Sky Sources

[DronnieBlade]

BS will be a good signing if he comes. Adkins will have a different strategy to Clough . A big . fast , energetic striker will also arrive . BS will be a addition to the squad of quality . Each player has to be good enough to play first team football , not second rate or second class , as players who came in to the team last season. We just didn't cut it last season.

I still can see a number of players who will be deemed not good enough or surplus to requirements.

We have a first class manager , so we have to give him some slack on player recruitment . They will come .

The good thing is , i don't think he will just let them go through the motions .

UTB

We don't have a big, fast energetic striker. But we do have a fast and energetic one in Done.

We categorically do not need to add the big part to this.

Reason ?

Ball will be played through midfield in to FEET, not to head.

The Defenders will deal with the set plays as they will be massive !!!

No need for the cumbersome giant CF to help out here ;-)

UTB

PS I do want the cumbersome giant CF on the bench though, to stir shit up later in the game if needs be. A plan B !

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

We don't have a big, fast energetic striker. But we do have a fast and energetic one in Done.

We categorically do not need to add the big part to this.

Reason ?

Ball will be played through midfield in to FEET, not to head.

The Defenders will deal with the set plays as they will be massive !!!

No need for the cumbersome giant CF to help out here ;-)

UTB

PS I do want the cumbersome giant CF on the bench though, to stir shit up later in the game if needs be. A plan B !

Nice one . He may not be the fastest over 100 yards , but should make it over six , if he has a football brain .

The big cumbersome giant could already be on the books , and no longer a salad dodger.

Goes by the name of Slim Higdon.

UTB

 

[Darthblade]

Higgy

Errrrr ...... no thank-you. The higgopottamus has had his chance and failed miserably ......

We need height, pace, energy and goal hungry ....... not just height & hungry !
UTB & FTP

 

[sheffielder]

Errrrr ...... no thank-you. The higgopottamus has had his chance and failed miserably ......

We need height, pace, energy and goal hungry ....... not just height & hungry !
UTB & FTP

You just said height and weight. He provided that, however I see what you mean now

 

[Caseh]

Errrrr ...... no thank-you. The higgopottamus has had his chance and failed miserably ......

We need height, pace, energy and goal hungry ....... not just height & hungry !
UTB & FTP

Adkins said that everyone would get a fresh start. Football fans are crazily quick to write people off. I for one hope he takes his chance and makes a large amount of blades eat their words.

 

[Esablade]

...inside every Higgopottamus is a Neil Shipperley trying to break out...

Now there's a thought.

 

[Kev Gee]

Is it today dad?

 

[Lane Ender]

Until Higdon walked at Chesterfield he was causing all sorts of bollocks and I've seen things from him to see he has something to offer.
And all those who were booing him stay at home.

 

[Rossb123]

Until Higdon walked at Chesterfield he was causing all sorts of bollocks and I've seen things from him to see he has something to offer.
And all those who were booing him stay at home.

Can't stand fans that boo their own players! Same with Baxter.....some of our fans think a player is useless unless he is running around like a headless chicken.........for example Michael Doyle and Nick Montgomery, they were both fans favourites because of their work ethic not because of their ability.

 

[Woodwardfan]

The thing that is a worry for me is if Billy was to return but not start hitting the net straight away then sections of the fans would soon have him as a scapegoat, which in light of his two previous spells at the club which ended in failure would not be good for the club and definitely not good for Billy.

Not good for the manager either. It's like a "signature signing" which splits our fan base immediately. It's high risk for the manager but he knows that by now.

Trouble with players like Sharp is that they have different skills to those which fans expect. Sharp is not tall and has no pace but he plays with his head up, knows his area of the pitch and where to be IF we get the ball into his areas. Sharp provides link play as well as goals and invariably spots movement in the area even when under pressure in tight situations.

Just thinking about him playing for us both excites me and frightens me for the very reason Metalblade quotes above.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Can't stand fans that boo their own players! Same with Baxter.....some of our fans think a player is useless unless he is running around like a headless chicken.........for example Michael Doyle and Nick Montgomery, they were both fans favourites because of their work ethic not because of their ability.

Am I missing the joke here? Doyle and Monty were both scapegoats for long enough.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I think McNulty's games will be extremely limited if Sharp signs. Done can fit in around him. I don't feel Done and Sharp are too similar

We need a strike-force of four for the full season of 60 plus games.

 

[FleaPitBlade]

Clean slates from the manager and it should be thus from fans as well.

Higgs was wank last season, but so were Flynn and Murph the one before that. Bash started life as a clumsy headless chicken and grew into arguably our best player.

Should Billy sign he should also get the benefit of a clean slate.

One thing we are certainly not going to get from League One footballers is top of their game consistency every week.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Just the signing of Sharp and the squad takes shape and plenty good enough to start the campaign in the attacking sense.

Strike force: Sharp, Higdon if fit, Done, Adams, McNulty.

Scoring midfielders: Done, Murphy, Baxter ( in time), Scougall, Adams, Ryce, Flynn,

Support midfield: Reed, Coutts, Basham, Cuvelier, Wallace, Flynn. Freeman.

Attacking full backs: Brayford, Freeman, Harris.

The manager has options in each area and some quality to tease out.

With other options already there Higdon has time to get up to speed. If he could get fit it would be a massive boost because he has the ability and the presence. Having Sharp and Higdon around would at least guarantee we would have men in the box when we get there.

Wallace will need time to get fully match fit even if all goes well but there's cover in the squad to enable that.

Any further signings which should add to the above section of the squad would be bonuses indeed.

I reckon any further cash should go on the defence as the priority.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Just the signing of Sharp and the squad takes shape and plenty good enough to start the campaign in the attacking sense.

Strike force: Sharp, Higdon if fit, Done, Adams, McNulty.

Scoring midfielders: Done, Murphy, Baxter ( in time), Scougall, Adams, Ryce, Flynn,

Support midfield: Reed, Coutts, Basham, Cuvelier, Wallace, Flynn. Freeman.

Attacking full backs: Brayford, Freeman, Harris.

The manager has options in each area and some quality to tease out.

With other options already there Higdon has time to get up to speed. If he could get fit it would be a massive boost because he has the ability and the presence. Having Sharp and Higdon around would at least guarantee we would have men in the box when we get there.

Wallace will need time to get fully match fit even if all goes well but there's cover in the squad to enable that.

Any further signings which should add to the above section of the squad would be bonuses indeed.

I reckon any further cash should go on the defence as the priority.

dont forget we are weak at centre back woody!!. if clough had sorted that out last season in my opinion we would have been a lot closer to a top two even piping one of them for automatic..clough i think will be reflecting
on where he went wrong and that stands out like a sore thumb.

 

[Woodwardfan]

dont forget we are weak at centre back woody!!. if clough had sorted that out last season in my opinion we would have been a lot closer to a top two even piping one of them for automatic..clough i think will be reflecting
on where he went wrong and that stands out like a sore thumb.

See last sentence. I'm actually saying that we have enough attacking players with the addition of just one of quality. The rest of the cash ( and I'm sure there's a good budget) should go on defenders.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

See last sentence. I'm actually saying that we have enough attacking players with the addition of just one of quality. The rest of the cash ( and I'm sure there's a good budget) should go on defenders.

Woody , I actually don't think we do have a good budget . The squad is top heavy and unbalanced . If Sharp does arrive at BDTBL , i still can see either Done or Murphy going , to free up finances for 2no CB players we need.

It could be that Collins plays a part this season who is a average league 1 player . It would also be good if young Tel was fighting fit , but his match long term fitness is a ongoing issue .

The fans on this forum are split on BS , and hope this does not continue , with the comings and goings , as Adkins does try to balance the books as well as the squad. Hope i am way off the mark , and wrong.

UTH

 

[Pinchy]

Woody , I actually don't think we do have a good budget . The squad is top heavy and unbalanced . If Sharp does arrive at BDTBL , i still can see either Done or Murphy going , to free up finances for 2no CB players we need.

It could be that Collins plays a part this season who is a average league 1 player . It would also be good if young Tel was fighting fit , but his match long term fitness is a ongoing issue .

The fans on this forum are split on BS , and hope this does not continue , with the comings and goings , as Adkins does try to balance the books as well as the squad. Hope i am way off the mark , and wrong.

UTH

Unwelcome, awkward truth time, I'm afraid. Even if fighting fit, "Young Tel" is not the outstanding player one or two of you are wishing him to be. He's not the answer to our CB difficulties, he really isn't.

Sorry Bladey Blades. I'm just doing my job....

 

[bricktop]

Unwelcome, awkward truth time, I'm afraid. Even if fighting fit, "Young Tel" is not the outstanding player one or two of you are wishing him to be. He's not the answer to our CB difficulties, he really isn't.

Sorry Bladey Blades. I'm just doing my job....

What are your thoughts on Billy Sharp coming back Pinchy

 

[Woodwardfan]

Woody , I actually don't think we do have a good budget . The squad is top heavy and unbalanced . If Sharp does arrive at BDTBL , i still can see either Done or Murphy going , to free up finances for 2no CB players we need.

It could be that Collins plays a part this season who is a average league 1 player . It would also be good if young Tel was fighting fit , but his match long term fitness is a ongoing issue .

The fans on this forum are split on BS , and hope this does not continue , with the comings and goings , as Adkins does try to balance the books as well as the squad. Hope i am way off the mark , and wrong.

UTH

Why do you think we don't have a good budget?

The Board are ambitious and backed the last manager and have given no indication about any change of funding; Adkins was attracted to the job and has not given any hint whatsoever that he is having to balance the books, far from it ...... or have I missed something?

I'll add to that - I think the manager has licence to spend meaningful money and is simply taking stock at present and going through the important stage of giving every player the chance to shine under the new regime. I think this is an important message he wants to give the players. He might even have two or three deals stitched up but he chooses to go through this important period with all his new players on the basis that they can make themselves part of his plans.

The other week I drew comparisons with the Derby manager appointed on the same day and 5 or 6 signings made before the squad assembled even - that sends a poor message to existing players many of who will already be uncertain.

 

[Deleted member 1486]

as Adkins does try to balance the books as well as the squad

We were told when he signed that the board and Adkins had agreed a budget. We have no way of knowing, but I'm sure we can safely assume that must have been >£500k?

I'm just not phased by the lack of signings. I would imagine he wants to see who is needed where before he starts to throw money around?

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Unwelcome, awkward truth time, I'm afraid. Even if fighting fit, "Young Tel" is not the outstanding player one or two of you are wishing him to be. He's not the answer to our CB difficulties, he really isn't.

Sorry Bladey Blades. I'm just doing my job....

Agree with you to some extent . Both SUFC and Young Tel would benefit from having a experienced CB . TK is still learning his trade , and the ongoing injuries means he cannot play on a regular basis.

I woulkdnt knock TK or say he is not good enough . IMO the ongoing injury situation is preventing him from both improving and obtaining a regular first team spot or being on the bench.

If we are serious of a promotion season , we do need quality , experience and commanding ,consistent , leaders.

This type of player does not grow on trees or come cheap . Adkins is paid to resolve this ongoing issue.

UTB

 

[Blade58]

We were told when he signed that the board and Adkins had agreed a budget. We have no way of knowing, but I'm sure we can safely assume that must have been >£500k?

I'm just not phased by the lack of signings. I would imagine he wants to see who is needed where before he starts to throw money around?

Wouldn't have thought NA has to see the squad to 'know' we need a cb or two

 

[Deleted member 1486]

Wouldn't have thought NA has to see the squad to 'know' we need a cb or two

I'm sure we'll all feel a bit more comfortable when we do sign one or two!

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

We were told when he signed that the board and Adkins had agreed a budget. We have no way of knowing, but I'm sure we can safely assume that must have been >£500k?

I'm just not phased by the lack of signings. I would imagine he wants to see who is needed where before he starts to throw money around?

I do think everyone connected with SUFC , board , players , fans etc do know were our weakness is , which has to be the centre of the back four . IMO Adkins may have come to the conclusion after his " clean sheet "scenario for all the squad . Perhaps we will see some movement in the transfer front , which to me the CB situation is more important , at this moment in time , than signing a forward . It would be good if we do both.

UTB

 

[Nedski]

Unwelcome, awkward truth time, I'm afraid. Even if fighting fit, "Young Tel" is not the outstanding player one or two of you are wishing him to be. He's not the answer to our CB difficulties, he really isn't.

Sorry Bladey Blades. I'm just doing my job....

There's no denying our results with him playing are pretty damn good. We conceded goals but only lost once with him in the team. It's a shame he'll never manage an extended run in the team, that's if he comes back at all.

http://www.soccerstats247.com/players/Terry-Kennedy-189441/

 

[judge]

Unwelcome, awkward truth time, I'm afraid. Even if fighting fit, "Young Tel" is not the outstanding player one or two of you are wishing him to be. He's not the answer to our CB difficulties, he really isn't.

Sorry Bladey Blades. I'm just doing my job....

What is your job ?
Being the willie rushden of s24su ?

 

[Pinchy]

What is your job ?
Being the willie rushden of s24su ?

I teach common sense as a second language.

 

[Latters]

I teach common sense as a second language.

I'm getting OFSTED in. I think your method of repetition would see you in special measures.

 

[Pinchy]

What are your thoughts on Billy Sharp coming back Pinchy

Complicated, mate. In principle I don't go with it. Firstly it's a long time since BS was a prolific goal scorer, even in Division 3. At Doncaster he was a conquering hero yet his second spell ended with him being a bench-warmer and at League One level at that. I believe his time as a frequent scorer has come and gone.

Secondly I'd have thought our sights should be on a big but mobile centre-forward who can hold it up and bring others into play [I don't mean hoof it of course]. CoG would be my man, paired with Done.

BUT, I am 100% behind Adkins. As I have said previously, his record entitles him to a free rein without any contrary fuss from the likes of me. Once I have committed to that, it's very difficult not to acknowledge his unique knowledge of, and relationship with Billy Sharp. So have to say, cautiously, that if he's the one for NA, he's the one for me. We still need 3 or 4 others though, including the "centre-forward" and two centre-backs.