Out of Contract Players

[YES Blade]

Hopefully implies that we have ‘options’ on others - especially ‘Furious’

I’m pretty relaxed with Baldock’s contract, I very much doubt he’ll get a better offer from another club and he’s got very little transfer value, so no point taking the risk in having him on a longer contract.

 

[Withington Blade]

I’m pretty relaxed with Baldock’s contract, I very much doubt he’ll get a better offer from another club and he’s got very little transfer value, so no point taking the risk in having him on a longer contract.

Respectfully disagree. I think there would be plenty of clubs interested in picking Furious up on a free. Be bonkers not to tie him down in my opinion.

 

[YES Blade]

Respectfully disagree. I think there would be plenty of clubs interested in picking Furious up on a free. Be bonkers not to tie him down in my opinion.

Of course he’d get offers, but I doubt they’d be at clubs bigger than us or be offering him more money than we could match.

 

[Moan? Nope-I saw Longhorn]

Respectfully disagree. I think there would be plenty of clubs interested in picking Furious up on a free. Be bonkers not to tie him down in my opinion.

Aye
If (when?) we go down can almost guarantee the 3 promoted sides would (should) be interested + 3 or 4 ‘survivors’ - offer him 3 years (+ captain’s ‘bonus)

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

Hopefully implies that we have ‘options’ on others - especially ‘Furious’

Baldock is the stand out, not even fussed on the others!

 

[YES Blade]

Aye
If (when?) we go down can almost guarantee the 3 promoted sides would (should) be interested + 3 or 4 ‘survivors’ - offer him 3 years (+ captain’s ‘bonus)

He’ll be 31 by the end of the season, I really can’t imagine there will be much, if any Premier League interest.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s done brilliant for us, but I just don’t really see other clubs viewing his performances and ability as anything special.

 

[CPB]

Respectfully disagree. I think there would be plenty of clubs interested in picking Furious up on a free. Be bonkers not to tie him down in my opinion.

Completely agree. Treat him like that at our detriment. Could easily see a Greek side offering him a deal and actually potentially even a PL side such as a Bournemouth, Forest, Wolves. Yeah he might be more a squad player possibly but they'd know they are getting a committed effective player.

He needs offering another 2 years in my opinion.

 

[CPB]

He’ll be 31 by the end of the season, I really can’t imagine there will be much, if any Premier League interest.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s done brilliant for us, but I just don’t really see other clubs viewing his performances and ability as anything special.

Kyle walker is 33 going on 34 and not showing any signs of slowing down.

31 is not the end of your career in the PL or any level.

 

[Belvedere Blade]

Sheffield United take first steps to secure £20m striker's services

Sheffield United have taken the important step of trying to tie down star striker Oli McBurnie to a new contract with the club.

www.sheffieldunited.news

 

[Moan? Nope-I saw Longhorn]

He’ll be 31 by the end of the season, I really can’t imagine there will be much, if any Premier League interest.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s done brilliant for us, but I just don’t really see other clubs viewing his performances and ability as anything special.

Aye
Perhaps we could swap him for (33 year old) Trippier

 

[wak1889]

He’ll be 31 by the end of the season, I really can’t imagine there will be much, if any Premier League interest.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s done brilliant for us, but I just don’t really see other clubs viewing his performances and ability as anything special.

I agree, 90% of our squad are premier League players by default because we have been promoted whilst they are contracted to us, as opposed to players who actually are talented enough to be sought after by premier League clubs, what I mean by that is when we were relegated there was 1 of our players that any other prem team were interested in, when we were relegated under Warnock it was the same or very similar , and if we are to be relegated this season it will be exactly the same

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

He’ll be 31 by the end of the season, I really can’t imagine there will be much, if any Premier League interest.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s done brilliant for us, but I just don’t really see other clubs viewing his performances and ability as anything special.

Any of the three promoted clubs and the one that stays up would have Baldock

 

[YES Blade]

Any of the three promoted clubs and the one that stays up would have Baldock

Why didn’t he get signed by a Premier League club the last time we were relegated?

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

Why didn’t he get signed by a Premier League club the last time we were relegated?

Would have cost a fee to sign him unlike next summer. Also I think he's happy to stay here.

 

[Sharp as a blade]

Usually these sort of announcements come a lot longer down the line than we realise. The fact that we're hearing about opening talks now probably suggests a deal has already been discussed / agreed in principle and it's just finalising the terms.

Either that or its PR spin to show that we tried to tie them down before they agree a pre contract agreement with someone else in January.... But we've won a game now so I'm madly positive again and expecting new deals to be announced soon.

Mcburnie is a no brainer. Only downside is his injury record, but we look a much better team with him in and he's really developed over the last 12-18 months.

Would like to see us sign a new keeper to replace / compete with Wes next season.

 

[YES Blade]

Would have cost a fee to sign him unlike next summer. Also I think he's happy to stay here.

He was also 28 and arguably in his prime, so worth paying a fee for. But obviously Premier League clubs for whatever reason, didn’t think he was worth it.

 

[PaulHalfway]

OMc is a difficult one, only ever plays half a season

 

[Nagima]

McBurnie is a symptom of what we accept from recruitment. First touch is poor, movement is about average, finishing is below average, link up play below average. Holding the ball up is below average.

Heading is generally average but for some reason defensive headers are above average. Generally he is awkward and niggly. He usually puts effort in, but I think quite a few rate him higher than he should be. The reason for this was Billy didn't have legs. Brewster didn't have movement. Mousett over weight and not interested. Burke fairly hopeless . Callum Robinson timid in physical exchanges. Jebbison and Osulu young and raw. Injuries to McBurnie and others hasn't left us with many options in who to play. Having McBurnie fit and playing is more about scarce resources than his ability. I wouldn't give him a new contract.

MGW and N'Diaye are the only two we miss. Archer is a finisher but we need to find a partner for him.

 

[Moan? Nope-I saw Longhorn]

McBurnie is a symptom of what we accept from recruitment. First touch is poor, movement is about average, finishing is below average, link up play below average. Holding the ball up is below average.

Heading is generally average but for some reason defensive headers are above average. Generally he is awkward and niggly. He usually puts effort in, but I think quite a few rate him higher than he should be. The reason for this was Billy didn't have legs. Brewster didn't have movement. Mousett over weight and not interested. Burke fairly hopeless . Callum Robinson timid in physical exchanges. Jebbison and Osulu young and raw. Injuries to McBurnie and others hasn't left us with many options in who to play. Having McBurnie fit and playing is more about scarce resources than his ability. I wouldn't give him a new contract.

MGW and N'Diaye are the only two we miss. Archer is a finisher but we need to find a partner for him.

Aye
But (even) if your contentions about McB are accurate where / how do we source a >”average” / “poor” alternative / replacement

 

[Nagima]

Aye
But (even) if your contentions about McB are accurate where / how do we source a >”average” / “poor” alternative / replacement

And that is the exact problem we have been faced with in our recruitment. There are players we are not looking at that the likes of Coventry Brentford Brighton have been picking up. Hamer....delighted we got him. Gyorkes was one I would have pushed for.

Markets to look at...Championship....Scandinavia...Austria and Eastern Europe and potentially Belgium and Holland.

 

[Moan? Nope-I saw Longhorn]

And that is the exact problem we have been faced with in our recruitment. There are players we are not looking at that the likes of Coventry Brentford Brighton have been picking up. Hamer....delighted we got him. Gyorkes was one I would have pushed for.

Markets to look at...Championship....Scandinavia...Austria and Eastern Europe and potentially Belgium and Holland

.

Aye

.

We’ve recently visited a number of the markets you refer to.

Isn’t it more about identifying & securing the talent @ ‘affordable’ prices, which for us is significantly less than the ceiling for Brentford & Bournemouth.
Also not sure Coventry are a great example - when were they last in the top flight ? Not really close even with the 2 (excellent) players mentioned - & they were ‘obliged’ to flog em? for >£30m we didn’t / don’t have

 

[Wards]

I OliMcB

 

[Nagima]

Aye

We’ve recently visited a number of the markets you refer to.
Isn’t it more about identifying & securing the talent @ ‘affordable’ prices, which for us is significantly less than the ceiling for Brentford & Bournemouth.
Also not sure Coventry are a great example - when were they last in the top flight ? Not really close even with the 2 (excellent) players mentioned - & they were ‘obliged’ to flog em?

OK you are saying affordable prices but we can't compete with Brentford or Brighton.
And then criticising Coventry as they haven't been in the top flight in a long time yet they found Gyorkes and Hamer. And had to sell them....of course they had...they have had financial difficulty for years and we were similar in league 1 but found players to get promoted to the championship and to get promoted to the PL twice.

The point I was making is about who we spent money on and are not worth it and should not have ever been signed.
McBurnie Brewster Freeman Burke Mousett, Berge Lowe Callum Robinson.

And we ended back with playing Baldock Egan Basham Norwood Fleck Stevens. And then moving on most of what was bought for less than we paid for.

Jack Robinson Foderingham Osborn all have their issues but they have represented value and you can't fault their willingness to work. Ndiaye is one who came through for us.
Bogle is a bit hit and miss.

Overall our recruitment need to look at players who don't have a lot of weaknesses to their game.

 

[Frank the tank]

McBurnie is a symptom of what we accept from recruitment. First touch is poor, movement is about average, finishing is below average, link up play below average. Holding the ball up is below average.

Heading is generally average but for some reason defensive headers are above average. Generally he is awkward and niggly. He usually puts effort in, but I think quite a few rate him higher than he should be. The reason for this was Billy didn't have legs. Brewster didn't have movement. Mousett over weight and not interested. Burke fairly hopeless . Callum Robinson timid in physical exchanges. Jebbison and Osulu young and raw. Injuries to McBurnie and others hasn't left us with many options in who to play. Having McBurnie fit and playing is more about scarce resources than his ability. I wouldn't give him a new contract.

MGW and N'Diaye are the only two we miss. Archer is a finisher but we need to find a partner for him.

Yes our recruitment should be looking for a cross between didier drogba and lionel messi avalable for free on low wagesc

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

My biggest concern about extending McBurnies contract is that we never seem to consider signing a 2nd centre forward while he's at the club. Even at Premier League level.

The idea of us persevering with him in the Prem if we stay up, or go down and come back up again is quite deflating. Since we only seem to be allowed one CF at the club, I'd prefer we go for a CF with better strength, power and hold up play, someone with more chance of proving themselves in the Prem.

 

[Moan? Nope-I saw Longhorn]

OK you are saying affordable prices but we can't compete with Brentford or Brighton.
And then criticising Coventry as they haven't been in the top flight in a long time yet they found Gyorkes and Hamer. And had to sell them....of course they had...they have had financial difficulty for years and we were similar in league 1 but found players to get promoted to the championship and to get promoted to the PL twice.

The point I was making is about who we spent money on and are not worth it and should not have ever been signed.
McBurnie Brewster Freeman Burke Mousett, Berge Lowe Callum Robinson.

And we ended back with playing Baldock Egan Basham Norwood Fleck Stevens. And then moving on most of what was bought for less than we paid for.

Jack Robinson Foderingham Osborn all have their issues but they have represented value and you can't fault their willingness to work. Ndiaye is one who came through for us.
Bogle is a bit hit and miss.

Overall our recruitment need to look at players who don't have a lot of weaknesses to their game.

Aye
That’s exactly what I’m saying - Brighton & to a lesser extent Brentford knock us into a cocked hat financially- just look @ their record signings & sales, predicated upon owners with far more money than us. Both utilise the methods / markets you suggest (+ South America) & including ‘outbidding’ / being more ‘attractive’ proposition than SUFC
Not criticising Cov, merely pointing out that a ‘model’ you apparently advocate for hasn’t been as successful as ourselves- we’ve (also) “found” & “had to sell” alongside “financial difficulty” but had 4 (?) more top flight seasons this Century as you highlight.

You yourself point out SUFC “found players to get promoted” (essentially by doing what you initially advocated for - lower league players) - Cov haven’t ‘achieved’ anything like that ‘success’.

I wasn’t /aren’t disagreeing with the point you were making, merely suggesting that it’s not as simple as you portray especially (as I stated) when it comes to ‘sourcing’ the (better) replacements.

I agree that most of the players you list were not ‘good’ buys albeit they were all from the ‘markets’ suggested

The point I was making is about who we spent money on and are not worth it and should not have ever been signed. Paradoxically (many of) the players “we ended up back with playing” contributed to ‘success’ following relegation.
Many , most? all ? clubs end up flogging unsuccessful purchases for less than they paid, by definition

You appear to be advocating punting McB & (magically?) sourcing a cheaper/ better replacement ?

Equally most signings that are retained / regular contributors will be seen as “value for money”

I’d hazard a guess that (most) every club is desperate to sign “players who don't have a lot of weaknesses to their game” - the ‘problem’ is they cost, & often more than SUFC can afford.

 

[Nagima]

Yes our recruitment should be looking for a cross between didier drogba and lionel messi avalable for free on low wagesc

Wonderful insight Frank.

 

[bertieblade]

Jebbo or Mcburnie have to be tied down before January

 

[Frank the tank]

Wonderful insight Frank.

Well youve covered tge we should sign really good players angle
So i thought id narrow the search a bit

 

[Nagima]

Aye
That’s exactly what I’m saying - Brighton & to a lesser extent Brentford knock us into a cocked hat financially- just look @ their record signings & sales, predicated upon owners with far more money than us. Both utilise the methods / markets you suggest (+ South America) & including ‘outbidding’ / being more ‘attractive’ proposition than SUFC
Not criticising Cov, merely pointing out that a ‘model’ you apparently advocate for hasn’t been as successful as ourselves- we’ve (also) “found” & “had to sell” alongside “financial difficulty” but had 4 (?) more top flight seasons this Century as you highlight.

You yourself point out SUFC “found players to get promoted” (essentially by doing what you initially advocated for - lower league players) - Cov haven’t ‘achieved’ anything like that ‘success’.

I wasn’t /aren’t disagreeing with the point you were making, merely suggesting that it’s not as simple as you portray especially (as I stated) when it comes to ‘sourcing’ the (better) replacements.

I agree that most of the players you list were not ‘good’ buys albeit they were all from the ‘markets’ suggested

The point I was making is about who we spent money on and are not worth it and should not have ever been signed. Paradoxically (many of) the players “we ended up back with playing” contributed to ‘success’ following relegation.
Many , most? all ? clubs end up flogging unsuccessful purchases for less than they paid, by definition

You appear to be advocating punting McB & (magically?) sourcing a cheaper/ better replacement ?

Equally most signings that are retained / regular contributors will be seen as “value for money”

I’d hazard a guess that (most) every club is desperate to sign “players who don't have a lot of weaknesses to their game” - the ‘problem’ is they cost, & often more than SUFC can afford.

Brentford are now in the position of strength but we were buying players from them. So they were not for many years better off financially than us. But they were better organised with their scouting. And sold players on for a tidy profit. Maupay. Watkins and Toney probably will go too.

Brighton were long enough outside the PL but are a well run club.

Regarding ours.....we got great value from McGoldrick Stevens Baldock Fleck until lately Norwood Basham Egan Jack O Connell. We didn't pay big fees and all stepped up.
All of our big signings before this season have been flops (bar ramsdale).

The problem has been when we had money we wasted it. I understand we don't pay big wages which limits our options. I do get your point that giving a new contract to McBurnie isn't costing us much and for me that would be fine if we had other established strikers. Archer most likely will be gone. Brewster is not any good and the progression of Osula and Jebbison seems to have stalled.

Spotting players requires a level headed combination of data analysis and personal judgement.
Regarding weaknesses of course there is competition for players with little or any weaknesses in their game. My point is McBurnie is below par on too many skills. Brewster's only asset is he has a hard shot when he gets to whack it. Are they both players we can say were worth buying?

It's just my opinion that we were better at recruiting and then between Wilder the Prince and Scouts we filled a squad in the PL with players worse than those who got us out of league 1.