game is won by most passes completed. We would then see a glorious mixture of Arsenal and crab style football to please those who simply dont get a sophisticated enough experience from watching variety.

If it calls for passing it around the opposition, then lets do that and revel in it. If it calls for ramming it down their fucking throat then lets do that! Whichever helps us win.

---------- Post added at 02:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:48 PM ----------



No comparison. Stuart McCall was twice the player (in his prime and twilight of his career).

Not for me.

They were at the same level in their times at the Lane. One played in a very good side, the other in a very poor side.

Therein lies the rub.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Not for me.

They were at the same level in their times at the Lane. One played in a very good side, the other in a very poor side.

Therein lies the rub.

One has played for Everton and Rangers (playing in the top flight for most of his career) as well as having 40 international caps. The other has played for Swansea City and Sheffield United, has a much worse goal scoring average and has never played a single top flight game.......at the age of 28!

Like I said, no comparison. But we will agree to disagree, which to be fair was your original suggestion.

 

[Houso]

One has played for Everton and Rangers (playing in the top flight for most of his career) as well as having 40 international caps. The other has played for Swansea City and Sheffield United, has a much worse goal scoring average and has never played a single top flight game.......at the age of 28!

Like I said, no comparison. But we will agree to disagree, which to be fair was your original suggestion.

Wait, I put the "twilight of his career" bit in bold. He didn't play for Everton or Rangers in that period.

 

[Bergen Blade]

One has played for Everton and Rangers (playing in the top flight for most of his career) as well as having 40 international caps. The other has played for Swansea City and Sheffield United, has a much worse goal scoring average and has never played a single top flight game.......at the age of 28!

Like I said, no comparison. But we will agree to disagree, which to be fair was your original suggestion.

McCall was a fantastic player, remember him having a very good game against Brazil in the 1990 world cup. He played on a season too far though while with us, and was an embarrassment at times in 2003/04. Otherwise a decent debate this. I'm with SteelCity and Kenilworth though and will be relieved if we get rid of a high earner that is very ineffective for us. I just hope the cash we save will be spent wisely.

 

[Houso]

The thing is, I've got no real objection to Britton going as I doubt he will be very effective in such a direct style, but:

a) if we don't get a hefty fee through whatever means, it will be shocking business. Loan plus payment at the end of the season would get round the rumoured rule that's been talked about

b) it's another talented player who has found it impossible to perform at Bramall Lane for an extended amount of time. Why does this keep happening?

 

[Pinchy]

McCall was a fantastic player, remember him having a very good game against Brazil in the 1990 world cup. He played on a season too far though while with us, and was an embarrassment at times in 2003/04. Otherwise a decent debate this. I'm with SteelCity and Kenilworth though and will be relieved if we get rid of a high earner that is very ineffective for us. I just hope the cash we save will be spent wisely.

Good. You want rid of Montgomery as well then? That's you, me and Puppet so far. Not a bad mix.