CONFIRMED Billy Sharp

[metalblade]

Marc McNulty is vastly overrated by a lot of our fans, don't get me wrong he shows glimpses but I'd have Sharp over him everyday of the week.

Mmmmmm Billy Sharp who scores around a goal every six games or McNulty who scores more than that off the bench, and is a lot younger and will only improve with experience and will have a re-sale value ? You only have to do the maths to choose McNulty.
I wonder what Darius Henderson is doing these days ? Bladey bladey bladeness you know it makes NO sense

 

[grafikhaus]

Can't argue with that either, but we finished 49th in the country last season after dropping down from 18th, 8 years ago because we keep selling our best players. Those teams have managed to at least keep hold of for long enough and/or replace adequately enough to stay at the top.

Teams like Spurs and Liverpool aren't at the top, they're near the top. At that stratified level, the difference between finishing outside the top European places is immense. Your point is good and one most will agree with, but the £millions that have been lost by selling the likes of Bale, Suarez and shortly Sterling will never be recouped. Then, of course, there's the pesky agents who engineer a lot of transfers...

Happened with Suarez and Maguire. Currently happening with Sterling and maybe Murphy. It's a pisser constantly losing your better players, but sometimes the board and fans are powerless to prevent it.

 

[Barney]

Mmmmmm Billy Sharp who scores around a goal every six games or McNulty who scores more than that off the bench, and is a lot younger and will only improve with experience and will have a re-sale value ? You only have to do the maths to choose McNulty.
I wonder what Darius Henderson is doing these days ? Bladey bladey bladeness you know it makes NO sense

Agree with that mate. Billy Sharp would be a massive step back for us and it wouldn't fill me with confidence for any more signings we make afterwards if we did go for him. McNulty is decent and needs to be given the regular first team chance that Clough was unable to provide for him.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

Mmmmmm Billy Sharp who scores around a goal every six games or McNulty who scores more than that off the bench, and is a lot younger and will only improve with experience and will have a re-sale value ? You only have to do the maths to choose McNulty.
I wonder what Darius Henderson is doing these days ? Bladey bladey bladeness you know it makes NO sense

Can I just clarify, anyone who thinks that we should sign Sharp must be basing it on 'Bladey bladeness'?

Can't I base it on the fact that we would be signing a player who scores for fun at this level, has shown that he can score at the level above when settled (ie not out on loan every few weeks like for the past 18-14 months), and who also would be working under a manager who seems to get the best from him?

McNulty comes off the bench, may get a goal, then the week after gets a start and is anonymous. He needs to work on his game so much (positioning, awareness etc), when he does we might have a player, in the mean time for me Sharp is hands down the right way to go.

You see, I explained myself all without mentioning he's a Blade.

 

[Dkc]

Mmmmmm Billy Sharp who scores around a goal every six games or Bladey bladey bladeness you know it makes NO sense

'

Billy will get the goals if he has the service. He's a natural goalscorer, similar to Ched. Can shoot from any angle. He's not done great at Leeds, but he's not played too often and besides, Leeds are shite. If he's fit he'd be a great signing imo. McNults and Higdon may be surplus if Sharpe signs, though I'd like to see Mcnults keep a place in the squad.

 

[Rossb123]

Can I just clarify, anyone who thinks that we should sign Sharp must be basing it on 'Bladey bladeness'?

Can't I base it on the fact that we would be signing a player who scores for fun at this level, has shown that he can score at the level above when settled (ie not out on loan every few weeks like for the past 18-14 months), and who also would be working under a manager who seems to get the best from him?

McNulty comes off the bench, may get a goal, then the week after gets a start and is anonymous. He needs to work on his game so much (positioning, awareness etc), when he does we might have a player, in the mean time for me Sharp is hands down the right way to go.

You see, I explained myself all without mentioning he's a Blade.

Fully agree, if we signed Sharp In the Championship I would say its a step back but for this league he is a very good signing.

 

[Mouth of the South]

A lot of people hold up Wolves as the example on how to get out of this league. They did it by attracting the best possible talent available for L1 - a mix of existing players from the Champ and cherry-picked talent from Champ and L1 (inc. K McD of course). Personally, following the JTW and several more signings to come, I feel we're well on the way to do that ourselves.

Obviously there are still several gaps to fill in the squad (no need for me to say where) but as I see it, Sharp is the best player that's has become available to L1 clubs this summer and we've got him (if the rumours are true), beating our biggest rivals (according to the bookies) to his signature in the process. Together with Basham, Murphy, Brayford (when fit) and Done, on paper they'd probably all make the best, current L1 team. Throw in Reed & Adams (both of whom will hopefully develop futher), Coutts (who I, along with quite a few others, see as a potentially top player for us next season) and even the possibility of J Wallace returning and I think we may be in for an enjoyable season ahead.

Comparing Sharp's goalscoring record with McNulty's is like comparing apples with oranges. How many Prem and Champ games has McNulty played in? Of course, Sharp hasn't set the world alight in the last couple of years but he would be well out of reach if he had (same goes for Adkins if circumstances had been different at Reading). Whilst every signing is a risk, the fact that he is proven at a higher level, is familiar with and has performed well for NA previously and of course is a massive Blade (which will guarantee 110% effort at all times) somewhat reduces that risk.

My biggest concern is not the signing of Sharp, more the ongoing need for a bigger, target man. As we've all seen, and as I hope NA is aware, L1 is a physical league and it is very difficult, if not impossible, to play yourself out of it with a team lacking in size and physicality (as NC found out to his cost). If he does bring another striker in (Davies?), I'd struggle to see how he, Sharp, Done and Murphy could all play in the same side unless Done plays wide. I just hope it doesn't mean a key player will depart.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Has he had his medical yet? Must have, since no one knows about it and no official confirmation of even a bid.

Every time he visits his hometown he's supposedly having a medical to sign for United.

 

[maxstertheblade]

Leeds signing Wood.

 

[Caseh]

Good to see everyone giving our new manager, the man that almost all of us wanted due to his constant success in this league is being left to make his purchases... Oh wait, you aren't doing that.

Judge his signings and him after he has actually had a chance to play some football FFS.

And some of you are seriously deluded if you think McNulty is better than Sharp. I like the guy but he goes missing in far too many games. We need someone that's going to come in, no messing and just put the ball in the back of the net. I don't see that there could be anyone better at that available to us in this league.

 

[Barney]

Good to see everyone giving our new manager, the man that almost all of us wanted due to his constant success in this league is being left to make his purchases... Oh wait, you aren't doing that.

Judge his signings and him after he has actually had a chance to play some football FFS.

And some of you are seriously deluded if you think McNulty is better than Sharp. I like the guy but he goes missing in far too many games. We need someone that's going to come in, no messing and just put the ball in the back of the net. I don't see that there could be anyone better at that available to us in this league.

I didn't say McNulty was better than Sharp. I said Sharp would be a step backwards for us because for the money and the type of deal Leeds seem to be after, including grabbing our best player, our money would be far better utilised elsewhere.

 

[EddieColquhoun]

Leeds signing Wood.

 

[Balham]

Leeds "wanting Murphy as part of any deal" would suggest that we're the ones making the move. That's ridiculous; as is paying anything at all for Billy Sharp. I know Adkins has worked with him at pretty much every club he's managed but surely he can see that we're already well stocked with short strikers without adding a short, slow one?

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

Leeds "wanting Murphy as part of any deal" would suggest that we're the ones making the move. That's ridiculous; as is paying anything at all for Billy Sharp. I know Adkins has worked with him at pretty much every club he's managed but surely he can see that we're already well stocked with short strikers without adding a short, slow one?

Our new manager might think that BS is better than our existing strikers...

 

[Barney]

Our new manager might think that BS is better than our existing strikers...

He really isn't though is he. I mean I don't rate Done as magnificent but he's a damn site better than Sharp was even in his younger days without considering the inevitable loss of pace, agility and ability as he's got older.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

I didn't say he was/wasn't, not our opinion that matters in the signing of players.

Sharp is better than we have though, as I've explained in previous posts on this thread.

 

[Caseh]

He really isn't though is he. I mean I don't rate Done as magnificent but he's a damn site better than Sharp was even in his younger days without considering the inevitable loss of pace, agility and ability as he's got older.

How do you possibly know Done is better? Done is quicker yes, but if Sharp is being played in a way that pace would matter, then he is just being played wrong. He is a poacher, a natural goalscorer. Which is something we haven't had for a long time. Done and Sharp together could be an absolute nightmare for teams to deal with in this league. In fact, I'd be willing to bet if we sign him, and that is the partnership, they would be the highest scoring partnership in the league.

 

[Jon Bon]

I can only imagine that those clamouring for Bladey-Bladeness Billy to return either haven't seen him play recently or are mates of his and are slavering at the chops at the prospect of some free match tickets.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

I can only imagine that those clamouring for Bladey-Bladeness Billy to return either haven't seen him play recently or are mates of his and are slavering at the chops at the prospect of some free match tickets.

Yeh it's nothing to do with him being a proven goal scorer the right side of 30. Also nothing to do with the fact that our new manager knows how to deploy and get the best out of him.

Bonkers if you wouldn't be happy with getting him back. It's always Bladey Bladeness whenever anyone wants to re-sign a player.

 

[sheffielder]

This Bladey Bladeness crap is getting a bit old hat now. can't we have an 'in Nigel we trust' tag assigned to the resigning of Billy.

 

[Bartleby]

Yeh it's nothing to do with him being a proven goal scorer the right side of 30. Also nothing to do with the fact that our new manager knows how to deploy and get the best out of him.

Bonkers if you wouldn't be happy with getting him back. It's always Bladey Bladeness whenever anyone wants to re-sign a player.

It's going back a bit, but the stats seem to support that - 30 goals in 45 appearances 2006/7 for Scunthorpe in L1 under Adkins, then 4 goals in 29 appearances at SU in championship the season after. His 9 goals from 15 games in 20011/12 in the championship at Southampton would possibly indicate it's the system under Adkins rather than the division.

 

[Balham]

Yeh it's nothing to do with him being a proven goal scorer the right side of 30. Also nothing to do with the fact that our new manager knows how to deploy and get the best out of him.

Bonkers if you wouldn't be happy with getting him back. It's always Bladey Bladeness whenever anyone wants to re-sign a player.

Proven goalscorer..true, just not a proven prolific goalscorer. You've got to go back 3 seasons to find double figures and another year to find anything close to the sort of statistics we need.

2014/15: 28 apps, 5 goals, 0.18 goals/game
2013/14: 26 apps, 6 goals, 0.23 goals/game
2012/13: 43 apps, 12 goals, 0.28 goals/game
2011/12: 35 apps, 19 goals, 0.54 goals/game
2010/11: 31 apps, 16 goals, 0.52 goals/game

If we are going to spend money on the signing and wages of a forward I'd rather it was James Collins from Shrewsbury or Tom Nicholls from Exeter, both of whom have youth on their side.

EDIT: don't get me wrong, if Sharp signs he'll get my full support; I just think we should aim for a different kind of player

 

[Reedy1889]

Going off his goal ratio at Leeds, those stats don't tell the full story.

For me tt was one of Redfearn's poorer decisions in his time as Leeds boss not utilizing Sharp to the best of his ability's with him often shifted out wide of a 3 man forward line (AML - AMR - ST). Had he been played in his best position those stats would make much better reading that I'm sure of.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Proven goalscorer..true, just not a proven prolific goalscorer. You've got to go back 3 seasons to find double figures and another year to find anything close to the sort of statistics we need.

2014/15: 28 apps, 5 goals, 0.18 goals/game
2013/14: 26 apps, 6 goals, 0.23 goals/game
2012/13: 43 apps, 12 goals, 0.28 goals/game
2011/12: 35 apps, 19 goals, 0.54 goals/game
2010/11: 31 apps, 16 goals, 0.52 goals/game

If we are going to spend money on the signing and wages of a forward I'd rather it was James Collins from Shrewsbury or Tom Nicholls from Exeter, both of whom have youth on their side.

EDIT: don't get me wrong, if Sharp signs he'll get my full support; I just think we should aim for a different kind of player

For the transfer fees we can realistically afford he is the best you will get. We can go borefest with statistics all day. They can be manipulated to make a point. How many of those were off the bench? How many in a side that was creating lots of chances, near the top of the division etc. etc.

We all know that he's well capable of double figures in the second and particularly the third tier, no injury problems to speak of and only 29. If he wasn't a former Blade and hadn't been horribly mismanaged by those in charge at the time, then everyone would be saying he ticks all the boxes.

We should be judging him on his ability. The James Collins' and Tom Nicholls' of the this world do nothing to get me excited. Youth they may have, proven track records they don't. Are we talking about the same James Collins that went to Scotland and did nothing....and the same Tom Nicholls that Exeter sent out on loan the last three seasons?

 

[diplomat]

If we play him regularly and tell him not to chase channels and never to be wider than either side of the six yard box he'd score a boatload. In fairness most people would given that remit.

In this league in one of the best teams in it he could be a legend. I think he could help develop mcnulty too.

However, I am tempered by a feeling we may need to pay over the odds to have the chance, and it is a chance, to see if it could become a reality. Leeds will no doubt be over paying him and will want to recoup some of that outlay. And as a result of the contracts that he is used to we may have to over pay him too. If all parties are happy, and if he wants to be fondly remembered outside of scunny then I hope a deal with a basic akin to the rest of the squad with incentives for appearances, goals, and promotion will see all parties happy.

In summary, I think he could be a big success. I saw a couple of leeds games and they didn't play to his strengths, are a bit shit, but did see him Nick a goal no one on the pitch would have scored (v Boro) that won the game. However, such a signing should not be to the detriment of overall team building.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I doubt Adkins has a Bladey Blade bone in his body. If Sharp does sign, it'll be because Adkins feels he's important for a team he's trying to build. If he had been appointed at any other League 1 club this summer, I'd have expected to be linked with Sharp at every one. It sounds like he's doing a comprehensive assessment of the squad - if he feels Sharp is better than what we have, and that we're unlikely to get anyone better elsewhere, then fair enough tbh.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Message to all you doubters.

If Sharp signs, see if the bookies install him as Fav to be L1 top scorer ? Why might that be ??

Still think you know better ???

Make NO mistake, every other L1 club manager would want to have Billy Sharp available to them. Every single one.

UTB

 

[Pinchy]

Bonkers if you wouldn't be happy with getting him back. It's always Bladey Bladeness whenever anyone wants to re-sign a player.

Yes, it is. It really is time our fans learned to look beyond the end of Shoreham Street, isn't it? There's gold in them hills.

 

[Pinchy]

This Bladey Bladeness crap is getting a bit old hat

It certainly is. Couldn't you Bladey Blades please just stop it and try to think of some decent players instead?

 

[Dkc]

I know we all take the piss out of Bladey Bladenes, but doesn't the fact that Billy's a Blade count in his favour at all? Surely it shouldn't count against him. He will always give 100 percent for the club he supports. But I'm starting to think he'd get more support from the fans if he was a Chesterfield fan.

It's the same with others, including Warnock and Micky Adams. It seems in some way to count against a player or manager if they are actually fans of the club.