Ched Evans - concerned yet?

[Ricky]

Posting views on a forum? Starting threads that aren't entirely positive?? Someone even knocking the great Hanson???

 

[Bladeinleeds]

Imo this is a fairly low risk signing. We are giving him a chance on the off chance he gets back to anything like the player he once was.

That said I think we are deluding ourselves if we think he's going to be anything other than a bit part player for us - he's not suddenly going to regain the years he's missed. That looks even less likely now he's not had a preseason.

With the injuries to Hanson and lavery yet to really prove he can play a sustained run of matches we are still a striker short I feel.

Think we should look to the loan market must be some stand out youth strikers in the top clubs academies that we could have a look at ala Abraham for Bristol last year.

 

[Boxer Blade]

For too long we played 1 up front with no success. We finally get a successful team and formation and you want to change it?

3-5-2 is the perfect formation for the modern game. 3 cb's gives plenty of protection at the pack. 3 in CM to boss games or not to get overrun against teams who favour 4-5-1. 2 up top which give you the presence and options up front.

We will do just fine this year carrying on with this formation, it would be suicidal to change it now

I like the formation we played last season and as I said playing one up front sometimes. Also under Clogh at the beginning when we put in a performance at Wembley how many did we play up front? One. As I said I am not advocating playing a different style all the time, ok?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

That's ever so easy to answer, and really, you should be able to work it out for yourself.

The reason for signing Evans is that he has proven his ability at a high level in domestic and international football. He's played for Premiership team Manchester City in Europe, he's played for the Welsh National team and he's played in the Championship, scoring 10 goals in 28 appearances for Norwich City and earning rave reviews there (their fans wanted to keep him) before joining us - and we all should remember just how good he was for us in his last season - in fact, he wasn't just good - he was phenomenal.

There is absolutely not one jot of doubt about Evan's ability - not a single jot. What there is a lot of doubt about is whether Evans can actually get himself back to a state of fitness that will allow him to play at that level again. Given the time he's spent out of the game and his injury problems since returning at Chesterfield this was always going to be a gamble. BUT, we knew that at the time and we haven't paid big money for him and he's not on big wages. We've simply speculated, in the hope that he might return to full fitness. If doesn't, hey-ho! We've lost nothing because we've signed him for a pittance. If he does - then we've just bagged ourselves the bargain of the century!

I said on here several weeks ago, when people were speculating about who would be in the starting line up (and some were suggesting it would be Evans and Sharp), that Evans would not start to begin with. Go back and check out the conversation if you like, but I said that because Evans had been out for such a long time he would be gently eased back into it. We don't want to thrust him straight back into the intensity of competitive league football until we are sure that he's over the recurring ankle problem. So it will be short cameo appearances, maybe from September onwards, in my opinion.

Now, is there any other doubt you'd like to cast on the wisdom of signing Evans? Because to me, this is all turning out exactly as I expected it to.

There is plenty I could reply to here, but as a Wales fan I'm going to have to pick you up on the view that Evans has proven his ability at a high level in international football. In the great scheme of things, he hasn't really been involved, having a flurry of games when he first emerged at Norwich, and only a handful since. At a time when an ageing Earnshaw was failing to deliver, people like Bellamy were signalling they were stepping back from the game, players like the emerging Simon Church, Steve Morison and Jermaine Easter (!) were picking up starts while Evans was restricted to a few cameos off the bench. The majority of his caps have been from the bench – off the top of my head I don't think he's started any games that weren't friendlies, and really he came to United at a time when Wales were desperately looking for a viable striker to take over from Bellamy. He never proved his ability with Wales, which was why he ultimately dropped out of the squad with little notice paid to it. I would love to see us have someone in the Wales squad again, which is why I've been flying the "Call Up Freeman" flag for the past season. Evans proved himself at a high level in international football about as much Gareth Taylor did...

 

[Slim Man]

Why is Hanson trash mate? He gets on the end of long balls and usually directs them our way.

He is awful mate. Offers no goal threat whatsoever and his skills on the deck are woeful. He's good in the air but that's literally it. And is he even that good at that? Not like he's scored a header for us is it?

 

[Bladeinleeds]

He is awful mate. Offers no goal threat whatsoever and his skills on the deck are woeful. He's good in the air but that's literally it. And is he even that good at that? Not like he's scored a header for us is it?

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

I think Clarke is a much better player and goal scorer And adds more to the team.

But then I saw the scunny and Bolton games and Hanson cause all sorts of problems. It was a great target man performance and he smashed their defences about (players just bounced off him)

He adds something no one else has is certainly a plan b / option off the bench to provide a different weapon. No one is expecting him to start 40 games

 

[Razor1967]

It's disappointing. The one thing he needed was a decent pre season, and he hasn't had one.

At the moment it's looking most likely he'll be a bit part player. Especially now we're likely to sign another striker before he's had a chance to stake his claim. Not having the chance to do so before the end of August could harm his prospects a lot.

It's a long season....

 

[YES Blade]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

I think Clarke is a much better player and goal scorer And adds more to the team.

But then I saw the scunny and Bolton games and Hanson cause all sorts of problems. It was a great target man performance and he smashed their defences about (players just bounced off him)

He adds something no one else has is certainly a plan b / option off the bench to provide a different weapon. No one is expecting him to start 40 games

I personally think Jack O'Connell could do just as good a job up front as Hanson. He just doesn't offer anything more than size and strength, which at Championship level you need more to your game than that.

 

[Slim Man]

I personally think Jack O'Connell could do just as good a job up front as Hanson. He just doesn't offer anything more than size and strength, which at Championship level you need more to your game than that.

If we rely on that at any point this season to win us a game we've had a mare in recruitment upfront this season. Everywhere on the pitch we look good apart from up top. Our defenders aren't going to score as many goals in this league, that's a fact. We're leaving ourselves really bare and that will be the difference for us this year if we don't sort it out.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

We are desperate for another striker.

Evans won't start 5 games and even if he does is he going to have any impact?
Hanson is trash.
Clarke has struggled in the championship before.
Lavery has some talents and pace but not clinical enough.

Leaves Billy... no pressure eh? What if he goes through a bad spell?

Stick Enda upfront by sounds of it.

What, so he can get on the ENDA a cross??









I'll show me sen out.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

I think it will be a case of constantly mixing it up starting with Billy +1. I reckon that:

• It's gonna be interesting to see a fit Lavery he has a bit of something about him but isn't a guaranteed starter in my view yet.
• Brooks may be pushed up there.
• Clarke I think will be useful!
• I think that I'm in a minority of one in thinking that if Hanson gets a shot he could be useful and chip in a few! He's certainly a plan B of sorts but there's something romantic about the traditional English CF coming up against the increasingly expensive second tier defences. We already know he's got Terry's number I'd love the sight of him powering home a header in front of the kop against the pigs!
• Evans will slowly build fitness, no pressure is what he needs. I'm disappointed so far but his return last season shows that his spell inside has clearly hampered his stamina.

 

[Harry's Game]

It was a strange signing from the off, his form and fitness at Chesterfield weren't stellar last year.

I have to take Wilder at his word and belive it was his decision alone but I do wonder if there were backroom politics at work, I think the signing was 'suggested' to if not forced on Wilder with the caveat that if it didn't look great in pre season they would allow another striker to be purchased.

Looks like that is what is going to happen.

 

[Jon P]

Hanson gives us options and something different up top. I don't understand the lynch mob against him. He came in and played well last season - yes only one goal but a couple of assists I think - one vital vs Posh(?).

Give him a chance, if he's crap I'll eat my words...and if he isn't then it's humble pie for a few people on here. UTB

 

[coolhandluke]

He is awful mate. Offers no goal threat whatsoever and his skills on the deck are woeful. He's good in the air but that's literally it. And is he even that good at that? Not like he's scored a header for us is it?

He's a cunt aswell Danny . And don't forget there's two of them . Hanson and Basham too .

 

[Fanny magnet]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

I think Clarke is a much better player and goal scorer And adds more to the team.

But then I saw the scunny and Bolton games and Hanson cause all sorts of problems. It was a great target man performance and he smashed their defences about (players just bounced off him)

He adds something no one else has is certainly a plan b / option off the bench to provide a different weapon. No one is expecting him to start 40 games

ignore him he talks out his arse

 

[Sheffsteel]

It was a strange signing from the off, his form and fitness at Chesterfield weren't stellar last year.

I have to take Wilder at his word and belive it was his decision alone but I do wonder if there were backroom politics at work, I think the signing was 'suggested' to if not forced on Wilder with the caveat that if it didn't look great in pre season they would allow another striker to be purchased.

Looks like that is what is going to happen.

It was a strange signing if he was signed with an expectancy to be main striker but I doubt that was the case.

Any club signing Ched was always taking a big risk so I said from the beginning only sign him if the deal is weighted in the clubs favour with a performance related salary. He didn't cost much, we aren't reliant on him being a success, so not too much to lose.
I'm open minded regards Ched, he's likely to be poor but there is an outside chance he could be a success.
My view is that it's a chance worth taking, potentially he's the best striker at the club.

Also regards Hanson I agree he's a brilliant tactical option for the manager. He's the DIY equvilient of a sledge hammer, you won't want to use Hanson that often but in some situations he'll be the perfect solution and will make a big contribution to help the team.

 

[mosbolad]

In Wilder We Trust and all, but this signing has Barry Hayles written all over it.

And I thought it had Kevin McCabe written all over it.....

 

[bladesman3]

I am a little concerned, I can't see him being involved much at all this season, I am not fully convinced by our strikers for this season, apparently I'm not allowed to criticise any of our players but I don't think our strikers will be good enough this season.

I am very worried about our strike power....Clarke?Lavery?Hanson? In the Championship, I worry...

 

[PokerBlade]

We haven't signed Evans expecting to be able to rely on him. Signing him won't have stopped Wilder from doing other business. Even if Evans ends up doing nothing of note for us, he was always worth a punt on the cheap.

We don't know all the details of the finances and we don't have access to Evans' medical records, but Wilder et al will have. Given that everything we do know about the current management team is that they're all about shrewd investments and sensible risks, stop fucking panicking about a player that everyone always knew might not make the cut.

 

[Slim Man]

He's a cunt aswell Danny . And don't forget there's two of them . Hanson and Basham too .

Yawn. Not half as much as you.

 

[coolhandluke]

Yawn. Not half as much as you.

I'm a cunt too ? Bigger than Bash and Hanson ? That's some claim if I am cos last season Bash was the biggest cunt to ever darken the doors of Bramall Lane

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Bring back Joe Ironside, that's what I say!

 

[Aston max]

I'll trust the judgement of a man who has collected 199 league points over 2 seasons, winning the title in both years, than that of a few posters having a whine on here.

Hope he gets the 300 over 3 seasons

 

[zablade]

I'm already fed up hearing about Ched Evans and he hasn't even played a competitive game for us since re-signimg.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

So as pre season draws to a close tonight, Evans has managed to appear for a total of 17 minutes plus injury time. Following on from having only made 6 starts for Chesterfield since January his fitness must be a huge concern going in to the new season.

Many people thought that with a full pre season behind him he could be a good performer next season and an astute signing. Surely though the lack of football he's had is a real concern and he is going to be left playing catch up as we start the season. He already has Sharp, Lavery, Clarke and probably Hanson in front of him in the pecking order so he's going to have a hell of a lot of work to do to get fit and in the side.

He could yet turn out well but at this stage with pre season finished I am left questioning even more now what the point in signing him was.

Not bothered about owt at the moment, tufty's in charge.

 

[Rodders]

I'm a cunt too ? Bigger than Bash and Hanson ? That's some claim if I am cos last season Bash was the biggest cunt to ever darken the doors of Bramall Lane

Blimey, and we've not even started to get to McNulty yet

 

[The white wall]

We definatly need another striker, even if we had a fully fit ched I'm still concerned that we have no real pace up top. Last season it wasn't a problem because we basically overpowered most opposition in every department, but that won't be the case this season. i just think at times we will have to knock it over the top for someone to get on the end of, and at the moment I'm not sure who that is. We could do with a Steve kabba type of player. I mentioned this on another thread and one or two said "so you've not seen Brooks yet" and he could be the answer. If he is that would be fantastic but I'm not so sure yet.
one thing is for sure, if this is looking like the case, our Chris will be all over it!

 

[Pedro's Winger]

For those of us who didn't and don't want him back, it's going pretty well.

 

[FMBlade1]

I'm already fed up hearing about Ched Evans and he hasn't even played a competitive game for us since re-signimg.

Sees Ched Evans thread
Opens Ched Evans thread
Reads Ched Evans thread
Complains about Ched Evans thread
And repeat.....




...you should know by now

If he succeeds then the club succeeds, if not then no major loss, he'll be benched asap and out in January. The hysteria from the press and worries about harmony etc has gone, he's as much as a risk as Nathan Thomas.

 

[Tunstall Fred]

For those of us who didn't and don't want him back, it's going pretty well.

A truly staggering post