Best ever January transfer window?!

[metalblade]

Not been a bad un has it? Made up for being a bit short in numbers in the summer and kept hold of our best players, can't ask for much more than that.

 

[YES Blade]

Not sure.

The most important signing we left too late and Holding feels like a panic. If you told me at the beginning of the window that's who we'd end up with I'd have been really disappointed.

Too late? We’re in 2nd with 16 matches left, it’s hardly as if the new signings don’t have time to make an impact

 

[ATL Recs]

Too late? We’re in 2nd with 16 matches left, it’s hardly as if the new signings don’t have time to make an impact

Holdings not played mens proper football for 18 months he’s also trained only with the under 21s during this time - so should be ready by Easter - underwhelming- yes

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Year of the Snek

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Up dem multicultural Bleds

 

[Lightsoot]

Our primary objective was to sign a permanent centre half to replace the best centre half we had (Souttar). Instead, we end up bringing in a busted flush woefully short of game time at the eleventh hour in Holding. I do think Harry Clarke is a shrewd signing though as right back is a problem area, both in terms of fitness and quality (Femi, Gilchrist).

It’s great to get BBD back, but nothing in Cannon’s data or opening two performances suggest he’s going to cut it (assist at Derby aside). A relentless, expensive pursuit

Choudhury is a stop gap clogger with poor reviews from his previous clubs, but is possibly a necessary evil with Arblaster out, Peck knackered and Vinni not guaranteed to stay fit.

And two overseas signings literally could be anything.

Bodies in doesn’t necessarily equate to transfer objectives being met. But beyond that, I don’t understand what our transfer strategy is in relation to our playing identity, whatever that is either.

We’re currently a muddled mess, irrespective of what the league table says.

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Our primary objective was to sign a permanent centre half to replace the best centre half we had (Souttar). Instead, we end up bringing in a busted flush woefully short of game time at the eleventh hour in Holding. I do think Harry Clarke is a shrewd signing though as right back is a problem area, both in terms of fitness and quality (Femi, Gilchrist).

It’s great to get BBD back, but nothing in Cannon’s data or opening two performances suggest he’s going to cut it (assist at Derby aside). A relentless, expensive pursuit

Choudhury is a stop gap clogger with poor reviews from his previous clubs, but is possibly a necessary evil with Arblaster out, Peck knackered and Vinni not guaranteed to stay fit.

And two overseas signings literally could be anything.

Bodies in doesn’t necessarily equate to transfer objectives being met. But beyond that, I don’t understand what our transfer strategy is in relation to our playing identity, whatever that is either.

We’re currently a muddled mess, irrespective of what the league table says.

I'm glad I'm not you.

 

[FleaPitBlade]

I'm fully on board with what we've done as a strategy. Fill the first 11 and bench with (fairly) safe bets, and compliment it with a few low risk, no pressure punts from the lesser global leagues.

Plus, we've put a square peg in every square hole we had in the squad and invested money in players WAY above anything Abdullah could/would have sanctioned.

So,
Strategy: Improved.
Funding: Improved
Success: I'll let you know in May.

 

[robbiez666]

We won't really know to the end on the season. Choudhury, BBD and Cannon look good signings, on paper, but it's the defence where my concern would be. Both in the signing of Holding and now having 2 loaned RBs and then 6 loan players.

 

[GrunkyPeep]

We won't really know to the end on the season. Choudhury, BBD and Cannon look good signings, on paper, but it's the defence where my concern would be. Both in the signing of Holding and now having 2 loaned RBs and then 6 loan players.

I think naturally the defence will improve if we can keep Choudhury fit. Our CM has been patchwork since Blaster was injured and having someone do the dirty work in front of them will likely start to see an improvement.

 

[Wright1889]

Our primary objective was to sign a permanent centre half to replace the best centre half we had (Souttar). Instead, we end up bringing in a busted flush woefully short of game time at the eleventh hour in Holding. I do think Harry Clarke is a shrewd signing though as right back is a problem area, both in terms of fitness and quality (Femi, Gilchrist).

It’s great to get BBD back, but nothing in Cannon’s data or opening two performances suggest he’s going to cut it (assist at Derby aside). A relentless, expensive pursuit

Choudhury is a stop gap clogger with poor reviews from his previous clubs, but is possibly a necessary evil with Arblaster out, Peck knackered and Vinni not guaranteed to stay fit.

And two overseas signings literally could be anything.

Bodies in doesn’t necessarily equate to transfer objectives being met. But beyond that, I don’t understand what our transfer strategy is in relation to our playing identity, whatever that is either.

We’re currently a muddled mess, irrespective of what the league table says.

Who pissed on your cornflakes this morning?

 

[Lightsoot]

Who pissed on your cornflakes this morning?

The bloke who doused yours in champagne.

 

[ancientblade]

Our primary objective was to sign a permanent centre half to replace the best centre half we had (Souttar). Instead, we end up bringing in a busted flush woefully short of game time at the eleventh hour in Holding. I do think Harry Clarke is a shrewd signing though as right back is a problem area, both in terms of fitness and quality (Femi, Gilchrist).

It’s great to get BBD back, but nothing in Cannon’s data or opening two performances suggest he’s going to cut it (assist at Derby aside). A relentless, expensive pursuit

Choudhury is a stop gap clogger with poor reviews from his previous clubs, but is possibly a necessary evil with Arblaster out, Peck knackered and Vinni not guaranteed to stay fit.

And two overseas signings literally could be anything.

Bodies in doesn’t necessarily equate to transfer objectives being met. But beyond that, I don’t understand what our transfer strategy is in relation to our playing identity, whatever that is either.

We’re currently a muddled mess, irrespective of what the league table says.

thats the spirit wonderful positive post

 

[Lightsoot]

I'm glad I'm not you.

And vice versa, you can’t spell chip.

 

[Wright1889]

The bloke who doused yours in champagne.

I don’t eat cornflakes?

 

[Lightsoot]

thats the spirit wonderful positive post

Why does it need to be ‘positive’? Why can’t it just be objective and balanced?

 

[Lightsoot]

I don’t eat cornflakes?

Neither do I.

 

[s20Blade]

Was thinking the same.
Keeping Hamer is priceless and likes of Cooper and a few others. Great window in that regard.

Anyone know to what extent our top 4 rivals have strengthened?

Burnley and Leeds both got 1 in each yesterday don't think Sunderland have done much. None bolsted the squad to the level we have.

 

[BLADES1988]

Burnley and Leeds both got 1 in each yesterday don't think Sunderland have done much. None bolsted the squad to the level we have.

We absolutely needed too, more than any of our current top two rivals.

 

[OnmiEdson]

The bloke who doused yours in champagne.

Good comeback, I like it..
However both are problematic, most would probably say that champagne poured over your cornflakes
Is preferable to piss, however neither will be that popular
Urine can be helpful in gardening and champagne (although not favoured by me) can be good in the right context, it’s how they’re utilised

We can analyse each of the new additions on paper, and some will seem more exciting than others at first glance ,but what matters is how they affect the whole jigsaw of Sheffield United

As your man Benjamin bloom said on Hal’s feature - Leeds appear to be the favourite to go up for him because as a team, they seem the most cohesive and the most balanced

I think we can all agree that we have been pretty imbalanced at times this season, especially recently with injuries and therefore player selection problems and for my money this transfer window has been about addressing that imbalance
And let’s not forget, not everybody we want is available at the price we want to pay, or terms we are happy with,especially in January.

UTB

 

[KOPPO]

a very good positive transfer window by the gaffer and new owners the suprise was them 2 wingers jefferson and christian coming in on permanent blades deals which is a huge bonus has i like wingers more the merrier but me im one for buying players and not to many loans has people fall in love with loan players then they go back and my question is we have 6 players on loan in and only 5 can play in a matchday squad does this mean we are buying one of the loan players or someone wont get a game and miss out which seems stupid why there here why didnt thy just buy rob holding on a short deal to see how he works out im confused can someone enlite me arrr

 

[YES Blade]

Holdings not played mens proper football for 18 months he’s also trained only with the under 21s during this time - so should be ready by Easter - underwhelming- yes

He’s also played his entire career at Premier League level so stepping down into the Championship will make it a lot easier to get back up to speed.

If he’d been injured for 18 months I’d be very worried, but as he hasn’t, I have far less concerns.

 

[Stretch]

Was thinking the same.
Keeping Hamer is priceless and likes of Cooper and a few others. Great window in that regard.

Anyone know to what extent our top 4 rivals have strengthened?

Burnley
Marcus Edwards is a very good signing, but I am not sure he will be the cheat code that some are claiming. Parker also seems to be collecting AMs for fun, but still has very few who can put the ball in the net.
On the striker front, they re-signed Ashley Barnes, who should fit back in easily enough but is well past his best and a young kid from Ajax who doesn't score much.

Sunderland
Enzo Le Fee (winger/AM) looks to be the standout signing for them. It took him a few games to get going but is starting to look the business now. 2 assists last night and the 2nd was one of those moments of class that we would only see from Hamer, when he is in the mood.

They also made Isidor's contract permanent and signed Jayden Danns on loan from Liverpool, who is widely tipped for a bright future. Both strikers.

Leeds
Did nothing as far as I can tell, which has gone down like a shower of hot piss with some of their fans. They really wanted an upgrade on Meslier in goal, who is a bombscare at times, and a new striker. But seriously, with that squad they shouldn't be complaining at all.


As for us, I think we have fared pretty well, and it's hard to separate us, Burnley and Sunderland in terms of how good the window has been. We have definitely strengthened more areas, but they might claim to have focused more on quality.

 

[skyjam]

a very good positive transfer window by the gaffer and new owners the suprise was them 2 wingers jefferson and christian coming in on permanent blades deals which is a huge bonus has i like wingers more the merrier but me im one for buying players and not to many loans has people fall in love with loan players then they go back and my question is we have 6 players on loan in and only 5 can play in a matchday squad does this mean we are buying one of the loan players or someone wont get a game and miss out which seems stupid why there here why didnt thy just buy rob holding on a short deal to see how he works out im confused can someone enlite me arrr

take your tablets

 

[SittingontheBall]

Bodies in doesn’t necessarily equate to transfer objectives being met. But beyond that, I don’t understand what our transfer strategy is in relation to our playing identity, whatever that is either.

We’re currently a muddled mess, irrespective of what the league table says.

If you don’t know what playing identity is then it’s obvious you won’t understand the transfer strategy and think we’re a muddled mess.

 

[Lightsoot]

If you don’t know what playing identity is then it’s obvious you won’t understand the transfer strategy and think we’re a muddled mess.

Aye, thanks you condescending twat. The strategy was to sign a first team, fit and competent centre half, no? Happy with Holding then?

And before you spout Jimmy Dunne at me, he’s been excelling at right back BUT NOT at centre back. So why the fuck was Wilder chasing him?

It’s more muddled than you.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Our primary objective was to sign a permanent centre half to replace the best centre half we had (Souttar). Instead, we end up bringing in a busted flush woefully short of game time at the eleventh hour in Holding. I do think Harry Clarke is a shrewd signing though as right back is a problem area, both in terms of fitness and quality (Femi, Gilchrist).

It’s great to get BBD back, but nothing in Cannon’s data or opening two performances suggest he’s going to cut it (assist at Derby aside). A relentless, expensive pursuit

Choudhury is a stop gap clogger with poor reviews from his previous clubs, but is possibly a necessary evil with Arblaster out, Peck knackered and Vinni not guaranteed to stay fit.

And two overseas signings literally could be anything.

Bodies in doesn’t necessarily equate to transfer objectives being met. But beyond that, I don’t understand what our transfer strategy is in relation to our playing identity, whatever that is either.

We’re currently a muddled mess, irrespective of what the league table says.

I don't agree with everything you've said, but a lot of it I do...
I think Clarke, Choudhury and BBD are all really good January signings.

The two that standout are Cannon and Holding.

Cannon
It sounds like Sunderland never put money on the table. Their offer was always on an "obligation based on promotion" basis.
It begs the question, did we need to allocate that much resource on signing Cannon in January?
The knock-on effect of that decision was that it left us short for securing our No.1 priority, a Souttar replacement.

Holding
We know that Wilder wanted a permanent CB, he said he didn't want to have to leave loanee out out of his matchday squad as it would upset the dynamic.
From reports, it seemed we wanted Jimmy Dunne, Harry Darling or Japhet Tanganga.
Ultimately, we couldn't (or wouldn't) stump up the cash and, at the 11th hour, ended up with Rob Holding who hasn't played a professional game of football in 18 months... the opposite of what you need in January.

That doesn't feel like a joined up approach.

If we were sat here with Tanganga for big money and Adam Armstrong (went to WBA) / Tom Cannon / another CF on loan, then I'd be saying what a great window we had.
I just wonder whether we got the key signings wrong.

 

[Jimmy Fleck]

Our primary objective was to sign a permanent centre half to replace the best centre half we had (Souttar). Instead, we end up bringing in a busted flush woefully short of game time at the eleventh hour in Holding. I do think Harry Clarke is a shrewd signing though as right back is a problem area, both in terms of fitness and quality (Femi, Gilchrist).

It’s great to get BBD back, but nothing in Cannon’s data or opening two performances suggest he’s going to cut it (assist at Derby aside). A relentless, expensive pursuit

Choudhury is a stop gap clogger with poor reviews from his previous clubs, but is possibly a necessary evil with Arblaster out, Peck knackered and Vinni not guaranteed to stay fit.

And two overseas signings literally could be anything.

Bodies in doesn’t necessarily equate to transfer objectives being met. But beyond that, I don’t understand what our transfer strategy is in relation to our playing identity, whatever that is either.

We’re currently a muddled mess, irrespective of what the league table says.

A mess that the majority of the championship would love to be in…

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Who pissed on your cornflakes this morning?

Did it himself, so he could complain about it.

 

[Balham]

Why does it need to be ‘positive’? Why can’t it just be objective and balanced?

Do you think your post is "objective and balanced"?

Our main weaknesses were at CB, DM and in the front three.

CB: we chased players unproven at the highest level but with potential in Dunne and Tanganga. However, we were priced out of both; QPR will get nothing for Dunne when he leaves in the summer while I would imagine we'll have no issue meeting the £8m asking price for Tanganga when we're promoted. Rob Holding has 97 Premier League appearances which is more than any of our other defenders (JLT is closest with 54). He's fine as a stop-gap and is definitely an upgrade on Robinson which is what we realistically needed.

DM: Choudhury is a great signing as a backup/foil for Souza. Our defensive form has dipped which many believe coincides with Souttar's injury but in reality an equal loss has been Vini Souza. Wilder has history of seeing out promotion seasons by first and foremost making us hard to beat and it looks like that's the plan this time around too.

Front three: I can't see any argument that signing Brereton Díaz doesn't strengthen us hugely. He gives us a genuine goal threat from the wing as well as increasing the pace of our transitions. Cannon is the only one I'm not convinced by; not because he's not a decent player but because I can't shake the feeling that we've completely overpaid for someone who doesn't have any outstanding attributes. I don't know how many, if any, appearances our two leftfield signings (Cáceres & Nwachukwu) will make but their signings are encouraging as it's a sign that we'll look beyond the UK borders for incomings.

RB: less of a priority but Clarke solves a problem: Gilchrist is a solid defender but he has absolutely no attacking instinct whatsoever. He doesn't support his winger, he doesn't take on his man and his default pass is usually the safe option back to Ahmedhodzic from a standing position. Seriki is completely the opposite but he's too fragile at the moment.

Without us "spunking [even more] munneh" I don't know how this window could have gone better. Yes, ideally Hertha would have dropped their €2m asking price and accepted our €0.4m offer for Kenny and QPR would have accepted £1.2m for Dunne rather than £3m (both deals half dependent on promotion) but unfortunately that didn't happen. I would personally have preferred us to sign Will Lankshear on loan rather than Tom Cannon on a permanent but we've too many loanees as it is. I'm somewhat surprised that Palace didn't tear up Holding's contract to allow him to join us on a permanent.