Matt Hill

[Bergen Blade]

Hill played 15 games for the Blades, including the play-off final at Wembley, and has since been released by Blackpool.
Of him, Wilson said: "We would like Matt to re-join us and we have approached him and his agent. He has plenty of options, as you would expect, but we feel he would be ideal with his versatility.
"He is solid and experienced in two positions and we need experience if we are to play with several youngsters again next season."

I think Hill is steady defensively, but poor going forward. As LJF looks likely to be available sooner than expected and we also have Williams on the payroll it seems unneccessary to me to bring in a 31 year old squad player.

Regarding defence it would make more sense to look for someone who can play right back and centre half.

 

[davidpinder]

are you forgetting he's also crap? give Kmac his wage on top of what he's been offered

 

[Highbury_Blade]

We need a much more solid left back than hill, if Quinn stays and is allowed to roam.

 

[Bladesway]

are you forgetting he's also crap? give Kmac his wage on top of what he's been offered

Perhaps want to be a bit mindful of spunking the lot up the wall on a bloke with a dodgy hamstring.

 

[bartman]

are you forgetting he's also crap? /quote]

Really? Thought he was excellant in the run in and is a far better left back at LJF who many seem to forget is a lower division version of Nosworthy (i.e. bomb scare tackling,no positional sense and prone to give away too many free kicks)

Hill can also cover at centre half

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I'd been quite critical of him, but thought he ended the season very well defensively. He was still quite dreadful going forward though. If his wages are low, I think he'd probably be a useful squad player to have.

Takes a lovely penalty too....

 

[alcoblade]

I'd been quite critical of him, but thought he ended the season very well defensively. He was still quite dreadful going forward though. If his wages are low, I think he'd probably be a useful squad player to have.

Takes a lovely penalty too....

Agreed - I actually came to think he was a half decent defender - it's his ability going forward that was questionable. And if Mattock is good enough for Wendy, then he's Messi in comparison.

UTB

 

[Ollessendro]

Hill was pretty good in the run in (after an awful few games). I'd probably pick him ahead of Williams at LB. He is not great going forward (though he has a hell of a left foot - remember that shot against Steveange?) but is a good defender at third tier level. Competition for places is always good and if Hill can offer cover at CB (badly needed) then great. Worth signing imo, at the right price. I certainly would not be offering him a lot of money, but think he would be a reasonable addition.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Agreed - I actually came to think he was a half decent defender - it's his ability going forward that was questionable. And if Mattock is good enough for Wendy, then he's Messi in comparison.

UTB

I think the building of a squad that can improve year by year until we're ready to again take on the Premiership has to start now. Signing 31 year olds that would require replacing immediately next season (if we go up) is not a great way to start.

 

[upton blade]

I think the building of a squad that can improve year by year until we're ready to again take on the Premiership has to start now. Signing 31 year olds that would require replacing immediately next season (if we go up) is not a great way to start.

totally agree with that, ill also add that it worries me slightly reading what dw said, totally garbage going forward and average at the back in league 1 would be my assesment

 

[Kenilworth]

"We need experience if we are to play with several youngsters again next season."
Probably tells you all you need to know about our policy around incoming transfers for this coming season.

Once DW has added a striker - I believe that's his main piece of business done. The quality of the striker depends on who we can get shut of as there will be no money available for a hefty tranny fee. Probably use some of the coin we get for SQuinny to fund this position.

If Lowton and Maguire go they will be replaced with what we can afford - which won't be much. Likewise, when Willo and KMac leave (as I expect them to in 3 weeks time) they will be repalced with either Bosmans or frees from what's left available. That's our marketplace whilst we are tied to this pub league. Better get used to it.

 

[Selly]

Hill was pretty good in the run in (after an awful few games). I'd probably pick him ahead of Williams at LB. He is not great going forward (though he has a hell of a left foot - remember that shot against Steveange?) but is a good defender at third tier level. Competition for places is always good and if Hill can offer cover at CB (badly needed) then great. Worth signing imo, at the right price. I certainly would not be offering him a lot of money, but think he would be a reasonable addition.

On the evidence of he Walsall game, we shouldn't be letting him anywhere near CB ever again...

 

[Kev Gee]

Signing over the 'Hill' players is not what i thought our policy was going to be this pre-season.

 

[MichaelSUFC1889]

My opinion of Matt Hill from the games that I saw him play were that he was usually pretty decent position wise, but not so good with his distribution of the ball. A lot of his passes are rushed, for example if he has time to take a touch and pass to another player, he'll play it out for a throw-in or hoof it straight to an opposition player. Quite surprising for someone with all of his experience but I would still prefer him over Marcus Williams in the LB position, simply because he seems to have better positional awareness.

 

[bartman]

On the evidence of he Walsall game, we shouldn't be letting him anywhere near CB ever again...

Is that the Walsall game when we had a brand new back 4 that had never played together and that all the outfield players bar Willo and Ched were awful ?

Shame you don't mention the superb performance he had alongside Harry at Brentford ?

I am not saying he is a world beater but he is light years ahead of LJF and Williams

 

[raul]

I think the building of a squad that can improve year by year until we're ready to again take on the Premiership has to start now. Signing 31 year olds that would require replacing immediately next season (if we go up) is not a great way to start.

Nice idea but pissing in the wind i'm afraid . The club has neither the finances nor, more importantly , the drive to put plans like that in place. If , say , someone on the Notts County board posted that they, d be laughed out of court , yet their club has just beaten us to one of our targets . Theres an overwhelming sense of accepting mediocrity right now ( doesnt matter which division we are in , I'm just happy to support my club) borne of realisation we've never ever been further away from the Prem and our ability to sign the sort of players to get us there will be reflected in that.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Nice idea but pissing in the wind i'm afraid . The club has neither the finances nor, more importantly , the drive to put plans like that in place. If , say , someone on the Notts County board posted that they, d be laughed out of court , yet their club has just beaten us to one of our targets . Theres an overwhelming sense of accepting mediocrity right now ( doesnt matter which division we are in , I'm just happy to support my club) borne of realisation we've never ever been further away from the Prem and our ability to sign the sort of players to get us there will be reflected in that.

It starts with a management that plans and makes signings for the long term. Our current players scored 29 goals last season, and still we are looking to spend the rest of our money on a 31 year old left back, a position where we already have two contracted specialists, both signed by the current management.

We can disagree on how good Matt Hill is, but it is not the only issue. We have to prioritise between positions to strengthen and make it our policy to go for potential over current ability.

 

[bartman]

. If , say , someone on the Notts County board posted that they, d be laughed out of court , yet their club has just beaten us to one of our targets .

I am assuming you are refering to Gary Liddle. Out of curiousity,how do you know he was one of our targets ? DW never discusses players in the media. As a midfield player,he would only have been a potential target if Willo and/or KMac didn't sign and Monty left so I wouldn't have thought he'd have been near the top of our list even if DW was interested.

The Star,Sun,Mirror etc just pluck names and guess but most of the time they know sod all (JJ to The Blades anyone ??/)

 

[boo radley]

Nice idea but pissing in the wind i'm afraid . The club has neither the finances nor, more importantly , the drive to put plans like that in place. If , say , someone on the Notts County board posted that they, d be laughed out of court , yet their club has just beaten us to one of our targets . Theres an overwhelming sense of accepting mediocrity right now ( doesnt matter which division we are in , I'm just happy to support my club) borne of realisation we've never ever been further away from the Prem and our ability to sign the sort of players to get us there will be reflected in that.

I like Bergans Idea but your adding of the possible reality of the situation is quite mind clearing. Given that there were some great away days before the disapointment. If the fans who have a 'we don't belong here' attitude can settle and enjoy the fun aspects of a great lower division away day, the club can move forward together.

 

[raul]

It starts with a management that plans and makes signings for the long term. Our current players scored 29 goals last season, and still we are looking to spend the rest of our money on a 31 year old left back, a position where we already have two contracted specialists, both signed by the current management.

We can disagree on how good Matt Hill is, but it is not the only issue. We have to prioritise between positions to strengthen and make it our policy to go for potential over current ability.

Yes it does- but do you think we have that management ? I'm meaning higher than team manager btw. When KM first took control and NW was appointed there was a definate long term plan established which eventually bore fruit. I see no evidence of any real desire to climb the mountain again.

 

[raul]

I am assuming you are refering to Gary Liddle. Out of curiousity,how do you know he was one of our targets ? DW never discusses players in the media. As a midfield player,he would only have been a potential target if Willo and/or KMac didn't sign and Monty left so I wouldn't have thought he'd have been near the top of our list even if DW was interested.

The Star,Sun,Mirror etc just pluck names and guess but most of the time they know sod all (JJ to The Blades anyone ??/)

I read - cant remember where but certainly not in any of those - that there had been contact with three clubs, one of whom was us, and he chose County. Of course not being present at any of the meetings I could not take the stand in a court of law and swear on it, but I assume you are equally unaware and I or anyone could respond to your every "how do you know it was" posts with the opposite.

 

[j j]

JJ to The Blades anyone ??

Just to confirm that I have had no direct talks with United.

 

[alcoblade]

I think the building of a squad that can improve year by year until we're ready to again take on the Premiership has to start now. Signing 31 year olds that would require replacing immediately next season (if we go up) is not a great way to start.

In principal yes, but perhaps a few 500 quid a week stocking fillers allows us to in invest more in more key areas as and when the right players become available.

Though we'd all agree on aiming for younger players in part of long term plan, I don't think it's realistic that every player we sign ticks that box. We're too thin on the ground with too little time or cash.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

Yes it does- but do you think we have that management ? I'm meaning higher than team manager btw. When KM first took control and NW was appointed there was a definate long term plan established which eventually bore fruit. I see no evidence of any real desire to climb the mountain again.

I think the plan is to see out the next season and then all the ridiculous contracts thrown about since Robson's appointment will expire. We can then start paying players what they're worth, and invest in up and coming youngsters.

When you have trios like Monty, Quinn and Morgan earning the best part of £2,500,000 per year between them, there really isn't another way that I can see. Unfortunately, McCabe can't spell this out.

UTB

 

[Zlatan]

Can't believe we are interested in bringing this clown back. He's everything we shouldn't be looking for in a player now. I'd much rather us take a chance on a younger player with something to prove. Might not turn out to be great, but at least we'd be taking a chance on someone with potential, rather than signing someone we already know to be poor.

 

[bartman]

I read - cant remember where but certainly not in any of those - that there had been contact with three clubs, one of whom was us, and he chose County. Of course not being present at any of the meetings I could not take the stand in a court of law and swear on it, but I assume you are equally unaware and I or anyone could respond to your every "how do you know it was" posts with the opposite.

The point is,Raul,is that no one except DW and the board will know who our targets are. There is a lot of bollocks regarding players all clubs are interested in and you only have to look at the shit posted on Blades Mad to every rumour to see how farcical things can get.

Maybe I am a bit long in the tooth now but I'd rather wait to find out officially who is coming in or leaving as we will never know for sure who we have approached or are interested in.

Apologies if my initial post came over wrong

 

[Bergen Blade]

In principal yes, but perhaps a few 500 quid a week stocking fillers allows us to in invest more in more key areas as and when the right players become available.

Though we'd all agree on aiming for younger players in part of long term plan, I don't think it's realistic that every player we sign ticks that box. We're too thin on the ground with too little time or cash.

UTB

Matt Hill's agent will say that he's been playing for decent sized Championship clubs all his career, is still reasonably athletic and has other clubs interested in him. No doubt he'll be after at least a two year contract as well. I think he's the type of signing that will make us end up with poor cover up front or out wide.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Yes it does- but do you think we have that management ? I'm meaning higher than team manager btw. When KM first took control and NW was appointed there was a definate long term plan established which eventually bore fruit. I see no evidence of any real desire to climb the mountain again.

Fully agree that since Warnock left, all we've done is to try and bounce back. We need to analyse our current situation, look at what similar sized clubs have done previously to get out of such a situation, and try to emulate that. We need to accept that it may take some time.

 

[dingledog]

Let's do a Charlton, start again!!!!

 

[alcoblade]

Matt Hill's agent will say that he's been playing for decent sized Championship clubs all his career, is still reasonably athletic and has other clubs interested in him. No doubt he'll be after at least a two year contract as well. I think he's the type of signing that will make us end up with poor cover up front or out wide.

Blackpool offered Robbie Fowler about £500 quid a week, they clearly don't throw the cash around. Hill's agent can argue all he wants, his abilities are what they are - and those at United are qulified to judge.

I'm no fan - but I can't believe that his signing will in any significant way impact on the type of signings we're hoping for.

UTB