My view...

[Vassilis]

Owing to one thing or another, today was my first home league game of the season and my first chance to get a decent look at some of the summer signings. For what it's worth, here is my view:

> Alcock - I think he looks a solid and intelligent player. Gets forward well. Is he as good as Brayford? No. But he's good enough that we don't 'need' Brayford.
> McGahey - I think he will develop into a very good player. Seems more athletic/mobile than Harry but with the same strength. His reading of the game could be better but that will come with time and games.
> McEveley - Like many I was underwhelmed by this signing but I think he brings a lot of solidity to the defence and he is much better at getting forward than I can ever remember him being when I've seen him for other clubs.
> Wallace - With time, and provided he can steer clear of injuries, I think he could be one hell of a player. He has a bit of everything - he can tackle, can carry the ball, can pass, can see space and can deliver a good cross. He's only going to get better, but I'm really excited by him.
> McNulty - I like him. He'll take time to get up to speed given he's come from Scotland, but he brings something else to the team - ie quick feet and a poacher's instinct. I hope he gets a few goals this season to keep his confidence up and keep the crowd off his back, because once settled, I can see him doing okay here. Didn't hold the ball up particularly well today but I don't think he's suited to being up there on his own.
> Higdon - He'll get us goals. I don't think he's outstanding, and seems a bit sluggish, but his goal today suggested that he'll cause many teams problems.

I think the team as a whole looks solid, if not spectacular. My worry is that there will be many Gillingham-esque teams that will park the bus at Bramall Lane and I'm not sure we have enough penetration to unlock them. We seem to rely too much on getting it out to the wings and teams will find that out. I think the return of JCR and Jose will give us a bit more creativity and unpredictability when it comes to our attacks, which will be welcome.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

First time I've seen a full 90 minutes from Wallace and was very impressed, throw in Baxter, JCR and the returning Evans and I think we'll be okay breaking teams down at the Lane. By main concern is away from home without a dominant centre half. McGahey has improved, but I've got both him and Collins down as mop-up centre halves. For me we need a lynch pin in defence that wins everything and really leads the defence both my example and with the mouth, with Collins or McGahey sweeping up behind. Without one I've got a feeling we'll end up with a few more games like last Saturday at Swindon.

 

[HolmesfieldBlade]

First time I've seen a full 90 minutes from Wallace and was very impressed, throw in Baxter, JCR and the returning Evans and I think we'll be okay breaking teams down at the Lane.

Can we all stop this ridiculous Ched b*llocks now? He will NOT be signing... Jim Phipps has said there is no plans to re-sign him and he's not got another appeal until 2017, of which he's already lost before.

 

[Pierre's PC]

Can we all stop this ridiculous Ched b*llocks now? He will NOT be signing... Jim Phipps has said there is no plans to re-sign him and he's not got another appeal until 2017, of which he's already lost before.

I'm as fed up as the next man with all the Ched talk but I am sure JP stated that no decision had been made and whether or not he has an appeal in 2017 makes no difference to him being out in October.

 

[HolmesfieldBlade]

I'm as fed up as the next man with all the Ched talk but I am sure JP stated that no decision had been made and whether or not he has an appeal in 2017 makes no difference to him being out in October.

Fair, didn't know he was actually out in Oct. Regardless I'd bet hundreds on him not signing a contract again. If he does the club won't have my support until he is gone.

 

[Pierre's PC]

ok

 

[sitwell]

Fair, didn't know he was actually out in Oct. Regardless I'd bet hundreds on him not signing a contract again. If he does the club won't have my support until he is gone.

bye x

 

[Dkc]

If Ched had put on a ski mask, hid behind a bush, leapt out on a girl and raped her at knifepoint I'd certainly not want us to sign him after his release

But we all know the facts of the case. Technically it was rape, but the offence was right at the bottom end of the scale. He had sex with a drunk girl who he mistakenly thought was into it. Technically he is a rapist but it's the facts of the case that count.There was no violence involved. He acted stupidly, he was wrong, and he has been punished harshly.

He could sign for Swindon, Peterborough or Bradford, or he could sign for us. He'll certainly sign for someone. I'd rather it were us.

 

[Northyorksblade]

If United WEREN'T signing him, they would say so!

 

[Cyprus Blade]

He may be, maybe not - Phipps clearly stated yesterday that there has been no decision at board level either way. He has also said stuff about looking after "the brand", made comment that this may not be a purely footballing decision and,according to the tweet from last nights 125 dinner, described the club as a "family club" so make of that what you will but I don't think Evans coming back is nailed on.

 

[Northyorksblade]

He may be, maybe not - Phipps clearly stated yesterday that there has been no decision at board level either way. He has also said stuff about looking after "the brand", made comment that this may not be a purely footballing decision and,according to the tweet from last nights 125 dinner, described the club as a "family club" so make of that what you will but I don't think Evans coming back is nailed on.

No neither do I, but if he definitely wasn't, then they'd say so surely?

 

[Bladesway]

If its taken Higdon so long to get match sharp I'm guessing Ched will be fit by the date of his 2017 appeal.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

No neither do I, but if he definitely wasn't, then they'd say so surely?

I agree - I don't think they have decided yet and from what Phipps said it won't be decided before he is released and maybe some time after. If they are going to cop a load of crap for signing him they won't sign him till they have had a look at him and they will want everyone on board including NC.

 

[The Glasshouse Blade]

Fair, didn't know he was actually out in Oct. Regardless I'd bet hundreds on him not signing a contract again. If he does the club won't have my support until he is gone.

Sorry pal but i disagree, i think many men both on this board and in general will have had sex with a girl whilst both were under the influence of ale. I also bet that very few in general would actually realise that it was still classed as rape. Ched served his sentenced let him get on with his life now, and if he plays football again which he will, let it be with us.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Fair, didn't know he was actually out in Oct.

Really???? Where on earth have you been?

 

[stannyblade]

We will always need Brayford.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

Can we all stop this ridiculous Ched b*llocks now? He will NOT be signing... Jim Phipps has said there is no plans to re-sign him and he's not got another appeal until 2017, of which he's already lost before.

Unless the FA or Football League ban him then he better be f***ing signing for United.

As someone else has already stated on this thread if he'd dragged her down a dark alley and raped her I'd want him no where near the Lane. As it is he's had a drunken one nighter that's backfired in a big way. He's done his time, let him get on with the rest of his life.

 

[mattbianco1]

We will always need Brayford.

Cos he has got a beard, a beard, and that's the way we like it, we like it!

 

[Kenilworth]

I think many men both on this board and in general will have had sex with a girl whilst both were under the influence of ale.

Classy bird then?
Used to be a Babycham or Dubonet & Lemonade in my day - but suppin' pints of Ale before a fumble - top stuff until she farts when you're down there Bobbers

 

[SE9 Blade]

First time I've seen a full 90 minutes from Wallace and was very impressed, throw in Baxter, JCR and the returning Evans and I think we'll be okay breaking teams down at the Lane. By main concern is away from home without a dominant centre half. McGahey has improved, but I've got both him and Collins down as mop-up centre halves. For me we need a lynch pin in defence that wins everything and really leads the defence both my example and with the mouth, with Collins or McGahey sweeping up behind. Without one I've got a feeling we'll end up with a few more games like last Saturday at Swindon.

Without getting into the morality of the signing, does anyone really think that if we do resign CE that he will make an impact this season?

 

[Mouth of the South]

Despite what was said on Saturday, the Board have actually spent quite some time kicking around the idea of re-signing Evans. From what I understand,. the conclusion, although a deal is yet to be finalised, is that if Utd don't sign him, someone (probably in L1) will.
There is however concern by at least one of the key decision makers at the club about the potential and likely collateral damage to the club i.e. brand damage, focus by media, attention/action from rival supporters & protest groups etc. that may distract from and destabilise the focus on promotion.
Timings, salary etc. are all to be determined but he is 95% to return.

This is all in line with NC's view at an evening event several months ago.

 

[Grecian2000]

Just as a matter of interest, how can a perfectly reasonable attempt at rating this seasons new players turn into Ched Thread No. 1489 in three posts? Incredible!

So, back to the OP, that's also the first time I've seen Wallace play enough to rate him. He was good ("steady" is how I described him at the game) and a huge step up on having Basham in the side.

Ok, chaps, Ched away.

 

[metalblade]

I though Wallace was a class above everyone else on the pitch big, strong, kept the ball well, ok some of his passes went to nobody but that will come with game time. When he knows what his team mates are capable of and when they all get on the same wavelength we will have some player, I just hope we can keep him fit then some on here might finally stop banging on about Coady.

 

[bladesmanluke]

Without getting into the morality of the signing, does anyone really think that if we do resign CE that he will make an impact this season?

I do. The quality he has is far and away better than league one. Even at 50% he's better than anything we have at the moment. The Ched we saw for the first 2 years is better than anything we have at the moment.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

Get him signed, get it made public, let the press create a circus for a fortnight, and lets get on with it.

 

[SE9 Blade]

Couldn't agree more metalblade

 

[Torrix1889]

Can we all stop this ridiculous Ched b*llocks now? He will NOT be signing... Jim Phipps has said there is no plans to re-sign him and he's not got another appeal until 2017, of which he's already lost before.

No, Jim said there had been no decision made either way on re-signing Chedwyn

 

[HolmesfieldBlade]

I think your all letting football and desperation for sucess blur your judgement on something that is a moral issue. Regardless of the ins and outs of the case he was convicted of rape. No matter what you say or what anybody else thinks you can't change that. What you are all failing to realise is that NOBODY cares the details of the case, which is unfortunate but true.
The damage to the image of the club, moral in the dressing room etc. plus the impact of that on our potential to attract quality staff and players would not be worth the PUNT of Ched even finding a third of the form he did before.

The old worldly views displayed on this thread are absolutely shocking.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Despite what was said on Saturday, the Board have actually spent quite some time kicking around the idea of re-signing Evans. From what I understand,. the conclusion, although a deal is yet to be finalised, is that if Utd don't sign him, someone (probably in L1) will.
There is however concern by at least one of the key decision makers at the club about the potential and likely collateral damage to the club i.e. brand damage, focus by media, attention/action from rival supporters & protest groups etc. that may distract from and destabilise the focus on promotion.
Timings, salary etc. are all to be determined but he is 95% to return.

This is all in line with NC's view at an evening event several months ago.

Was there all that fuss when Hughes and the lad currently keeping goal for Plymouth resumed their careers ?, both responsible for the deaths of people;can't seem to recall there was. It's not as though he is signing for Man Utd, it's little old Sheff U, all be forgotten about in a few weeks.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Without getting into the morality of the signing, does anyone really think that if we do resign CE that he will make an impact this season?

What hacks me off is that the club seems to have pinned its hopes on resigning Ched, but in answer to your question, yes In think he will make an impact but not probably until after the new year. Until then we are going to struggle to put chances away, like we did Saturday.