Scary that Tom Cannon....

[Sportbilly /Detroit Blade]

He's not that good...

I agree. I always preferred Bobby Ball.

 

[PotterLog]

He's Scott Hogan. No real outstanding athletic traits, not much involvement in open play, not a fan of chasing down defenders. Makes decent runs off the ball, strikes it well with both feet.

For a player with lots and lots of Championship experience, who's played all season prior to signing in the exact role he is being played in now to cost a genuinely huge Championship fee and not be able to make an impact on games is a very worrying sign.

£10m in the January of a promotion race making zero impact on the games is a disaster if we fail to get promoted.

Classic luxury player. He will knock a few in if your entire setup is geared towards creating opportunities for him and you expect no other elements to his game.

Decent touch and can have an eye for goal but very few teams can afford to carry a forward with such a limited toolset nowadays.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Not to mention he's on a decent length contract. So the £7-10m (broadly generalised as £10m, even though that probably includes add-ons) is spread over the contract. From an accounting sense at least. £1.5m per year for a natural finisher isn't that pricey.

Haven't we all had this conversation a hundred times already?

It'll be mcabeonomics if he's shit we barely paid owt fot him, if he's good we got a bargain

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

He’s good, but he’s not good enough.

Time to drop the “he’s one of our own” “if we get promoted he’s earned his chance at PL” etc. he’s not of the modern age of football, he’s not tactically aware, he can only manage players trying to make it or revive their careers. He’s not a manager that could inspire proven talent or hold on to real developing gems.

IF we get promoted owners need to strip club bare, honour our history but put it in the empty trophy cabinet and give us a new modern identity and that starts with a new management team fit for purpose in the PL.

Miss the opportunity like we did yesterday and we’ll be trawling lower leagues and watching Wilder full of Peroni singing BBC songs for years to come.

I think yesterday was one of the most important losses in our history. Our destiny was in our own hands for once to win the championship for the first time in our history, get promoted to the PL and utilise the power and ambition of new owners and Wilders tactics and motivation came up so short it was infuriating. He blew it to Oxford United who hadn’t won in 11.

More of the same or a new dawn? Make your choice owners.

I agree with 90% of what you say (not sure about the importance of Satdy's loss...)

But the rest is spot on. If you look at the infrastructure at the modern mid/low PL clubs and what is making them successful it's having a 'programme' where players/managers are just cogs in a machine. Liverpool want your star midfielder for £50m - no worries. Your manager goes a bit stale - no worries, let's get some fresh energy and technical ideas.

We seem to be stuck in some 1980's throwback culture where it's all down to one man. You can't argue it works at this level, but the PL is a different field, game, stratosphere and if we think r'Chris and plucky old Utd are going to make a dent on the PL - then we're setting ourselves up to fail.

We need a Technical Director and associated infrastructure as a bare minimum regardless of whether we go up or not.

 

[finlaytheblade]

I agree with 90% of what you say (not sure about the importance of Satdy's loss...)

But the rest is spot on. If you look at the infrastructure at the modern mid/low PL clubs and what is making them successful it's having a 'programme' where players/managers are just cogs in a machine. Liverpool want your star midfielder for £50m - no worries. Your manager goes a bit stale - no worries, let's get some fresh energy and technical ideas.

We seem to be stuck in some 1980's throwback culture where it's all down to one man. You can't argue it works at this level, but the PL is a different field, game, stratosphere and if we think r'Chris and plucky old Utd are going to make a dent on the PL - then we're setting ourselves up to fail.

We need a Technical Director and associated infrastructure as a bare minimum regardless of whether we go up or not.

These American owners wouldnt have come in with no knowledge of what makes success at top level! No 1 is money with plenty of nous around that as £100 million can disappear quickly as the Prince found out.
The directors seem to have been hand picked to bring something to the club not just money.
They all seem to be big hitters in there field! Time will tell ( or success)so we sit back and hopefully enjoy the ride,the investors will be well aware of us being the nearly men.

 

[Midland Blade]

Didn't it come out at the time that the Cannon signing was one pushed by the owners rather than one Wilder was demanding we spent 10m on? Wilder has a habit of wasting big transfer fees but sure I remember that this one was the owners target to make a statement.

That being said, really have no idea what Cannon offers. People say he doesn't fit the system but I have no idea what system he would fit. Doesn't get involved in play, doesn't seem to make good runs, doesn't win headers, doesn't seem to get in poachers positions and not even sure I have seen that he is a clean striker of the ball that was said of him. Hope I am wrong on all of the above but not sure what has made people see him as a 10+m striker.

 

[Keen Blade]

Scary that we signed him for 10mil yet our CBs can’t head a ball between them.

Exactly
No agenda v Cannon himself except that the manager chose an unproven £expensive striker
YET AGAIN
instead of the desperately needed quality CB
Remember JoC / Brewster ?
Completely the wrong priority was chosen.

 

[Blade56]

I agree with 90% of what you say (not sure about the importance of Satdy's loss...)

But the rest is spot on. If you look at the infrastructure at the modern mid/low PL clubs and what is making them successful it's having a 'programme' where players/managers are just cogs in a machine. Liverpool want your star midfielder for £50m - no worries. Your manager goes a bit stale - no worries, let's get some fresh energy and technical ideas.

We seem to be stuck in some 1980's throwback culture where it's all down to one man. You can't argue it works at this level, but the PL is a different field, game, stratosphere and if we think r'Chris and plucky old Utd are going to make a dent on the PL - then we're setting ourselves up to fail.

We need a Technical Director and associated infrastructure as a bare minimum regardless of whether we go up or not.

If we had won on Satdi versus us losing…….

UTD	86		BURN	84
BURN	84	Vs	UTD	83
LEEDS	82		LEEDS	82

We would have been 4 pts clear of 3rd, massive increase in chance of automatic even if we lost at Burnley.

Reason I think it was one of the most important games is if we are promoted we now have dynamic owners with the financial clout of big money men not just personal wealth (yet to be confirmed) and that would put that new machine into action.

Now, if we lose to Burnley and end up 3rd we are locked in the championship for another season and the relegated teams seem to be getting stronger, more savvy and wealthier than previous seasons. The new machine is put on hold and we have to go with Wilder again trawling lower leagues for fear of FFP etc like any other club.

We’ve never won 2nd tier, Saturday was imo a huge step to achieving it and all our new resources kicking in. Now my United gut is telling me it’s play offs based on satdi non performance.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

These American owners wouldnt have come in with no knowledge of what makes success at top level! No 1 is money with plenty of nous around that as £100 million can disappear quickly as the Prince found out.
The directors seem to have been hand picked to bring something to the club not just money.
They all seem to be big hitters in there field! Time will tell ( or success)so we sit back and hopefully enjoy the ride,the investors will be well aware of us being the nearly men.

Exactly that. You look at the consortiums at Birmingham (Tom Brady) and Burnley (JJ Watt) and the lineage to US sport is clear to see.

I only see it as a positive if our new owners model the club on US sporting clubs. Clearly the conditioning and sport science has been shocking for the last two seasons here. Anything that gets us fitter and faster gets my vote!

Back on topic, and it would mean us taking more punts on players like Cannon and they'll be based on data, analytics and thorough scouting, not Tufty seeing a shiny striker and falling in love.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

Exactly
No agenda v Cannon himself except that the manager chose an unproven £expensive striker
YET AGAIN
instead of the desperately needed quality CB
Remember JoC / Brewster ?
Completely the wrong priority was chosen.

Tin hat time, is Cannon a Tufty signing?

 

[utd4ever]

Facts have no place, where internet opinions are concerned.

Anyone remember the beginning of the season when we were crying out for a striker, Moore was booked in for surgery, Campbell's availability was patchy, Brewster's strike rate was low.

So CW bought one.

The bonus being that some can blame both Wilder and Cannon, it's like a Brucie bonus for the perpetual knockers of the club.

#needmorescapegoats.

I admire the fact you don’t care how Utd do.

I presume if we don’t go up this season you will be super fine with it.

I’ve no problem with that but strange you have a problem with fellow Blades unhappy with strange shitty displays of football, terrible waste of money by Wilder on Cannon and dodgy results.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

If we had won on Satdi versus us losing…….

UTD	86		BURN	84
BURN	84	Vs	UTD	83
LEEDS	82		LEEDS	82

We would have been 4 pts clear of 3rd, massive increase in chance of automatic even if we lost at Burnley.

Reason I think it was one of the most important games is if we are promoted we now have dynamic owners with the financial clout of big money men not just personal wealth (yet to be confirmed) and that would put that new machine into action.

Now, if we lose to Burnley and end up 3rd we are locked in the championship for another season and the relegated teams seem to be getting stronger, more savvy and wealthier than previous seasons. The new machine is put on hold and we have to go with Wilder again trawling lower leagues for fear of FFP etc like any other club.

We’ve never won 2nd tier, Saturday was imo a huge step to achieving it and all our new resources kicking in. Now my United gut is telling me it’s play offs based on satdi non performance.

I take your point, but at the risk of being an apologist, it was just three points. Win on Tuesday and Leeds draw and the narrative changes again. It was more the team selection and inability to pivot to a Plan B, Plan C, Plan D that worried me. As I've said elsewhere, these shit Championship teams are hoof merchants so play that game and you're playing into their hands. If we're dominating possession surely you want Rak Saki, Hamer, COH on the pitch, not Moore, BBD - but that's wildly off topic...

In terms of relegated teams, I'm not convinced of that either. Look at Luton. You can see a 'bigger' club taking a punt on McKenna and you wouldn't be surprised to see Ipswich bomb and struggle, and Southampton have been historically bad...

 

[Carlton Blade]

Tin hat time, is Cannon a Tufty signing?

Wilder tried very hard to sign him in the summer. He was the loan that was cancelled by the previous owner due to lack of funds

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Really helpful thread, this.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

He will be loaned out if we gain promotion.....my opinion of him is.....limp powder puff type of player.

 

[Yoonited]

But you said if we’re promoted the owners need to make a decision?

I can’t think of any team in history that have sacked their manager in the summer after being promoted from the championship.

That would be ridiculous, especially after the stuff he’s had to deal with this season. A lot of pundits had us down for a similar season to what Luton are experiencing.

As for playing style that everyone keeps banging on about I can’t think of a Sheffield United team other than Wilders 2018-20 team had a real identity while being successful. We’ve always been a hardworking & hard to beat team like your Warnock & Bassett style - Howard Kendall had a playing style but we didn’t win anything with it.

There’s only been 4 managers in most of our blades history that has achieved any sort of success Bassett, Warnock, Hecky & Wilder - all British based signing mainly domestically (other than Hecky under united world).

Unless the club completely changes which it hasn’t done for most of our lifetimes we’re a better team & club with this type of manager.

I can't imagine the new owners ambitions centre around what's happened in the past.
We need progression,not regression,embracing modern ideas aiming for better than that which has got us only so far.
Next level thinking.
The Dinosaurs are extinct.Change is healthy.

 

[mancunianblade]

Maybe Brewster's upturn in form is due to everyone now focussing on Cannon and calling him a useless cunt now thus allowing him to just crack on

 

[FriethBlade]

Maybe Brewster's upturn in form is due to everyone now focussing on Cannon and calling him a useless cunt now thus allowing him to just crack on

Except Brewster was awful on Saturday, a complete passenger, apart from his defensive headers from their long throws. I'm hoping Ohare is back in for Millwall and save Rhian to come off the bench if needed

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

I can't imagine the new owners ambitions centre around what's happened in the past.
We need progression,not regression,embracing modern ideas aiming for better than that which has got us only so far.
Next level thinking.
The Dinosaurs are extinct.Change is healthy.

Change right now isn’t. It’s Wilder’s squad who you can see have a great spirit between them & winning regularly too.

If you’re going to sort a managerial change then there’s a lot that needs to change before the new guy can be successful. You saw that with the appointment of Slav.

It’s not as simple as bringing in the next Guardiola if you’re not ready for it behind the scenes in terms of recruitment & network. There’s nothing about the club currently that tells me we’re ready for that.

 

[Tom Bott]

I admire the fact you don’t care how Utd do.

I presume if we don’t go up this season you will be super fine with it.

 

[Guesty]

We’ve never won 2nd tier, Saturday was imo a huge step to achieving it and all our new resources kicking in. Now my United gut is telling me it’s play offs based on satdi non performance.

We've never won the Championship but we have won the second tier. Once. In fact we've won every league once.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Sharp and Didzy cost 500k
Cannon and Brewster cost 30 million

 

[Gin&Juice]

More chance of Elephants in the Don than Cannon scoring.

 

[flashinblade1889]

I agree. I always preferred Bobby Ball.

“You little liar”

 

[Winn Gardens Blade]

Can't see Cannon doing anything to help our promotion push. He doesn't look interested in being a footballer never mind a good one.Worst signing since appointing Adkins as manager

 

[Tom Bott]

The Dinosaurs are extinct.Change is healthy.

Farke out then.

Juric has gone after 107 days.

Get a proper forrin manager in.

 

[Yoonited]

Farke out then.

Juric has gone after 107 days.

Get a proper forrin manager in.

And your point is

 

[Yoonited]

Change right now isn’t. It’s Wilder’s squad who you can see have a great spirit between them & winning regularly too.

If you’re going to sort a managerial change then there’s a lot that needs to change before the new guy can be successful. You saw that with the appointment of Slav.

It’s not as simple as bringing in the next Guardiola if you’re not ready for it behind the scenes in terms of recruitment & network. There’s nothing about the club currently that tells me we’re ready for that.

I agree.I haven't said anywhere we should change now.
Next season should we go up will reveal what's necessary.

 

[Varkanoid]

Maybe Cannon can only score in the PL ?
I dont know what it is, his body language maybe but he just doesnt look comfortable on or off the ball. Maybe its the teams style doesnt suit him not sure. Like we are still waiting for him to gel. Tyrese was a bit the same at the beginning although mostly due to lack of fitness but he quickly settled in. I also read it wasnt Wilders choice in January more the owners wanting to make a statement purchase.

 

[Sheffsteel]

I presume you said the same thing at the time? That's the thing about a lot of fans these days, 99% say at the time it's a reyt signing, then suddenly when it goes tits up say I told you so

The modern world

Should do a search to see which fans were crying that we were going to lose out to Burnley or Sunderland for his signature.

It reminded me of the Brewster signing . Some even said we lack ambition and of Cannon joined our rivals then we deserved to fail.

At the time Campbell was always injured, Moore has also injury prone. Brewster was never going to score, so we were totally reliant on Academy striker Ryan One.

What people probably don’t realise is that the reason why Campbell is in the form of his life is die to the Cannon signing.

Agree he’s looked underwhelming so far but we’ve hardly seen him play. Also it wasn’t totally a Wilder signing, didn’t he say it was data driven and he was bought by the club as a calculated investment.