Taking the Michael

[broomhillblade]

Erstwhile Blades hero, Michael Tonge, plays for Stoke Reserves v Blades Reserves yesterday, and nobody can be bothered to comment.

How times have changed.

 

[Revolution]

I'd swap him for any midfielder currently on our books, or both of Donty if we can get away with it.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Blades hero?

 

[TarquinDelouche]

Rumours abound he's joining us on loan.

 

[S64 Blade]

From his point of view he should have left the club after the 02/03 season when loads of top clubs were sniffing around. He looked as though he had the potential, but then fizzled out.

 

[broomhillblade]

Blades hero?

You should know by now that everyone's hero status goes up after they've left the Blades.

 

[Revolution]

You should know by now that everyone's hero status goes up after they've left the Blades.

Which of our current midfield is better than him?

 

[broomhillblade]

You should know by now that everyone's hero status goes up after they've left the Blades.

Which of our current midfield is better than him?

That wasn't my point, but since you ask, probably most of them on Tongy's current form.

 

[Tuns]

I'd take him back at this level no problem. He even cares about the club as well as being a decent player who can turn a game.

Got a lot of unfair stick when others around him were performing far worse.

He's not bad in derbies either.

 

[Darren]

He's been at Stoke over 3 years now, and hardly been in their first team. How long a contract did they give him?

 

[Revolution]

That wasn't my point, but since you ask, probably most of them on Tongy's current form.

You clearly haven't seen much of our midfield recently.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

That wasn't my point, but since you ask, probably most of them on Tongy's current form.

You clearly haven't seen much of our midfield recently.

and you clearly haven't seen much of Tonge recently either

Personally I'd rather have Phillips.

 

[shorehamview]

and you clearly haven't seen much of Tonge recently either

Personally I'd rather have Phillips.

I'd rather have amoebic dysentery than Tonge. When he was a Blade he was, on his day, fantastic. Alas, his day was a long time ago.

 

[madeinsheffield]

On his day though, what a goal!!!

 

[madeinsheffield]

Hopefully pic has attached this time!!

 

[Bergen Blade]

and you clearly haven't seen much of Tonge recently either

Personally I'd rather have Phillips.

Phillips is already here then?

 

[davidpinder]

get tonge in for saturday passion needed he loved a derby

 

[broomhillblade]

We need someone with pace and we need a goal scorer.

Sadly, Tonge is neither of these.

 

[Ollessendro]

What a shame it is to see Tonge playing for the reserves. Such a promising career completely wasted. He really did look like a world beater when he was young and has only shown flashes of his potential. Perhaps this is a little harsh as he played well in our promotion season, but if you think that he seemed to be lined up for a big move after his double vs Liverpool in 2003 then it seems like a massive waste of talent. Just shows that skills/flair can only get you so far and you need to work hard/whow commitment.

Personally I would not bring him back. I think McDonald is as good and similar. I would be looking to the youth of McAllister and Harriot, rather than signing someone well past their prime. I hope he can get his career back on track though. His contract with Stoke must expire soon and I cannot imagine clubs will be flocking. He will have to drop down a league (or 2) and I hope he can apply himself and have a last crack at showing that he is a talented player. Can't really see it though (another reason why I would not bring him back).