bricktop
Well-Known Member
2014-15 Season Review
As the season draws to a close, it is a good time to sit back, have a look at a season that initially promised much, consistently flattered to deceive, and ended up being very much a case of so near, yet so far, still United in name, but just as divided as ever.
Going back to the start of the season, pre-season optimism was probably just as high as ever as it had been going in to the start of the season. With what was perceived as serious wealth behind us, a refreshing new group of people in charge of the club at boardroom, and Nigel Clough still being heralded as the best manager this club had been fortunate enough to have in years, and a squad of players that finished the previous season on fire, as we went from bottom at the end of February to finish in 7th position, allied with a fairy-tale run to the semi-final of the FA Cup. It had become abundantly clear that Sheffield United was a club definitely on the up.
The bookmakers odds had firmly installed us as the favourites to win this Division, and this sentiment was shared by a lot of United fans who believed we was generously priced at 6/1 to win the League One title, and the teams who had come down was not particular expected to push for promotion, as Barnsley, and Doncaster looked set for transitional seasons, and Yeovil a season of readapting back to their natural level. The main threats looked to be Bristol City who had shared a fast improvement as we did the preceding season, Preston North End who had enjoyed a decent season the previous season before losing out in the play-offs, and the previous seasons surprise package Leyton Orient who had narrowly missed out on promotion and had consistently improved under the management of Russell Slade.
During the summer we had seen a lot of transfer activity around Bramall Lane as Nigel Clough looked to stamp his own authority on the first team squad, and shape it as he wished. The one player we had all desperately wanted to come back to Bramall Lane was John Brayford, and despite the player hinting that we would want to comeback, the terms of his contract and money required by Cardiff meant this looked unlikely from the off, however Clough did agree a new deal with Mark Howard, the previous seasons unlikely cult hero Chris Porter, and also offered a new contract to the impressive Bob Harris.
The summer released list hadn’t contained many shocks and surprises as several players who been incoming and been massively disappointing under the previous manager David Weir quickly and quietly got shifted on, as well as one or two lower league players who we had accumulated but never really found their feet at Bramall Lane found their time coming to an end. The least surprising was the disappointing Fabien Brandy, and the released list also featured the mediocre Daryl Westlake, the unlucky Shaun Miller, the hard working, typical journeyman pro Matt Hill, as well as Jasper Johns, Lyle Taylor and Sean McGinty (I wonder how many of those last 3 we will remember next season?) The big departure and the one that probably had a big effect on the rest of the season was the departure of Harry Maguire who chose the Premiership stardom of playing for the bright lights of Hull City over leading the Blades in a promotion season.
Incoming there was very little to whet the appetite, but plenty of players who seemed to be good solid reinforcements to our squad. Jamal Campbell-Ryce who had seemed to be around for years, young Scottish striker who was looking to emulate the success of our previous Livingston signing Stefan Scougall, Blackpool midfielder Chris Basham, experienced Walsall defender Andy Butler, the least surprising signing was ex-loanee Ben Davies, who was quickly followed by Tranmere midfielder James Wallace, Peterborough defender Craig Alcock, young 18 year old Blackpool prospect Harrison McGahey, and on the eve of the season, proven goal scorer (in Scotland and the Eredivise anyway) Michael Higdon, and these were followed shortly after the season had started by out of contract players Jay McEveley who was another Clough old boy, and goalkeeper Iain Turner.
The season began poorly as United were the first to kick off, with a bizarre looking side at home to Bristol City where we deservedly lost 2-1 to a side who would go on and win the division by a comfortable margin, followed by a regulation 1st Round League Cup win against Mansfield, notable for the only appearance from Andy Butler and the first goal for young striker Marc McNulty, and then our second defeat in two games away at Covhampton (Coventry still playing their home games at Northampton Town. Our first win coming away at a fancied Peterborough side, before a home win against Crawley and ending the month with a 1-1 draw at Preston North End. The moment of the month was undoubtedly playing our nemesis West Ham away in the 2nd Round of the League Cup, and matching them over 120 minutes and then dumping them out on penalties in a moment every United fan had waited just over 20 years to savour.
September saw us glean 9 points from a possible 12, thanks to a home win over Rochdale, a late, late comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Colchester, before getting thumped 5-2 at an impressive Swindon Town side, before wrapping the month up with a 2-1 win over Gillingham thanks to a very late Jamie Murphy wonder goal. Our League Cup campaign was also quietly making headway after an away win at Leyton Orient sent us on our way in to the 4th Round.
October was very similar to September in events on the pitch as United seemed to flatter to deceive, whilst making cup progress and accumulating enough points to continue heading in the right direction, albeit making slower progress than a lot of people would have liked. The month starting with another poor away performance, this time at Chesterfield, before a 2-2 draw with Leyton Orient, before the month being ended with 3 successive wins, away at Bradford, at home to Yeovil Town and away at Crewe, then ending the month with a late, late win at MK Dons thanks to 2 Michael Higdon goals which sent us through to the quarter finals of the League Cup.
Off the pitch matters seemed to engulf United more, as the release of former striker Ched Evans put the Blades under intense media scrutiny as the potential resigning of him made national headlines, saw the club and its sponsors hounded and harassed, the community patrons quickly disassociated themselves with the club, and the whole matter threatened to rip the club to pieces, and the clubs handling of this was poor, as they refused to make a statement either way, before a press statement was released saying we was going to be allowing Ched Evans to train with us at Shirecliffe, before he didn’t turn up for 3 days, and then the club went to the press to say they was retracting the offer. For me United intentions had been clear surrounding Ched Evans but the media handling, and the ensuing shitstorm made Sheffield United a pariah of English football for several weeks and had a detriment to the on field progress of the club.
For November’s league form, read the same as September and October, although we had begun to look more solid at the back with the loan signing of Crystal Palace defender, who was now paired at the back by Chris Basham. We lost 1-0 at home to Barnsley in a game we clearly looked the better side, before a 1-0 win at Doncaster Rovers backed by an impressive travelling support of 5,000 were rewarded with a superb rear-guard performance and what for me was goal of the season by Jamie Murphy, the month ending with unremarkable home draws against Oldham and Notts County. Once again we made cup progress, this time in the FA Cup against Crewe.
Our league form still hadn’t picked up throughout December as we struggled to get going, and went winless and came away the less than impressive haul of 2 points from 4 games against the likes of MK Dons, Fleetwood, Port Vale and Walsall. Still December had seen the performance of the season come in the Quarter finals of the League Cup with a 1-0 win, with a superb performance against a very impressive Southampton side who at the time looked on course for a Champions League slot in the Premiership, and quiet but steady progress was being made in the FA Cup against Plymouth.
January was a real make or break month for the Blades, in all 3 competitions, league form needed to pick up, and we faced a 2 legged tie against Tottenham in the League Cup Semi-Final, and had the prospect of a tantalising away trip to QPR in the FA Cup. The new year got off to a brilliant start with an emphatic win where a young Blades side came away from QPR with a superb 3-0 win, and followed it up with a home win in the League against Preston, a 1-0 defeat on a miserable day at MK Dons and ended the month with a 2-0 win at home to Swindon Town. The biggest story was the Tottenham League Cup Semi-Final games. We came away from White Hart Lane desperately unlucky not to have at least something as we went down to a 1-0 defeat after a superb effort from both the players who gave it their all, and a travelling support of 4,000 Blades who battled the snow to make it down there on a bitterly cold night to give the players some superb backing. The tie looked over in the second leg, midway through the first half as Tottenham took the lead through a stunning Christian Eriksen free-kick, but United turned the tie on its head and it came from an unlikely source as relative unknown Che Adams announced himself to the footballing world with 2 goals in the space of 5 minutes to give us a 2-1 lead and to draw level on aggregate. The Blades pushed forward for a third, and Louis Reed nearly grabbed us a third, before Eriksen broke United hearts with a late equaliser to send Tottenham through to the final, but United could take great credit from a superb performance, and we could and should have used that a springboard to better things this season. The FA Cup had also opened for us a little as we gained a draw in the 4th round at Preston with what looked like a second string side playing, which also set up the tantalising prospect of a potential tie against Manchester United at Bramall Lane in the 5th round.
Unusually for United we also looked to have done particularly good business in the January Transfer Window. The big name signing and one that lifted the spirits of every united supporter was the return on a permanent deal of cult hero John Brayford, who had quickly followed highly rated Derby midfielder Paul Coutts, and ex-loanee Kieron Freeman in to the Club, the deadline day saw the late, late arrival of in-form Rochdale striker Matt Done. From this point onwards the squad had been finalised and now it was up to us to kick on and make progress.
February was a very mixed month to be a united supporter both on and off the field as the games came thick and fast. The month beginning with a disappointing and poor performance at home to Preston in the cup, who clearly wanted the Manchester cup tie and deservedly won despite us being a goal up. Our League form did quickly begin to pick up, after an away defeat at Gillingham which was followed by an emphatic win at home to Colchester and a superb performance that brought a 3-1 win at runaway leaders Bristol City which showed there was the potential there and that now we was really cracking on now, although this was still met with typically tempered optimism, although we did follow it up with a win at a poor Notts County side, this was followed by a disappointing draw at home to Coventry, and win at Rochdale, and ending the month with a draw at Crawley.
Off the field it was a desperately sad month to be a Sheffield United fan, as the club suffered the sudden death of one of its most loyal, recognisable and well known supporters Shred. Personally I knew Shred, and had spoken to him for 20 minutes before the Preston game, and typically he had been asking about me, asking me about my young son who he had only met a couple of times in passing, but was always keen to ask me about. The passing of Shred was an incredibly emotional time to be a Sheffield United fan, as he was a good friend to a large chunk our support, and as well-known to everyone at the club as well. What could say a lot about Shred, was that his funeral saw the funeral cortege stop at Bramall Lane so the club, and the players could pay their respect, and that the funeral service saw about 2,000 fans paying their respects to Shred at City Road crematorium. It was a desperately sad affair, but one that made a lot of people realise how much we exist as being part of a vibrant community of Sheffield United supporters.
March saw the end of the any outside chance of getting automatic promotion with consecutive poor performances at home to Peterborough and Fleetwood saw home defeats, before away draws at Scunthorpe and Walsall, being followed by home wins against Port Vale and Scunthorpe, before finishing the month off with another horror show and home defeat at home to Crewe.
April saw us more or less seal our play off place early on with an away win at local rivals Barnsley before a home win against Doncaster. The rest of the month saw us going winless, as we drew at Oldham, got beaten at wooden spoon Yeovil Town, and then the season drifted meaninglessly away with successive 1-1 draws against Bradford, Leyton Orient and Chesterfield.
5th place was disappointing given the wage budget we had being supposedly bigger than the rest of the division, and now this was Nigel Cloughs side, and his players. We had begun with a great deal of optimism and for a combination of different reasons we had never really threatened the top 2, and from relatively early on in the season it was clearly apparent that this season we will end up in the Play-Offs.
In the play offs we faced Swindon over 2 legs, and turned in a quality 45 minutes in the first half where we attacked and comfortably looked a better side, and could easily have gone in 2 or 3 up, and had a couple of decent penalty shouts turned down, whilst Swindon had been awarded a penalty which had been saved by Mark Howard. The second half saw united sit back and inevitably we saw a Swindon equaliser before they knocked the stuffing out of the Blades with a late winner. The second leg was always going to be a difficult prospect, but we went 3 goals down within 18 minutes and it appeared the game was up, before ending up nearly turning it around in spectacular game that we never looked like winning but went in to seven minutes of injury time level at 5-5 and looking for a winner. It was a game that you simply can’t describe. It typically summed up Sheffield United, who always seem able to find new and novel ways to fall short at the end of the season.
So where did we go wrong?
I think there are 3 key areas where things didn’t go particularly well for us, and unfortunately all 3 have to be attributed to the management of Nigel Clough. The first one was defensively we looked poor all season, and in desperate need of centre-halves. We saw Andy Butler and Neill Collins quickly disregarded and cast off by Nigel Clough early on in the season, whilst throughout the rest of the season our two centre-halves were either stop gaps or players from other positions filling in at centre-half. The only other centre halves we had at the club were the young Harrison McGahey who looked raw and not ready for first team football early on in the season, and Terry Kennedy who looked accomplished but sadly too injury prone to enjoy a real run in the side. We also saw appearances from Chris Basham, Jay McEveley, John Brayford, and even Craig Alcock at the start and end of the season. We needed 2 settled centre halves playing the majority of the season there for us, and we didn’t, and looked defensively weak and dropped too many points because of defensive frailties.
Nigel Clough also appeared to be stubborn and to favour certain players over others, to the extent where you could have a couple of players who played consistently poorly but would be selected week after week, Kieron Freeman and Paul Coutts seemed undroppable despite several sub-standard performances whilst others would be dropped for weeks on end after a poor performance like the exciting Marc McNulty.
We also played far too negatively up front, often with a lone striker ploughing a lone furrow with nobody else in support, this is a tactic that is perfectly fine when you playing a tough game away from home and are looking to win on the break, but when you are big favourites to win at home, then you need to be going at teams with a more attacking mind-set, and keep on attacking teams when you go a goal up. Far too often we didn’t attack enough, or play positively enough, and too often we looked to sit back and soak up the pressure when we went a goal up, and inevitably let other teams back in to it.
Next season will be make or break for Nigel Clough, if he even stays that is. There is a lot of division with the fans about should he stay or not, but if he does stay, he needs to be given a clear mandate to get us promotion or face the sack should results not be good enough early on in the season. I firmly think we do have squad of players who should be good enough to be able to win this Division next season, if we supplant the defence with a couple of good centre-halves. This is our 5th season playing in the third tier and for most of that time we have been the biggest team in this division, we are told we have got a lot of financial backing, we have the biggest ground in this division, the best infrastructure in this division, and still regularly attract 20,000 crowds. Purely and simply we should not be in this position. I think the once person of whom we need to be asking the questions is Nigel Clough, and if he doesn’t come up with the answers soon then we perhaps need to be looking at replacing him.
So how did the players do?
GOALKEEPERS
Mark Howard
An excellent goalkeeper, who is more than adequate for this Division and would be a good addition to most Championship clubs. His handling on crosses and positioning on crosses is generally excellent, and he communicate well with the defence. He has been solid, and steady this season, if not unspectacular. He was more noticeable when he was absent from the side which is usually the mark of a good goalkeeper
A-
George Long
Seemingly out of favour with Nigel Clough as he spent most of the season out on loan at Northampton Town and Motherwell. I think George Long is still maturing as a goalkeeper, and his best is still in front of him, but as Clough doesn’t seem to fancy him, that might not be with us.
U
Iain Turner
Made the occasional appearance when Mark Howard was either rested or out injured. Looked suspect on crosses, his positioning was often poor, he frequently got beat on the near post, and he didn’t seem to instil any confidence in the rest of the team, and was always liable for a howler. A poor goalkeeper who should be released
E
DEFENDERS
Craig Alcock
A solid, yet unspectacular defender who didn’t feature that much and was also used out of position, most notably early on in the season against Bristol City and then again in the Swindon play-off game. Centre-half isn’t his natural position, and at right back he is probably third choice behind Freeman and Brayford. I expect him to be moved on soon
C-
Bob Harris
A hard-working and solid left-back who has played for the majority of the season, and remarkably consistent, rarely has a poor game and looks to be Championship standard full back. A player who we can rely on, and player who will help take us forward in the future. A player who is always 7/10.
B+
John Brayford
The talisman of the side, I have been slightly disappointed with the John Brayford of this season, he doesn’t seem to have had the same impact this season as he did last season, and doesn’t seem to have the same point to prove. He has suffered having been used regularly as a centre-half rather than at right back where he is more effective, and his injury will be a big losses going in to next season
B
Neill Collins
Seemed to have fallen out with Clough as he wasn’t picked early on in the season, before he came back in to the side for a short spell, before finally being seemingly frozen out in the cold after Chesterfield away where the side was collectively poor.
C-
Harrison McGahey
A young player who was thrown in to first team action maybe too soon, and his development has suffered as a consequence. Has shown glimpses of potential but is still too young and raw to be a first team regular just yet
D
Jay McEveley
Brought in on a season long deal, has been one of Clough’s favourites, has been used as a centre-half more often than not, but isn’t good enough in the air, and is too prone to mistakes to be a regular centre-half.
C-
Kieron Freeman
Another one of Clough’s apparent favourites, plays well when attacking and bombing forwards, but is horrendous positionally, and is often caught out of position at right-back. At the minute he appears to be undroppable, and I think that he is an average League 1 player at best
C-
Terry Kennedy
Has performed admirably when in the side, and this season he has been the best centre-half we have got at the club, and if he hadn’t had his injury problems with his knees then I would probably imagine he would be playing at a higher level.
B+
Also Played
Andy Butler
Brought in during the summer on a free transfer, and featured in one game against Mansfield in the League Cup before never appearing again and being frozen out of the club before soon being moved on to Doncaster Rovers
U
Paddy McCarthy
Ageing Crystal Palace defender brought in on-loan and did a job for us, although he often looked to slow, and too off the pace.
U
MIDFIELDERS
James Wallace
Has showed glimpses of being a real quality player when he has appeared but unfortunately he has been too injury prone and has featured nowhere near enough.
C
Chris Basham
Made a slow start to his United career, but has slowly became more and more influential and can do a job a centre-half, but looks a lot better in centre midfield. I think he is the player who can sit in front of the back 4, break down the opposition attacks and use the ball going forward. He will be a crucial player next season, and has been the player of the season this season
A
Ryan Flynn
One of the better wide men at this level, but often flatters to deceive. One day he can look like a world beater, but those games are often followed by 3 or 4 average games.
B+
Stefan Scougall
A big disappointment this season. Last season he was outstanding in games but this year for some unknown reason, he has not made as much as an impact. Often looks lightweight, gets bullied out of the game and doesn’t seem to make the running in games as he did last season. Sadly has had a very poor season
D-
Ben Davies
A journeyman pro, who can do a job as and when required, and is a bit of a jack of all trades. Is excellent with the dead ball and has got excellent crossing ability, but he lacks pace, and struggles to beat a man.
C-
Paul Coutts
Came in the January Transfer Window and big things had been expected from Paul Coutts, but he has often been poor, looked immobile and loses the ball too easily In the middle of the park, and doesn’t run and dictate games as he really should. Reminds me of a less skilful and less mobile version of Kevin MacDonald. A huge disappointment
E
Jamal Campbell-Ryce
An interesting acquisition last summer, he was brought in as a squad player, and featured a lot more than people would have expected him to. Exciting on the ball, he is able to beat a man at will, and makes a lot of exciting runs, although sometimes there is not much end product, and he lacks consistency, seemingly fell out with Clough towards the end of the season. I would expect him to move on during the close season
C+
Louis Reed
Looks to be a real talent, with plenty of potential for the future. He has been used sparingly by Clough this season, probably in light of his tender years but I would expect to be seeing a lot more of Reed in the next couple of season, and he appears to be grounded and to have a big future in the game
B+
Kieron Wallace
Brought in with Che Adams from Ilkeston Town and has made little impact and ended up the season on loan at Lincoln City
U
Florent Cuvelier
Made a comeback from a long term injury around December time and featured against Southampton and performed admirably, but apart from that he has rarely featured and I would expect him to leave the club in the summer
U
Jason Holt
A loan signing in the January Transfer Window, and was a great signing. Although he is only small and slight, he has got a lot of skill, has a real footballer’s brain, with lots of clever runs, and has also got an eye for goal. I hope we can sign him on a permanent deal as he will be a key player for us if he returns next season
A-
FORWARDS
Jamie Murphy
Has had his best season for us this season. On his day is an exciting player to watch and can be devastating. Fast and Skilful and is a quality finisher. He is almost certainly a Championship standard football, and can operate equally effectively on the wing and up front where I feel he should have featured more this season
A
Jose Baxter
Is the most natural footballer at the club, and probably the most infuriating footballer at the club. I don’t think anyone still knows where his best position at the club is. He isn’t good enough to play up front, goes missing too often to play in midfield and somehow doesn’t seem suited to the false number 10. He has got the potential to be a top player but there just seems to be something missing from him. A real shame, and a disappointing season
C-
Marc McNulty
An excellent signing who was brought in as one for the future. The best natural finisher at the club, I think he would have been more successful had he been played up front with strike partner who would create chances for him. If we used him right we could have been looking at him scoring 25-30 goals this season. Sadly it seems like he suffers from an unfair amount of criticism from Clough and one bad games sees him dropped for the next 5 or 6. Has real potential but I don’t think we will ever see the best of him under Clough
A-
Matt Done
Has proved to be an excellent buy. Doesn’t even look like a footballer, reminds me a lot of Steve Claridge, puts plenty of effort in, runs himself in to the ground, and has got a nice habit of being able to chase lost causes, and seems to score plenty although they always seem to be scruffy goals. A player who I think can continue to impress at the Lane, and will be a key player next season
A-
Michael Higdon
A player who much was expected from but for whatever reason has not enjoy a happy time at the Lane so far. He will never be the most mobile of players, but sadly we don’t seemed to have played to his strengths. He is the best header of the ball at the club, is an excellent finisher, but is not suited to playing the lone striker role, and I think he has suffered from not having a strike partner, and United not playing to his strengths. I expect him to leave in the summer
D+
Diego De Girolamo
Featured occasionally this season under Clough, and has seemed to have carried on going backwards. A shame because the lad has got real potential, but if he is to real that potential it will now be elsewhere.
D
Che Adams
The most exciting prospect we have got at the club. Is fast, is skilful and has got a real eye for goal, and has been an absolute bargain. Announced himself to world at 18 years old with a couple of goals in the League Cup Semi Final, and a player who I think with the right guidance can go on to have a big future in the game. Just a big disappointment we have not seen more of him so far
B+
Steve Davies
A player Nigel Clough had seemingly courted for a while and eventually he got him. I’ve not been impressed with him, he seems similar to Higdon but Higdon is a better finisher. Slow and cumbersome, he doesn’t have aerial ability that you would expect of a striker of his size, and he doesn’t seem that skilful either. A poor signing
D
As the season draws to a close, it is a good time to sit back, have a look at a season that initially promised much, consistently flattered to deceive, and ended up being very much a case of so near, yet so far, still United in name, but just as divided as ever.
Going back to the start of the season, pre-season optimism was probably just as high as ever as it had been going in to the start of the season. With what was perceived as serious wealth behind us, a refreshing new group of people in charge of the club at boardroom, and Nigel Clough still being heralded as the best manager this club had been fortunate enough to have in years, and a squad of players that finished the previous season on fire, as we went from bottom at the end of February to finish in 7th position, allied with a fairy-tale run to the semi-final of the FA Cup. It had become abundantly clear that Sheffield United was a club definitely on the up.
The bookmakers odds had firmly installed us as the favourites to win this Division, and this sentiment was shared by a lot of United fans who believed we was generously priced at 6/1 to win the League One title, and the teams who had come down was not particular expected to push for promotion, as Barnsley, and Doncaster looked set for transitional seasons, and Yeovil a season of readapting back to their natural level. The main threats looked to be Bristol City who had shared a fast improvement as we did the preceding season, Preston North End who had enjoyed a decent season the previous season before losing out in the play-offs, and the previous seasons surprise package Leyton Orient who had narrowly missed out on promotion and had consistently improved under the management of Russell Slade.
During the summer we had seen a lot of transfer activity around Bramall Lane as Nigel Clough looked to stamp his own authority on the first team squad, and shape it as he wished. The one player we had all desperately wanted to come back to Bramall Lane was John Brayford, and despite the player hinting that we would want to comeback, the terms of his contract and money required by Cardiff meant this looked unlikely from the off, however Clough did agree a new deal with Mark Howard, the previous seasons unlikely cult hero Chris Porter, and also offered a new contract to the impressive Bob Harris.
The summer released list hadn’t contained many shocks and surprises as several players who been incoming and been massively disappointing under the previous manager David Weir quickly and quietly got shifted on, as well as one or two lower league players who we had accumulated but never really found their feet at Bramall Lane found their time coming to an end. The least surprising was the disappointing Fabien Brandy, and the released list also featured the mediocre Daryl Westlake, the unlucky Shaun Miller, the hard working, typical journeyman pro Matt Hill, as well as Jasper Johns, Lyle Taylor and Sean McGinty (I wonder how many of those last 3 we will remember next season?) The big departure and the one that probably had a big effect on the rest of the season was the departure of Harry Maguire who chose the Premiership stardom of playing for the bright lights of Hull City over leading the Blades in a promotion season.
Incoming there was very little to whet the appetite, but plenty of players who seemed to be good solid reinforcements to our squad. Jamal Campbell-Ryce who had seemed to be around for years, young Scottish striker who was looking to emulate the success of our previous Livingston signing Stefan Scougall, Blackpool midfielder Chris Basham, experienced Walsall defender Andy Butler, the least surprising signing was ex-loanee Ben Davies, who was quickly followed by Tranmere midfielder James Wallace, Peterborough defender Craig Alcock, young 18 year old Blackpool prospect Harrison McGahey, and on the eve of the season, proven goal scorer (in Scotland and the Eredivise anyway) Michael Higdon, and these were followed shortly after the season had started by out of contract players Jay McEveley who was another Clough old boy, and goalkeeper Iain Turner.
The season began poorly as United were the first to kick off, with a bizarre looking side at home to Bristol City where we deservedly lost 2-1 to a side who would go on and win the division by a comfortable margin, followed by a regulation 1st Round League Cup win against Mansfield, notable for the only appearance from Andy Butler and the first goal for young striker Marc McNulty, and then our second defeat in two games away at Covhampton (Coventry still playing their home games at Northampton Town. Our first win coming away at a fancied Peterborough side, before a home win against Crawley and ending the month with a 1-1 draw at Preston North End. The moment of the month was undoubtedly playing our nemesis West Ham away in the 2nd Round of the League Cup, and matching them over 120 minutes and then dumping them out on penalties in a moment every United fan had waited just over 20 years to savour.
September saw us glean 9 points from a possible 12, thanks to a home win over Rochdale, a late, late comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Colchester, before getting thumped 5-2 at an impressive Swindon Town side, before wrapping the month up with a 2-1 win over Gillingham thanks to a very late Jamie Murphy wonder goal. Our League Cup campaign was also quietly making headway after an away win at Leyton Orient sent us on our way in to the 4th Round.
October was very similar to September in events on the pitch as United seemed to flatter to deceive, whilst making cup progress and accumulating enough points to continue heading in the right direction, albeit making slower progress than a lot of people would have liked. The month starting with another poor away performance, this time at Chesterfield, before a 2-2 draw with Leyton Orient, before the month being ended with 3 successive wins, away at Bradford, at home to Yeovil Town and away at Crewe, then ending the month with a late, late win at MK Dons thanks to 2 Michael Higdon goals which sent us through to the quarter finals of the League Cup.
Off the pitch matters seemed to engulf United more, as the release of former striker Ched Evans put the Blades under intense media scrutiny as the potential resigning of him made national headlines, saw the club and its sponsors hounded and harassed, the community patrons quickly disassociated themselves with the club, and the whole matter threatened to rip the club to pieces, and the clubs handling of this was poor, as they refused to make a statement either way, before a press statement was released saying we was going to be allowing Ched Evans to train with us at Shirecliffe, before he didn’t turn up for 3 days, and then the club went to the press to say they was retracting the offer. For me United intentions had been clear surrounding Ched Evans but the media handling, and the ensuing shitstorm made Sheffield United a pariah of English football for several weeks and had a detriment to the on field progress of the club.
For November’s league form, read the same as September and October, although we had begun to look more solid at the back with the loan signing of Crystal Palace defender, who was now paired at the back by Chris Basham. We lost 1-0 at home to Barnsley in a game we clearly looked the better side, before a 1-0 win at Doncaster Rovers backed by an impressive travelling support of 5,000 were rewarded with a superb rear-guard performance and what for me was goal of the season by Jamie Murphy, the month ending with unremarkable home draws against Oldham and Notts County. Once again we made cup progress, this time in the FA Cup against Crewe.
Our league form still hadn’t picked up throughout December as we struggled to get going, and went winless and came away the less than impressive haul of 2 points from 4 games against the likes of MK Dons, Fleetwood, Port Vale and Walsall. Still December had seen the performance of the season come in the Quarter finals of the League Cup with a 1-0 win, with a superb performance against a very impressive Southampton side who at the time looked on course for a Champions League slot in the Premiership, and quiet but steady progress was being made in the FA Cup against Plymouth.
January was a real make or break month for the Blades, in all 3 competitions, league form needed to pick up, and we faced a 2 legged tie against Tottenham in the League Cup Semi-Final, and had the prospect of a tantalising away trip to QPR in the FA Cup. The new year got off to a brilliant start with an emphatic win where a young Blades side came away from QPR with a superb 3-0 win, and followed it up with a home win in the League against Preston, a 1-0 defeat on a miserable day at MK Dons and ended the month with a 2-0 win at home to Swindon Town. The biggest story was the Tottenham League Cup Semi-Final games. We came away from White Hart Lane desperately unlucky not to have at least something as we went down to a 1-0 defeat after a superb effort from both the players who gave it their all, and a travelling support of 4,000 Blades who battled the snow to make it down there on a bitterly cold night to give the players some superb backing. The tie looked over in the second leg, midway through the first half as Tottenham took the lead through a stunning Christian Eriksen free-kick, but United turned the tie on its head and it came from an unlikely source as relative unknown Che Adams announced himself to the footballing world with 2 goals in the space of 5 minutes to give us a 2-1 lead and to draw level on aggregate. The Blades pushed forward for a third, and Louis Reed nearly grabbed us a third, before Eriksen broke United hearts with a late equaliser to send Tottenham through to the final, but United could take great credit from a superb performance, and we could and should have used that a springboard to better things this season. The FA Cup had also opened for us a little as we gained a draw in the 4th round at Preston with what looked like a second string side playing, which also set up the tantalising prospect of a potential tie against Manchester United at Bramall Lane in the 5th round.
Unusually for United we also looked to have done particularly good business in the January Transfer Window. The big name signing and one that lifted the spirits of every united supporter was the return on a permanent deal of cult hero John Brayford, who had quickly followed highly rated Derby midfielder Paul Coutts, and ex-loanee Kieron Freeman in to the Club, the deadline day saw the late, late arrival of in-form Rochdale striker Matt Done. From this point onwards the squad had been finalised and now it was up to us to kick on and make progress.
February was a very mixed month to be a united supporter both on and off the field as the games came thick and fast. The month beginning with a disappointing and poor performance at home to Preston in the cup, who clearly wanted the Manchester cup tie and deservedly won despite us being a goal up. Our League form did quickly begin to pick up, after an away defeat at Gillingham which was followed by an emphatic win at home to Colchester and a superb performance that brought a 3-1 win at runaway leaders Bristol City which showed there was the potential there and that now we was really cracking on now, although this was still met with typically tempered optimism, although we did follow it up with a win at a poor Notts County side, this was followed by a disappointing draw at home to Coventry, and win at Rochdale, and ending the month with a draw at Crawley.
Off the field it was a desperately sad month to be a Sheffield United fan, as the club suffered the sudden death of one of its most loyal, recognisable and well known supporters Shred. Personally I knew Shred, and had spoken to him for 20 minutes before the Preston game, and typically he had been asking about me, asking me about my young son who he had only met a couple of times in passing, but was always keen to ask me about. The passing of Shred was an incredibly emotional time to be a Sheffield United fan, as he was a good friend to a large chunk our support, and as well-known to everyone at the club as well. What could say a lot about Shred, was that his funeral saw the funeral cortege stop at Bramall Lane so the club, and the players could pay their respect, and that the funeral service saw about 2,000 fans paying their respects to Shred at City Road crematorium. It was a desperately sad affair, but one that made a lot of people realise how much we exist as being part of a vibrant community of Sheffield United supporters.
March saw the end of the any outside chance of getting automatic promotion with consecutive poor performances at home to Peterborough and Fleetwood saw home defeats, before away draws at Scunthorpe and Walsall, being followed by home wins against Port Vale and Scunthorpe, before finishing the month off with another horror show and home defeat at home to Crewe.
April saw us more or less seal our play off place early on with an away win at local rivals Barnsley before a home win against Doncaster. The rest of the month saw us going winless, as we drew at Oldham, got beaten at wooden spoon Yeovil Town, and then the season drifted meaninglessly away with successive 1-1 draws against Bradford, Leyton Orient and Chesterfield.
5th place was disappointing given the wage budget we had being supposedly bigger than the rest of the division, and now this was Nigel Cloughs side, and his players. We had begun with a great deal of optimism and for a combination of different reasons we had never really threatened the top 2, and from relatively early on in the season it was clearly apparent that this season we will end up in the Play-Offs.
In the play offs we faced Swindon over 2 legs, and turned in a quality 45 minutes in the first half where we attacked and comfortably looked a better side, and could easily have gone in 2 or 3 up, and had a couple of decent penalty shouts turned down, whilst Swindon had been awarded a penalty which had been saved by Mark Howard. The second half saw united sit back and inevitably we saw a Swindon equaliser before they knocked the stuffing out of the Blades with a late winner. The second leg was always going to be a difficult prospect, but we went 3 goals down within 18 minutes and it appeared the game was up, before ending up nearly turning it around in spectacular game that we never looked like winning but went in to seven minutes of injury time level at 5-5 and looking for a winner. It was a game that you simply can’t describe. It typically summed up Sheffield United, who always seem able to find new and novel ways to fall short at the end of the season.
So where did we go wrong?
I think there are 3 key areas where things didn’t go particularly well for us, and unfortunately all 3 have to be attributed to the management of Nigel Clough. The first one was defensively we looked poor all season, and in desperate need of centre-halves. We saw Andy Butler and Neill Collins quickly disregarded and cast off by Nigel Clough early on in the season, whilst throughout the rest of the season our two centre-halves were either stop gaps or players from other positions filling in at centre-half. The only other centre halves we had at the club were the young Harrison McGahey who looked raw and not ready for first team football early on in the season, and Terry Kennedy who looked accomplished but sadly too injury prone to enjoy a real run in the side. We also saw appearances from Chris Basham, Jay McEveley, John Brayford, and even Craig Alcock at the start and end of the season. We needed 2 settled centre halves playing the majority of the season there for us, and we didn’t, and looked defensively weak and dropped too many points because of defensive frailties.
Nigel Clough also appeared to be stubborn and to favour certain players over others, to the extent where you could have a couple of players who played consistently poorly but would be selected week after week, Kieron Freeman and Paul Coutts seemed undroppable despite several sub-standard performances whilst others would be dropped for weeks on end after a poor performance like the exciting Marc McNulty.
We also played far too negatively up front, often with a lone striker ploughing a lone furrow with nobody else in support, this is a tactic that is perfectly fine when you playing a tough game away from home and are looking to win on the break, but when you are big favourites to win at home, then you need to be going at teams with a more attacking mind-set, and keep on attacking teams when you go a goal up. Far too often we didn’t attack enough, or play positively enough, and too often we looked to sit back and soak up the pressure when we went a goal up, and inevitably let other teams back in to it.
Next season will be make or break for Nigel Clough, if he even stays that is. There is a lot of division with the fans about should he stay or not, but if he does stay, he needs to be given a clear mandate to get us promotion or face the sack should results not be good enough early on in the season. I firmly think we do have squad of players who should be good enough to be able to win this Division next season, if we supplant the defence with a couple of good centre-halves. This is our 5th season playing in the third tier and for most of that time we have been the biggest team in this division, we are told we have got a lot of financial backing, we have the biggest ground in this division, the best infrastructure in this division, and still regularly attract 20,000 crowds. Purely and simply we should not be in this position. I think the once person of whom we need to be asking the questions is Nigel Clough, and if he doesn’t come up with the answers soon then we perhaps need to be looking at replacing him.
So how did the players do?
GOALKEEPERS
Mark Howard
An excellent goalkeeper, who is more than adequate for this Division and would be a good addition to most Championship clubs. His handling on crosses and positioning on crosses is generally excellent, and he communicate well with the defence. He has been solid, and steady this season, if not unspectacular. He was more noticeable when he was absent from the side which is usually the mark of a good goalkeeper
A-
George Long
Seemingly out of favour with Nigel Clough as he spent most of the season out on loan at Northampton Town and Motherwell. I think George Long is still maturing as a goalkeeper, and his best is still in front of him, but as Clough doesn’t seem to fancy him, that might not be with us.
U
Iain Turner
Made the occasional appearance when Mark Howard was either rested or out injured. Looked suspect on crosses, his positioning was often poor, he frequently got beat on the near post, and he didn’t seem to instil any confidence in the rest of the team, and was always liable for a howler. A poor goalkeeper who should be released
E
DEFENDERS
Craig Alcock
A solid, yet unspectacular defender who didn’t feature that much and was also used out of position, most notably early on in the season against Bristol City and then again in the Swindon play-off game. Centre-half isn’t his natural position, and at right back he is probably third choice behind Freeman and Brayford. I expect him to be moved on soon
C-
Bob Harris
A hard-working and solid left-back who has played for the majority of the season, and remarkably consistent, rarely has a poor game and looks to be Championship standard full back. A player who we can rely on, and player who will help take us forward in the future. A player who is always 7/10.
B+
John Brayford
The talisman of the side, I have been slightly disappointed with the John Brayford of this season, he doesn’t seem to have had the same impact this season as he did last season, and doesn’t seem to have the same point to prove. He has suffered having been used regularly as a centre-half rather than at right back where he is more effective, and his injury will be a big losses going in to next season
B
Neill Collins
Seemed to have fallen out with Clough as he wasn’t picked early on in the season, before he came back in to the side for a short spell, before finally being seemingly frozen out in the cold after Chesterfield away where the side was collectively poor.
C-
Harrison McGahey
A young player who was thrown in to first team action maybe too soon, and his development has suffered as a consequence. Has shown glimpses of potential but is still too young and raw to be a first team regular just yet
D
Jay McEveley
Brought in on a season long deal, has been one of Clough’s favourites, has been used as a centre-half more often than not, but isn’t good enough in the air, and is too prone to mistakes to be a regular centre-half.
C-
Kieron Freeman
Another one of Clough’s apparent favourites, plays well when attacking and bombing forwards, but is horrendous positionally, and is often caught out of position at right-back. At the minute he appears to be undroppable, and I think that he is an average League 1 player at best
C-
Terry Kennedy
Has performed admirably when in the side, and this season he has been the best centre-half we have got at the club, and if he hadn’t had his injury problems with his knees then I would probably imagine he would be playing at a higher level.
B+
Also Played
Andy Butler
Brought in during the summer on a free transfer, and featured in one game against Mansfield in the League Cup before never appearing again and being frozen out of the club before soon being moved on to Doncaster Rovers
U
Paddy McCarthy
Ageing Crystal Palace defender brought in on-loan and did a job for us, although he often looked to slow, and too off the pace.
U
MIDFIELDERS
James Wallace
Has showed glimpses of being a real quality player when he has appeared but unfortunately he has been too injury prone and has featured nowhere near enough.
C
Chris Basham
Made a slow start to his United career, but has slowly became more and more influential and can do a job a centre-half, but looks a lot better in centre midfield. I think he is the player who can sit in front of the back 4, break down the opposition attacks and use the ball going forward. He will be a crucial player next season, and has been the player of the season this season
A
Ryan Flynn
One of the better wide men at this level, but often flatters to deceive. One day he can look like a world beater, but those games are often followed by 3 or 4 average games.
B+
Stefan Scougall
A big disappointment this season. Last season he was outstanding in games but this year for some unknown reason, he has not made as much as an impact. Often looks lightweight, gets bullied out of the game and doesn’t seem to make the running in games as he did last season. Sadly has had a very poor season
D-
Ben Davies
A journeyman pro, who can do a job as and when required, and is a bit of a jack of all trades. Is excellent with the dead ball and has got excellent crossing ability, but he lacks pace, and struggles to beat a man.
C-
Paul Coutts
Came in the January Transfer Window and big things had been expected from Paul Coutts, but he has often been poor, looked immobile and loses the ball too easily In the middle of the park, and doesn’t run and dictate games as he really should. Reminds me of a less skilful and less mobile version of Kevin MacDonald. A huge disappointment
E
Jamal Campbell-Ryce
An interesting acquisition last summer, he was brought in as a squad player, and featured a lot more than people would have expected him to. Exciting on the ball, he is able to beat a man at will, and makes a lot of exciting runs, although sometimes there is not much end product, and he lacks consistency, seemingly fell out with Clough towards the end of the season. I would expect him to move on during the close season
C+
Louis Reed
Looks to be a real talent, with plenty of potential for the future. He has been used sparingly by Clough this season, probably in light of his tender years but I would expect to be seeing a lot more of Reed in the next couple of season, and he appears to be grounded and to have a big future in the game
B+
Kieron Wallace
Brought in with Che Adams from Ilkeston Town and has made little impact and ended up the season on loan at Lincoln City
U
Florent Cuvelier
Made a comeback from a long term injury around December time and featured against Southampton and performed admirably, but apart from that he has rarely featured and I would expect him to leave the club in the summer
U
Jason Holt
A loan signing in the January Transfer Window, and was a great signing. Although he is only small and slight, he has got a lot of skill, has a real footballer’s brain, with lots of clever runs, and has also got an eye for goal. I hope we can sign him on a permanent deal as he will be a key player for us if he returns next season
A-
FORWARDS
Jamie Murphy
Has had his best season for us this season. On his day is an exciting player to watch and can be devastating. Fast and Skilful and is a quality finisher. He is almost certainly a Championship standard football, and can operate equally effectively on the wing and up front where I feel he should have featured more this season
A
Jose Baxter
Is the most natural footballer at the club, and probably the most infuriating footballer at the club. I don’t think anyone still knows where his best position at the club is. He isn’t good enough to play up front, goes missing too often to play in midfield and somehow doesn’t seem suited to the false number 10. He has got the potential to be a top player but there just seems to be something missing from him. A real shame, and a disappointing season
C-
Marc McNulty
An excellent signing who was brought in as one for the future. The best natural finisher at the club, I think he would have been more successful had he been played up front with strike partner who would create chances for him. If we used him right we could have been looking at him scoring 25-30 goals this season. Sadly it seems like he suffers from an unfair amount of criticism from Clough and one bad games sees him dropped for the next 5 or 6. Has real potential but I don’t think we will ever see the best of him under Clough
A-
Matt Done
Has proved to be an excellent buy. Doesn’t even look like a footballer, reminds me a lot of Steve Claridge, puts plenty of effort in, runs himself in to the ground, and has got a nice habit of being able to chase lost causes, and seems to score plenty although they always seem to be scruffy goals. A player who I think can continue to impress at the Lane, and will be a key player next season
A-
Michael Higdon
A player who much was expected from but for whatever reason has not enjoy a happy time at the Lane so far. He will never be the most mobile of players, but sadly we don’t seemed to have played to his strengths. He is the best header of the ball at the club, is an excellent finisher, but is not suited to playing the lone striker role, and I think he has suffered from not having a strike partner, and United not playing to his strengths. I expect him to leave in the summer
D+
Diego De Girolamo
Featured occasionally this season under Clough, and has seemed to have carried on going backwards. A shame because the lad has got real potential, but if he is to real that potential it will now be elsewhere.
D
Che Adams
The most exciting prospect we have got at the club. Is fast, is skilful and has got a real eye for goal, and has been an absolute bargain. Announced himself to world at 18 years old with a couple of goals in the League Cup Semi Final, and a player who I think with the right guidance can go on to have a big future in the game. Just a big disappointment we have not seen more of him so far
B+
Steve Davies
A player Nigel Clough had seemingly courted for a while and eventually he got him. I’ve not been impressed with him, he seems similar to Higdon but Higdon is a better finisher. Slow and cumbersome, he doesn’t have aerial ability that you would expect of a striker of his size, and he doesn’t seem that skilful either. A poor signing
D
