Andre Brooks

[dc_blade]

Game changer.

 

[Booker4]

Lives just down the road from me and he's so doing really well. He's gonna be some player. Another we can be very proud of from the academy.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Game changer.

Agree…..

This season Brooks has had several in and out performances quite similar to Sereki.

During a match both players will do something really poor or have a really poor 20 minutes
But then during the same game they’ll both do something special or have a 15 minutes when they excel.

Can’t deny both Brooks and Sereki have a lot of potential…..and both a great options off the bench due to them being game changers.

 

[FriethBlade]

I don't think it is understandable. He would justify the fees with results on the pitch; if he meets his target and we go up, they won't care who cost what.

We can agree to disagree, but let's remember the original claim that was made: "there's no logical reason that he wouldn't play Brooks". I hope the lad goes on to do well, but if he ends up playing for Buxton, Harrogate or Halifax, (as is most likely with any young player) imagine how silly this will look.

Not looking so silly at the minute is it? I'm imagining that he might go on to play for clubs a hell of a lot better than Buxton

 

[AWetFlannel]

Not looking so silly at the minute is it? I'm imagining that he might go on to play for clubs a hell of a lot better than Buxton

I wasn't expecting it to look silly within the month, no, and obviously I want him to do well. It's just a fact that most youth players don't become pros.

JRS not in the squad, BBD still out ill, Brooks was given another opportunity off the bench and took it. Thought Brewster played very well though.

 

[loyalblade95]

Just watching extended highlights on YouTube, Giddings must have had a crystal ball or something.

In the build up to Brooks' goal (10 seconds or so), he's talking about Brooks' record if he scores in this game, then he scores.

 

[KiwiBlabe]

I wasn't expecting it to look silly within the month, no, and obviously I want him to do well. It's just a fact that most youth players don't become pros.

JRS not in the squad, BBD still out ill, Brooks was given another opportunity off the bench and took it. Thought Brewster played very well though.

I took a deep breath when I saw Brewster in the starting line up. i thought he did exceptionally well, he works his butt off

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

Lives just down the road from me and he's so doing really well. He's gonna be some player. Another we can be very proud of from the academy.

Flower estate boyo

 

[Booker4]

Flower estate boyo

Yep, to I go past his place all the time. I'm just up at Shiregreen. On my cul-de-sac everyone I speak to are Blades fans despite being more Wednesday fans allegedly on Shiregreen! There was a Wednesday fan on the street but he moved !

 

[Yewsman]

Brooks v Rak Saki? Both seem to blo a bit hot and cold but both have shown excellent things and both look like they will have very good and potentially great careers. I much prefer Brooks’ attitude and work rate. But the big difference is that Brooks is a Blade and hes’s our player. Another gem from the academy. Love him to bits.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Brooks v Rak Saki? Both seem to blo a bit hot and cold but both have shown excellent things and both look like they will have very good and potentially great careers. I much prefer Brooks’ attitude and work rate. But the big difference is that Brooks is a Blade and hes’s our player. Another gem from the academy. Love him to bits.

Generally, I think Rak-Sakyi's final product is better and I like that he can go left or right.
To defend against, he'd be the trickier player.
However, Brooks has closed the gap significantly with recent goals and involvements and I also think he combines better with other players.

It's a bit of a misnomer that JRS is lazy defensively.
He's amongst the league's best wingers on defensive stats.
He has a laid back, less emotional demeanour that doesn't help the impression.

It's a tight one, but on the basis Brooks is our player and is in form I'd be more inclined towards picking him right now.
I used the same argument for Seriki over Gilchrist, so it'd be hypocritical to not stick to the same principles.

Brooks & Seriki off the bench is a brilliant prospect for the final 30 mins (hopefully at Wembley).

 

[FriethBlade]

I wasn't expecting it to look silly within the month, no, and obviously I want him to do well. It's just a fact that most youth players don't become pros.

JRS not in the squad, BBD still out ill, Brooks was given another opportunity off the bench and took it. Thought Brewster played very well though.

Agreed re Brewster it was his best game yet for us, some great through balls. It will be interesting to see who CW starts with on Monday as we have a lot of players pushing for a start. I assume Peck won't be risked if another yellow means he misses the final (don't know the rules) but Davies looked good when he came on so he's an obvious replacement

One thing i do hope is that we stick with the 2 up front formation as for me we look a better side playing that way and the combination of Mpore and Campbell gives the opposition a lot of problems

 

[Blade45]

Brooksy had quite a weird season this past year. I thought he played quite well, all things considered, although Wilder never seemed a big fan. I thought he always played quite well, when he did play. I know he was injured for a little bit during the early stages of the season, but I recall there being a narrative that he was a lazy bastard in training, although posters in this very thread have discredited that. I've never seen him train, of course, but he seems a down-to-earth, affable chap, so I did have to raise my eyebrows at people saying he was lazy and didn't train hard enough.

I think he's a very good dribbler and has shown an ability to strike a ball and pick a pass, although his end product certainly needs to be polished. He isn't afraid to take his man on, and frankly, in the games he played last season, he looked better than JRS. I thought Rak Sakyi looked good in stretches, but, like many wingers, was inconsistent. Certainly towards the latter stages of the season, I don't know why Rak Sakyi was starting ahead of AB.

Also of note is that Brooks seems to be a natural left midfielder/left winger, and he was almost exclusively used on the right this season, with Wilder opting to play Gus out of position on the left instead. I personally found this quite perplexing, and I'd like Selles to give him a chance on the left.

It does feel like this upcoming season is when he really needs to kick on if he is going to be someone. I believe in him, he's got the talent.

UTB

 

[chesblade]

Someone on pigs forum saying he could be leaving apparently the person who put it is a mate of the 'sheffield united way ' podcaster and this is where it's come from

 

[Sheffsteel]

Brooksy had quite a weird season this past year. I thought he played quite well, all things considered, although Wilder never seemed a big fan. I thought he always played quite well, when he did play. I know he was injured for a little bit during the early stages of the season, but I recall there being a narrative that he was a lazy bastard in training, although posters in this very thread have discredited that. I've never seen him train, of course, but he seems a down-to-earth, affable chap, so I did have to raise my eyebrows at people saying he was lazy and didn't train hard enough.

I think he's a very good dribbler and has shown an ability to strike a ball and pick a pass, although his end product certainly needs to be polished. He isn't afraid to take his man on, and frankly, in the games he played last season, he looked better than JRS. I thought Rak Sakyi looked good in stretches, but, like many wingers, was inconsistent. Certainly towards the latter stages of the season, I don't know why Rak Sakyi was starting ahead of AB.

Also of note is that Brooks seems to be a natural left midfielder/left winger, and he was almost exclusively used on the right this season, with Wilder opting to play Gus out of position on the left instead. I personally found this quite perplexing, and I'd like Selles to give him a chance on the left.

It does feel like this upcoming season is when he really needs to kick on if he is going to be someone. I believe in him, he's got the talent.

UTB

Agree…. Big season for Brooks.

Always thought Wilder wasn’t his biggest fan or it might have been good management, a case of treating him mean to keep him keen.

He’ll be 22 next month, sooner or later we have to stop calling him a young up and coming prospect. Many times last season he was similar to Rak Sakyi. Had quite underwhelming games but regularly showed flashes of top quality.

You can see there’s definitely a player in there and it will be interesting to see if and how he progresses under the new manager.

Think he’s at the cross roads and it’s difficult to know whether he’ll become a lower end PL/ top end championship player or a player who has a career at somewhere like Rotherham or Donny in the lower divisions.

It will also be interesting to see where Rak Sakyi career goes. Again plenty of underwhelming games for us but shows little sparks of PL quality.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

There were a few players who were asking their agents to look at getting them a move if Wilder had stayed, a couple of which played the majority of games. This happens so isn’t a huge deal but I wouldn’t be too sure that Brooks wasn’t one of the disgruntled ones and that his position has not changed and would want to see what the new mangers plans are for him.
From what I’ve heard about the new mangers style and approach he would seemingly slot into a number of potential positions. It’s then down to him to produce his best form more often.

 

[Aganarama]

As Flatulent_Bob says, the change hasn't come as a disappointment to some players...

 

[MayorOJC]

Get him on the left wing and he'll have a massive season

 

[Balham]

There were a few players who were asking their agents to look at getting them a move if Wilder had stayed, a couple of which played the majority of games. This happens so isn’t a huge deal but I wouldn’t be too sure that Brooks wasn’t one of the disgruntled ones and that his position has not changed and would want to see what the new mangers plans are for him.
From what I’ve heard about the new mangers style and approach he would seemingly slot into a number of potential positions. It’s then down to him to produce his best form more often.

I'm sure he had his reasons but from the outside, Wilder's treatment of Brooks was absolutely baffling.

 

[ben1987]

I'm sure he had his reasons but from the outside, Wilder's treatment of Brooks was absolutely baffling.

Wilder made some absolutely baffling decisions all season but I’m not sure this is one of them.

Wilder publicly said in a post match interview his minutes had been limited because he didn’t do enough in training to earn more and he had been inconsistent.

If he wasn’t putting the work in he can’t expect to start evey week.

 

[Balham]

Wilder made some absolutely baffling decisions all season but I’m not sure this is one of them.

Wilder publicly said in a post match interview his minutes had been limited because he didn’t do enough in training to earn more and he had been inconsistent.

If he wasn’t putting the work in he can’t expect to start evey week.

Wildersaurus at his best. Presumably Brooks wasn't thundering into tackles like Back Off Jack would have been.

 

[Houso]

Wilder made some absolutely baffling decisions all season but I’m not sure this is one of them.

Wilder publicly said in a post match interview his minutes had been limited because he didn’t do enough in training to earn more and he had been inconsistent.

If he wasn’t putting the work in he can’t expect to start evey week.

I'd be comfortable with this but you'd see Brooks have a match where he was utterly unplayable, but then he wasn't even played off the bench in the next game. There was no rhyme nor reason to it.

 

[ben1987]

I'd be comfortable with this but you'd see Brooks have a match where he was utterly unplayable, but then he wasn't even played off the bench in the next game. There was no rhyme nor reason to it.

Yep, he also did the same with Rak-Sakyi at times too. Baffling.

Brooks also had a fair few absolute stinkers where he couldn’t control a 3 yard pass though which seem to have been forgotten.

 

[Balham]

Yep, he also did the same with Rak-Sakyi at times too. Baffling.

Brooks also had a fair few absolute stinkers where he couldn’t control a 3 yard pass though which seem to have been forgotten.

Agreed - Brooks against Cardiff in the cup was one of the worst individual performances I can remember. Nothing worked for him, which was bizarre as it was 5 days after he had a blinder away at Watford.

 

[Houso]

Yep, he also did the same with Rak-Sakyi at times too. Baffling.

Brooks also had a fair few absolute stinkers where he couldn’t control a 3 yard pass though which seem to have been forgotten.

Oh no, like many flair based young players, consistency isn't his thing. It's certainly not a defence of him, but more a criticism of Wilder. And there's an argument that much of the time he wasn't allowed to maintain his form due to Wilder having him in and out more than the hokey cokey.

 

[ben1987]

Oh no, like many flair based young players, consistency isn't his thing. It's certainly not a defence of him, but more a criticism of Wilder. And there's an argument that much of the time he wasn't allowed to maintain his form due to Wilder having him in and out more than the hokey cokey.

Those are all fair points. I am obviously that younger players are more inconsistent, just Brooks ranged from never seen a football to £20m player game to game at times. The swings in level were spectacular.

I was just offering reasons why he may have been disappointed with the minutes he was granted.

Wilder said he didn’t do enough in training

Could be wildly inconsistent game to game

Wilder made baffling decisions all season long

I like Brooks. I think he’s the best 1v1 dribbler we’ve got at the club when he’s on his day. He’s got the attributes to be a PL footballer all day long and I hope he develops into one.

 

[metalblade]

It always seemed to me that Wilder couldn't decide who to play Brooks or Rak Sakyi, maybe the loan said he had to play a certain number of games. Not sure why left footer Brooks always had to play on the right if anyone has slowed his progress it was Wilder. Better to play our lads than get other clubs young uns up to speed. Wilder played far too many out of position last season which was maybe part of his downfall. Wilder said not doing enough in training then a few weeks later said he was flying in training which was it? Or was it just more excuses and bullshit from CW?

 

[Tarqs]

It always seemed to me that Wilder couldn't decide who to play Brooks or Rak Sakyi, maybe the loan said he had to play a certain number of games. Not sure why left footer Brooks always had to play on the right if anyone has slowed his progress it was Wilder. Better to play our lads than get other clubs young uns up to speed. Wilder played far too many out of position last season which was maybe part of his downfall. Wilder said not doing enough in training then a few weeks later said he was flying in training which was it? Or was it just more excuses and bullshit from CW?

For a fair while it was neither as BBD was the preferred option (for his defensive work) who ironically I thought performed the worst of the lot.

 

[Uganda Blade]

As Flatulent_Bob says, the change hasn't come as a disappointment to some players...

I wonder if this featured in the board's decision to part ways with Wilder?

 

[AWetFlannel]

Brooksy had quite a weird season this past year. I thought he played quite well, all things considered, although Wilder never seemed a big fan. I thought he always played quite well, when he did play. I know he was injured for a little bit during the early stages of the season, but I recall there being a narrative that he was a lazy bastard in training, although posters in this very thread have discredited that. I've never seen him train, of course, but he seems a down-to-earth, affable chap, so I did have to raise my eyebrows at people saying he was lazy and didn't train hard enough.

I think he's a very good dribbler and has shown an ability to strike a ball and pick a pass, although his end product certainly needs to be polished. He isn't afraid to take his man on, and frankly, in the games he played last season, he looked better than JRS. I thought Rak Sakyi looked good in stretches, but, like many wingers, was inconsistent. Certainly towards the latter stages of the season, I don't know why Rak Sakyi was starting ahead of AB.

Also of note is that Brooks seems to be a natural left midfielder/left winger, and he was almost exclusively used on the right this season, with Wilder opting to play Gus out of position on the left instead. I personally found this quite perplexing, and I'd like Selles to give him a chance on the left.

It does feel like this upcoming season is when he really needs to kick on if he is going to be someone. I believe in him, he's got the talent.

UTB

Wilder said in a press conference that he hadn't been training well, or subtler words to that effect.

Given how Selles has spoken about intensity in training, it won't go down well with him either. Let's hope he's at it in training this season and gives himself a chance.