CONFIRMED Billy Sharp

[DronnieBlade]

I am on this Forum to pass opinion and to test my opinions, to learn different views. I suppose I have an emotional attachment to Billy Sharp because I think we wasted his potential at Bramall Lane. I seem to be in a minority of one.

We rarely have young players who score for fun at every age level.

He was too small for Warnock who exiled him for peanuts, despite his immense goalscoring record age for age throughout with us and also in the league one with Scunny.

Robson never gave him a chance because McCabe signed him before the new manager arrived.

Blackwell had to play Beattie in the No.1 role. I said at the time that I would have built my side round Sharp, not Beattie, though I do accept we had money at the time and that confused priorities. Beattie to me was never a medium term solution, though that's a separate debate.

If we had different managers at the time we would have played to Sharp's strengths and not asked him to make up the numbers. If we had played to his strengths he could have been immense for us.

Maybe the time has passed, but I would bet big money on him succeeding for us at this level, and indeed in the Championship. He's still a young man. Always make your main striker top man, make Sharp that and watch him go. We will never know.

Difficult to fault a single word of that WWF.

Minority of 2 perhaps ?

Only thing I would say is in my opinion, to get the best out of Bill, you HAVE to build a side around him. Not many managers are prepared to sort of gamble in this way. The player has therefore tried to "change" his all round game, which has led to indifferent form.

One thing I am quite sure of. The Leeds move appears to have been a disaster and it may well be that he is looking for an "out".

It would be a major coup for any L1 side to secure his services.

UTB.

 

[Kenilworth]

What's the betting he will go back on loan to Scunny, to get some game time and some form, and end up scoring the only goal in our rearranged home fixture

 

[Guesty]

Sharp was dreadful for us even when he was good, imagine how dreadful he'll be now he's dreadful!

 

[Rollerball]

I believe billy, tho not showed his best due to managers utilising him in unfamiliar roles, would score for fun at this level and no one could ever question his commitment or work rate when playing for us, which to my mind would be invaluble this season as, some have mentioned one major problem with some (most) players this season in the league is commitment.
If we could get him in I would take him in a heartbeat if only for his blades love and possible gee up effect.
Very possibly as an impact player.
UTB

 

[IOM Blade]

I would take McNulty over Sharp everyday of the week. He was tremendous on Sunday.

 

[judge]

When he played for us I can only remembe him being a centre forward in a 442
I remember one game v QPR where I think he scored but my standout memory is him being through on goal about fourth yards out but being outpaced by an ageing Fitz hall who had given him about six yards

Knew he would never make it at the top level at that moment and if he is even slower now I would steer well clear

 

[SwissBlade]

I said in the summer that he's not the sort of player we need. We need a goalscorer, yes, but like many I think that McNulty can get us the goals and is real finisher. As IOM Blade said, McNulty was tremendous on Sunday and also v Southampton. But he seems to have a less physical game against the premiership sides.

What we do need is a big physical striker, O'Grady showed briefly what Clough wanted from Higdon. So I'd head straight to Brighton with an offer for O'Grady and get him back to the lane on a permanent deal.

If we've still got cash left, I'd sign Doyle from Chesterfield rather than gamble on Sharp's form and fitness

Oh and all that's after signing Brayford

 

[itsinyerblood]

I said in the summer that he's not the sort of player we need. We need a goalscorer, yes, but like many I think that McNulty can get us the goals and is real finisher. As IOM Blade said, McNulty was tremendous on Sunday and also v Southampton. But he seems to have a less physical game against the premiership sides.

What we do need is a big physical striker, O'Grady showed briefly what Clough wanted from Higdon. So I'd head straight to Brighton with an offer for O'Grady and get him back to the lane on a permanent deal.

If we've still got cash left, I'd sign Doyle from Chesterfield rather than gamble on Sharp's form and fitness

Oh and all that's after signing Brayford

Swiss, think you've just about nailed who or what we need. COG would be fine for 2-3 seasons, and if we played 442, or something that allowed for a double spearhead up front, then McNulty would benefit immensely from the presence and experience of someone like COG. We'd still need backup in this department, so whether it's Doyle or someone similar, that would offer us the choices we've so far lacked.

I think we also need more presence in central midfield, so that's somewhere that needs to be looked at. As does defence. I actually think we're quite well covered, but, the lack of a consistent back four is worrying. I'd love Brayford back at t'Lane, but can't see it happening, mainly because of the wages we'd be expected to offer. Maybe moving up a division might change that perception, if so then it's all for the good. A commanding C/H, plus someone with the versatility to fill most defensive positions would be brilliant, but maybe easier said than done.

As for the question of Sharp, it's now become a tired topic, based purely on misguided sentiment.

One final observation...I'd invest some faith in young Reed. Give him a run, form permitting, let's see how he adapts to the demands of regular first team football over 9-10 games. That should, once and for all, tell everyone that the promise we've seen can be delivered consistently. I hope so, because like many of us, who hasn't been impressed by what Reed has shown so far?

 

[Reedy1889]

Reviving an old thread here but personally I can't help but think if we don't pull off the O'Grady deal he may be a player we will look at bringing in perm or loan.

He's seemingly well out of the picture at Leeds and has publically said how frustrated he is at how his time their has panned out add to that they're pretty close to adding another striker to their ranks very soon which will inevitably push him further down the pecking order at ER.

Another one at Leeds who Clough has been previously interested in and may go back in for before the 4th Feb is Jason Pearce who again seems to have been slowly pushed out of the 1st eleven he's even had his captaincy stripped (?) again Leeds are strongly linked to a CB in Sol Bamba meaning if he joined they'd have Cooper, Bellusci, Pearce, Bamba & Wootton who all could/can play centre half.


Both would be good, welcomed additions to our side for the crucial run in to this campaign

 

[Sirius]

Sharp was dreadful for us even when he was good, imagine how dreadful he'll be now he's dreadful!

He's not as good as he was but much better than he will be.

Strange that when he left for Scunny, he set the league alight. Surely it is down to how the manager is prepared to play him.

Personally, once management has dropped an almighty bollock in letting a player go, they should just admit that were wrong and not seek a second bite of the cherry.

Off the top of my head, apart from Billy, we let Clive Mendonca go, and went back for him and were bitten on the arse.

Mr Beaty was allowed back, wheel rims and all, and dare I suggest Deano's return was not an unmitigated success?

 

[Revolution]

He's not as good as he was but much better than he will be.

Strange that when he left for Scunny, he set the league alight. Surely it is down to how the manager is prepared to play him.

Personally, once management has dropped an almighty bollock in letting a player go, they should just admit that were wrong and not seek a second bite of the cherry.

Off the top of my head, apart from Billy, we let Clive Mendonca go, and went back for him and were bitten on the arse.

Mr Beaty was allowed back, wheel rims and all, and dare I suggest Deano's return was not an unmitigated success?

Keith Edwards says hello.

Plus Deano's second coming was a success (11 goals in 24 games) until we sold him again.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Keith Edwards says hello.

Plus Deano's second coming was a success (11 goals in 24 games) until we sold him again.

I personally thought that Deane looked a more complete player second time around. Third time less so though - though a superb save denied him what would have been a cracking goal on his debut off the bench.

 

[Sirius]

I personally thought that Deane looked a more complete player second time around. Third time less so though - though a superb save denied him what would have been a cracking goal on his debut off the bench.

I forgot that we were duped for a third time. Ok i Edwards the exception that proves the rule.

 

[Tezza1889]

I'd take sharp on loan in feb, or swap him for higdon...

If we dont manage to get o, grady..

 

[Blade56]

I'd take sharp on loan in feb, or swap him for higdon...

If we dont manage to get o, grady..

Signing Him would signal NC's transfer policy is in chaos. At best I would see him signing for a lower L1/upperL2 team as a journeyman

 

[Tezza1889]

Signing Him would signal NC's transfer policy is in chaos. At best I would see him signing for a lower L1/upperL2 team as a journeyman

You have a point, but many thought the policy was flawed when we targeted three major signings pre season, and failed with all three...

As I saw it, we had say, 500.000 per player, and when you miss the first taget, then you have 750,000 for the two remaining targets, meaning we could if we wanted make those deals, on missing the second target, you'd have 1,5m in theory to make certain of a signing, that if you wanted it bad enough it would happen..

We cant overpay stupidly, and I'm not suggesting we should, but money shouldnt be a stumbling block meaning you don't sign anyone, especially when you targeted three..

 

[DronnieBlade]

I made quite a bit of the potential potency of an Evans / Sharp frontline back in the day.

Unfortunately, a dickhead of a manager we once had preferred some prat called relish who couldn't trap a bag of cement !

So in this same way, I suspect that a frontline of Sharp / McNulty might also tear L1 defences a new one.

UTB.

 

[Blade56]

You have a point, but many thought the policy was flawed when we targeted three major signings pre season, and failed with all three...

As I saw it, we had say, 500.000 per player, and when you miss the first taget, then you have 750,000 for the two remaining targets, meaning we could if we wanted make those deals, on missing the second target, you'd have 1,5m in theory to make certain of a signing, that if you wanted it bad enough it would happen..

We cant overpay stupidly, and I'm not suggesting we should, but money shouldnt be a stumbling block meaning you don't sign anyone, especially when you targeted three..

But the plan is flawed, by the time you get to the players who would cost £750-£1.5M they are to good for this league and won't drop down. Or they don't like travelling on busses

 

[Revolution]

I made quite a bit of the potential potency of an Evans / Sharp frontline back in the day.

Unfortunately, a dickhead of a manager we once had preferred some prat called relish who couldn't trap a bag of cement !

So in this same way, I suspect that a frontline of Sharp / McNulty might also tear L1 defences a new one.

UTB.

Not for us it won't, as it's one up front all season by the looks of it.

 

[mattbianco1]

I personally thought that Deane looked a more complete player second time around. Third time less so though - though a superb save denied him what would have been a cracking goal on his debut off the bench.

My pants would've been extremely moist if that had gone in. I would've been on the pitch!

 

[mattbianco1]

I made quite a bit of the potential potency of an Evans / Sharp frontline back in the day.

Unfortunately, a dickhead of a manager we once had preferred some prat called relish who couldn't trap a bag of cement !

So in this same way, I suspect that a frontline of Sharp / McNulty might also tear L1 defences a new one.

UTB.

You mean Mr. Henderson? The guy who scored a goal every 3.5 games. That's around 13 goals a season (league only).

 

[DronnieBlade]

You mean Mr. Henderson? The guy who scored a goal every 3.5 games. That's around 13 goals a season (league only).

That's the fella.

The one that played less than half the games he could have for one reason or another (Thus pissing on your 13 a season assertion) in a 3 year spell and cost us about £5m in transfer fees and wages.

The one that isn't getting a sniff of a shirt at, wait for it, bottom of L1 Leyton Orient !

So about a quarter of a mill for each one of those important goals you mention !

I can see a clear case for resigning the bloke

UTB

 

[mattbianco1]

That's the fella.

The one that played less than half the games he could have for one reason or another (Thus pissing on your 13 a season assertion) in a 3 year spell and cost us about £5m in transfer fees and wages.

The one that isn't getting a sniff of a shirt at, wait for it, bottom of L1 Leyton Orient !

So about a quarter of a mill for each one of those important goals you mention !

I can see a clear case for resigning the bloke

UTB

Never said he was till good enough.

In his first season he scored 6 in 32... granted that's not good enough.
2nd season 12 in 32 (nearly got my magic no. 13 with 14 games to spare).
3rd season he played 8 times and scored twice.

I've never understood the amount of hatred towards him as a blade. He suffered two very bad injuries. The 2nd one he was out for nearly a year if memory serves me right

 

[Bladesman]

Never said he was till good enough.

In his first season he scored 6 in 32... granted that's not good enough.
2nd season 12 in 32 (nearly got my magic no. 13 with 14 games to spare).
3rd season he played 8 times and scored twice.

I've never understood the amount of hatred towards him as a blade. He suffered two very bad injuries. The 2nd one he was out for nearly a year if memory serves me right

Sign him up!

 

[DronnieBlade]

So EXACTLY £250k per goal then.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Never said he was till good enough.

In his first season he scored 6 in 32... granted that's not good enough.
2nd season 12 in 32 (nearly got my magic no. 13 with 14 games to spare).
3rd season he played 8 times and scored twice.

I've never understood the amount of hatred towards him as a blade. He suffered two very bad injuries. The 2nd one he was out for nearly a year if memory serves me right

So EXACTLY £250k per goal then.

Reason why he is disliked so much, is because he was fookin terrible and cost us a small fortune.

Please start a resign Hendo thread if you want. Amazing how many times a Sharp thread turns in to a reminder of how shit relish was / is. I understand he might feature for Orient vs Preston on box tonight. If you need a reminder, tune in !!!!!!!

UTB

 

[Bladesman]

So EXACTLY £250k per goal then.

Still a better return than we got with Geoff Horsfield surely?

 

[mattbianco1]

So EXACTLY £250k per goal then.

Reason why he is disliked so much, is because he was fookin terrible and cost us a small fortune.

Please start a resign Hendo thread if you want. Amazing how many times a Sharp thread turns in to a reminder of how shit relish was / is. I understand he might feature for Orient vs Preston on box tonight. If you need a reminder, tune in !!!!!!!

UTB

When have I said to re-sign Henderson?

 

[DronnieBlade]

You didn't.

But you have tried to "defend" what is " undefendable"

One of the very worst signings in UTDs history (or at least as far back as I can remember)

UTB

 

[Pedro Verde]

Henderson was a very expensive waste of space injured or suspended for a large amount of the time that he was here