BBD

[Korean Blade]

Think we'd all take the first iteration back, was quality. And quality in opposition. If played in the correct position no brainer for me.

 

[Badger Blade]

It's a signing that I can understand while not being majorly enthused about, where if Bamford is injured for a sustained period, which is a distinct possibility, then we've got someone capable of playing through the middle as well as out wide and being able to do a decent enough job of it.

We saw the difference where he was a miles better player in the Premier League as a striker than how we used him in the Championship as a wide midfielder so we need to recognise when and where he's going to have the right level of impact and that's up to CW and his staff.

Wilder said quite a while ago that we've got a bloated squad so having someone who can cover a few bases and knows where the net is makes sense.

 

[gaffablade]

A Proven forward who has a proven record of scoring goals at this level in his peak age

Please tell me why he isnt a good signing ?

cos hes no longer peak age

 

[CaptainMorgans]

BBD's OK as a utility forward that can cover a couple of positions reasonably competently. He will always contribute at the top of the pitch.

I agree with Carlton Blade though, he's a lot less effective when there's traffic in front of him. Far better as a wide forward in counter attack situations.

If the terms are right and we're not over-reliant on him, then I'd have him back.


That nesh 50/50 at Wembley still bothers me though. Absolutely fannied it.

 

[Champagneblade]

If we did go more conventional and BBD effectively replaced Gus I thought it interesting to contrast their output in similar seasons:

23/24
Gus notched 5 goals across all competitions and 9 assists in 40 matches. 3,218 minutes. Goal every 643 mins, assist every 357, contribution every 229.

BBD notched an impressive 6 goals in 16 UK domestic matches but just the one assist. 1,191 minutes. Goal every 198 mins, assist every 1,191, contribution every 170.

24/25
Gus managed an impressive 10 goals along with his 8 assists in 46 for what was a nearly season. 3,402 minutes. Goal every 340 mins, assist every 425, contribution every 189.

In a disjointed season he managed 4 goals and 3 assists for us in 17 matches with little to show for his time at Saints though I suppose you could argue this is a comparative ratio to Gus. 992 minutes. Goal every 248 mins, assist every 330, contribution every 141 mins.

25/26
Gus managed an impressive 7 goals and 13 assists in 39 matches in his best ever haul for us. 2,626 minutes. Goal every 375 mins, assist every 202, contribution every 131.

BBD notched 8 goals in 43 though just the 3 assists. 3.258 minutes. Goal every 407 mins, assist every 1,086, contribution every 296.

Not sure what you take directly from that. Ben is a more conventional wide player cutting in and Gus a central midfielder who has adapted to that role. Gus has more freedom in his role whereas Ben has had stints as CF (for us in the PL).

They both put numbers on the board. You realise that numbers wise Brereton-Diaz’s second spell was more productive with us than perhaps it was aesthetically pleasing though that was off the back of an unhappy time at Saints in the PL. His PL spell really was excellent.

His season in a non-Blades shirt was productive but far less than in red and white stripes whilst in a season where Gus seemingly lost his spot, he returned quite phenomenal bang for buck figures.

If we do lost Gus and we do persevere with 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2, it’s not unreasonable to conclude that Brereton-Diaz should be high up the list as replacements though there are few players like Gus that produce those goals from nothing moments. He would be missed.

 

[Blades1971]

Gus Hamer player's are a luxury. When they produce its good. When they don't they go missing. We can't afford this type of player in present circumstances

 

[Broomhall Blade]

Gus Hamer player's are a luxury. When they produce its good. When they don't they go missing. We can't afford this type of player in present circumstances

Why can't we afford this type of player ?
He's the one player we have who can score a free kick or is capable of scoring long range goal. You need to score goals to win a football game, last season we didn't score or create much. We have lost Brooks contribution in that department and you are saying we can do without the one player we have who can produce a bit of magic, only Blades fans can think like that.
If money is tight then we need to look at getting rid of the dross first like Rothwell who god knows how much he'll be on but has shown absolutely nothing in his time being here.

 

[Stef]

Yes! I forgot about that. Annoyed all over again now

That nesh 50/50 at Wembley still bothers me though. Absolutely fannied it.