2025/26 SUFC SEASON REVIEW / SCHOOL REPORT - Part 4: Defence

[Deadbat]

Defence below...will be back early next week with Midfield, Attack, Academy, Women and Conclusions/Awards....



2025/26 SUFC SEASON REVIEW / SCHOOL REPORT: Part 4



Defence



Jack Robinson Had a poor end to the previous season with his positional sense and mistakes, leading to key goals in game (Plymouth and the playoff final spring to mind). I think most would have wanted him to be moved on but we sadly had holes throughout the side with other departures but after Ahmedhodzic moved on, we were left with only the young Tyler Bindon as his replacement. He was not picked the first game as strangely we went with RND and Bindon – he came on and then was restored to the team but recall he was lucky not to be sent off at Birmingham. We lost at Swansea and Millwall by single goals and there was talk of him wanting out and some alleged fall out with the coaching team. Tanganga came in and Robinson was left out. He was clearly being touted around – nearly signed for Watford and then eventually he moved on to Birmingham who somehow decided to offer him a two-year deal. I was not at all bothered he moved on. He was maybe not as bad as some made out but I never felt totally comfortable with him in defence and the big games proved that. Seen some say we should have him back but that is nonsense. Granted those that have come in, have not improved us, but does not mean we were wrong to move on from him. His play at Birmingham where he has never really fully established himself, sums up where he is at in his career. He cannot even get into a lower placed Championship side anymore. It was amusing to see him pick up two red cards and score an own goal in his opening spell in the side at St Andrews. He has played only 20 times but has got booked 6 times and sent off twice. He was poor at the Lane when we played them and then in the return, inexplicably picked the ball up to give us a penalty. Still had a year left at Brum but do not expect him to play much and he will surely move down the leagues now, being 33 this year.



Grade E (Last season C)



Ben Godfrey Godfrey was a player we had been linked with before and thus it was not a surprise he finally came in. I am not sure he was a Selles signing as the scouting team had looked at him before. On the face of it, he seemed a decent signing. A loan deal and we needed some experience and options at both right back and centre back. However, the red flags should have been from his lack of impact at Ipswich on loan and the fact he was not being picked for Atalanta. At his peak, he was doing well at Everton and got in the England squad but had dropped off but still was only 2 years ago, he signed for Atalanta for 11 million! He never featured much in Serie A and injuries and loss of form meant he needed to get his career back on track. I thought he played ok against Millwall on debut but then struggled at Middlesbrough and got completely turn apart by Philogene at Ipswich. This was perhaps the worst individual performance by a Blades player all season – been some tough competition! He looked slow, weak and completely devoid of confidence. However, more worryingly he seemed to lack even the basic defensive skills to be successful. I wondered if he had been better at centre back but he had lost the pace that made him successful earlier in his career. He played in Wilder’s first game at home to Charlton – but struggled with another winger, Campbell, and we never saw him again. He got an injury and then there were rumours over off field issues and some strange posts on social media too. He strangely played in the u21s for a few games, back at his hometown York, which must have felt a really drop off from years before. I wondered if he might even just pack up the game with some of the things he was saying but then he went back on loan to Denmark - Brondby – as United effectively cancelled his loan. He did play there and apparently had done ok. Has another two years left on his deal in Italy so you expect he may go back on loan abroad – as his reputation in England is not great after two poor loan spells.



Grade F (Last season NA)





Sam McCallum He was a player that had done ok last season and covered for Burrows and been an impactful sub at times. There were games when he lacked real quality and could switch off defensively but he was good in the air and chipped in with a few goals too. He did play 33 games so played a lot more than I would have thought, but a number off the bench. This season you expected him to be the back up to Burrows again, but a number of players struggled to start the season and Burrows was one of them. However, McCallum was still mostly used off the bench until the defeat at Hull. However, he was preferred to Burrows for a while and of course we picked up some wins around Oct/Nov time. He quietly became one of our better players and ended up the first choice. He showed the same flashes of athleticism and aerial ability but was also using the ball better. He did ok defensively and also got up and down. He was a real surprise and, in several games, I came away and thought he was our best player – which was a big jump from last season. He remained in the side until the end of January but picked up an injury at Millwall – a bad one and his season was over. Burrows was brought back but I thought we were never as secure down this side. Burrows scored a few goals but his defensive play continued to be an issue. I expect if McCallum gets fit, that he will be the starter next season on the performances of the two respective left backs this season.



Grade B (Last season C)



Ben Mee Seemed a sensible signing at the time – a steadying influence at the back – when we had been shipping goals and looking disorganised. It was a bit odd as we had signed Tanganga, McGuiness and Zatterstrom so were suddenly stocked with lots of centre backs. He was on trial under Selles – same time as Nathan Redmond – eventually we signed him. Thought he was one of the better players in Wilder’s early days and played well in the win at Oxford. He was a regular in the side after that and did ok – if not completely watertight. He struggled with quicker and more mobile players, but read the game well. Recall him start to struggle and Morris for Derby and the Coventry forwards gave him real problems as the goals started to be shipped again. He remained as the starter as we won games at Hillsborough and Leicester. He picked up an injury and we did not see him for a while but then got ripped apart at home to Mansfield and looked so rusty. After this, he was only played occasionally and had a series of knocks before there were some rumours he had fallen out of favour which was a surprise as always seemed a model pro at other clubs? Maybe he got more money if he played a certain amount of games or there was something else that went off as it did seem odd as he has not been the worst player for us a and handy lad to have, even on the bench? After the win against Ipswich, we never saw him again. He was not even on the bench – which added to the idea that he was not seen as an option, which seemed odd as he had not been worse than McGuiness and others in the back line. He will leave this summer – he is 37 in September – and it was not a shock when he recently announced his retirement after announcing he was leaving the club. He did an ok job when we needed a leader at the back and helped us move away from trouble but a player that’s legs have gone and was telling no one wanted to sign him, when we did.



Grade C- (Last season NA )





Tyler Bindon I had not really heard of him when signed him but it seemed he had a rapid ascent from playing in New Zealand and then the states in youth football before signing for Reading. Forest spent a fair bit of money after he impressed with the League One side but instantly loaned him back and he finished his season at Reading. Clearly had made an impression on Ruben Selles who made him one of this first signings – on loan from Forest. He looked to be of a good size for someone so young (only 20 when we signed him – now 21). He started the season at the back but with partners switched around opening weeks, he really struggled I felt. Seemed to be all a bit much for him – the pace and physicality. Despite him being 6’3’’, I thought he got bullied by stronger and more physical players. The early weeks the whole side were not at it and the tactics seemed bewildering that gave the likes of him, and others, no protection at the back. Still, he struggled and made mistakes. When Wilder came in and we had of course signed a number of new centre backs, he was taken out of the team as the likes of Tanganga, Mee and McGuiness were preferred. After the defeat at Boro, he did not play again until coming on as sub against Stoke. He did ok against Birmingham with a rare start but then struggled badly at Wrexham with Kieffer Moore as we looked so soft in the middle of the defence.



Mee picked up injuries and McGuiness was not convincing so he retained his place for the most part. Slowly, he improved and eventually he settled and started to cut out the mistakes. He became more assertive and showed he could use the ball well too. He ended up being one of our better defenders post Xmas and had some very good games and was man of the match more than once. It was a fair turnaround for a player that had seemed out of his depth in the early period of his SUFC career. Credit to him for keeping going, knuckling down and getting his place back. He showed the talent that had seen Forest sign him. He quietly turned it around and showed a lot of qualities and the promise that he could maybe make a very decent centre half if he could get stronger and more streetwise. He was still susceptible to switching off and against more physical strikers I felt the same limitations were seen. Not sure him and Tanganga worked as a pair as both lacked the physicality and imposing presence. He was taken out, not due to form, but more down to the fact Wilder needed to look at players already here/ours. This meant any discussions on signing him would be tempered perhaps with Tanganga under contract and Bindon not our player – with funds short, it might be have to look at something different here to solidify the defence. I would not mind signing him again on loan and depends who else is available. We do need a physical presence here. I think if Tanganga was on loan and Bindon was our player, you would feel happier and look to bring in someone to play alongside Bindon – but of course it is the other way around hence why we might not see him again – looking at how the struggled as a pair. He did improve as the season went on but really struggled at the start and even when he played well, there was still the issues in games where he was bullied even when he was playing better – hence my C grade.



Grade C (Last season NA )

 

[Deadbat]

Harrison Burrows He was excellent and a revelation at times during his first full season with the Blades. He made the jump up quite easily and whilst there were some issues defensively and he had a bit of a drop off; it was still a fantastic first season for us. Without VAR, his second goal sees us into the Premier League and he goes down as an all-time hero. I expected him to be an automatic pick at left back and to continue to impress even if I am not sure his ceiling was much higher than top end Championship – as he lacks the pace, two feet and athleticism to go on and play top level in my opinion. This season he started badly, along with the whole defence, and team. The horrific start saw all the weaknesses of our players exposed. We did not have a settled backline at all. We saw nothing of him attacking wise at all. Wilder came in and you thought the likes of him, Peck, Cooper and Campbell may get back to levels of before – but it never really happened for Burrows (and a few others). Eventually he was taken out for McCallum but even after being dropped, he came back on and missed a dreadful penalty at Hull in the closing stages. He did score and assist and play well away at Blackburn – after coming on but then struggled at Preston the following away game when starting again as Wilder rotated his two left backs. He did start a few games but for the most part for the next phase of the season, McCallum was preferred. His replacement did well and now looked a better option with his defensive work being superior and him lifting his games in all areas. Burrows was mostly used from the bench until McCallum got injured at Millwall.



Burrows ended the season back in the team but was a real mixed bag. He seemed to improve slowly and scored some lovely taken goals – against Wednesday, Coventry and Swansea but just when he seemed to be finding form, we also saw some awful moments defensively. Against Swansea and Wrexham, opponents targeted his side. We tried a wing back formation at Bristol City – to try and hide his issues defensively but that did not work and not sure is the answer – as even in that position you still have to defend. Even when he looked good going forward he was appalling at man to man defending (Blackburn home as an example). I will give him some leniency in that Hamer does not help out and often leaves him exposed but even so, his one on one defending and positional sense has not improved in two seasons. He is quite weak and slow but also does not always send his winger the right way. There were links with a Turkish side when he lost his place and I am not sure I would have been devastated if we got a reasonable fee. I say the same now. McCallum is not the long-term answer here but the fact you expect him to go back in and start, sums up what a poor season overall it has been for Burrows and nowhere near the standards of last year. He has shown flashes and is technically very good on his left foot but he needs to get fitter and stronger and switch on more. He is still only 24 but as I say, not sure whether I see a huge upside in that I do of someone like Seriki – due to their physical profile. Still, for a Championship side, having him and McCallum as two left backs is decent at this level.



Grade C- (Last season B)



Japhet Tanganga We had been linked with him before and arguably we had been better spending the money/wages we did on Holding and Cannon to bring him (or his type of player) in the previous January as Robinson proved in big games, he could not help us see out games. He looked a powerful unit that was quick and decent on the ball whenever I saw him but it seemed like he might go higher and talk of a Premier League release clause meant it was always a long shot. We then became linked with him again in August after our awful start and it seemed like it had legs more than just a rumour. I was quite excited as felt he was just what we needed as would give us some power and presence at the back. We signed him, which was seen as a real coup, as Millwall had started well and he was a regular. We still do not know the fee but won’t have been cheap, nor will his wages. I remember being annoyed we had not signed him to a longer contract (only 2 more years but maybe he/his agent decided on that shorter length).



In this first game at Boro, in the mess around him, he was superb. He single handedly stopped it being a drubbing, as he made several tackles/blocks and interceptions. Looked some player. This was sadly his best ever performance for us. He did have other decent games but whilst United did improve after Selles left, he did not follow this trajectory. He ended up playing at right back which did not seem to suit, so I was pleased when he was put back into a central position but quite quickly, we realised he was not quite the player we thought we had signed. He is not as tall as I thought and maybe not even as fast. He also is not great on the ball and gave the ball away carelessly in games. We did move up the league but never felt he was a key part of the improvements. He played and his partners were changed, Bindon, Mee, McGuiness all were given spells – which maybe did not help but we realised he probably needs a big powerful centre back alongside him – like Cooper at Millwall. Then I do wonder, if he has the pace and speed to mop up alongside such a player?



At times he can read the game and often still would be brave and make big blocks but he also routinely switched off and would lead to a centre forward finding space and scoring. So many crosses came into our box and were met by opponents scoring or having chances. He had a few shocking games and around February/March, I think we would have taken him out of the team if we had better options. Recall the Wrexham game where he was largely at fault for both goals I thought. He had been made captain by Wilder early on and perhaps he is not a natural leader – he gets booked for daft challenges or complaints and got sent off at Charlton too – when we needed to keep our heads after already losing his man. Does not strike me as a natural leader? Maybe we take the captaincy off him – in favour of someone incoming or maybe a Bamford/Rothwell/Riedewald type? He only scored one headed goal despite going up for a lot of corners but missed a number of decent chances.



We have forked out a fair bit of money for him and Wilder has kept playing him – so does seem to like him but I would not be aghast if he was not part of our plans and we moved on – even this early. He has not quite been the player we hoped. He is a Jack Robinson type (not saying sign him back) with some blocks/big moments mixed with moments of lack of focus and errors. He needs to come back and be consistent each week rather than having these bad games where he lets bigger centre forwards impose themselves. He looks a long way of being a Premier League player – being too short and lacking the quality – to play this level and you can see why no clubs invoked this clause. We are still really soft in the middle and I would not be averse to signing two new centre backs but unlikely with players we have spent money on – Tanganga and McGuiness still contracted – we have little wriggle room so may sign one more and hope they can be the one that stops us conceding such awful goals and that Tanganga can improve – and McGuiness can be a viable rotation back up/sub to see out games.



Grade D+ (Last season NA )



Femi Seriki Been a big surprise the previous season after seemingly being on his way out after less than impressive spells on loan at clubs down the leagues. However, he came into the side and impressed with his pace, power and attacking ability. He ended up playing 27 games, which after all his injury/stamina problems before was a big change from what we had seen before. He suddenly became our first choice down this side and chipped in with a number of assists and was a real attacking threat. He showed great energy and his power and athleticism meant he looked tailor made for a jump up to the top league. The knock on him was defensively, but not sure he even was that poor in this regard? There was the odd moment or switch off but he was fine. We started the season with Gilchrist in here but Seriki got the spot and kept in, although at the end of the season, he got an injury on final day and missed most of the playoffs which may have hurt us in the final when we needed legs.



This season, he started as the undoubted starter and you hoped he would carry on his progress and put a second consistent and injury free season together. He another that did not start the season as well but casting my mind back, I still think he was better than many of the other defenders. We did really have any other options in this regard although we put Tanganga there for a while, which seemed odd – but Wilder you never felt was totally convinced by him – I recall there not being the emotion when he shook Wilder’s hand on his return – as others Campbell and Peck embraced him. This notion of him not being a fan of his was added to, as even though he put Seriki back in – he was excellent at Hillsborough in a big game – as he was last season, he always seemed to dig him out. Seriki was not at the same level as last year but not many were. He had an excellent run as the team had their best form either side of Xmas. He scored a wonderful goal v Stoke and in those home games when we scored 3’s and 4’s, he was one of our best players. He and Brooks formed a superb understanding and the right side of our team became our main threat and a joy to watch. Pace, trickery and power – the Championship defenders struggled to hold them up. There was talk again of how he (and Brooks) surely had the attributes to play higher which was nice, but also a worry, with only a year left on their deals (although Bettis spoke of an extra year option the club had).



He had a period where his form dropped off, as any faint hopes of play offs went and had a bad week – getting sent off at Birmingham after being at fault for the Norwich winner. I hoped Wilder would rally around him but was critical again – meaning the nagging doubts that Wilder never fully got on with him or rated him – came to the fore again. He signed Hoever, but the new signing clearly was not at Seriki’s level – despite a few ok performances, we largely looked worse when he played. After a poor run, he did get back to a good level in the wins v Hull and at Watford and in the home game against Preston where we saw flashes of the driving runs. I still really like Seriki. He does get cramp or struggle to finish games which he needs to improve on and we maybe saw some of his defensive limitations but when he is on form and firing, he is great to watch. He did get several assists but at times his crossing could be better – as he often gets into great areas. I really like him and hope he is part of our plays moving forward but worry with talk of the likes of Ayling, Walker, Choudhury, we will bring a more experienced player in. I get we need competition here but I see Seriki – along with Cooper, Brooks, Bamford and maybe O’Hare – as the players who I think should be starters barring anything drastic. Maybe Wilder looks to cash in but I see him improving and his value soaring if he stays around and gains more experience. I hope that whatever issues he has with him, that he can put the team first. Maybe I am reading too much into this but you cannot help but have that feeling. Some players sometimes benefit from a rollocking and some need an arm around them but never saw the latter with him or Brooks from the management team? This is odd as two of our best players and assets.



Grade B (Last season B-)



Mark McGuiness I was always distinctly unimpressed when I saw him, despite Wednesday fans raving about him after he spent time on loan (at League One level to be fair). He looked a big lad but clumsy, susceptible to pace and poor on the ball. He did not even seem that imposing. I recall Ndiaye tearing apart. I was surprised that Luton paid a fair chunk of money but never really impressed much there as they suffered another relegation. I am not sure we had ever been linked with him so was it was out of left field, when we signed him on deadline day. Especially as we signed Mee and Tanganga in the lead up the window. I was prepared to give him a chance of course but his first game was a 5-0 defeat at Ipswich. He remained in the side under Wilder but I always thought his form was patchy and did not really dominate for a man of his size. He was awful on the ball when he had it and also switched off at key times but I was amazed at how weak he was for someone of his size.



I will say he had some ‘ok’ games and was not awful but I was not shocked when Wilder eventually took him out of the side and went with Tanganga and Mee for a period. We ended up improving and winning games, to move up the league. I am not sure that him not being selected was a huge factor but the facts say that some of our better performances came when he was on the bench. He did start v Stoke and scored and was a real threat – before going off injured but then the following game at WBA, he was awful and arguably at fault for both goals. He was not great in the cup tie v Mansfield either. He was in and out for a period but then was taken out almost completely as Bindon improved and he was mostly on the bench from February onwards till coming back towards the end of the season. Did ok in a run of games and we looked more solid oddly with him and Tanganga for a spell but then they struggled in two awful home defeats, as Wilder wanted to see if there was a player in there. It is crazy we gave him a 4-year deal – I think he will never be a regular here and will be just a squad player – that plays when we have injuries or emergencies. I am not sure he is strong or dominant enough and struggles with the ball at his feet. He is probably a decent top end League One, head it and kick it away, but looks a long way off a side trying to be in the upper echelons of the Championship. I am annoyed that they felt he was the best they could find when we were crying out for a dominant centre back – he is not that at all really and whilst ended the season well, I remain unconvinced he is the answer short or long term.



Grade D- (Last season NA )

 

[Deadbat]

Ki Jana Hoever We nearly signed him on the summer of 2024-25 but it fell through and he ended up at Stoke. Wilder clearly still liked him and we brought him in to cover for Seriki despite him struggling in his most recent loan at Auxerre. He came in to provide competition to Seriki but his opening game. He struggled even against Mansfield and then made an error in his league debut at Southampton. He looked less than convincing and remained as a backup. He did ok in a few games – starting and playing well at QPR but he was too up and down but definitely showing a few glimpses when he did get some games. Seriki dropped off and was sent off and he did well at Birmingham and was ok but only that in the game time he had. I have not seen anywhere near enough to suggest he can be a reliable starter – even at Champ level and I think even Wilder will move on from him now.



Grade D+ (Last season NA)





Leo Hjelde Brought in when McCallum was injured – giving us some competition at left back and left centre back. Seemed a bit of an odd signing as never nailed down a place at Leeds or Sunderland. He did ok when he had a few cameo roles off the bench actually and surprise he never got a start. When he finally did get a start – it was as left centre back and he struggled and was taken off at Bristol City. Started against Preston but hooked again at half time. Just seemed a bit of a pointless loan, if not trusted to play but suppose we had no cover there but you want players who can go in and start – if taken from the Premier League and he was not that.



Grade E (Last season NA)





Rhys Norrington Davies Baffling we gave him such a long deal after all his injuries and less than convincing for. He only played 14 games last season – mostly when we had injuries and he had to fill in. Recall him being dreadful in games against Swansea away and in the cup v Cardiff. It was remarkable that he somehow started the season in central defence alongside Bindon as Bristol City scored four times. We did not see him again after this after a shocking performance and he was allowed to go loan to QPR as we completely changed the defence. I was surprised that another Championship side wanted him. My grade thus is based on his United game. He did ok in his early games and the QPR fans seemed to like him but as the season went on, they saw the same issues we did in terms of lack of pace, poor positioning and dithering on the ball. He concedes a lot of fouls when quicker and trickier wingers go at him (got 7 yellow cards this season). He never seemed the same after the run of injuries – after being good for half a season in the Hecky promotion season and one we should have just moved on instead of giving another deal to. He has one more year left and we will hope QPR or someone else will take him off our hands. I do not really see a future for him here at all. He will either be sold or go on loan again you would think before his deal ends next summer.



Grade E- (Last season F)



Sam Curtis Came with a fair bit of hype when he signed with a big reputation as one of the top young players in Ireland. There were reports we had beaten off several teams to sign him. I had watched him in the U21’s (he played a bit for the first team too) and he never looked like he had the pace or athleticism to make the step up in the UK at this level. That sounds harsh but I had expected better technically too. He never really came close to properly competing for a place in the side despite the issues we had at right back and struggled when on loan at Peterborough and St Johnstone. Played at Birmingham and then Chesterfield took him this season and he has definitely had the best loan of the three spells away from the Lane. He scored on his debut and has been largely first choice for Paul Cook’s man. He made a crucial tackle in a game at home to Grimsby. The fans have taken to him and he finally is living up to some of the promise we saw in him. I still have the same concerns about his lack of speed and athleticism – meaning he will find it hard to step up from lower levels and might need another season on loan with the Spireites – if both clubs can make that happen – which seems sensible. He has another season on his United deal. Once again my grade is based on his United game or should that be, game.



Grade D – only played one United game (Last season NA)



Dovydas Sasnauskas Played at Birmingham in the cup and had a nightmare being at fault for the first goal and then struggling but at least did better 2nd half. We did not see him again and I wondered if he picked up an injury as was not even seen in the u21’s. He was seen as a promising player a few years ago but has not perhaps kicked on. Think he has another year left on his contract?



Grade E – only played one United game (Last season NA)



Jamie Shackleton Nothing much to say. You forget he is even here. Never fit at all and never even in training yet alone close to first team contention other than three forgettable cameo sub appearances (Watford, Blackburn & Preston) . It is not a great look when the biggest thing you can recall from him, is for an incident in a country park where he was arrested for drunk driving – charges later dropped. In terms of action on the field, we have just not seen him. Wilder kept talking of him being back soon after he got injured again but it never happened. He had not been great in the few games he had played last season so it was hardly like we were missing much. Bizarre we gave him a three-year deal when it seemed the interest in him – at this level – was simply not there. Not sure who we were competing against?! Stuck with him another year but like many other signings (Tom Davies etc) just a complete waste of resources. Offered next to nothing for the club.



Grade F – only played 3 brief sub appearances for United (Last season E)



Others (not played/gone on loan/young players)





Jamal Baptiste A player that had been a regular in the u21s and even got some first team experience – albeit the cup tie v Cardiff. You forget he had been at West Ham and Man City before we signed him in November 2024. He went to Rotherham and has been a regular there – albeit in a struggling side that has got relegated. Rotherham fans have said he has been one of the few bright spots and done quite well but seems a long way off Championship standard from the bits and pieces I have seen. He is 23 this year, so not really a kid anymore. He signed a new contact last summer, so has another year left with us but might move back on loan again you would think?





Jili Bugaboo Had been around the first team when we went up under Heckingbottom and played in the final game at Birmingham but then had not really kicked on – Went to Motherwell on loan but did not play and came back but did then go to Rochdale for the rest of last season. Spent this season at loan at Robbie Savage’s Forest Green. Saw him play on TV in the FA Cup and made a goal and looked impressive – lively and forward thinking in his approach. He made the news for delivering his wife’s baby I recall recently too. His side have been around the playoff places and he has been one of their better players according to their fans. It is a long jump up to Championship standard and another who at 23 in August, probably is running out of time to make it with us – we may look to send him on loan to a league club next time out.







Nils Zatterstrom We had been linked with him for much of the summer and then the on-off signing finally happened. He had come through the ranks at Malmo and even played for the national side once. It was unclear how much we paid for him (reports suggest around 2.5 million) but we clearly saw some promise in him. I did not think he would be put into a struggling side and defence but the fact he was not involved at all – showed Wilder had seen enough in training, that he did not feel he was up to the levels we needed. It was odd though that he barely played for the u21’s either. For a player our scouting team had clearly identified, he was never even close to being involved regularly – the odd first team sub appearance apart. It was a surprise Genoa signed him on loan with an option to buy but he has not played there either. He made some comments about the style of play and management, that won’t have endeared him to Wilder but I worry now that he will be another back with us – Genoa won’t be taking up their option if they have not played him – and another we are stuck with – hopefully his agent can push him onto another club in the same way we/Genoa saw something from somewhere to invest in him. Just looks another expensive mistake from our scouting department.





Jamie Shackleton Nothing much to say. You forget he is even here. Never fit at all and never even in training yet alone close to first team contention. It is not a great look when the biggest thing you can recall from him, is for an incident in a country park where he was arrested for drunk driving – charges later dropped. In terms of action on the field, we have just not seen him. Wilder kept talking of him being back soon, but it never happened. He had not been great in the few games he had played last season so it was hardly like we were missing much. Bizarre we gave him a three-year deal when it seemed the interest in him – at this level – was simply not there. Not sure who we were competing against?! Stuck with him another year but like many other signings (Tom Davies etc) just a complete waste of resources. Offered next to nothing for the club.





Mihail Polendakov Brought in at the time we were signing various players from Bulgaria with the influence of James Bord on recruitment at that time. He is only 18 but he has not even been able to get a place in the u21’s let alone stand out. It probably was not a big money signing and seen as a development type but the fact he is not playing games even for the development sides suggests the club have not been impressed. Another that might be moved on quickly you sense.



Sai Sachdev Picked up a bad injury and was good to see him get back earlier this season but seemed to get more injuries (briefly got back into the U21’s end of the season but missed a fair chunk again and got injured again in the final game) and after the club extended him – you sense he will be let go this summer.





Next season



Left back seems ok in terms of McCallum and Burrows and if Seriki stays, you just hope we add some experience and competition but we do have some concerns defensively in the full back areas. Tanganga will remain as will McGuiness you think but we need at least 2 more options here to properly compete and maybe even start. This has to be an area we have to upgrade from. We are quite short here and need some size/experience and leadership so we do not concede soft goals. There is a lot of fringe players under contract such as Shackleton, Norrington Davies, Curtis, Buyabu, Zatterstrom that seem nowhere near first teamers for us. We need to shift some/most of these on to free up spots for those coming through and incoming players. Talk of Kyle Walker is not something I am sure I can get behind as is another player coming to the end and struggled at Burnley when I saw him. He has had a great career but we need to look at player with a resale value and ones that can improve? In an ideal world we sign a decent right back cover and two brand new centre backs. We conceded too many goals but I think Tanganga will get another go to prove his investment was worth it, with a big dominant centre back alongside him? We need defenders who attack the ball and make protecting our goal all they want to do.



Player / Position Years remaining (contract expires) Red this year – Orange next year - Green longer contract –



Defenders





Ben Mee Out of contract (2026)

Sai Sachdev Out of contract (2026)

Jamal Baptiste 1 year (2027)

Femi Seriki 1 year (2027) with a year option

Jamie Shackleton 1 year (2027)

R Norrington Davies 1 year (2027)

Dovydas Sasnauskas 1 year (2027)

Japhet Tanganga 2 years (2028)

Harrison Burrows 2 years (2028)

Sam McCallum 2 years (2028)

Mihail Polendakov 2 years (2028)

Mark McGuiness 3 years (2029)

Nils Zatterstrom 3 years (2029)





Return to loan club:



Tyler Bindon to Nottingham Forest

Ki Jana Hoever to Wolves

Leo Hjelde to Sunderland

 

[Harry's Game]

What a truly depressing read..

.. sad fact is it’s mostly accurate too although I might have given Bindon a B- rather than a C

 

[Deadbat]

Obviously Buyabu not Bugaboo, the Destiny's Child song/pram! Somehow changed the spelling!

 

[Deadbat]

What a truly depressing read..

.. sad fact is it’s mostly accurate too although I might have given Bindon a B- rather than a C

Thank you...I think. Depressing as in the season or my writing? Both, probably.

 

[Deadbat]

Also Shackleton is bad enough once, no idea why I copied it and it was in twice.

 

[Harry's Game]

Thank you...I think. Depressing as in the season or my writing? Both, probably.

Definitely the season and some of the horrible signings we made

 

[Wards]

I think Tanganga has had a better season than Burrows, only thing I really disagree with. Tanganga had a spell early on here where he was a one man defence. Burrows has been shocking.

 

[dellasthunderbolt]

Reckon if we could get a dominant centre back for middle and Walker for right McCallum might be decent as LCB

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Great report. Am just not as enthusiastic about Seriki as you are DB. He is very hot cold with the level of attacking he attempts, at times almost no runs. His crossing is poor and he often runs the ball out or a cross into the Kop.
The partnership with Brooks is far from as brilliant some make out.
What a dismal read. I donr know how you can bothered. I wouldn't able to summothe commitment to write about such a dismal set of players.