Sharp

[ancientblade]

Why would it. If Sharp is past it surely Jeb and Osu would be keeping him out. Wouldn’t they ? You sure about your convictions in this regard ?

To be clear, we NEED 2 new CFs to compete for a spot up top.

Needed at least one last summer and didn’t get it so defo need 2 now

UTB

absolutely do need 2 new strikers think jebbo will be 5th choice striker and osula out on loan to a championship club very much doubt brewster is going to do owt here and mcburnie can only be our 4th choice striker surely

 

[Rusty view]

Best Billy memory: a video doing the rounds after promotion in 2019 where he was in the back room of a pub with a load of people singing “we’ve got Billy Sharp, Billy Sharp, we’ve got Billy Sharp”

His best tweet was re bouncing day something like.

Kids up all night bouncing round the bedroom had to get Duffy round to help out

 

[Dkc]

Has this actually been confirmed, or is this entire thread based on the OP saying it?

Just the OP and various people on Twitter. Nothing from Billy or the club. Speculation is that he was offered something, but with a big pay cut. Not sure if he was offered a squad number, could have just been a coaching role. If this is the case he's entitled to be disappointed, and I expect he's now considering other options.

As others have said, it would be a real shame if he leaves without being able to say goodbye to the fans at Bramall Lane. If the rumours are true, then the club should have made its intentions clear before the Preston game, when we'd already been promoted.

 

[brownblade]

Just the OP and various people on Twitter. Nothing from Billy or the club. Speculation is that he was offered something, but with a big pay cut. Not sure if he was offered a squad number, could have just been a coaching role. If this is the case he's entitled to be disappointed, and I expect he's now considering other options.

As others have said, it would be a real shame if he leaves without being able to say goodbye to the fans at Bramall Lane. If the rumours are true, then the club should have made its intentions clear before the Preston game, when we'd already been promoted.

I forgot about Nixon's DRAMATIC tweet about it. F*** The S*n and his invariably made up stuff by the way.

Hopefully announced before the bus parade (if true) so Billy gets a lot of knowing attention.

 

[Davalon]

Sharp has been badly short changed of pitch time this season at Championship level. This, in my opinion, should not have been the case but Twas.

Every reason to suggest he would be even shorter changed next term.

For his OWN benefit, he needs to have a proper sit down with himself and basically tell the club to go fuck itself then. In private of course as needs to go out the front door with pride in his achievements here.

Im also quite certain that the decline in standards so widely accepted by many of you is not nearly as pronounced as many would have you believe.

I watched a 37 year old Sharp dominate the PL and internationally experienced CBs of Tottingham for 90 minutes. No mean achievement.

Then get dropped to the bench for the very next league game !!!!

Playing 2nd fiddle, I suspect, is genuinely not in the guys DNA.

So while I strongly believe he has it in him to have an impact next season, it will be a limited one, through no fault of his own. It’s because of this that I now recognise it is time !

There is an old saying that you don’t really know what you have got till it’s gone - time will tell.

UTB

99.9% of Blades love and worship Billy fully respecting what he's done.

There's no need for revisionist nonsense, however.

 

[DronnieBlade]

99.9% of Blades love and worship Billy fully respecting what he's done.

There's no need for revisionist nonsense, however.

Had to double check my understanding of the use of the word revisionist to establish if this was made by you in the right context.

It wasn’t !

UTB

 

[Davalon]

I’ve actually advocated the he moves on if you care to look back.

UTB

Yeah by telling the club to fuck off in the process!

How many 37/38 year old strikers have played in the PL? Let alone had a meaningful impact.

Off the top of my head I can only think of world class types.

Billy has had two seasons in his entire career in the PL (don't think he played a game for Soton).

We're all sad to see him go if that's the case but making out the club have shit on him is fucking pathetic.

Why didn't we offer Brian Deane another contract in 2006?

 

[DronnieBlade]

Yeah by telling the club to fuck off in the process!

How many 37/38 year old strikers have played in the PL? Let alone had a meaningful impact.

Off the top of my head I can only think of world class types.

Billy has had two seasons in his entire career in the PL (don't think he played a game for Soton).

We're all sad to see him go if that's the case but making out the club have shit on him is fucking pathetic.

Why didn't we offer Brian Deane another contract in 2006?

“Club have shit on him”.

Amazing how you have drawn this from what I actually stated.

Typical I say, you hear moment I’m afraid !!!

UTB

 

[adiosmiamigo]

I think the issue here is that Billy Sharp clearly still wants to play football. Unfortunately, his opportunities for us in the Championship were limited and should be pretty non-existent in the Premier League.

To get the best out of Sharp these days, he needs to be in a team that creates hatfuls of chances that he can get on the end of. He isnt quick enough or skilful enough to create chances for himself. Realistically, it’s unlikely that we will be able to play to his strengths often enough to be effective enough to make it worthwhile offering him a playing contract.

Given that are finances are clearly going to be stretched to the limit this summer, the club has to weigh up how much of an influence he is in the dressing room and work out whether its worth offering him a contract on some kind of non-playing basis. However, I think this is probably a moot point as I get the impression that Sharp still thinks he has something to offer as a player.


In which case, he’s not going to get that here and in reality, he must know that he’s going to have to drop down to get playing time.

No player is bigger than the club,he's been a wonderful employee of the Football club but it's time for him and the club to move on.

 

[Balham]

Point taken.

But also the gaffer managed to consistently do just that this last season restricting him to very few starts and almost zero 90 minute stints !

UTB

Self-fulfilling prophecy. Sharp's performances (and, almost certainly, the underlying data) suggested that his output and effectiveness was declining. You repeatedly criticise McBurnie's performances yet in the one stat which actually matters he thoroughly outperformed Sharp.

Sharp scored 2 goals in 38 appearances. 30 of those appearances were for more than 15 minutes and he was on the pitch for 1,462 minutes - 16.25 full 90s. A return of two goals (against 18th placed Huddersfield and 24th placed Wigan) at 0.12 goals/90 mins was not good enough for a player who first and foremost is a goalscorer. As you'd expect, his finishing was almost bang in line with expectation (footystats has him on 2.38xG or 0.15xG/90). McBurnie finished with 0.53 goals/90 minutes against 0.48 xg/90. He was getting more chances and crucially he was finishing them this season.

Billy can walk away with his head held high because he's played his part in getting us back to the Premier League but that remains probably the toughest league for a centre forward in world football. The defenders are quicker, stronger, taller and more intelligent than those in the second tier and if Sharp can't get the chances against Jake Cooper, Richard Wood or Liam Lindsay then he definitely isn't going to get them against Marc Guéhi, Rúben Dias, Issa Diop or Nayaf Aguerd.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Self-fulfilling prophecy. Sharp's performances (and, almost certainly, the underlying data) suggested that his output and effectiveness was declining. You repeatedly criticise McBurnie's performances yet in the one stat which actually matters he thoroughly outperformed Sharp.

Sharp scored 2 goals in 38 appearances. 30 of those appearances were for more than 15 minutes and he was on the pitch for 1,462 minutes - 16.25 full 90s. A return of two goals (against 18th placed Huddersfield and 24th placed Wigan) at 0.12 goals/90 mins was not good enough for a player who first and foremost is a goalscorer. As you'd expect, his finishing was almost bang in line with expectation (footystats has him on 2.38xG or 0.15xG/90). McBurnie finished with 0.53 goals/90 minutes against 0.48 xg/90. He was getting more chances and crucially he was finishing them this season.

Billy can walk away with his head held high because he's played his part in getting us back to the Premier League but that remains probably the toughest league for a centre forward in world football. The defenders are quicker, stronger, taller and more intelligent than those in the second tier and if Sharp can't get the chances against Jake Cooper, Richard Wood or Liam Lindsay then he definitely isn't going to get them against Marc Guéhi, Rúben Dias, Issa Diop or Nayaf Aguerd.

Excellent points and there is NO denying that Billy’s “numbers” this last year have been poor. And Olis have been good.

And that’s maybe the end of the matter when all is said and done, as they have clearly been competing for the 1 shirt. One on one off clearly evident to boot.

It will not have helped matters that Sharp has been largely deployed as a deeper lying number 10 this last season rather than his more traditional “between the sticks” fox in the box type.

Not making excuses - he should have contributed more goals (and assists).

UTB

 

[Rooks]

Bill has been great for us, but time has caught up with him. He's seemed a yard off the pace since Christmas - both in thought and deed. I'm sure he wants regular(ish) football for another year or two and we simply can't offer him that. I first met him when he was a 16 year old and he came to do my lad's club's presentation night with Jonathon Forte. They were both excellent ambassadors for the club. I do hope he continues to do his badges and that he comes back to us at some time in the future.

Scoips - Brinsworth Whitehill ?

 

[john Mathison]

If this is TRUE, then its a sad end to an era. However, harsh decisions have to made in regards playing staff, whatever division you are in. Did he want to play on??? Did he refuse a player coach roll on reduced salary???? My guess he wanted to play on, and the club have said no. Not the beast end to his blades career, not handled with care by the club. Sincerely hope he carries on playing, but I genuinely think the EPL standards are higher than the last time we were there.
Thank you so much Billy Sharp, you are a legend , hero, icon, but more than that a true 100% blade.

 

[Dkc]

Yeah by telling the club to fuck off in the process!

How many 37/38 year old strikers have played in the PL? Let alone had a meaningful impact.

Off the top of my head I can only think of world class types.

Billy has had two seasons in his entire career in the PL (don't think he played a game for Soton).

We're all sad to see him go if that's the case but making out the club have shit on him is fucking pathetic.

Why didn't we offer Brian Deane another contract in 2006?

Off the top of my head Teddy Sheringham. It's rare but not unknown.

 

[Bladesman]

Off the top of my head Teddy Sheringham. It's rare but not unknown.

True but Teddy played most of his career in the top division. Even when he moved to West Ham at the end of his career they had 1 season in the Championship and he smashed in 20 goals and looked a class above. I will remember him scoring that free kick at the lane with 5 minutes left to play to win the match for West Ham. Got away with moving the free kick further forward when the ref had his backed turned the twat.

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

As one legend returns (me to the forum)

Another one departs Sir Bill

 

[Davalon]

“Club have shit on him”.

Amazing how you have drawn this from what I actually stated.

Typical I say, you hear moment I’m afraid !!!

UTB

I refer you to your own post, 271 on this thread.

 

[DronnieBlade]

I refer you to your own post, 271 on this thread.

So from this :-

“For his OWN benefit, he needs to have a proper sit down with himself and basically tell the club to go fuck itself then. In private of course as needs to go out the front door with pride in his achievements here.”

To, quote, “The club have shit on him”.

Righdo !!

UTB

 

[Rodders]

Sharp has been badly short changed of pitch time this season at Championship level. This, in my opinion, should not have been the case but Twas.

Every reason to suggest he would be even shorter changed next term.

For his OWN benefit, he needs to have a proper sit down with himself and basically tell the club to go fuck itself then. In private of course as needs to go out the front door with pride in his achievements here.

Im also quite certain that the decline in standards so widely accepted by many of you is not nearly as pronounced as many would have you believe.

I watched a 37 year old Sharp dominate the PL and internationally experienced CBs of Tottingham for 90 minutes. No mean achievement.

Then get dropped to the bench for the very next league game !!!!

Playing 2nd fiddle, I suspect, is genuinely not in the guys DNA.

So while I strongly believe he has it in him to have an impact next season, it will be a limited one, through no fault of his own. It’s because of this that I now recognise it is time !

There is an old saying that you don’t really know what you have got till it’s gone - time will tell.

UTB

Didn’t go to Huddersfield then?

 

[DronnieBlade]

Didn’t go to Huddersfield then?

Aye. They were all good that night.

Several back to back days on the lash will have had no impact whatsoever .

UTB

 

[Davalon]

Off the top of my head Teddy Sheringham. It's rare but not unknown.

Ronaldo recently too.

The point I'm making is that the only ones I can recall were world class players who had played at the top all their career.

I'm just finding it silly that a handful of fans are suggesting the club is out of order or being disrespectful if they don't offer him something for next season.

 

[Davalon]

So from this :-

“For his OWN benefit, he needs to have a proper sit down with himself and basically tell the club to go fuck itself then. In private of course as needs to go out the front door with pride in his achievements here.”

To, quote, “The club have shit on him”.

Righdo !!

UTB

'Basically tell the club to go fuck itself'

Why?

 

[DronnieBlade]

'Basically tell the club to go fuck itself'

Why?

If we are to believe that the recent meeting quote, “ended badly” is this not ostensibly the same thing ? Maybe without the use of fuck off but with the 2 fingered salute nonetheless.

He will feel emotional and aggrieved at the situation and will have reacted accordingly. Red mist and all !!!

He believes, clearly, an extension was in the offing. Quite possibly due to the gaffer stating he wanted him around.

Bettis and co. Thought differently.

Maybe !

UTB

 

[Gretsch Blade]

We're in trouble 'if' we get a penalty next season....!!

 

[Balham]

Excellent points and there is NO denying that Billy’s “numbers” this last year have been poor. And Olis have been good.

And that’s maybe the end of the matter when all is said and done, as they have clearly been competing for the 1 shirt. One on one off clearly evident to boot.

It will not have helped matters that Sharp has been largely deployed as a deeper lying number 10 this last season rather than his more traditional “between the sticks” fox in the box type.

Not making excuses - he should have contributed more goals (and assists).

UTB

I deliberately didn't bring up assists as both McBurnie and Sharp's numbers were poor. McBurnie managed 2 in his 38 appearances (2,224 minutes or 24.7 full 90s); Sharp one in his 38 appearances (16.2 full 90s). Ndiaye managed 11.

We're in trouble 'if' we get a penalty next season....!!

Why? Sharp's record is pretty much average at 80% success rate. 34 scored out of 43 taken across his career; 19 out of 24 for us.

Berge should be taking them.

 

[Carlton Blade]

Since his injury towards the end of last season he's slowed down and he looks like he's carrying more muscle to try and make up for it. That's fine when he can get the ball and physically attack a defender (usually back to goal) but he's now almost helpless in space, even against what would usually be classed as slow defenders

He needs to sign for a club who'll play with 2 up front and have the majority of the ball

 

[Bladey_blade]

If we are to believe that the recent meeting quote, “ended badly” is this not ostensibly the same thing ? Maybe without the use of fuck off but with the 2 fingered salute nonetheless.

He will feel emotional and aggrieved at the situation and will have reacted accordingly. Red mist and all !!!

He believes, clearly, an extension was in the offing. Quite possibly due to the gaffer stating he wanted him around.

Bettis and co. Thought differently.

Maybe !

UTB

Or we insisted on a coaching role and less on field duties and he decided he wanted full time playing? Without the details you can take it any way

 

[DronnieBlade]

Or we insisted on a coaching role and less on field duties and he decided he wanted full time playing? Without the details you can take it any way

Same outcome and inevitable reaction from the player IF his expectations have been badly managed.

All speculative of course.

UTB

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

As Alfred, Lord Tennyson so rightly said "The old order changeth, yielding place to new."

 

[SouthportBlade]

All good things come to an end. You remove the sentiment and it’s 100% the correct decision. Even more so when you factor in the fact we’ll have sod all possession next year, I’d wager Jebbison will play a big role next year as we utilise his pace on the counter.

Imagine for a moment it’s not Billy Sharp but any other 38 year old who scored 3 goals in 45 appearances last season in the championship. How many would be advocating we give that player a 1 year deal.

If Billy wants to keep playing there’ll be loads of opportunities, where he can do what he does best. He’ll go with nothing but admiration from the fans and look back on his career once all the dust has settled and smile.