This money

[judge]

I think it's important to note that I was careful not to 'slag off' the club in the OP, rather than simply question the contribution of the Prince. This is mainly due to the quality of signings we have made, which really haven't exactly been 'think liverpool' type signings. I don't expect too much from my club at all (years of disappointment have taught me that) but what I would like is honesty and no false promises. The 6 signings made so far indicate to me that we aren't exactly 'going for it' like Wolves and Brentford did last season. I understand it's a building process, but really are any of these signings players we couldn't have made pre-prince?

Many people have mentioned the point of non-playing staff and the day-to-day running of the club, which is exactly why I asked the question. If it is so, then brilliant, we have a financially stable club.... but to promise so much and seemingly deliver so little leaves me a little underwhelmed. As I have said, I don't expect too much, but I have failed to see the Prince's so promising contribution where it counts - on the pitch. Was just wondering where this money went and if we would see any injected into the playing staff, little evidence of it so far. Can anyone honestly say a club with 'money' in League 1 would sign Chris Porter?

Wolves had parachute payments we dont

 

[blader]

Wolves had parachute payments we dont

Wolves won the league - we didn't. That's my point. They had money from parachute payments - we supposedly have money from the prince so where is it?

 

[Droppingwell]

I think it's important to note that I was careful not to 'slag off' the club in the OP, rather than simply question the contribution of the Prince. This is mainly due to the quality of signings we have made, which really haven't exactly been 'think liverpool' type signings. I don't expect too much from my club at all (years of disappointment have taught me that) but what I would like is honesty and no false promises. The 6 signings made so far indicate to me that we aren't exactly 'going for it' like Wolves and Brentford did last season. I understand it's a building process, but really are any of these signings players we couldn't have made pre-prince?

Many people have mentioned the point of non-playing staff and the day-to-day running of the club, which is exactly why I asked the question. If it is so, then brilliant, we have a financially stable club.... but to promise so much and seemingly deliver so little leaves me a little underwhelmed. As I have said, I don't expect too much, but I have failed to see the Prince's so promising contribution where it counts - on the pitch. Was just wondering where this money went and if we would see any injected into the playing staff, little evidence of it so far. Can anyone honestly say a club with 'money' in League 1 would sign Chris Porter?

"seemingly deliver so little" ?? We were virtually bottom when he arrived, we ended up 7th. He has negotiated the writing off of 40 million pounds or so of debt. We can now reject offers for our best players. He has funded the wages of Brayford and funded the purchase of Scougall, Mcnulty etc. Good hungry young players. Few other clubs are paying transfer fees even in Championship (ask our deluded feathery pals, when they last paid a transfer fee). We have even got a semi final as a league 1 club. Not bad for 8 months work in fact bloody amazing!

 

[judge]

Wolves won the league - we didn't. That's my point. They had money from parachute payments - we supposedly have money from the prince so where is it?

Be realistic

 

[metalblade]

I can't see where the Prince has put a shit load of money in just yet. McCabe writing off the debts has been a huge benefit we must have been paying a huge amount just to cover the interest alone (interest at a higher rate than the banks btw) If we can't make money in League One on gates of 17/18,000 then something is seriously wrong, Rotherham Utd probably outspent us last season on their gates and without a mega rich owner. Maybe McCabe is charging us millions in rent for Bramall Lane, seriously anyone thinking the Prince would fund us like another Man City or Chelski are seriously deluded. I think he will put cash in but it will be drip fed he will not spunk the lot on League One players.

 

[Pedro Verde]

I think it's important to note that I was careful not to 'slag off' the club in the OP, rather than simply question the contribution of the Prince. This is mainly due to the quality of signings we have made, which really haven't exactly been 'think liverpool type signings. I don't expect too much from my club at all (years of disappointment have taught me that) but what I would like is honesty and no false promises. The 6 signings made so far indicate to me that we aren't exactly 'going for it' like Wolves and Brentford did last season. I understand it's a building process, but really are any of these signings players we couldn't have made pre-prince?

We can think Liverpool type signings when we are in the same division as them
Did you honestly think we would be splashing millions of pounds out to get out of L1, you dont have to, to get out of this league
The signings so far have not been spectacular, they have been solid enough players, sounds like we will be signing another 3 or 4 players, then there is the loan market to explore.
We would not have signed the amount of players we signed last year or this year under McCabe players would have had to go before we signed anyone and Maguire would have gone in January

 

[Fiery Blade]

Because we have already made 6 permanent signings, and Clough repeats that he wants a small squad of around 18, so we won't be bringing many more in will we? As I say, I never got too excited about the 'investment' and took it with a pinch of salt, but I also think the signings we have made so far are exactly the sort of signings we would have made before the prince's arrival. However, our squad is currently much worse than the squad which lined up against Coventry. A lot more spending is required for us to be challenging at the top next season.

Sometimes people on here just spout utter bilge !
It is probably the first pre-season since Robson that we have not been looking to ship out big earners and have been recruiting solid players who have performed consistently at this level or higher !
Without the Prince there would be no Clough and without Clough we wouldn't have the likes of Davis, Basham, McNulty even contemplating joining the Blades!
It is still only June and we are collating a solid squad to win promotion next season - yes we do need a quality striker and a full back but we are not that far away !

 

[S5Blade]

It. Is. The. 10th. Of. June.

We have made 6 signings. The transfer window has been open officially 24 hours. What are people expecting? Messi and Ronaldo to walk in the door? The prince said from the outset we would not be spunking silly money in League 1. I still think we will get 1/2 marquee signings before the end of the transfer window. When did we last do our business this early? Players are turning down championship clubs to sign for us (Basham and Butler) - You don't think we paying these players a pretty penny compared to other players in the league? I for one am excited by the signings we have made and the direction the club is headed under the Prince/McCabe leadership, so much so that I have purchased my first ever season ticket (so now I am a bigger blade than you, so fuck off ) - Some blades just astound me with their negativity. Look how many other teams have done so much business so early.

Peterborough signing players from non league dulwich hamlet, Wednesday signing some unknown port vale youngster, us turning down reported multi million pound bids for our players, I would much rather be where we are, doing what we are doing than the majority of other teams out there.

Judge our spending power / signings when the transfer window closes, not 25 hours into it.

I for one am excited, the future is bright, the future is red and white!

 

[JOEYDEE]

Dont all forget we are a lge 1 club ..fact !
The prince has backed us loads so far,not so much in transfer fees,but wages !We have so far signed some really decent players,with different qualities,a couple more ,especially strikers..we'll be good to go !

 

[SwissBlade]

I think last season we were boosted firstly by McCabe cancelling the debt of the football club and secondly we've brought in quality. Not necessarily expensive signings but deals have been done to secure players for this division.

Coincidentally I played football with some Saudi's last week from another project and I had my Blades shirt on. They knew about the cup run and they mentioned the prince. They seem to reckon that he's minted and commercially will be a good owner.

I don't think it was ever stated that the prince would pour in millions, but I got the sense of a long term partnership to build the club up and make him some money.

I saw Leeds are linked with some big names now because of their loud mouthed, brash, not fit and proper but then fit and proper owner. I wouldn't really want that (remember mike macdonald and Charles green). I'd rather build steadily for a big future

 

[mattbianco1]

Wolves won the league - we didn't. That's my point. They had money from parachute payments - we supposedly have money from the prince so where is it?

Google FFP.

When you've brought fuck all in, you can spend fuck all.

 

[mattbianco1]

Were people excited with the Scougall signing? The Harris signing? What about Freeman? None of these were bumper signings but they were all fantastic.

As Rotherham proved you don't need 11 fantastic players you need a squad of togetherness and fight with a few flair players.. We've definitely got that.

I think people will be surprised at how good Basham and McNulty will be

 

[blader]

Sometimes people on here just spout utter bilge !
It is probably the first pre-season since Robson that we have not been looking to ship out big earners and have been recruiting solid players who have performed consistently at this level or higher !
Without the Prince there would be no Clough and without Clough we wouldn't have the likes of Davis, Basham, McNulty even contemplating joining the Blades!
It is still only June and we are collating a solid squad to win promotion next season - yes we do need a quality striker and a full back but we are not that far away !

'The likes of Davis, Basham and McNulty'

Not the strongest argument in my opinion. 2 lads released from the Championship and another from division 1 in Scotland hardly screams investment to me. The most important thing is we currently hve a squad much weaker than the one which went into the Coventry game last season, and that squa was incapable of achieving promotion. With Clough saying he wants a small squad that would leave a maximum 2/3 signings to come. Well they had better be chuffing worldies to make our current squad a promotion-winning side!

 

[Fiery Blade]

The squad was incapable of achieving promotion mainly because we won one out of the first thirteen matches under Weir last season.
There was plenty of investment last year that would not have happened if we had not got our new Co-Owner eg Brayford, Freeman, Davis, Scougall were all brought in by a manager who wouldn't have dreamt of working under McCabe alone given his track record and lack of investment over the past few years !
Perhaps Blader you would rather have a new owner like Birmingham City, Hull City or even Cardiff City ?

 

[Bladesway]

We aren't £50 million in debt which while it may not be game changing or sexy it puts us in a position to buy the right players. Just because you have money in the bank doesn't mean you just spunk it out on the first over priced pile of washed up shit you see. Robson did that and look where it got us.

As a general cynic to all things McCabe based I actually think this has worked well for us. Good manager carefully assembling a squad capable of winning the league. Isn't that the most important thing? Or is it better to have fancy names playing for you and changing managers like you change your pants?

 

[Bladesway]

'The likes of Davis, Basham and McNulty'

Not the strongest argument in my opinion. 2 lads released from the Championship and another from division 1 in Scotland hardly screams investment to me. The most important thing is we currently hve a squad much weaker than the one which went into the Coventry game last season, and that squa was incapable of achieving promotion. With Clough saying he wants a small squad that would leave a maximum 2/3 signings to come. Well they had better be chuffing worldies to make our current squad a promotion-winning side!

You work in a parallel world don't you? Clough with a full season under his belt would have had us top 6. Don't pass about with stats to suit your own argument. Look at his record with those players plus an FA Cup semi.

Stop making arguments for the sake of being controversial.

 

[blader]

The squad was incapable of achieving promotion mainly because we won one out of the first thirteen matches under Weir last season.
There was plenty of investment last year that would not have happened if we had not got our new Co-Owner eg Brayford, Freeman, Davis, Scougall were all brought in by a manager who wouldn't have dreamt of working under McCabe alone given his track record and lack of investment over the past few years !
Perhaps Blader you would rather have a new owner like Birmingham City, Hull City or even Cardiff City ?

Absolutely not, as I tried to make clear in the OP, I am not bothered about having maverick owners with loads of money where anything could happen, Cellino and Wednesday's new character are further examples. The point of this thread was to question the difference the Prince's involvement has made considering everything that has been said. We now have 18 full time playing staff (plus the likes of Kennedy) so there are going to be very few further additions. This squad is really nowhere near one to win promotion, so i fear we will be left disappointed again. I just don't want it to be another case of false promises as opposed to them just telling us how it is.

 

[blader]

You work in a parallel world don't you? Clough with a full season under his belt would have had us top 6. Don't pass about with stats to suit your own argument. Look at his record with those players plus an FA Cup semi.

Stop making arguments for the sake of being controversial.

"Don't pass about with stats to suit your own argument" has to be one of the strangest statement I've ever read.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

'The likes of Davis, Basham and McNulty'

Not the strongest argument in my opinion. 2 lads released from the Championship and another from division 1 in Scotland hardly screams investment to me. The most important thing is we currently have a squad much weaker than the one which went into the Coventry game last season,

I don't think that statement holds up at all. I presume you are talking about not having Braysford and Coady, but they are just two players, whereas we have brought in more depth to the squad. Therefore the squad is actually stronger both in numbers and the level of quality going through it. Can't you remember the cliff we seemed to fall off at times last season through not being able to shuffle the pack effectively?

As far back as I can remember we've never done the majority of our business this early. Clough has clearly identified the positions which need improving and got them in. That's unheard of at United in June. It's also quite logical that the top quality targets are more difficult to get and we have more competition so aren't going to be signed until later in the window, if not even once the season has started. In the past we would target these marquee signings and focus on them above the others and miss out on the lot, having then to scrape round the bargain basement but not this year.
Personally I think this squad, as it is right now, could finish higher than we did last season. I think it's more balanced, more confident, more organised, stronger in depth with better character and would punch it's weight in the top 6 if not higher.

Is the first team as good? - That would be a more debatable point, but we've not finished our business yet and a 46 game league is won by squads not first elevens. With 3-4 more signings to come I do not see another team in the league as prepared as us with most of the business done, and now the time to focus on exactly who is needed to move that squad onto a Championship level.

 

[blader]

And I agree with you generally Flatulent_Bob . However, I would prefer 11 good league 1 players and 7 fillers on the bench, that the current situation we are in where most of our players are just average. I think we're still a fair way off having the quality of team required to mount a promotion push. And by promotion I mean top 2, we should not be aiming top 6 considering the (lack of) strength this season.

 

[grafikhaus]

Seriously anyone thinking the Prince would fund us like another Man City or Chelski are seriously deluded. I think he will put cash in but it will be drip fed he will not spunk the lot on League One players.

At no point have United - or any sane fan - expected Man. City or Chelski funding. Let's leave that to the delusionals at S6. Or Leeds...

I saw Leeds are linked with some big names now because of their loud mouthed, brash, not fit and proper but then fit and proper owner. I wouldn't really want that (remember mike macdonald and Charles green). I'd rather build steadily for a big future

Exactly. Leeds, like Wendy, have an over-inflated idea of their true importance. At least Leeds can point to recent appearance in the PL. Both Leeds and Wendy get the owners they deserve. Like flies round a cows arsehole.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

...but you did say a much weaker squad. Finishing in a higher league position wouldn't really back up that statement?

Brannigan yesterday;
"Both are still with their parent clubs and we would be interested in both if the potential to do something is there,” .“We’ve not had any meaningful discussions yet but the season, for those clubs, has only just finished. It might be the case that, with regards to Conor and John, something happens late in the (transfer) window.”

 

[bertieblade]

Blader if we go,through the anticipated team for next year.
Howard average div 1
New right back no worse than average league 1
Centre back pairing no matter who out of the three prime candidates would be above average
Harris above average
Flynn above average
Doyle or basham above average
Perm two from Baxter, scougal and potentially Wallace above average
Murphy above average
Two new strikers have to be better than last year

I think that you would say that we have a better than average team, not withstanding the squad depth which provides us with a better than average chance of being promoted.
If clough would have been here all season we would have definitely been top six let alone top two, he wants to improve he has his own budget to work with whilst we may be weaker in some areas I.e right back over all the team and squad will be stronger.

So please have confidence and let's enter the new season with a smile on our faces

 

[Junior Soduko]

'The likes of Davis, Basham and McNulty'

Not the strongest argument in my opinion. 2 lads released from the Championship and another from division 1 in Scotland hardly screams investment to me. The most important thing is we currently hve a squad much weaker than the one which went into the Coventry game last season, and that squa was incapable of achieving promotion. With Clough saying he wants a small squad that would leave a maximum 2/3 signings to come. Well they had better be chuffing worldies to make our current squad a promotion-winning side!

So who do you actually want us to sign? It's nice and easy to say this player doesn't screm of investment, neither does he and neither does he etc.

Which players would you like us to sign that would scream of investment to you?

 

[blader]

Blader if we go,through the anticipated team for next year.
Howard average div 1
New right back no worse than average league 1
Centre back pairing no matter who out of the three prime candidates would be above average
Harris above average
Flynn above average
Doyle or basham above average
Perm two from Baxter, scougal and potentially Wallace above average
Murphy above average
Two new strikers have to be better than last year

I think that you would say that we have a better than average team, not withstanding the squad depth which provides us with a better than average chance of being promoted.
If clough would have been here all season we would have definitely been top six let alone top two, he wants to improve he has his own budget to work with whilst we may be weaker in some areas I.e right back over all the team and squad will be stronger.

So please have confidence and let's enter the new season with a smile on our faces

A lot to reply to here. Firstly, not sure how you can assess: Harris, Flynn, Doyle (???), '2 new strikers' (well, who?)... so you just say 'well there you go, that's above average.'

My point of reference would be the teams who have been promoted from this division in the last 2/3 seasons. Now ofcourse it's down to opinion, as you have just stated yours, but I don't think ANY of:Flynn, Harris, Howard, Doyle, Basham would get into those promotion sides. We have lost 2 of our better players (Brayford and Coady) and have yet to replace then with any notable quality.

Junior Soduko No point in saying random names, as that's too ambiguous a response. What I would turn around and say is 'which of these signings DO smack of investment?'.

Flatulent_Bob as I have said in other threads, Coady may happen, that would be a signing of intent. I don't want to get into the Brayford debate with you, I've done it enough, but I think fans are in dreamworld if they think we could sign Brayford permanently. Just line up this squad against any of the previously promoted sides and it still has a hell of a long way to go if we want to get out of this league.

 

[Derby_Blade]

The thing we've got to remember is Barcelona have got a transfer ban so Messi is going to be a bit harder to get so will take a bit more time

 

[Baildon Blade]

I agree that the current squad is not as good as previously promoted sides but neither is the division in the forthcoming season. League 1 doesn't have a 'wolves' this time round. Yeovil, Barnsley, Doncaster and the League 2 promoted sides are , on paper, no real threat. Therefore our squad , even as it is now, should be good enough. DON'T PANIC!

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Flatulent_Bob as I have said in other threads, Coady may happen, that would be a signing of intent. I don't want to get into the Brayford debate with you, I've done it enough, but I think fans are in dreamworld if they think we could sign Brayford permanently. Just line up this squad against any of the previously promoted sides and it still has a hell of a long way to go if we want to get out of this league.

OK, I'd suggest this is parked until we're into the season. Unless you tell me differently I'm going to assume you've never seen a lot of our signings play and actually have no idea of their ability levels so you aren't in a position to judge if they are better or worse.
I'm certainly not in that position, the only thing I can say is that the squad is undeniably stronger than what played again Coventry at this moment in time because we at least have some depth which we previously lacked.
Of course between now and then we could sell everyone, and buy no one, but as of right now the squad is stronger and I struggle to see how that could be argued against by any sane mind.
I'd also suggest that Rotherham's squad from last season isn't vastly superior to what we currently have.

 

[blader]

OK, I'd suggest this is parked until we're into the season. Unless you tell me differently I'm going to assume you've never seen a lot of our signings play and actually have no idea of their ability levels so you aren't in a position to judge if they are better or worse.
I'm certainly not in that position, the only thing I can say is that the squad is undeniably stronger than what played again Coventry at this moment in time because we at least have some depth which we previously lacked.
Of course between now and then we could sell everyone, and buy no one, but as of right now the squad is stronger and I struggle to see how that could be argued against by any sane mind.
I'd also suggest that Rotherham's squad from last season isn't vastly superior to what we currently have.

Cat help but think our transfer policy seems to be 'quantity not quality'. How many of our new signings would have started in the FA Cup semi-final team for example? That's why I think we're worse off. Man U had a better 'squad' but Liverpool had a better 'team' last year. I think a good first XI is more important that having ample replacements for ample players. Ofcourse people prefer different approaches, but mine would be the former.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Cat help but think our transfer policy seems to be 'quantity not quality'. How many of our new signings would have started in the FA Cup semi-final team for example? That's why I think we're worse off. Man U had a better 'squad' but Liverpool had a better 'team' last year. I think a good first XI is more important that having ample replacements for ample players. Ofcourse people prefer different approaches, but mine would be the former.

Again I'll put the same question to you - how many times have you seen the new guys play to give an informed opinion?

Harris of course did play in that game, additionally Clough has been talking of Basham as a Doyle replacement.
We also didn't have a forward of note for that game, so Baxter played that false role. We actually have a forward now in McNulty a type of which we didn't even have on the bench that day.
I actually think the squad could be stronger right now than on that day.

Sheffield United

• 01 Howard
• 04 Brayford
• 03 Harris
• 17 Coady
• 05 Maguire
• 15 Collins
• 07 Flynn
• 08 Doyle
• 11 Baxter
• 21 Scougall
• 23 Murphy

Substitutes

• 06 Hill
• 09 Porter
• 14 McGinn
• 22 Davies
• 25 Long
• 28 Freeman
• 32 Kennedy