Bartley Had A Nice Time

[Bladesman]

Bartley - I gained a massive amount on loan

By Nick Teale

Kyle Bartley says he can take a massive amount from his loan spell at Sheffield United.

The 18-year-old centre back joined the Blades' play-off chasing campaign in February and went straight into Kevin Blackwell's side.

Bartley made 13 appearances for the Championship side and received praise from his manager and team-mates during his time in Yorkshire. He returned to the Gunners at the end of United's season and in an exclusive interview with Arsenal.com, he revealed just how successful the loan spell proved to be.

"I gained a lot of experience, played in quite a lot of games and it was a terrific experience," reflected Bartley.

"I had highs and I had lows and it was an all-round good experience for me.

"I can take a massive amount from my time with Sheffield United. I played alongside some great players and against some tough opponents in front of some very big crowds.

"Sheffield United have great supporters and I was playing in front of 25,000 every time at Bramall Lane. When we played at Newcastle United there were over 50,000 at St. James' Park. It was a terrific experience for me."

As well as playing in front of a strong home following at Bramall Lane, the 18-year-old featured in the ‘Steel City' derby in April.

It is one of the fiercest local rivalries in English football and took on extra significance this season with hosts Sheffield Wednesday fighting what turned out to be a losing battle against relegation.

"That was a great experience as well," commented Bartley. "I came on as a sub and was brought into a really tough match with a hostile atmosphere.

"Sheffield Wednesday were fighting for their lives and it was a whole different experience for me, as some players were literally fighting for their careers and their future earnings."

But fortune didn't always favour the centre back.

Food poisoning denied him the opportunity to compete against fellow Arsenal loanee Jay Simpson when QPR visited the Blades in March. Following that 1-1 draw Sheffield United registered a 3-0 win over future play-off finalists Blackpool.

Bartley could only make the bench for that clash and when he returned to full fitness, the defender was forced to play the waiting game.

"When I came back I wasn't feeling 100 per cent and in the time I was out the team did really well," explained Bartley.

"The manager explained that he couldn't put me straight back in because it would be unfair on the players who came in and did well.

"I accepted that and got on with it and thankfully I got another chance and stayed in the team after that.

"When I got back into the team I played seven consecutive games which was good for me.

"But obviously as an 18-year-old centre-half you expect to be in and out of the team because you can't play every week, so it's just another part of my learning curve."

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-ar...d&utm_campaign=Feed:+arsenal-news+(News+Feed)

Would be good to get him back for a season.

 

[lenners]

No thanks, he was shit.
A great experience for him, a crap one for us.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

No thanks, he was shit.
A great experience for him, a crap one for us.

I understand he's quite highly rated at Arsenal, but what the hell would they know about spotting a good footballer?

 

[Worksop_Blade]

Mr Arsene Lenners up there with the inspired player assessment.

James Thomas now there was a young lad with talent.

 

[Bladesman]

No thanks, he was shit.
A great experience for him, a crap one for us.

He looked solid playing alongside Morgan and had a couple of off games.

If you want to talk shit you want to look at Nosworthy and Stewart appearing in our back 4.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Lens got to stick to that opinion now because he's penned himself in which a really stupid comment a while back.
He can't do another Wardy type U turn without looking really silly.

 

[Worksop_Blade]

Jordan Stewart....

http://tinyurl.com/ylf22v

 

[SotonBlade]

Disclaimer: The opinions of lenners are only that of his own. Very few posters agree with his train of thought....ever

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

There's a train? More a handcart surely.

 

[axel smeets]

I felt that after a shaky start, Bartley improved considerably and looked like a good player by April time, ditto Nosworthy.

 

[lenners]

The fact that Bartley was dropped for quite a few games ought to give one or two a clue but c'est la vie.

 

[Foxy]

The fact that Bartley was dropped for quite a few games ought to give one or two a clue but c'est la vie.

One of the factors was that he was ill, but also that he did hit a poor run (which he admitted himself).

At times he's looked quality, at others average.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

yeah he was dropped the same way Jamie Ward was after the derby at BDTBL.

I forgot that young players aren't allowed to be a little inconsistent.

For the most part I thought he did well especially given the circumstances of being dropped into a constantly changing back 4.

 

[Bayingblade]

The fact that Bartley was dropped for quite a few games ought to give one or two a clue but c'est la vie.

The fact that he suffered food poisoning that laid him low for a while but got straight back into the squad when he recovered ought to give you a clue as to how highly he was thought of Len. Still, your opinion has always overruled the facts hasn't it?

 

[TAMUS]

No thanks, he was shit.
A great experience for him, a crap one for us.

Whats up run out of windows to lick ?

 

[lenners]

Considering he's shit I also thought he did quite well, if that's the criterion.

 

[alcoblade]

No thanks, he was shit.
A great experience for him, a crap one for us.

Do you make an effort to talk shite, or does it come naturally?

UTB

 

[lenners]

Do you make an effort to talk shite, or does it come naturally?

UTB

How good do you think he looked compared to a couple of young defenders United brought through the ranks recently?
He was very poor, cost goals, looked terrified.
I'm glad his playing poorly for us has benefited him. It didn't benefit us.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Walker cost us goals last season (Newcastle, couple against Cardiff spring immediately to mind) was poor for some some games, and yet you strongly defended his performances.

Hypocrisy fail?

 

[SwissBlade]

I'd take Bartley and Nosworthy back, but we'd need one of them on a permanent deal (probably Nosworthy) to provide some additional stability to the back 4

 

[lenners]

Walker cost us goals last season (Newcastle, couple against Cardiff spring immediately to mind) was poor for some some games, and yet you strongly defended his performances.

Hypocrisy fail?

Aye, Walker's bobbins and a nomark from Arsenal is da best, presumably because you think he must be good as he came from Arsenal.
I don't think there's a United fan in the world, perhaps bar yourself, that would rather have Bartley than Walker.
The overall sadness is that we've lost the Blades heart of the team, are likely to lose more of it shortly and we're going to be left with free transfers from Barnsley etc.

 

[Bramley]

I've got to agree with Len. He was pretty ordinary. More of a Stuart Wilson/John Newby type.

 

[alcoblade]

Aye, Walker's bobbins and a nomark from Arsenal is da best, presumably because you think he must be good as he came from Arsenal.
I don't think there's a United fan in the world, perhaps bar yourself, that would rather have Bartley than Walker.
The overall sadness is that we've lost the Blades heart of the team, are likely to lose more of it shortly and we're going to be left with free transfers from Barnsley etc.

Yep, after giving up a full month of his footballing life to United, the heart of the team was ripped out when he left. Wibble.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

I've got to agree with Len. He was pretty ordinary. More of a Stuart Wilson/John Newby type.

Len isn't stating he was ordinary - he's saying he is shite, after a handful of games by an 18 year old in a strange side. Clearly after a month of viewing, our Leonard is more qualified than Mr Venger to judge.

Not being as good as Walker doesn't make him shite, though I'd agree he was nothing more that OK for us over that short spell.

UTB

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Aye, Walker's bobbins and a nomark from Arsenal is da best, presumably because you think he must be good as he came from Arsenal.

Never said Walker was bobbins and never said Bartley was the best. Good work Len you can't even win the argument when you are having it with yourself.

I don't think there's a United fan in the world, perhaps bar yourself, that would rather have Bartley than Walker.

Again making up your own arguments Len.

The overall sadness is that we've lost the Blades heart of the team, are likely to lose more of it shortly and we're going to be left with free transfers from Barnsley etc.

Brilliant Len

 

[lenners]

Never said Walker was bobbins and never said Bartley was the best. Good work Len you can't even win the argument when you are having it with yourself.


Again making up your own arguments Len.



Brilliant Len

You chose to make a comparison between the two son, did you not.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

To point out your hypocrisy not saying one was better than the other. Again making it up Len and you still can''t win the argument.

 

[lenners]

To point out your hypocrisy not saying one was better than the other. Again making it up Len and you still can''t win the argument.

Bob, son, your comment was: Walker cost us goals last season (Newcastle, couple against Cardiff spring immediately to mind) was poor for some some games, and yet you strongly defended his performances.

You chose to suggest Walker was on a par in some way with Bartley. I merely point out he wasn't.

 

[Kev Gee]

I thought Bartley did ok seeing as he was put straight into the team without knowing the rest of the back 4 & having to settle in quick.
Same goes for Nosworthy. Shakey at first, but began to do ok & have some good games when he had geled into the team alittle more.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Bob, son, your comment was: Walker cost us goals last season (Newcastle, couple against Cardiff spring immediately to mind) was poor for some some games, and yet you strongly defended his performances.

You chose to suggest Walker was on a par in some way with Bartley. I merely point out he wasn't.

Lenners, kiddo, you conveniently overlook the fact that Walker played in a settled defence, whereas Bartley probably didn't play with the same four defensive partners twice.