Sothall_Blade
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Last SeasonIt was an odd season at Bramall Lane in 2012/13, as the Blades never really seemed to convince themselves or anybody else despire occupying a top six spot for almost the entire season. By the end, the schism between ex-Wednesday man Danny Wilson and the supporters became too much for the club to continue to maintain and he was sacked just before the play-offs, in which United were beaten by eventual winners Yeovil Town as Chris Morgan's unique brand of angry shouting and fist-windmilling failed to motivate a side who looked entirely disinterested by a shot a promotion.
Never really threatening to mount a genuine push for the automatic places, the campaign was defined by a lack of goals as Wilson was unable to replace Ched Evans following his incarceration at the tail end of the previous year, although they remained difficult to beat with one of the division's meanest defences being led by caveman-like teenage monster Harry Maguire. Draws were also an issue, particularly at Bramall Lane, where United consistently found themselves unable to take maximum points from limited but stubborn opposition.
The Boss
The man who has been tasked with following on from Wilson is a man who Blades fans hold dear to their hearts in former Scotland international centre back David Weir, who has picked up a few years of coaching experience working under David Moyes at his former club Everton. Weir has impressed the United faithful with some stern-talking and crowd-pleasing rhetoric, but pre-season results have been patchy despite an unbeaten sequence, with sides from lower divisions and non-league providing more issues for the Blades than Weir would've hoped.
Summer Dealings
In keeping with their new status as part of the League One furniture, none of United's signings have really caught the eye, although Weir has done well to bring in some underappreciated quality on what must be a budget that is continuing to shrink as United find themselves trapped at this level. England Under 20 captain Conor Coady has arrived on loan from Liverpool, strengthening the midfield alongside Scotsman Stephen McGinn who impressed massively on loan at Shrewsbury Town last season from Watford.
Happy with his defence, Weir has turned much of his attention to matters further up the pitch, adding striker Lyle Taylor from Falkirk for a six-figure fee and ex-Notts dwarf Febian Brandy from Walsall. Less impressive than his midfield acquisitions, Taylor may have found his goalscoring touch in the Scottish Division One, but was eye-catchingly useless on his previous outings in this division with Bournemouth, whilst Brandy is yet to prove that his impressive form for the Saddlers was anything more than a one-off in a career that has been defined by a nomadic like existence and inability to settle at one club.
The biggest additions to Weir's squad may well come from within the club itself, where more members of United's impressive youth set-up are looking to establish themselves in the side following the emergence of goalkeeper George Long and centre back Harry Maguire. Winger Callum McFadzean bagged himself a goal in the play-offs and impressed when drafted into the squad by Chris Morgan, whilst forward Joe Ironside and midfielder Elliott Whitehouse will also be looking for more minutes on the pitch this season.
The Verdict
For me, Weir seems to have built a squad at Bramall Lane that is lacking in balance and logic - with an array of central midfielders that will be the envy of much of the rest of the division but a lack of both quality and sheer striking instinct in attack. Trying to squeeze Coady, McGinn, talismatic playmaking presence Kevin McDonald and newly appointed captain Michael Doyle into the same central midfield seems like a difficult ask and one that would point Weir towards a 4-5-1 formation, but there simply aren't good enough options for the Scotsman to go with a lone forward. Taylor barely has the all-round game to be considered a footballer, let alone a lone frontman, whilst none of Shaun Miller, Jamie Murphy and Chris Porter have truly established themselves as consistent performers at the club. Out wide, they have options in Brandy, McFadzean and Ryan Flynn but nowhere near the depth or quality that they have in defence or in the centre of midfield. Worryingly for the Blades, it's difficult to see past them once again being difficult to beat but equally difficult to lose to.
Team News
Weir has injury worries with both full backs Marcus Williams and Tony McMahon unlikely to be available for the visit of Notts, meaning that youngsters Darryl Westlake and Terry Kennedy may have to be called upon or one of the club's many centre backs may have to be shifted out of position. Weir is also struggling to decide on his favoured midfield, with McGinn, Coady, Doyle and McDonald likely to be battling for two positions if Weir chooses to stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation he has favoured thus far in pre-season. Upfront, Lyle Taylor is likely to spearhead the Blades' attack, with Chris Porter and Joe Ironside in reserve and Jamie Murphy and Febian Brandy occupying the wide positions
http://www.nottscounty-mad.co.uk/feat/ed62/shine_a_light__sheffield_united_801294/index.shtml
I have to say he seems remarkably well-informed about us.
Personally, I'd struggle to name one Notts County player let alone the whole squad.
I think his verdict on our chances is interesting, albeit (hopefully) a little on the pessimistic side.
Never really threatening to mount a genuine push for the automatic places, the campaign was defined by a lack of goals as Wilson was unable to replace Ched Evans following his incarceration at the tail end of the previous year, although they remained difficult to beat with one of the division's meanest defences being led by caveman-like teenage monster Harry Maguire. Draws were also an issue, particularly at Bramall Lane, where United consistently found themselves unable to take maximum points from limited but stubborn opposition.
The Boss
The man who has been tasked with following on from Wilson is a man who Blades fans hold dear to their hearts in former Scotland international centre back David Weir, who has picked up a few years of coaching experience working under David Moyes at his former club Everton. Weir has impressed the United faithful with some stern-talking and crowd-pleasing rhetoric, but pre-season results have been patchy despite an unbeaten sequence, with sides from lower divisions and non-league providing more issues for the Blades than Weir would've hoped.
Summer Dealings
In keeping with their new status as part of the League One furniture, none of United's signings have really caught the eye, although Weir has done well to bring in some underappreciated quality on what must be a budget that is continuing to shrink as United find themselves trapped at this level. England Under 20 captain Conor Coady has arrived on loan from Liverpool, strengthening the midfield alongside Scotsman Stephen McGinn who impressed massively on loan at Shrewsbury Town last season from Watford.
Happy with his defence, Weir has turned much of his attention to matters further up the pitch, adding striker Lyle Taylor from Falkirk for a six-figure fee and ex-Notts dwarf Febian Brandy from Walsall. Less impressive than his midfield acquisitions, Taylor may have found his goalscoring touch in the Scottish Division One, but was eye-catchingly useless on his previous outings in this division with Bournemouth, whilst Brandy is yet to prove that his impressive form for the Saddlers was anything more than a one-off in a career that has been defined by a nomadic like existence and inability to settle at one club.
The biggest additions to Weir's squad may well come from within the club itself, where more members of United's impressive youth set-up are looking to establish themselves in the side following the emergence of goalkeeper George Long and centre back Harry Maguire. Winger Callum McFadzean bagged himself a goal in the play-offs and impressed when drafted into the squad by Chris Morgan, whilst forward Joe Ironside and midfielder Elliott Whitehouse will also be looking for more minutes on the pitch this season.
The Verdict
For me, Weir seems to have built a squad at Bramall Lane that is lacking in balance and logic - with an array of central midfielders that will be the envy of much of the rest of the division but a lack of both quality and sheer striking instinct in attack. Trying to squeeze Coady, McGinn, talismatic playmaking presence Kevin McDonald and newly appointed captain Michael Doyle into the same central midfield seems like a difficult ask and one that would point Weir towards a 4-5-1 formation, but there simply aren't good enough options for the Scotsman to go with a lone forward. Taylor barely has the all-round game to be considered a footballer, let alone a lone frontman, whilst none of Shaun Miller, Jamie Murphy and Chris Porter have truly established themselves as consistent performers at the club. Out wide, they have options in Brandy, McFadzean and Ryan Flynn but nowhere near the depth or quality that they have in defence or in the centre of midfield. Worryingly for the Blades, it's difficult to see past them once again being difficult to beat but equally difficult to lose to.
Team News
Weir has injury worries with both full backs Marcus Williams and Tony McMahon unlikely to be available for the visit of Notts, meaning that youngsters Darryl Westlake and Terry Kennedy may have to be called upon or one of the club's many centre backs may have to be shifted out of position. Weir is also struggling to decide on his favoured midfield, with McGinn, Coady, Doyle and McDonald likely to be battling for two positions if Weir chooses to stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation he has favoured thus far in pre-season. Upfront, Lyle Taylor is likely to spearhead the Blades' attack, with Chris Porter and Joe Ironside in reserve and Jamie Murphy and Febian Brandy occupying the wide positions
http://www.nottscounty-mad.co.uk/feat/ed62/shine_a_light__sheffield_united_801294/index.shtml
I have to say he seems remarkably well-informed about us.
Personally, I'd struggle to name one Notts County player let alone the whole squad.
I think his verdict on our chances is interesting, albeit (hopefully) a little on the pessimistic side.
