Billy Sharp

[Niceguyeddie]

5th choice. Bottom line.

I’ll spell out why.

THE GAFFER DOES NOT RATE HIM.

Plenty of evidence now available to prove the above to be correct.

Bit shameful really bearing in mind he has bagged the gaffer 66 or whatever goals in the last 3 years which has clearly been a major contributory towards the gaffers success !

I have ABSOLUTELY no doubt he would finish as our top scorer if he gets the minutes.

He won’t.

Shame .

UTB

What's the evidence ?

 

[DronnieBlade]

What's the evidence ?

I’ll retract.

There isn’t any.

None whatsoever.

UTB

 

[PokerBlade]

In terms of his aerial prowess, are you talking about his ability from stuff lumped upfield from deep? Because I think he’s one of our better players from crosses – in fact didn’t he have the highest total of headed goals last season?

Wilder will clearly use him for certain situations. He’ll rarely start, and he’ll be rarely left off the bench, assuming everyone stays fit. Which, in all honesty, is absolutely fine.

Pretty sure you're right about headed goals but I still think that's more of a testament to hard we work on creating perfect crossing opportunities. If there are teams we struggle to play through and have to start putting in earlier balls then you'd back McBurnie or Mousset to be causing more problems in the box. And sometimes, like it or not, teams have to go long and then it's a bonus if you've got a striker up front who can win some.

 

[Niceguyeddie]

I’ll retract.

There isn’t any.

None whatsoever.

UTB

Well that was easier than I thought it would be

 

[Champagneblade]

It's clearly going to be a squad game. They will all get their chance to contribute.

This team isn't built on individuals. It's all about the group.

 

[Proud Blade]

Billy Sharp: Premier League 2019/2020, season to date:

Minutes played: 44
Goals scored: 1

 

[Sheffsteel]

Sharp's got nothing to prove to anyone at Bramall Lane. We know what he is, we know what he does, and we know how to use him.

The problem is that Sharp is the worst creatively, he's not the quickest, he's not the best in the air, he's not the most skillful, he's not the best link up player, and so on. Sharp has been so good for us because we've had a lot of the ball and we've been able to pass through sides and make quality opportunities for him - that's where he's one of the best in the game.

In order to play Sharp and get the best of him, the rest of the players need to be playing well enough that we expect to hold possession and keep sustained pressure on the opponents. Right now we aren't doing that. As we find our feet there's going to be teams where we can do that, and where we'll be over the moon to have Sharp as an option, but he has to be patient and accept that we've spent a lot of money on some very talented forwards.

We'll see Sharp play this season. And if he scores at Bramall Lane he's going to go from legendary status to a bloody deity.

Excellent description of the Sharp situation.

Wilder understands that in the right situation Sharp is likely to be our best striker. In the wrong situation Sharp is likely to be our worse striker.
Agree that if we are playing weaker opposition and dominating a match, then Sharp will be a big asset and very dangerous.
Think the same with Ravel Morrison too, in possession he looks a like a box of tricks but out of possession it’s like we’re playing with 10 men.
So again we need to play RV in games where he’s going to see a lot of the ball in a match we will dominate.

 

[bypassblade]

I'm at a total loss as to how ANYONE can say ANYTHING negative about Billy, his goals have taken us from Gillingham to Stamford Bridge. Okay he probably is in the twilight of his career but I'll ask anyone, show me a more proud man to wear our shirt. It was only 3 weeks ago folk were wanking over his goal at Ballmouth and CW called him Mr Sheffield United, he knows he won't get lot's of starts but when he does he won't let us down.

I can see Billy being used as an "impact" sub home & away it won't always work but trust me he'll score, Billy & Jags' influence in dressing room and round ground will also be needed and be immense.

 

[Pinchy]

Nauseating Bladey Claptrap.

Amazing how many chances Sharp takes when he’s not playing, isn’t it. Never misses. Risible self-serving bollocks from Bladey Bills who, as I predicted, put their pet player above the team they claim to support.

 

[gordoncharles]

The problem is that Sharp is the worst creatively, he's not the quickest, he's not the best in the air, he's not the most skillful, he's not the best link up player, and so on.

I completely understand the point, I really do, but there's actually an indefinable element.

There was a midfield player, 5' 7" and slight so he could be muscled off the ball. He couldn't run, couldn't dribble, couldn't tackle, couldn't head. He didn't have much of a shot and he didn't score many goals. He wasn't a defensive screen and he wasn't a box-to-box dynamo.

That player was Xavi. Over 500 appearances for Barcelona, 133 caps and every honour it was possible to win. Defined Barcelona's style, controlled games on his own, and possibly the most influential player of the last 20 years.

Now, Sharp's no Xavi, but he offers more than a list of his (lack of) qualities would appear.

 

[Niceguyeddie]

There was a midfield player, 5' 7" and slight so he could be muscled off the ball. He couldn't run, couldn't dribble, couldn't tackle, couldn't head. He didn't have much of a shot and he didn't score many goals. He wasn't a defensive screen and he wasn't a box-to-box dynamo



That really doesn't sound like the xavi I remember

 

[gordoncharles]

There was a midfield player, 5' 7" and slight so he could be muscled off the ball. He couldn't run, couldn't dribble, couldn't tackle, couldn't head. He didn't have much of a shot and he didn't score many goals. He wasn't a defensive screen and he wasn't a box-to-box dynamo



That really doesn't sound like the xavi I remember

Leaving aside that you might be missing the point, Eddie, what do you remember about Xavi?

His blistering pace? His lung bursting runs? His dribbling leaving defenders in his wake, his physical strength and block tackles or his domination in the air? He had none of these yet he was one of, if not the, finest player of his generation.

 

[Niceguyeddie]

Leaving aside that you might be missing the point, Eddie, what do you remember about Xavi?

His blistering pace? His lung bursting runs? His dribbling leaving defenders in his wake, his physical strength and block tackles or his domination in the air? He had none of these yet he was one of, if not the, finest player of his generation.

He looked pretty good at everything to me think you might be thinking of guardiola

 

[Large Mendonca]

There was a midfield player, 5' 7" and slight so he could be muscled off the ball. He couldn't run, couldn't dribble, couldn't tackle, couldn't head. He didn't have much of a shot and he didn't score many goals. He wasn't a defensive screen and he wasn't a box-to-box dynamo



That really doesn't sound like the xavi I remember

I thought he was describing this guy

 

[BiggerBladeThanThou]

Nauseating Bladey Claptrap.

Amazing how many chances Sharp takes when he’s not playing, isn’t it. Never misses. Risible self-serving bollocks from Bladey Bills who, as I predicted, put their pet player above the team they claim to support.

Nauseating? Bladey? Billy has proven time and time again he scores goals, fuck he's even done it in The Prem so far this season. Is it so Bladey to ask why he isn't being given a chance given our team's tactics (on occasion) tend to favour how he can score goals i.e.in the box, off crosses. I'd say 70% of his fuck load of goals more than anyone this century are from this way of playing.

It's not Bladey to suggest he should be given a start, it's clear to anyone he would've bagged given the chances offered to McGoldrick and Robinson.

Yes Wilder knows what he's doing, yes he may lack some of the transitional play other players have but given our CB's FBs and linking MF's pile the wings, they're bound to get crosses in. Who else is better to be on the end of those than Billy?

Fuck off with your Bladey Bladerson bollocks to anyone with an opinion.

 

[Bergen Blade]

I think there's a bigger chance that Sharp will start in games where Wilder expects us to dominate possession, possibly play with a number 10, and create several chances for the strikers to finish.

So far we've sacrificed the number 10 (Duffy's role) for more solidity in midfield. The strikers' been required to contribute more to the creating of chances, not just finishing.

Southampton in a couple of weeks could be one which could be suited for Sharp, although other factors will also affect Wilder's decision.

 

[nezimão]

yea, was just going to reference the upcoming southampton match as one billy’s likely to feature in.

unlikely to start many games, unlikely not to be on the bench. wish it were different bit it isn’t.

 

[Sheffsteel]

I think there's a bigger chance that Sharp will start in games where Wilder expects us to dominate possession, possibly play with a number 10, and create several chances for the strikers to finish.

So far we've sacrificed the number 10 (Duffy's role) for more solidity in midfield. The strikers' been required to contribute more to the creating of chances, not just finishing.

Southampton in a couple of weeks could be one which could be suited for Sharp, although other factors will also affect Wilder's decision.

That’s exactly how I see it.

Some people are judging players based on their individual attributes, strengths and weaknesses.
Wilder appreciates that players are more suited to certain teams, certain tactics and against certain opposition.

I expect us to be more expansive and positive against Southampton.
Wonder if he’ll play the old faithful of Sharp and McGoldrick,
Also let’s not forget that Southampton are Sharps ex club where they dumped him, so he’ll be keen to score against them.

 

[true99blade]

Nauseating Bladey Claptrap.

Amazing how many chances Sharp takes when he’s not playing, isn’t it. Never misses. Risible self-serving bollocks from Bladey Bills who, as I predicted, put their pet player above the team they claim to support.

Seriously? Is there any need to be having a dig? You’re a desperately sad individual if you get pleasure from shitting on the fans love for Billy Sharp, one of the greatest goal scorers in our history. Fucking grow up.

 

[Niceguyeddie]

Can't see us changing anything v Southampton formation wise probably focusing on coming out the traps a bit more

 

[Bladesman]

Seriously? Is there any need to be having a dig? You’re a desperately sad individual if you get pleasure from shitting on the fans love for Billy Sharp, one of the greatest goal scorers in our history. Fucking grow up.

Psst! its what the troll does on here especially on weekends when we get a decent result.

It is best not to feed it.

 

[PokerBlade]

I completely understand the point, I really do, but there's actually an indefinable element.

There was a midfield player, 5' 7" and slight so he could be muscled off the ball. He couldn't run, couldn't dribble, couldn't tackle, couldn't head. He didn't have much of a shot and he didn't score many goals. He wasn't a defensive screen and he wasn't a box-to-box dynamo.

That player was Xavi. Over 500 appearances for Barcelona, 133 caps and every honour it was possible to win. Defined Barcelona's style, controlled games on his own, and possibly the most influential player of the last 20 years.

Now, Sharp's no Xavi, but he offers more than a list of his (lack of) qualities would appear.

The comparison to Xavi doesn't really hold though, because the thing about Xavi is he was one of the best passers of the ball and directly influenced if not dictated the play. The thing with Sharp is that, compared to other strikers, he probably has the least influence on the manner in which the team plays, rather he's the guy who pops up once or twice a game to deal the killer blow.

 

[Bennyand the Blades]

We've spent a fair bit on players this season they need time to bed in, they seem to be getting there so far, at least better than the other two by the looks of it. But If there's one thing Mr Wilder has proved it's that he know better than most how to build a team, (Perhaps even better than some on here.... )
They know what they've got with Billy but now they've got to blend the new lads in to give them selves more options, and let's not forget this is all new to our management team as well as the players, neither one has even played at this level before let alone managed and it must be a worrying time just now to say the least.
Sure we know they'll do it but I don't think they'll be relaxing for a while yet. and it must be nice to know they have players like Billy and others to fall back on if some of the new signings loose their confidence in this period...

 

[Torrix1889]

Yes Billy may have buried the chance that fell to Robbo in the first half but would he have been able to set up Moose/Zouma for the equaliser the way Robbo did, probably not.

As much as I love Billy for his contribution over the last 3 seasons it is time to take off those tinted glasses and accept that he's not going to get much game time at all this season and dare I say if he does then something is going wrong! Personally I was shocked to see all 5 strikers in the match day squad on Saturday and felt that one of Didzy/Sharp was a waste of a shirt, CW would never have thrown all 3 striking subs on so why not name another midfield option, Ravel must be gutted he missed out again.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I've always said Sharp is our best crosser of the ball and the most aware in the box for quick subtle assists. He's not just a goalscorer but at these levels he lacks pace to be in a front two, particularly for full games.

'False lone striker' by all means but out and out striker, not really, sad as it is.

I'd like to make a case for him to play the 'Duffy' role when we want to play it.

I know Freeman is a 'shoe-in' and Morrison will play it in due course, but with Sharp we would have the real bonus of his presence there in the area for dead ball situations.

I reckon he would revel in the space and freedom of the 'Duffy role'. He could even come off after 70 minutes like Duffy did!

 

[I should coco]

Amazing how many chances Sharp takes when he’s not playing, isn’t it. Never misses. Risible self-serving bollocks from Bladey Bills who, as I predicted, put their pet player above the team they claim to support.

I'd have thought you'd be keeping a low profile on Billy, given you lost the charity bets last season with LoughboroBlade and myself.

It is not 'self serving bollocks'.
Billy scores goals.
It really is as simple as that.

 

[LondonBlade89]

Nauseating Bladey Claptrap.

Amazing how many chances Sharp takes when he’s not playing, isn’t it. Never misses. Risible self-serving bollocks from Bladey Bills who, as I predicted, put their pet player above the team they claim to support.

Player scores 24 goals in promotion-winning season. Then barely gets any minutes in the first four matches. And fans suggesting he should get some game time are called out for "Bladey Claptrap"? Don't let the truth get in the way of your own agenda, eh.

Sharp's time will come. I firmly believe it. Just like it did in the Championship.

 

[Niceguyeddie]

The new strikers are the future of the club either they are given a chance or we've just wasted 35 million
Thought billy did really well against Leicester when he came on but game didn't suit him tactically that's all
Feels a bit like people just want him in the side no matter what

 

[madeinsheffield]

The best analogy I can think of is that we have many 'tools' in the box that CW/AK have at the their disposal, all have the same solidity, but all do slightly different jobs it's a case of the correct combinations of the tools being used, Billy does some things excellently whilst others are better at certain aspects, he will be used for the benefit of the team, not just to give him a run out, same with Oli, Rav etc etc

I don't doubt the huge contribution he makes behind the scenes though, the players respect him and what he stands for

 

[guancheblade]

But he isn’t able to do what mcG can do outside the box.

What, such as stroll about and give free kicks away? McGoldrick for me, as great as he was last year, has not offered anything yet in the Prem.

Billy at least has a goal to his name and helped turned the tide against Leicester 2nd half.