Sheffield United Season Review / School Report 22-23 - Part 3: Goalkeepers

[Deadbat]

Playing Squad

I will now go through each department – I will show the contract situations (some of these might not be correct so tell me!) and include young professional separately. I will then discuss the outlook for next year.

We will begin with the Goalkeepers….then the Defence and so on….posted over the next week

I am leaving the Academy till the end this year due to the u21’s and u18’s being in the playoffs and still waiting to properly review the end of their seasons’.



Goalkeepers

Defence

Midfield

Attack

Academy

Final awards / Conclusions





Appearances and stats

Playing Time​

Performance​

Player

Pos​

Age​

MP​

Starts​

Min​

90s​

Gls​

Ast​

G+A​

John Egan

DF​

30-201​

45​

44​

3,955​

43.9​

2​

1​

3​

Iliman Ndiaye

FW,MF​

23-064​

46​

43​

3,698​

41.1​

14​

11​

25​

Wes Foderingham

GK​

32-115​

40​

40​

3,512​

39.0​

0​

1​

1​

Oliver Norwood

MF​

32-027​

46​

39​

3,530​

39.2​

2​

5​

7​

Sander Berge

MF​

25-084​

37​

34​

3,103​

34.5​

6​

5​

11​

George Baldock

DF​

30-061​

36​

33​

2,876​

32.0​

1​

3​

4​

Anel Ahmedhodzic

DF​

24-044​

34​

32​

2,860​

31.8​

6​

2​

8​

Oliver McBurnie

FW​

26-339​

38​

25​

2,221​

24.7​

13​

2​

15​

Jack Robinson

DF​

29-250​

27​

25​

2,131​

23.7​

3​

1​

4​

Max Lowe

DF​

25-363​

26​

24​

2,006​

22.3​

1​

5​

6​

James McAtee

MF​

20-203​

37​

21​

1,898​

21.1​

9​

3​

12​

Thomas Doyle

MF​

21-204​

33​

21​

1,853​

20.6​

3​

4​

7​

Chris Basham

DF​

34-293​

29​

18​

1,736​

19.3​

0​

2​

2​

Jayden Bogle

DF​

22-286​

20​

16​

1,386​

15.4​

2​

1​

3​

Rhys Norrington-Davies

DF​

24-017​

15​

15​

1,262​

14.0​

0​

0​

0​

Billy Sharp

FW​

37-093​

38​

14​

1,475​

16.4​

2​

1​

3​

John Fleck

MF​

31-258​

26​

14​

1,110​

12.3​

1​

1​

2​

Ben Osborn

MF,DF​

28-277​

20​

10​

1,075​

11.9​

1​

0​

1​

Enda Stevens

DF​

32-304​

12​

9​

790​

8.8​

0​

2​

2​

Ciaran Clark

DF​

33-225​

10​

7​

664​

7.4​

2​

0​

2​

Adam Davies

GK​

30-296​

7​

6​

612​

6.8​

0​

0​

0​

Rhian Brewster

FW​

23-038​

16​

5​

570​

6.3​

1​

1​

2​

Daniel Jebbison

FW​

19-302​

12​

4​

400​

4.4​

1​

0​

1​

Reda Khadra

FW,DF​

21-309​

15​

4​

388​

4.3​

1​

0​

1​

Daniel Jebbison

FW​

19-269​

4​

1​

92​

1.0​

0​

1​

1​

Oliver Arblaster

MF​

19-004​

4​

1​

74​

0.8​

0​

0​

0​

Kyron Gordon

DF​

20-350​

1​

1​

74​

0.8​

0​

0​

0​

William Osula

FW​

19-278​

2​

0​

52​

0.6​

0​

0​

0​

Jili Buyabu

DF​

21-273​

1​

0​

17​

0.2​

0​

0​

0​

Sai Sachdev

DF​

1​

0​

16​

0.2​

0​

0​

0​

Jordan Amissah

GK​

21-280​

1​

0​

13​

0.1​

0​

0​

0​

Andre Brooks

MF​

19-262​

1​

0​

1​

0.0​

0​

0​

0​

Ismaila Cheick Coulibaly

MF​

22-135​

1​

0​

1​

0.0​

0​

0​

0​

Marcus Dewhurst

GK​

22-050​

0​

0​

Louie Marsh

FW​

19-205​

0​

0​

2022/23 SUFC SEASON REVIEW / SCHOOL REPORT



Goalkeepers




Wes Foderingham Had such an impressive season last time and established himself firmly as number one. Had some big games and made some all-important saves and one of our most consistent players. This time out, maybe not been quite as good/reliable and had some absences due to injury and suspension but still been ok-decent and certainly he had not made a ton of mistakes. We have not had the big stand out games he maybe had before but he has still been quite solid most of the way. He started the season fine but then he had the incident where he was unwell at Luton and Amissah had to come on.



He remained in the side as we had some excellent wins and he was under employed in many games. However, after we had a sticky spell, he got a red card in a daft incident against Blackpool when he lost his head. Did get straight back in but had a few goals go in where you felt he maybe could have done a bit better. We saw when Davies came in back in for the cup games what a decent keeper Foderingham probably is/was as we saw how much the defence struggled in contract with a different custodian behind them. I recall when we lost a few around February time, I recall a number going in at the near post and a few questions were asked if not any calls for a change and there was a recognition he had been exposed too much.



He ended up getting back to some clean sheets and his handling was good in a spell of games at the end of March/early April but then another moment of madness at Burnley saw him not claim the ball and ended up sending off – for the second time this season and we were without him for two key league games and having to rely on the inferior Davies, who did ok though. He ended up back in the side and made one big save v West Brom in the promotion sealing game. Seems a really likeable fella and popular with the group.



Grade B (Last season A-)





Adam Davies Davies came in the previous season from Stoke and appeared in a few games when Foderingham was injured. He was given another deal and remained as his back up but got an injury before the season and Amissah came on when Foderingham went off at Luton. It was not until October till he got back on the bench. When Wes got sent off again Blackpool, Davies came in and was ok at Coventry if not totally convincing although the goal was a late penalty. He then had a nightmare against Norwich being at fault for the first and not great on the second but then made a vital penalty save. He then kept a clean sheet against West Brom but the defence did not look as confident I felt. He went away with Wales for the World Cup but being the third choice, he was never going to be used and much like United was used more in training.



Foderingham was back in until the Cup when Davies played at Millwall and was untroubled as the defence protected him well. He started at Wrexham when again he struggled as balls came into his box and he conceded three. He then made penalty save in the replay after one had gone in before from Mullin and this helped us go and win the game. We did not see him after this as Foderingham was preferred even in the cup games until he was back at Burnley after the red card. He made a mess of the second goal getting himself in no man’s land.



Played against Cardiff and Bristol City and after a few stutter moments against Cardiff, he did improve and was fine overall. He got a final game in the last game of the season at Birmingham.



I have not been totally convinced by him despite two penalty saves and feel he is a bit of a line keeper and shots go in a bit easy but he did ok in the run in. Not great if you are a goalkeeper! He is 31 this year and you think he might remain as a third choice maybe but we surely, we bring another keeper in this summer so he can stay around as third choice at best or move on for games but not sure his ceiling is much higher than League One from what I have seen.



Grade C (Last season NA)



Jordan Amissah Had been at Borussia Dortmund and Schalke as a youngster -huge goalkeeper. He has German citizenship I believe but is Ghanaian. Had a loan at Guiseley and then Spennymoor Town the previous season but after his United bow when he came on at Luton and did ok, he went out on loan to Burton for the rest of the season. Made a mistake on debut and only played this one game until he played again and did well at the end of the season in a win against Cambridge.



Would like him to get more loans as he did not let us down on his cameo and an intriguing prospect due to his size. I think and hope, he may go on a longer season loan next time as he has another year left on his contract?



Grade B – albeit only 20 mins (Last season NA)

 

[Deadbat]

The rest



Jake Eastwood Seems to have been here forever and, in the past, he has been on loan at Chesterfield, Scunthorpe, Kilmarnock, Portsmouth and Grimsby in previous seasons after being around the first team when Moore was injured and Blackman came in back in 2016. This past season he started at Ross County but got an injury and then never played. He came back to us but then went back to Rochdale where he had played before but had a few shockers (I know a student who is a Rochdale fan and he said he was dire and made so many errors – which we saw on the EFL highlights show) and was quickly taken out of the side for ex Wednesday player Richard O’Donnell who came back from injury. He did play 7 games though and conceded 9 goals in a side heading for the National League well before he joined.



He is 27 this year and I am unsure how he has remained at the club as long as he has – that may sound disrespectful but he has never established himself even at lower league clubs. His contract is definitely up this summer and he will surely depart but then I have said that before in these end of season reviews?! He almost seems happy to be a backup and support the other keepers in training mixed in with the occasional loan. However, the fact he always struggles even at lower league clubs on loan makes me wonder why we keep him when we have 10 goalkeepers on our books from u16 to senior level. It seems a lot and especially when really Foderingham does not have any proper competition in terms of quality to back him up; including Davies.





Marcus Dewhurst Dewhurst had previously been involved in England Youth teams and was still involved for the England u20’s a few seasons ago but has maybe not pushed on as well as we had hoped. He had a loan at Carlisle a few years ago but did not play much before he ended up at Boston United in the National League North joining a number of former Blades and played a fair bit there and apparently did quite well so was not a surprise, he got a loan higher up again at Scunthorpe. He did play 22 matches but the Iron were really struggling and he got mixed reports. He eventually was recalled and has played some time back with the U21’s and was effectively the third choice with Eastwood and Amissah out on loan and was on the bench when Foderingham got sent off. He is now 22 and out of contract so you think he might move on but then we have said he same about Eastwood for years!





Next season



I feel we need to upgrade here but a lot will depend on the finances. I think Foderingham is a solid Championship keeper but is going to be very busy you sense next year and we need to have a better number one with more experience at this level. Ideally Dean Henderson comes back as sentimental as that is but not sure we can afford his wages and reckon of Forest stay up they might sign him permanently or he goes elsewhere. We could go down another route and sign an experienced loan keeper. Forest did that with the Navas signing after Henderson got injured and other teams have too. Someone like Dubravka from Newcastle maybe? We could go down the up-and-coming route maybe – the lad Cooper at Plymouth has done well. We definitely need another here though. I’m not sure Davies is good enough as a back-up – we could keep him for third choice but ideally you sign a number one, Wes is back up and maybe Amissah as number three? I do not feel it is harsh on Wes to say he would be a good Premier League back up but we need a better starter here. As I say if we start with him in goal that will be a tell-tale sign that finances mean we are going to struggle to make a proper fist of it next season. People may say other areas are more of a priority but actually this position might be the biggest priority to get right.





Returning players;



Player / Position Years remaining (contract expires) Red this year – Orange next year - Green longer contract –



Goalkeepers



Wes Foderingham Out of contract (2023) – club option 1 year

Jake Eastwood Out of contract (2023)

Adam Davies 1 year (2024)





Youngsters involved in 1st team last season or loans out (contracts unknown if not stated)



Marcus Dewhurst Out of contract (2023)

Dylan Wharton 1 year (2024)

Jordan Amissah 1 year (2024)

 

[bakeblade]

The rest



Jake Eastwood Seems to have been here forever and, in the past, he has been on loan at Chesterfield, Scunthorpe, Kilmarnock, Portsmouth and Grimsby in previous seasons after being around the first team when Moore was injured and Blackman came in back in 2016. This past season he started at Ross County but got an injury and then never played. He came back to us but then went back to Rochdale where he had played before but had a few shockers (I know a student who is a Rochdale fan and he said he was dire and made so many errors – which we saw on the EFL highlights show) and was quickly taken out of the side for ex Wednesday player Richard O’Donnell who came back from injury. He did play 7 games though and conceded 9 goals in a side heading for the National League well before he joined.



He is 27 this year and I am unsure how he has remained at the club as long as he has – that may sound disrespectful but he has never established himself even at lower league clubs. His contract is definitely up this summer and he will surely depart but then I have said that before in these end of season reviews?! He almost seems happy to be a backup and support the other keepers in training mixed in with the occasional loan. However, the fact he always struggles even at lower league clubs on loan makes me wonder why we keep him when we have 10 goalkeepers on our books from u16 to senior level. It seems a lot and especially when really Foderingham does not have any proper competition in terms of quality to back him up; including Davies.





Marcus Dewhurst Dewhurst had previously been involved in England Youth teams and was still involved for the England u20’s a few seasons ago but has maybe not pushed on as well as we had hoped. He had a loan at Carlisle a few years ago but did not play much before he ended up at Boston United in the National League North joining a number of former Blades and played a fair bit there and apparently did quite well so was not a surprise, he got a loan higher up again at Scunthorpe. He did play 22 matches but the Iron were really struggling and he got mixed reports. He eventually was recalled and has played some time back with the U21’s and was effectively the third choice with Eastwood and Amissah out on loan and was on the bench when Foderingham got sent off. He is now 22 and out of contract so you think he might move on but then we have said he same about Eastwood for years!





Next season



I feel we need to upgrade here but a lot will depend on the finances. I think Foderingham is a solid Championship keeper but is going to be very busy you sense next year and we need to have a better number one with more experience at this level. Ideally Dean Henderson comes back as sentimental as that is but not sure we can afford his wages and reckon of Forest stay up they might sign him permanently or he goes elsewhere. We could go down another route and sign an experienced loan keeper. Forest did that with the Navas signing after Henderson got injured and other teams have too. Someone like Dubravka from Newcastle maybe? We could go down the up-and-coming route maybe – the lad Cooper at Plymouth has done well. We definitely need another here though. I’m not sure Davies is good enough as a back-up – we could keep him for third choice but ideally you sign a number one, Wes is back up and maybe Amissah as number three? I do not feel it is harsh on Wes to say he would be a good Premier League back up but we need a better starter here. As I say if we start with him in goal that will be a tell-tale sign that finances mean we are going to struggle to make a proper fist of it next season. People may say other areas are more of a priority but actually this position might be the biggest priority to get right.





Returning players;



Player / Position Years remaining (contract expires) Red this year – Orange next year - Green longer contract –



Goalkeepers



Wes Foderingham Out of contract (2023) – club option 1 year

Jake Eastwood Out of contract (2023)

Adam Davies 1 year (2024)





Youngsters involved in 1st team last season or loans out (contracts unknown if not stated)



Marcus Dewhurst Out of contract (2023)

Dylan Wharton 1 year (2024)

Jordan Amissah 1 year (2024)

Fantastic work and looking forward to the rest of them.
It truly is bizarre that Jake Eastwood keeps getting contracts, despite his continuing poor loan spells.
He must have some compromising photos of a senior member of staff.

 

[Addison]

Goalkeeper is an area we are reportedly looking at. References have been made to Johnstone at Palace, Cakir in Turkey and Dieng at QPR. All will cost money so unless the budget is increased tomorrow the options would seem to be loans. Henderson is on way too much money to be an option and we refused to play Man U's games when they wanted us to pay the whole of his wages in our second season in the EPL.

Agree we need an upgrade on Wes but can we afford it? Davies doesn't fill me with any confidence and has a dracula complex that we have seen all too often with some of those that have been between the sticks previously at BDTBL. A third choice at best. The rest are untried kids although Amissah fits the profile of a modern day goalkeeper. 6 foot 5 big and strong but he is a long way off the finished article.

 

[dublin 10 blade]

Well researched and very well written Deadbat read others later

 

[coaxingstar71]

Great reviews Deadbat
I've seen we've also been linked with Kelleher from Liverpool.
I actually think Wes would do fine in the Prem.