Give McBurnie another chance

[El Volví]

Have we played the game with Mcbernie!
Wilder brought him in and proceeded to play him in a roll he is not comfortable in.
He is not a target man which seemed to develop as the season went on
Playing for Barnsley &Swansea in a more withdrawn position, he hasn't the physicality for a target man ( yes big enough ! Just hasn't the power) playing him in a roll similar to one he has succense in maybe might get more out of him.
We have been playing a system which might suit him better.
N

o doubt we have to get more out of him we have previously

He will never be a success at Bramall Lane.

 

[DronnieBlade]

The Swansea purple patch led to understandable expectations this bloke could deliver. The perception, so to say.

The reality ……………….. ?

Said this before. This lad has on his CV :-

International caps.
PL appearances.
An 8 figure transfer fee.
A 7 figure annual salary.

For someone who would profess to having an above average understanding of what good looks like football wise, it’s one of the biggest confusions I have ever had that what I state above is the fact of it.

I will go to my grave never understanding why !!!

UTB

 

[blade67]

Folk love peddling this nonsense about how United have used McBurnie as a target man and that is the reason he's failed. It's nonsense.

We've not been a long ball team for a very long time, pretty much since Wilder came in. There was a period in our relegation season where we went a little bit back to front, but that was mostly knocking it into channels to try and get further up the field. It was very rarely looking for McBurnie in the air. It was mostly kick and chase for Mousset, Burke & Sharp.

McBurnie spends the majority of his game miles away from goal, trying to be a link up player.
He sometimes looks quite good at it, but then he never gets into the box to be on the end of things. And frankly, his contributions away from goal are unnecessary and provide zero net benefit when we then have nobody providing a goal threat.

This notion that we aim for McBurnie's head just isn't true.

He can't kick a ball cleanly, he isn't strong enough to hold it up effectively and he doesn't score goals.
I feel sympathetic that he's had fitness issues, but when you see some of the things that he gets up to in his private life and also the effort he seems to put into his warmups etc. then you wonder how much he's contributing to his problems.
I remember there were early red flags when he said he hates gym sessions and I think Sharp jokingly described him as one of our worst trainers.

He's admitted himself to "being wank" since he's been here. He'll leave on a free and someone will take him on, but his careers only heading one way, which is pretty sad.

I think this sums it up exactly, especially the bits I've put in bold. I do wonder how much being sent home for months, without the necasary discipline, screwed him up. Not being properly conditioned often leads to players getting a series of injuries plus he seemed to have a series of "covid" incidents to add to that. He's got 12 months left to win a new contract somewhere on something close to his current crack. It''ll be interesting to see if he can re-focus his mind and body to put himself in the shop window.

 

[finlaytheblade]

I think this sums it up exactly, especially the bits I've put in bold. I do wonder how much being sent home for months, without the necasary discipline, screwed him up. Not being properly conditioned often leads to players getting a series of injuries plus he seemed to have a series of "covid" incidents to add to that. He's got 12 months left to win a new contract somewhere on something close to his current crack. It''ll be interesting to see if he can re-focus his mind and body to put himself in the shop window.

Not about playing a long ball game.
He prefers a deeper roll ,.
Worth trying something
different nothing to lose really .He was successful in this division for Barnsley & Swansea.

He will be the most expensive failure in our history as it stands.
Wilders big mistake if so!
Although who would have thought events would turn out like they have.
I like Hecki ! He would have thought about this! so maybe I'm out of order suggesting this .

 

[coolasanidiot]

He will be the most expensive failure in our history as it stands.

It's this I'm afraid- Lets just forget about him-altogether- trying to squeeze him in because of price tag is detrimental.

Another year he'll be gone- but lets just pray Hecki once again doesn't try to use him.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Fair point about playing him as a target man. When I say playing to his strengths I'm more talking about formations. If you look at the goals he scored for Swansea (24 in that season), and the formation Swansea played, he clearly thrives as the central striker in a front 3 (with two wider forwards/wingers either side him). He was in the right positions in the middle of the box either on his head or shots with his foot. We never really played with a proper front 3 until fairly recently with pushing Berge up the pitch.

Those two seasons in the Prem we played with a flat midfield 3 which meant there was quite a gap between the midfield and forward line, and I don't think that suits many strikers, let alone the ones we had on the books. We were successful in the first season thanks to JOC which allowed Fleck and Lundstram to push into that gap but let's face it, it still didn't produce a lot of goals - we only scored more goals than 4 other teams. I don't blame McBurnie for the lack of goals (and I think he was the top scorer?), we were just set up to defend. The second season no one really covered themselves in glory and last season McBurnie was injured and by all accounts had a bad reaction to covid.

There's only one spot for the central striker which at the moment looks like it will be Brewster, and last year it was Sharp (who will probably be second in line if Brewster's form dips or he gets injured) and I'm not saying McBurnie should get in ahead of them - but I'd have absolutely no problem if he does get a run in that position cos I think his time at Swansea proves he'll do well there.

I think his time at Swansea was too long ago to prove anything.
McBurnie's going into his 4th season with us and is yet to show anything like that form. Regardless of systems, he's had plenty of time on the pitch to showcase something. We've had next to nothing.

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

I think his time at Swansea was too long ago to prove anything.
McBurnie's going into his 4th season with us and is yet to show anything like that form. Regardless of systems, he's had plenty of time on the pitch to showcase something. We've had next to nothing.

The first season in the prem he was one of our better strikers and looked like he would kick on i dont think many can deny that

Ever since he has been injured and wasted 2 years of his career


He cant do much when he is injured or either just coming back from injury which he has been doing for the past 18 months

 

[Revolution]

The first season in the prem he was one of our better strikers and looked like he would kick on i dont think many can deny that

Ever since he has been injured and wasted 2 years of his career


He cant do much when he is injured or either just coming back from injury which he has been doing for the past 18 months

He’s played in 51 league games in the last 2 seasons but don’t let facts get in the way of your nonsense.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

What do you see as his strengths? I really don't understand this nonsense that we've played him as a target man. Last season, for the time he made himself available for selection, he attempted to play as a no.10., unsuccessfully IMO.

Agree 100%

I’ve no idea what he’s good at apart from occasionally winning a few headers when he can be get on the field

If he’s supposed to be playing off a striker has he ever looked composed, technical or skilful enough to do that? When you compare him to mcgoldrick for example they may as well be playing a different sport.

He’s not a great finisher

He’s not pacy or tricky and I think you’d be in league 1 before his attributes stand out as above average.

I stand to be corrected but he needs to show a lot more to even be above the young lads in jebbo and osula for me.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

The first season in the prem he was one of our better strikers and looked like he would kick on i dont think many can deny that

Ever since he has been injured and wasted 2 years of his career


He cant do much when he is injured or either just coming back from injury which he has been doing for the past 18 months

Respectfully disagree

Billy, Mousse, mcgoldrick all far superior to him. Which I think is borne out by his records in games started, we barely won any despite a strong finishing position when he played

Don’t mean to be harsh, it wasn’t an awful season but for me there were a few 8/9 out of 10 appearances and the rest he was the worst player in the park for us. Probably averaged out at a 6.5/10 type season.

He’s now achieving more arrests than goals for the last 2 seasons and needs to decide if he wants to be a footballer at a respectable level or not.

 

[bonobo]

yes, he cant do much when he is injured. So whether you think there is a 'player in there', or he is just complete bobbins, it is a mute question. He wont be going anywhere and there is no point in us planning a squad with him, until he shows a sustained period of fitness, just like Moose. To me, regardless of what I think of him as a player ( which is not a lot), when I look at building a team, he is just not a member of the squad, because he doesn't play....even if he does get an occasional run of games together....it would be like planning on having OConnell fit. If he gets fit and properly match fit, because for players like McBurnie, who are technically limited, they need to be at the top of their game in terms of form and fitness, he will have a chance to play himself into contention....but it is all hypothetical for now and no use for us, when putting together a team to compete for promotion.

 

[Cheesebored]

I stand to be corrected but he needs to show a lot more to even be above the young lads in jebbo and osula for me.

I get that injury and covid have hampered him but even before that he looked unfit and ponderous. His pressing game is too slow also. In his defence, based on the limited times I've seen Osula I'd have Mcburnie in front of him in the pecking order. As others have pointed out maybe not playing with wingers has hampered him but he looks bereft of confidence whenever selected.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

I get that injury and covid have hampered him but even before that he looked unfit and ponderous. His pressing game is too slow also. In his defence, based on the limited times I've seen Osula I'd have Mcburnie in front of him in the pecking order. As others have pointed out maybe not playing with wingers has hampered him but he looks bereft of confidence whenever selected.

Agree. He’s verging on a busted flush

In terms of confidence the odd thing is he’s actually scored against DECENT sides which you’d think would show him he can play at that level…

Leicester (when they were good) x 2
Man U
Chelsea
Spurs
Brighton
West Ham

All solidly PL sides some ‘elite’ ones and no relegation strugglers

Last throw of the dice for him. He either comes back and proves himself or he does for free next year

 

[Cheesebored]

Agree. He’s verging on a busted flush

In terms of confidence the odd thing is he’s actually scored against DECENT sides which you’d think would show him he can play at that level…

Leicester (when they were good) x 2
Man U
Chelsea
Spurs
Brighton
West Ham

All solidly PL sides some ‘elite’ ones and no relegation strugglers

Last throw of the dice for him. He either comes back and proves himself or he does for free next year

Yep, last chance saloon time. I really hope he proves the doubters, of which I'm one, wrong.

 

[LewishamBlade]

He and Moose contributed to our 9th placed finish in the premier league and guaranteed us major money, they owe us fuck all.

 

[Revolution]

He and Moose contributed to our 9th placed finish in the premier league and guaranteed us major money, they owe us fuck all.

Ok, so everyone who played in that team can just toss it off now and draw a salary with a clear conscience.

Thanks for clarifying.

 

[LewishamBlade]

Ok, so everyone who played in that team can just toss it off now and draw a salary with a clear conscience.

Thanks for clarifying.

That’s not what I said? I said they owe us fuck all, as in calling them both a ‘massive waste of money’ is utter bollocks.

 

[Silent Blade]

The Swansea purple patch led to understandable expectations this bloke could deliver. The perception, so to say.

The reality ……………….. ?

Said this before. This lad has on his CV :-

International caps.
PL appearances.
An 8 figure transfer fee.
A 7 figure annual salary.

For someone who would profess to having an above average understanding of what good looks like football wise, it’s one of the biggest confusions I have ever had that what I state above is the fact of it.

I will go to my grave never understanding why !!!

UTB

Been looking for you, found you!

 

[Houston_Blade]

That’s not what I said? I said they owe us fuck all, as in calling them both a ‘massive waste of money’ is utter bollocks.

I'd say he owes us his wages and amortisation for the last 2 seasons. He covered his costs in the first PL season but he hardly single handedly kept us up did he?!

 

[Cheesebored]

He and Moose contributed to our 9th placed finish in the premier league and guaranteed us major money, they owe us fuck all.

So by the same token he was equally responsible for our sad and pathetic exit from the Premier league. Put a price on that for me.

 

[Charlieblade]

I blame Wilder. The first season in PL was very good because we were defensively sound, and the back 5 were always fit and mostly picked themselves.
Wilder, rightly insisted on a very efficient defence, which meant McBurnie was often required to defend against set pieces. The lad rarely had a chance as a striker because he was too far out of position, or too knackered to get involved up front.
We had a decent season because of a consistent defence, but we all complained about a lack of firepower and a lack of goals.
Apart from that, he’s a bit of a dick, and doesn’t take the game seriously. Maybe Hecky has read his tea leaves for him, and he gets a chance to prove himself this season. If not, he’s gone.

 

[Revolution]

That’s not what I said? I said they owe us fuck all, as in calling them both a ‘massive waste of money’ is utter bollocks.

Both contributed to an extra season in the PL. credit where credit is due.

Mousset did it for half the fee and 75 per cent of the contract. He was more value for money in that respect.

But McBurnie has contributed nothing worthwhile in the last 2 seasons. And he has no resale value. His sakes for the last 2 seasons had been a massive waste of money.

 

[LewishamBlade]

Both contributed to an extra season in the PL. credit where credit is due.

Mousset did it for half the fee and 75 per cent of the contract. He was more value for money in that respect.

But McBurnie has contributed nothing worthwhile in the last 2 seasons. And he has no resale value. His sakes for the last 2 seasons had been a massive waste of money.

75% of the contract? He’s never completed 90 minutes in England

 

[CaptainMorgans]

McBurnie has will have cost close to £30m when you throw his wages in.
We'd have survived with or without his contribution in that first season in the PL, he wasn't that good. He has been dreadful ever since.

If we'd signed him for £5/6m and he'd taken about the same in wages then I'd say fair enough. But he's been a shambles.

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

Respectfully disagree

Billy, Mousse, mcgoldrick all far superior to him. Which I think is borne out by his records in games started, we barely won any despite a strong finishing position when he played

Don’t mean to be harsh, it wasn’t an awful season but for me there were a few 8/9 out of 10 appearances and the rest he was the worst player in the park for us. Probably averaged out at a 6.5/10 type season.

He’s now achieving more arrests than goals for the last 2 seasons and needs to decide if he wants to be a footballer at a respectable level or not.

Sharp in that first season ? Really not a chance

 

[El Volví]

Yep, last chance saloon time. I really hope he proves the doubters, of which I'm one, wrong.

Don't worry, he won't.

 

[JOEYDEE]

Sorry all,he's just not a very good footballer sad but true...

 

[Revolution]

75% of the contract? He’s never completed 90 minutes in England

Mousset had a 3 year deal. That's 75 per cent of the 4 year deal McBurnie was given.

One interesting comparison between the two of them is expected goals, not the be all and end all, but it shows something. All stats from Infogoal.

Mousset goals vs expected goals:

2019/20 6 goals, 6.48 xg
2020/21 0 goals, 0.81 xg
2021/22 3 goals, 2.62 xg

total 9 goals, 9,91xg. Slightly under what you'd expect given the chances he's had.

McBurnie goals v expected goals

2019/20 6 goals, 9.06 xg
2020/21 1 goal, 4.47 xg
2021/22 0 goals, 3.08 xg

total 7 goals, 16.61 xg. Which suggests he is terrible at putting chances away.

Mousset had a lot of problems and I'm glad he's gone. But finishing was not one of them. McBurnie's finishing has been brutal for us.

For comparison, over the same 3 years Sharp has 20 goals and 19.99 xg.

 

[El Volví]

McBurnie has really only had one good spell in his career and that was during his time at Swansea, which also included his loan spell at Barnsley.
From the day I saw him first play for the Blades I likened him to Andy Carroll in the same way that he had a couple of good spells in his career, Newcastle (first time) and West Ham, and that he just didn't have any real ability.
Like Carroll, McBurnie's always looked like he's one step away from an injury. His running style is all wrong, his legs are like Mr Tickles arms! Plus his football brain is always behind play.
But finally I think his attitude and off field activities have been his downfall.
He's become a very wealthy young man thanks to his contract at Bramall Lane but his output for the money he's been paid has been pathetic.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Mousset had a 3 year deal. That's 75 per cent of the 4 year deal McBurnie was given.

One interesting comparison between the two of them is expected goals, not the be all and end all, but it shows something. All stats from Infogoal.

Mousset goals vs expected goals:

2019/20 6 goals, 6.48 xg
2020/21 0 goals, 0.81 xg
2021/22 3 goals, 2.62 xg

total 9 goals, 9,91xg. Slightly under what you'd expect given the chances he's had.

McBurnie goals v expected goals

2019/20 6 goals, 9.06 xg
2020/21 1 goal, 4.47 xg
2021/22 0 goals, 3.08 xg

total 7 goals, 16.61 xg. Which suggests he is terrible at putting chances away.

Mousset had a lot of problems and I'm glad he's gone. But finishing was not one of them. McBurnie's finishing has been brutal for us.

For comparison, over the same 3 years Sharp has 20 goals and 19.99 xg.

It’s worse than that.

We are a possession based side and have been for many years now since Wilder came in.

The statistics will additionally show that McBurnie turns over possession at an alarming rate.

Doesn’t score.
Doesn’t assist.
Doesn’t press.
Doesn’t retain possession.
Doesn’t work for Sheffield United in any way shape or form.

Busted flush and has been since day 1.

UTB