CONFIRMED Kacper Lopata leaves for Southend

[Foxy]

[CONFIRMED]

 

[Carlton Blade]

United have an excellent reputation for giving youngsters the opportunity to develop here but also to move on if it doesn't fit. It's an important part of being able to attract the better academy prospects after they leave top clubs.

This is no different to Lankshear. The lad didn't want to be here and he's been able to choose his next destination. We're protected with a fee and a sell on.

GLTTL

 

[bongleblade]

I like Kacper, I’ve got to know him a bit since he was on Sheff United Way and I know he just wants to be happy, appreciated and to play regular football. He’s ambitious and very talented. I personally believe he’ll play at a far higher level soon and wish him nothing but the best. He’ll get the adulation he deserves from Southend supporters.

By any chance do you know if we have first refusal on him Hal? Shrewd bit of transfer business if so (however unlikely)

 

[Rochdaleblade]

Seems on odd move. I would have thought he could have got a move higher up the pyramid. Maybe the lure of Adventure Island was too great. Gullivers Valley can't compete.

 

[Bergen Blade]

He is a commanding 6'4" athlete who is a tailor-made CCB.
Give me one other in our squad who can replace Egan , who is not :
1.Currently injured
2.Unsuited to CCB
3.Currently doing well as RCB or LCB who would detract from our attack if moved
The only suggestion I've been given is Bash who is :
A.not a CCB
B.the only cover we have for RCB & RWB.
Stupid penny pinching to sell Lopata at this time.
At least keep him till January

I don't like to speculate, but things must have turned really sour behind the scenes with him not even figuring in youth games this season.

As you say he was in a good position to challenge for Egan's role. One more loan spell and he may have had a real chance, but he wasn't prepared to wait for that.

As a player he looked to have two weaknesses. He lacked pace and looked uncomfortable in one on one situations. He didn't look capable of playing at RCB.

 

[Yogi]

Woke early this morning wondering if I drempt this last night!

I doubt any of us will know quite how or why this move happened but I will very happily see him wear the Navy blue shirt for a couple of seasons. If he can be part of lifting us out of the National League swamp soonish, then that would be great for him and us.

As to his potential, based on what I have seen, FL1 or FL2 would be well within his abilities now, beyond that depends on a multitude of things. I'm still at a total loss to understand the move, or where we got the dosh to make it happen, but for now, I'll just enjoy it all.

Great signing for you Roots we’ve done similar deals with academy players leaving for not very much cash upfront so long as we are protected by a sell on. Whiteman, Smith and Slater all left on similar deals. All the best for the season

 

[The Crab]

Your argument would have more substance if a) when we had a defensive crisis at the end of last season he'd have gotten the nod before Gordon, us spending £££ on Uremevic etc and b) he'd gone to a Championship /League 1 side.

Goes to show not just our coaches but those of every Championship/League 1 & 2 side - didn't fancy him either.

I'll go with their judgement over us who have only seen him play a couple of times.

This for me.

If the lad wants to go back down south there's a ton of clubs who could have come in, but they didn't.

He did well at Southend, the fans took to him so GLTTL and to the Shrimpers.....

 

[Edwards of Nazareth]

Glttl. I personally don’t think he will make a top level player. Will have a decent career but not good enough for where we’re hopefully going. UTB

 

[Wards]

It's his level, for now at least - fair play to him. Seemed a decent lad and I can't knock someone that just wants to play.

 

[HarryHaslam]

I like Kacper, I’ve got to know him a bit since he was on Sheff United Way and I know he just wants to be happy, appreciated and to play regular football. He’s ambitious and very talented. I personally believe he’ll play at a far higher level soon and wish him nothing but the best. He’ll get the adulation he deserves from Southend supporters.

He will play at a far higher level is based on what? Your personal feelings towards him because you got to know him or by watching him a lot?

I have watched him a fair bit and don’t believe he will be anything other than a lower league player, hope the lad proves me wrong but I very much doubt it. There is a reason no club higher up the pyramid has come in for him and he has ended up back at Southend.

 

[Katzenjammer]

Farewell sweet prince. I'll never forget that time you were reasonably adequate against Carlisle in the League Cup.

Seriously, the number of posts dedicated to this total non-entity is quite amusing.

 

[JackSUFC]

Farewell sweet prince. I'll never forget that time you were reasonably adequate against Carlisle in the League Cup.

Seriously, the number of posts dedicated to this total non-entity is quite amusing.

Some fans wanted him in and around the first team but he’s dropped down to non-league. Says a lot.

 

[N20 Blade]

Farewell sweet prince. I'll never forget that time you were reasonably adequate against Carlisle in the League Cup.

Seriously, the number of posts dedicated to this total non-entity is quite amusing.

 

[Katzenjammer]

Some fans wanted him in and around the first team but he’s dropped down to non-league. Says a lot.

I've done it before myself. I remember arguing that Julian Banton would be the next big thing at United. That prediction certainly went tits up.

 

[EddieColquhoun]

All of those are either currently crocked or not suitable for CCB role or should not be removed from their current role because there is no fit replacement.
Poor decision to let him go - i see him as natural successor to Egan.
If Egan gets injured tomorrow , none of those mentioned is a suitable replacement right now.
Lopata is.
Looking at our team as a risk management expert , our biggest vulnerability is now an injury to Egan.
I am all aboard our promotion express and i don't want to see it derailed for ten bob from Sarfend pier.

Isn't Ciaran Clark back training?
Kyron Gordon has regularly played there and despite being a year younger was always picked ahead of Lopata.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Doubt there's anything other than a nominal fee, considering. Bad business but I guess you win some and lose some. His next club is likely a lower league club so sell on unlikely to bring much in.

How can it be bad business?

The alternative was to keep him as back up for this season.....where is chances of being used in the 1st team were less than 2%.
He would have been unhappy and stagnated playing in the under 23's, then he leaves on a free.
If we force him to stay in his final year everyone loses out.

It's not ideal but the best option was to allow him to leave now.

I suppose the other option was to offer him a big pay rise hoping to persuade him to stay
but the club obviously didn't like the thought of paying under 23 players big money when they are unlikely to break into the 1st team anytime soon.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Proof the gap between kids football and the men's game is massive. 72 other EFL clubs not in for him.

 

[Silent Blade]

Joins the 'given away' list with Slater, Smith and Whiteman

Super

Why the nit picking? Our aim is promotion to the PL. Are you saying we should sacrifice our aim and play the youngsters instead to keep them happy?

 

[YorkBlade]

He will play at a far higher level is based on what? Your personal feelings towards him because you got to know him or by watching him a lot?

I have watched him a fair bit and don’t believe he will be anything other than a lower league player, hope the lad proves me wrong but I very much doubt it. There is a reason no club higher up the pyramid has come in for him and he has ended up back at Southend.

Yeah maybe you're right, time will tell. It's hard to know because when I've seen him it's been impressive each time but then again he's been up against lower league opposition.
Good luck to the lad.

 

[Silent Blade]

He will play at a far higher level is based on what? Your personal feelings towards him because you got to know him or by watching him a lot?

Yes, it annoys me when someone who is on friendly terms with one of our youngsters or with their parents and then claims that the youngster will be a big player in the future also accuse the club of being "Academy blockers".

 

[blade67]

All of those are either currently crocked or not suitable for CCB role or should not be removed from their current role because there is no fit replacement.
Poor decision to let him go - i see him as natural successor to Egan.
If Egan gets injured tomorrow , none of those mentioned is a suitable replacement right now.
Lopata is.
Looking at our team as a risk management expert , our biggest vulnerability is now an injury to Egan.
I am all aboard our promotion express and i don't want to see it derailed for ten bob from Sarfend pier.

So Lopata is a suitable replacement for a centre half in a side looking to be promoted to the Premier league, but has gone to a club 14th in the fifth tier for a nominal sum. Sounds like you are looking for problems that don't exist.

 

[Booker4]

Sad to see him going, some fans might be criticising him now but I believe he'll be a decent player, I would have much preferred that we'd been able to get him on a long contract and loaned him out but that doesn't seem possible. All the best at Southend, I think he'll be a great asset for them.

I notice he didn't say anything about United when leaving, I do hope it's not turned really sour in the end, that would be a shame.

 

[bonobo]

Surprised Southend was his choice on a perm, look like he had real potential. Might have wanted to take a loan at a higher level

 

[metalblade]

You can't knock the lad for wanting to play football far too many are happy to pick up a wage just playing in the youth teams. I prefer the types who like to learn the game by playing "real men,s" football much like Doyle & McAtee are doing rather than just ticking over in Man City's youth teams. You have to ask yourself was he ready for Championship football now or would he be ready for Premier League football if we get promoted the answer is a resounding no. I think it is a good move all round Southend get a very good young player, the player clearly is at home there and we get a fee and more in the future should he progress and move elsewhere. I definately see him being at least good enough for League one when you consider Ben Heneghan is at that level with the pigs.

 

[Mouth of the South]

I continue to be surprised how many people are seemingly totally unaware of the gulf between U23, non-league and top Champ levels. Calls for Lopata to be around the first team were just ridiculous and I even saw one person suggest he could replace Egan if he'd left yesterday.

I hope he does well in his career (it will benefit Utd if he does) but a move to National League level is telling that he remains a long way off the quality required to play in the top divisions of English football.

 

[Yogi]

How can it be bad business?

The alternative was to keep him as back up for this season.....where is chances of being used in the 1st team were less than 2%.
He would have been unhappy and stagnated playing in the under 23's, then he leaves on a free.
If we force him to stay in his final year everyone loses out.

It's not ideal but the best option was to allow him to leave now.

I suppose the other option was to offer him a big pay rise hoping to persuade him to stay
but the club obviously didn't like the thought of paying under 23 players big money when they are unlikely to break into the 1st team anytime soon.

Also from united’s point of view giving minutes in the 21’s to a player who is adamant they want to leave is a poor allocation of that game time far better to give it to another player who you want to develop into an asset long term far better to allow Lopata to leave and focus on developing those who remain.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

GLTTL. once a Blade always a Blade. Unless you join the pigs of course. Then you're not.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Next Cab on the rank.
Kacper has not played for the U21s in the league this season.
Connor Barratt has started 3/4 games at Centre Back And in the fourth game, he was subbed on as Centre Back in a reshuffle for the RCB (Basham).
In the most recent game, Connor was reshuffled to defensive midfield as the Sub Levis Pitan (who is Polish) came on to CB.

 

[YorkBlade]

Kacper will be playing alongside Louis Lomas formerly of Brackley who I've seen a fair bit of, Lomas will be a League One player before too long.

Also keep an eye out for Cosmos Matwasa, current Brackley winger, can't remember last time I was that impressed by a player at that level.

 

[Ridgeway Blade]

If he has fallen out with the Blades it is up to him but if he seriously expected to be in the first team sqad on a regular basis when our aim is promotion then he was a bit over confident or deluded in my view. I can't say what he was like but the fact he has gone back to Southend at least means he will be playing regular football and in two or three years we will see what happens. It may mean he has taken one step back to get regular football and the chance to impress. It also means that there weren't a raft of clubs keen to get him. I would think our club has done really well to get youngsters in the squad whilst keeping a focus on the need to be competing at the top of the Championship.