The summer ahead

[Ollessendro]

Serious? How can you/we be serious about something which you/we know absolutely nothing about. What is Wilson doing? Who is he signing? Who are we letting go? How are we going to play? When is Morgs going to be fit, who will play up front? Who will play in net? Left back, Right Back, who knows?

You say we are behind the clock, but I don't see anyone else making big bold and brave decisions at our level. In spite of my reservations (of which there are many), I will at least give the man/team a chance before I wade in with my "observations". Some of your posts are funny, others are less so. Some are well written, this is not one of them. Its the sign of a man who is bored and wants to be seen by giving the world another lengthy post about how he is concerned about something which he has absolutely no solid proof of what to be concerned about.

In short, wind and piss.

And we were getting on so well Bladesway!? There I was thinking, getting carried away with myself, we might even have a chat about total football over a real ale one day.

You are actually confusing and deliberately mixing lots of issues. I am concerned about the lack of action at Bramall. It is common knowledge that we need to cut the wage bill, a large part of the squad will be leaving and we will need to significantly reshape/strengthen. Add to that the fact that we have a small squad and I would say this is not your run of the mill team. I have not even mentioned long term injuries. We have been badly run and these are exceptional circumstances. If we lose the players we are likely to lose (and the one's being rumopured to go) and do not replace them then we will have an absolute threadbare squad.

I will not judge Wilson on his rebuilding until the 14th of July. However that is 5 weeks away and he has not started yet. Hence I am concerned. I am not criticising him for not taking action, but merley voicing a concern. I really do not want to be looking back (again) and syaing I told you so. Ollessendro said the clock was ticking and we needed to move and noone listened. Then come the start of the season we have a squd of 20, several injuries and rely on over expensive, crap, not commited loan players. I really hope that Wilson does get this right and this thread does become 'wind, shit and piss', but in my opinion we are in danger of falling gravely behind. Mainly because we are starting from behind everyone else.

You are right about one thing though Bladesway, I am bored. But that is a reflection of very little happening at the club. Wilson still has time of course and I have stated that I may be worrying over nothing. However that 5 weeks will fly and the sooner we get moving the better.

Tick tock tick tock indeed. I don't see much going on at all and that is a worry. I am not to bothered at the moment about players in it is out that worries me, all this talk about players on holiday is bollocks there is plenty of movement in the transfer market at the moment and all players are controlled by agents anyway. I had hoped that a few that are leaving would have started to go by now. Like you say Malta is less than 5 weeks away you can't take players who you expect not to be there come august so we need to start moving get players shipped out and targets in on trial.

A bit strong Dave, but I agree with the sentiment. One month exactly to Malta. Very little business will get done whilst we are there. Then we come back and have a few weeks til the season starts. In that time it is far from ideal to be signing players and bring in more than 1 or 2 seems daft. The whole point of having pre season is for them to play together (as well as regain fitness etc).

 

[davidpinder]

A bit strong Dave, but I agree with the sentiment. One month exactly to Malta. Very little business will get done whilst we are there. Then we come back and have a few weeks til the season starts. In that time it is far from ideal to be signing players and bring in more than 1 or 2 seems daft. The whole point of having pre season is for them to play together (as well as regain fitness etc).

Maybe a bit strong but the way i see it our pre season starts July 9th and surely we need 80% of our squad complete by then.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Maybe a bit strong but the way i see it our pre season starts July 9th and surely we need 80% of our squad complete by then.

I would say its better to have nearly all (90% at least) of your squad together by then! By the time you start training and pre-season games it is much better to have the entire group together. If you're short of more than two signings by then I would say it can hamper preparations massively.

 

[davidpinder]

I would say its better to have nearly all (90% at least) of your squad together by then! By the time you start training and pre-season games it is much better to have the entire group together. If you're short of more than two signings by then I would say it can hamper preparations massively.

I can't see that happening in 3 and a half weeks

 

[SteelCity Blade]

I can't see that happening in 3 and a half weeks

No neither can I........familiar feeling?

 

[davidpinder]

No neither can I........familiar feeling?

Yes very much so but the question is who is to blame?? I have a feeling DW'S hands are tied.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Yes very much so but the question is who is to blame?? I have a feeling DW'S hands are tied.

I suspect a handful of players have all expressed an interest in signing and want to talk terms dp. The problem seems to be that the club wont sign anyone until we've shipped some high earners out. I know DW has said we dont have to sell first, but reading between the lines and looking at the lack of activity that's exactly what we have to do.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Yes very much so but the question is who is to blame??

Why do we have to blame anyone ?

Everyone wants to see things moving and ideally we'd have the bulk of our squad in place by Malta but there are countless reasons why this may not happen. As ever, people see a lack of anything visibly happening as a lack of activity.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Why do we have to blame anyone ?

Everyone wants to see things moving and ideally we'd have the bulk of our squad in place by Malta but there are countless reasons why this may not happen. As ever, people see a lack of anything visibly happening as a lack of activity.

I appreciate what you're saying here JC but if you've made no signings you've made no signings. Activity behind the scenes is all well and good but I think what some people are saying is that something should have happened by now.

People can talk forever and a day but until deals start being done we've made no progress and pre-season will be starting in about three weeks or so. Its like last summer all over again.

I'm not one for looking over the fence at our neighbours but they've already signed three players. That's an example of early preparation and planning.

 

[davidpinder]

I appreciate what you're saying here JC but if you've made no signings you've made no signings. Activity behind the scenes is all well and good but I think what some people are saying is that something should have happened by now.

People can talk forever and a day but until deals start being done we've made no progress and pre-season will be starting in about three weeks or so. Its like last summer all over again.

I'm not one for looking over the fence at our neighbours but they've already signed three players. That's an example of early preparation and planning.

I am with you all the way on that SCB.

 

[Lid]

take my hat off to him ,olle really knows how to stir the shit on here doesnt he ?

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

I appreciate what you're saying here JC but if you've made no signings you've made no signings. Activity behind the scenes is all well and good but I think what some people are saying is that something should have happened by now.

People can talk forever and a day but until deals start being done we've made no progress and pre-season will be starting in about three weeks or so. Its like last summer all over again.

I'm not one for looking over the fence at our neighbours but they've already signed three players. That's an example of early preparation and planning.

Because nothing has been made public, it doesn't nothing has happened.

I'm saying no more on the subject

 

[davidpinder]

I still can not believe we haven't even released any players yet?? Anyone have any news on that??

 

[SteelCity Blade]

I still can not believe we haven't even released any players yet?? Anyone have any news on that??

I'm kind of surprised but in another way I'm not. I think its a case of waiting to see who will be sold. Players will be retained/released depending on what numbers we're left with in certain areas. There is so much uncertainty over some individuals that they probably dont want to officially release anyone yet. I think often most players' contracts run out at the end of June. Slow market but we ought to have brought a couple in by now really.

 

[Bladesway]

take my hat off to him ,olle really knows how to stir the shit on here doesnt he ?

I think your mistaking stirring the shit with seeking attention.

Olle, don't panic I don't forsee any fall out or us never getting together over a pint of beer with twigs in it. I just don't agree with your post, nothing more or less. I struggle to understand anyone lacing in before a ball has been kicked. Wilson will stand or fall on what he does. I am sure he realises how under the microscope he is and how little tolerance he will be given by the fans. With that in mind I have faith he will have a plan. He may do a Bassett and buy no one who any of us think can get us out of the league. Fact is he is better at this than any one of us. If he is good enough and the board give him support he will be ok. If he is shit (and its a real possibility) and he gets no support from above then it will all end in tears.

You mention his deadline with you being July 14th. Why? Whats wrong with the first match of the season? Whats wrong with the end of September? October? November of even Christmas. Because in all fairness to the bloke we need to see his first team play a few times before we start chucking stones at him.

Fact is you can't wait for it all to go tits up. It appears to all intent and purpose that you are already gathering your pointed stones and a bag of gravel so you can chuck it. July 14th isn't a real chance. Its just a date you can start giving him pelters.

I'd suggest you get yourself down to the car park, hoist one trouser leg up, take the shoe off the opposite foot, put your pants on your head and your socks on your hands. You can join the other no hopers and jump up and down. I am sure McCabe has installed a gun turret on top of the South Stand waiting for you and your cronies.

 

[davidpinder]

I'm kind of surprised but in another way I'm not. I think its a case of waiting to see who will be sold. Players will be retained/released depending on what numbers we're left with in certain areas. There is so much uncertainty over some individuals that they probably dont want to officially release anyone yet. I think often most players' contracts run out at the end of June. Slow market but we ought to have brought a couple in by now really.

And let a couple go as well not really fair on the players being released if there trying to find a club

 

[Ollessendro]

Tick Tock: 4 weeks to Malta

It is now exactly 4 weeks to Malta and we have made no signings, sold no players and have not realeased any players.

We know that we have to decrease the wage bill, we now we do not have enough quality and we need pace and flair. We have barely got a squad and expect several players to be sold. Yet nothing is happening. In a squad that is expecting a complete overhaul, then surprisingly little is happening.

Cue the chill out we've got 4 weeks, Ollie is a wind up merchant, we have until the 6th of August, the players are on hols etc. I do not buy it. The clock is ticking and we need to get moving.

---------- Post added at 09:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:35 AM ----------

take my hat off to him ,olle really knows how to stir the shit on here doesnt he ?

It's you isn't it judge?

I struggle to understand anyone lacing in before a ball has been kicked. Wilson will stand or fall on what he does. I am sure he realises how under the microscope he is and how little tolerance he will be given by the fans. With that in mind I have faith he will have a plan. He may do a Bassett and buy no one who any of us think can get us out of the league. Fact is he is better at this than any one of us. If he is good enough and the board give him support he will be ok. If he is shit (and its a real possibility) and he gets no support from above then it will all end in tears.

You mention his deadline with you being July 14th. Why? Whats wrong with the first match of the season? Whats wrong with the end of September? October? November of even Christmas. Because in all fairness to the bloke we need to see his first team play a few times before we start chucking stones at him.

Fact is you can't wait for it all to go tits up. It appears to all intent and purpose that you are already gathering your pointed stones and a bag of gravel so you can chuck it. July 14th isn't a real chance. Its just a date you can start giving him pelters.

You are completely ignoring the fact that the squad needs a complete overhaul. The wage bill needs decreasing, players will be shipped out and we'll need to bring people in. I guess you are just happy to sit on your hands and ignore Wilson's squad (re)building and his preperations for the season. I am not. I think it is perfectly normal to comment on it and many actually share my concerns. Funny, I don't see you throwing silly insults at them. The whole no hopers, gun paret things is a little pathetic and over the top.

The Blades go to Malta on the 14th of July. That is their pre season training camp. You would expect the team that goes to be the one starting the new season. Hence, that is pretty much a deadline for signing players. Wilson will have a tiny bit of time to manouvre afterwards if he wants and (as you say) can sign players in August and September. However surely you can see that it is hardly ideal to be signing players very close to the season starting and even after it started. One of two additions fair enough, but any more than that is asking for trouble. It takes time to gel, get to know each other and adapt styles.

You are again confusing two issues. Wilson's squad building (what this thread is about) and Wilson's success. Wilson has my full support, but it does not mean I cannot comment on how he is preparing for the season. As for the comment about wanting things to go wrong. What nonsense.

 

[SwissBlade]

Put simply, if were going to prepare for a promotion attempt (I think these words have been uttered by mcCabe) then we have to be ready by the time we go on tour.

By ready that means fitness must be all but fully match fit and the squad rebuild needs to be 70-90% complete so that the friendlies can be used to put a first 11 together and practice things like set pieces in a real situation.

This thread is far from Ollie seeking attention it's asking the same questions as last year and the year before.

At least the grass seed will have grown

 

[Ollessendro]

Put simply, if were going to prepare for a promotion attempt (I think these words have been uttered by mcCabe) then we have to be ready by the time we go on tour.

By ready that means fitness must be all but fully match fit and the squad rebuild needs to be 70-90% complete so that the friendlies can be used to put a first 11 together and practice things like set pieces in a real situation.

This thread is far from Ollie seeking attention it's asking the same questions as last year and the year before.

At least the grass seed will have grown

Spot on Swiss. What I have been repeating over and over. However because it is Ollessendro it is 'a wind up', 'shit stirring', 'over the top' etc

Wilson has to be really careful. We could end up with a small, depleted squad, lacking in any talent, pace or skill and we have to rely on expensive loans signings that are shite and do not care about the club. As this has happened the last 2 seasons (because we have not prepared properly) I think it is perfectly reasonable I am questioning preperations.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

We need 8 new players to stand any chance of promotion IMO. One has to assume that Montgomery, Quinn, Evans, Henderson and Slew will be departing for other clubs. If that is the case then so be it. However I feel we'll need 8 just to give us enough depth.....quality is another issue but I wont even go there at the moment. Looking at the squad and what would be left when those 5 players go, I would say we need:-

2 centre backs
1 right back
1 left back
1 right sided midfielder/winger
1 left sided midfielder/winger
2 forwards

I feel with the likely departure of the players I mentioned, we will be very poor and depleted in the above areas. The challenge for DW will be finding players with the right attributes and ability obviously, but I will leave that to him.

 

[davidpinder]

We need 8 new players to stand any chance of promotion IMO. One has to assume that Montgomery, Quinn, Evans, Henderson and Slew will be departing for other clubs. If that is the case then so be it. However I feel we'll need 8 just to give us enough depth.....quality is another issue but I wont even go there at the moment. Looking at the squad and what would be left when those 5 players go, I would say we need:-

2 centre backs
1 right back
1 left back
1 right sided midfielder/winger
1 left sided midfielder/winger
2 forwards

I feel with the likely departure of the players I mentioned, we will be very poor and depleted in the above areas. The challenge for DW will be finding players with the right attributes and ability obviously, but I will leave that to him.

If what you have put down there happens then i am very worried about the amount of first team players we need to get in and work as a team. Looking at what you have put down i have to agree

 

[SteelCity Blade]

If what you have put down there happens then i am very worried about the amount of first team players we need to get in and work as a team. Looking at what you have put down i have to agree

Simonsen
Lowton, Vacancy, Vacancy, Vacancy
Vacancy, Williamson, Doyle, Vacancy
Vacancy, Vacancy​

The other vacancy is for a right back to cover Matt Lowton. Simonsen is getting some stick on here but IMO he will be fine once he has a competent defence in front of him. Anyone would have shipped goals and made mistakes in between our sticks last season, he was pretty much at the mercy of the opposition every week. Doyle will be fine at that level and apart from those two I only see Lowton and Williamson as regular starters from the players we have fit.

Harry Maguire will obviously play a part but without someone experienced at the side of him who knows the club (e.g. Chris Morgan) I wouldn't want to just chuck him in the deep end from game one. Others like Long, Collins, Harriott, McAllister, Yeates, Cresswell and Bogdanovic will probably still be in an around the squad but for varying reasons I dont see any of them as nailed on starters.

 

[ZoneManWilf]

Doyle will be fine at that level

Doyle would struggle to be fine for the Nags Head XI. If we really have to go with him this season, then we can look forward to mid-table mediocrity at best.

I'm guessing that the rest of your vacancies assume player departures? Quinn, Hendo and Slew, would certainly fit in but i'd agree with Quinn and Hendo it's likely that they'll leave.

 

[Ollessendro]

Doyle would struggle to be fine for the Nags Head XI. If we really have to go with him this season, then we can look forward to mid-table mediocrity at best.

Now I am not a fan of Doyle (far from it) but he was a regular in the Leeds side that got promoted from League One a couple of seasons ago.

 

[ZoneManWilf]

Now I am not a fan of Doyle (far from it) but he was a regular in the Leeds side that got promoted from League One a couple of seasons ago.

Monty was a regular in the Sheffield United side who got promoted from the Championship in 2006 but we've already had the debate that we don't want him in the team next season do we?

 

[Jimmy Muir]

Personally I'd like to see a new keeper brought in. Our defence had more holes in it that an piece of Emmental, most keepers would have struggled last season but I still think he's a flapper.

 

[broomhillblade]

Why all the panic? Some clubs are still firing and hiring their managers.

In that respect we're well ahead of the game.

 

[SwissBlade]

Why all the panic? Some clubs are still firing and hiring their managers.

In that respect we're well ahead of the game.

Which teams in our division?

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Doyle would struggle to be fine for the Nags Head XI. If we really have to go with him this season, then we can look forward to mid-table mediocrity at best.

I'm guessing that the rest of your vacancies assume player departures? Quinn, Hendo and Slew, would certainly fit in but i'd agree with Quinn and Hendo it's likely that they'll leave.

I cant help but feel he is tarred with the Collins brush. They came in around the same time and because one has performed poorly, the other is assumed to have as well.....he hasn't.

I'm not trying to suggest Doyle is a good player or a bad one. He has had relatively little impact but I can think of a few players in our squad last season that were far worse. He got promoted out of the third tier with Leeds and featured in most games while he was there.

 

[shorehamview]

hey ......................... SF, blade to long & grumpy .............no no no

this little beaut

Some dippy bugger's parked their Aston in front of that palm tree your Gert bought you. What a pelican.