Arblaster

[Carlton Blade]

He played about 15 games in the championship before his injury and was terrible in at least 4 of them , so in his Sheffield united career id say he's had at best 12-15 good games out of 55 , he has played more games post injury than pre injury and so for the majority of his career with us he has been poor, that's not rewriting history that's just an unpopular opinion because he came through the academy, some of our fans have complete blinkers on and get way too over excited about bang average players, I've seen comments on here about him playing for England, comments about burrows playing for England, wilder managing England and these were serious comments

It seems like your problem is actually with United fans and specifically, them liking United players more than you do.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Look, when Arblaster first broke through he was the archetypal box to box midfielder who took the fight to the opposition, he had potential club captain written through him like a stick of rock. Sadly, after that long layoff through injury he looks like he’s playing little boy football again. I would guess it’s because the make up of the team has changed now with the midfield largely becoming just another line of our defence, no midfielder is going to shine in such a passive set up.

 

[nopigfansintown]

Or Portuguese with a surname like Soumare???

Woeful yesterday against our cloggers. £3.4 million. Or more than our whole budget. Think he'll come good though.. if he's coachable.

 

[Pedro's Winger]

Some bizarrely aggressive comments towards Arblaster on this thread. He was clearly a very promising player before his injury, including looking comfortable at PL level.
Prior to breaking through with us, Port Vale fans rated him as the best loan signing they'd ever had.
It's entirely possible the injury will mean he'll never now fulfil his promise but let's not rewrite history.

 

[KMC-1889]

Woeful yesterday against our cloggers. £3.4 million. Or more than our whole budget. Think he'll come good though.. if he's coachable.

FotMob have his as one of the best performers on the pitch behind Galbraith and the goalscorers. Better than every single player on our team.

I’d have him starting in our midfield ahead of everyone in our squad.

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

Im prepared to give Blaster some time to get back to his best and especially not going to judge him until he is played in his natural position.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

Woeful yesterday against our cloggers. £3.4 million. Or more than our whole budget. Think he'll come good though.. if he's coachable.

At the risk of being argumentative, there's more chance of him coming good than Rothwell and Riedeweld - and I'm guessing the fee will be similar to the wages of those two wastes of spaces...

 

[fleckagainagainagain…]

It won’t happen but a European loan would be great for him - a chance to get his confidence back in a less frantic physical place.

Plus it’d be interesting to see his recovery proceed in a different medical and fitness set up - ours clearly isn’t working for him and we have a bad record of players getting back to their best after long term injuries

Actually wish we could loan our recovering players to Man City reserves or something, just to benefit from modern fitness and coaching. Wasn’t that something Hecky was working on?

 

[Silent Blade]

Remember Neil Hartley of Yorkshire CCC? His father in law was Ray Illingworth

 

[Guiseley Blade]

Never understood the hype around him to be honest even before the injury

Agree but the only time I was hyped was the game he bossed against Chelsea in the prem. He played as a 6 deep lying playmaker in a midfield three (Pirlo esque / obvs not as good). Then he seems to never have got a run in this role again. Which is odd, as his main skill is receiving the ball in tight spaces/starting play and his main weakness is athleticism. Surely we need to try mould him into a mid championship Pirlo type? (type, not actual quality)

 

[YES Blade]

Either play him in his best position of central midfield or not at all. Playing him out of position only fuels the nepotism claims.

 

[ATL Recs]

You should join Brighton's scouting department then, clearly you know more than those idiots...

Is that you Ollie ?
I played football 40 years ago and got paid to play it to, a good wage in those days not comparable with today
I broke my ankle spent a year in a walking calliper had 3 operations on it
I was the bees knees before my injury and never played again as I was left with a nerve damaged right ankle with a clump of metal in it

The same Souza who never crossed the halfway line carried him into creating good attacking positions, progressing the ball up the pitch, actually attacking central areas? Cool

He was an excellent prospect, playing extremely well. The team got worse when he was unavailable

He was a prospect playing in a good team he wasn’t the saviour and he had some poor games far from the finished article
Playing with Souza Hamer ( in top form ) Ohare in the Championship helped his development
The team did not get worse, probably our 3 poorest performances up to Christmas included him in the team
No the team went down hill from Boxing Day and not replacing a CH as a priority
That was someone else’s fault

 

[Carlton Blade]

Is that you Ollie ?
I played football 40 years ago and got paid to play it to, a good wage in those days not comparable with today
I broke my ankle spent a year in a walking calliper had 3 operations on it
I was the bees knees before my injury and never played again as I was left with a nerve damaged right ankle with a clump of metal in it

He was a prospect playing in a good team he wasn’t the saviour and he had some poor games far from the finished article
Playing with Souza Hamer ( in top form ) Ohare in the Championship helped his development
The team did not get worse, probably our 3 poorest performances up to Christmas included him in the team
No the team went down hill from Boxing Day and not replacing a CH as a priority
That was someone else’s fault

The team completely lost the ability to attack the centre of the pitch when he got injured, and never got it back.

I have no idea why people resent him so much

 

[finlaytheblade]

The team completely lost the ability to attack the centre of the pitch when he hot injured, and never got it back.

I have no idea why people resent him so much

Don't think it's not liking him he needs game time when not under pressure to regain confidence.playing for your father in law just adds to the pressure he has ..No doubt at present he is not worth a starting place.!

 

[Carlton Blade]

Don't think it's not liking him he needs game time when not under pressure to regain confidence.playing for your father in law just adds to the pressure he has ..No doubt at present he is not worth a starting place.!

I agree with that. I just don't understand downplaying the fact that he was a very good player pre-injury. Not a star, not a 'saviour'. Just an excellent prospect, still a little inconsistent but operating as a key part of a good team.

 

[Bladeloyal]

Anyone not to giving blaster the benefit of dought has never ever been a blade ,the kid bleeds red and white and needs our support after a very serious injury . Some stupid gobshites on this forum.

 

[SwissBlade]

The team completely lost the ability to attack the centre of the pitch when he got injured, and never got it back.

I have no idea why people resent him so much

I think its often too binary with such long term injuries, because some players are able to come back and pick up where they left off, it should be the same for everyone. ACL can also be a mental issue as well as a physical.

 

[Nick Jansky]

I agree with that. I just don't understand downplaying the fact that he was a very good player pre-injury. Not a star, not a 'saviour'. Just an excellent prospect, still a little inconsistent but operating as a key part of a good team.

Frankly, the people saying he is dogshit simply show themselves up as knowing very little about football. Before the injury he was being selected for England U21 squads and that doesn’t happen unless you have something about you, especially as a championship player. He’s taking a long time to come back from a very serious injury and his body isn’t yet doing what he wants it to do, but he remains our most intelligent player by far. He has vision and speed of thought that nobody else in our squad has, and he’s technically excellent. Personally, I think he would benefit from a move because he would certainly be appreciated more elsewhere than he is by some of our morons who are cutting him no slack whatsoever. There would be no shortage of takers. Sadly, I think he will let loyalty get in the way of his career though.

 

[SwissBlade]

Frankly, the people saying he is dogshit simply show themselves up as knowing very little about football. Before the injury he was being selected for England U21 squads and that doesn’t happen unless you have something about you, especially as a championship player. He’s taking a long time to come back from a very serious injury and his body isn’t yet doing what he wants it to do, but he remains our most intelligent player by far. He has vision and speed of thought that nobody else in our squad has, and he’s technically excellent. Personally, I think he would benefit from a move because he would certainly be appreciated more elsewhere than he is by some of our morons who are cutting him no slack whatsoever. There would be no shortage of takers. Sadly, I think he will let loyalty get in the way of his career though.

I think the noise and negativity is limited, most fans understand that he still needs time.

Ideal world, had we had more players available, he'd be out on loan in league one for a few months this season. Take him out of the spot light and take the pressure off, but he's also just had his first child, we don't have the squad depth. He's doing alright, looked decent in spells and his fitness and speed of thought is certainly gaining from game time, albeit in a shite side, currently. He'll be fine.

Time will tell if, at a mere 22 years old, he can get back to preinjury levels. I have little doubt he will give it his all to get there.

 

[nopigfansintown]

The team completely lost the ability to attack the centre of the pitch when he got injured, and never got it back.

I have no idea why people resent him so much

Further: Souza's form declined after Arblaster's injury, not the other way around. There's a lot of selective memories.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

Look, when Arblaster first broke through he was the archetypal box to box midfielder who took the fight to the opposition, he had potential club captain written through him like a stick of rock. Sadly, after that long layoff through injury he looks like he’s playing little boy football again. I would guess it’s because the make up of the team has changed now with the midfield largely becoming just another line of our defence, no midfielder is going to shine in such a passive set up.

I really think Arblaster would suit a different manager & style.

If you compare him to the rise of Hayden Hackney last season (who’s two years older).

Arblaster does some really nice stuff on the ball but he’s not got the pace to get up and down and this bizarre playing him on the right or left just doesn’t suit him.

 

[KMC-1889]

Technically was and still is an absolutely excellent a player, but his peak came with that exuberance and energy that comes with youth (same for Brooks when he was deployed in the PL). As with Brooks (admittedly for different reasons) when that energy is lost there needs to be something else.

He can’t play deep/as a 6 because we have 14 players in the squad vying for that position. I don’t know what’s cause his drop off in mobility but considering previous evidence I’d be taking a stern look at our medical and fitness teams. He’s also having to cover loads of ground because we insist on playing two in the middle and surrounding them with slow players. The pitch must feel massive to players like Arblaster and Peck.

Peck having his breakthrough season in his absence has probably harmed his career more than his injury. He needs to play regularly to get his form back and that looks unlikely to happen here unless he’s happy playing on the wing.

 

[The Fox]

I dont think anyone is having a go at him personally.

However many may conclude his contribution to the team in his performances this season dont justify his selection.
Thats a reasonable assessment.

Not everything has to be pro or anti, some things can just be as people see it .

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

I dont think anyone is having a go at him personally.

However many may conclude his contribution to the team in his performances this season dont justify his selection.
Thats a reasonable assessment.

Not everything has to be pro or anti, some things can just be as people see it .

He's immune from criticism now because of a bad injury.

Add in the Bladey Blade factor and his relationship with Wilder and he's practically bulletproof.

Nice lad as well by all accounts.

He's gone Super Mega Brewster!

Phwoar!

 

[Nedski]

Either play him in his best position of central midfield or not at all. Playing him out of position only fuels the nepotism claims.

Unfortunately playing players out of position is Chris "I know best" Wilder's remit.

I can't imagine any other manager consistently plays wing backs at full back, centre backs at full back, defensive midfielders at full back, centre midfielders in defensive midfield, attacking midfielders in defensive midfield, centre midfielders on the wing, strikers on the wing, left wingers at right wing, right wingers at left wing.

And we wonder why look awful, disjointed, and have team that looks like they are playing together for the first time every time?

 

[Barry Butlin]

He played well against Wolves but let’s not mention that…

 

[FriethBlade]

Clearly he isnt fully over his injury but if he isnt we must be looking at why. Is he still feeling it, is it just a time thing with those types of serious injury, is it a confidence thing? Whatever it is playing him out of position and in a side that has regularly been chasing the ball isnt helping.

According to AI we have averaged 40% possession this season #22nd in the league. Arblaster is a baller not a chaser so if we are going to play this kind of football maybe he shouldn't be starting. He was at his best receiving the ball on the turn and either running with it or moving it on quickly.

However as someone else said on the thread id rather be trying to play Blaster back to form than watching aged plodders like Rothwell and Jairo who will both be gone at the end of the season. When Seriki and Burrows are back id have Blaster, Phillips and Peck in a three with Seriki amd Burrows at wing back. Donovan in a Ohare role and Bamford or Ayew at CF.

 

[Gannon and Egg]

The problem with letting Blaster move on is that we would have articles like this to look forward to in 2-3 years time https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cgjq1x0wj7qo

 

[Champagneblade]

Technically was and still is an absolutely excellent a player, but his peak came with that exuberance and energy that comes with youth (same for Brooks when he was deployed in the PL). As with Brooks (admittedly for different reasons) when that energy is lost there needs to be something else.

He can’t play deep/as a 6 because we have 14 players in the squad vying for that position. I don’t know what’s cause his drop off in mobility but considering previous evidence I’d be taking a stern look at our medical and fitness teams. He’s also having to cover loads of ground because we insist on playing two in the middle and surrounding them with slow players. The pitch must feel massive to players like Arblaster and Peck.

Peck having his breakthrough season in his absence has probably harmed his career more than his injury. He needs to play regularly to get his form back and that looks unlikely to happen here unless he’s happy playing on the wing.

I think his most likely position is an 8 or honestly as sub and on a rotational basis.

Phillips and Peck as the main fixtures in a three. Then Arblaster for those more front foot matches and Hamza for ones where a more combative option is needed. Neither Jairo nor Rothwell are remotely close to being my starters in my view.

Then it’s up to Wilder if he goes 5 at the back or 4-3-3. I think I’d like to see the latter with some proper pace in there. Donovan on one side and as someone else mentioned, perhaps Oné on the left. Then pick whichever striker is appropriate for the day.

 

[blades_95]

To add balance to the debate, I really hope he can regain the form he had preinjury.

A midfield 3 of him, Peck and Phillips with One, Donovan, Canon infront of them is the only way we get out of this predicament.... There should be enough quality, movement, dynamism in there for us to be competitive - but it's a massive reach at the moment.

As much as I call him/Wilder out on this - it's only because of how frustrating it is and how I see it as the only realistic solution.

Rothwell, Reideweld, Choudhury, Ayew, Bamford - all of them over the hill, leggy, relegation fodder....

I actually really like the look of that team. With Seriki & McCallum back in at full back it would actually make us half athletic.

Give Blaster a run in his natural position in a midfield 3 and help us regain some control in that area. He’s the only midfielder we have who can actually play through the lines and receive the ball on the half turn, I think he’s worth persevering with.

Would argue Bamford in for Cannon as we need a striker who can make the ball stick a bit more and use Donovan & Oné’s pace around him.

One of my (many) gripes with Wilder is that he makes several changes to either the lineup or the formation every game. Cannon scores, gets dropped. Donovan looks threatening, gets dropped. Yet certain players play regardless.

We need to use this 3 weeks to find a preferred formation and settled side as much as we can & give them time to find a rhythm. I’d personally play Seriki, Peck, Phillips, Kitching, Blaster, Donovan & Oné as much as possible as I think they have the biggest upside - yes a lot of them are young and will make mistakes but let them have bad games and learn from them. Give them time to learn a system & build patterns.