Ched

[SwissBlade]

It will certainly produce high scoring games ... the jury is out if it will be us or our opponents who score the more goals.

We'd have to play very central for that!

I actually think we work really well with the wing backs alongside Coutts and Fleck, Perhaps 3 up top might work

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

At long long last. The opportunity to pair Evans and Sharp. A 35+ goal partnership in the making if ever I saw one.

Clarke and Lavery will chip in a few as well but the prospect of these two tearing the division a new one has me looking forward to the season ahead like I haven't done for absolutely ages.

UTB

Abso-bloody-lutely!!

 

[Slim Man]

I hope he can but I really can't see him hitting the heights of 5 years ago. That is a long time in football and 4 years of it were spent in the nick.

He deserves a break, but not entirely sure we should have took the gamble. Here's hoping. There's still something there that's for sure.

 

[Liverpool blade]

Ched is looking really lean and fit. the personal trainer that he's been working with over the summer has clearly worked for him!. He might be a little short of match time but I'm certain that he'll only get better as the season progresses! I M O. We just need to be patient with him. Nobody can fault his Steely determination to do his very best for our beloved blades!. Utb

 

[Antonb]

he did ok, as did hanson, The only downer for me was Lavery, who I thought was pretty rubbish.

 

[DronnieBlade]

he did ok, as did hanson, The only downer for me was Lavery, who I thought was pretty rubbish.

Wow.

UTB

 

[Maidenhead]

Note - this is a "normal" Ched thread. No references to Premier Inns, kebab houses or degrees of consent.

Some thought differently but I thought he looked strong as an ox v Malaga. Not sure how long he was on the field (15 mins?) but imo he looked eager to get involved, showed some nimble touches and was always looking to get the ball in the box or set it up for a shot. OK you can't assess a player's form from 15 mins in a pre-season friendly but I think he could be a success this season, and him and Billy playing alongside each other may be a nightmare for defenders.

Never mind Ched, you over for beers on the 5th?

 

[Sheffsteel]

On the money.

It really is a phenomenon with Evans. I've never known such obsession with a player.

I posted support for him on FB this week and said people need to show patience with him and let him get properly fit and up to speed. As a result two accused me of wanting him to fail. Bizarre.

Some just seem unable to consider he might not reach previous heights.

I think there's excitement with Ched because of the possibilities he offers.
Because Ched at his best is better than any of our other strikers at their best.
Last time I saw any striker of ours rip up the division like Ched did was Brian Deane.

Also it's not like he's been out with a career threatening injury or he's too old and now past it.

Agree though, he might struggle to find form and end up being our worse striker, anything is possible.

 

[blade too long]

Finally!! A positive thread!

steady

calm down man

be getting hopeful again

family wedding in malton on 4th august , flying back night beforeso will attend the opening game v Brentford
so looking forward to it
giddy as a kipper

 

[blade too long]

It's 'Evans'.

sung in a racist overly french accent

Thank Evans
For lots of goals
he scores them in the most delightful ways
thanks Evans for lots of goals
Its good hes cleared his name
and come back to stay

Maurice Chevalier , tribute a la Ched

 

[Cerberus Blade]

At long long last. The opportunity to pair Evans and Sharp. A 35+ goal partnership in the making if ever I saw one.

Clarke and Lavery will chip in a few as well but the prospect of these two tearing the division a new one has me looking forward to the season ahead like I haven't done for absolutely ages.

UTB

You're dreaming. Clarke and Shape are obvious first choice. How can you not possibly see that?

Evans will be introduced gradually. Lavery? Bit part player eventually transferred out of the club.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

sung in a racist overly french accent

Thank Evans
For lots of goals
he scores them in the most delightful ways
thanks Evans for lots of goals
Its good hes cleared his name
and come back to stay

Maurice Chevalier , tribute a la Ched

Ouch! Totally brilliant until the last line which has too many syllables in it! Change it to"and came to stay" and you'll have a record deal waiting for you!

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

You're dreaming. Clarke and Shape are obvious first choice. How can you not possibly see that?

Evans will be introduced gradually. Lavery? Bit part player eventually transferred out of the club.

Love Lavery.
Think he could be the ace in the hole up top.

 

[Tom Traubert]

think he meant hanson will play a bit part this season.

 

[BigBed]

Leon Clarke, Billy, Lavery and Ched, not bad options and goals in there. One thing is certain, they will be a real handful.

Ched showed last year, in his saltergate (ok proact) cameo against us that he has all the attributes which got him 30+ goals for United. Fitness is my only concern with him.

Kev Gage said on facebook that he was looking very lean in the photos from Spain. Got to agree, he looks like he's worked his bollocks off and got himself into real shape, looks more athletic - similar to Billy in that respect.

Can't wait to get this season started.

Why no mention of the mighty Hanson!!??

 

[BigBed]

Love Lavery.
Think he could be the ace in the hole up top.

Hold on a minute, the OP warned not to turn it into one of those types of threads!!!
So no more mention of players "in holes"!!!
You've been warned!!!

 

[him behind you]

If anything I actually think he looked like he was trying too hard.

He needs to stop that. Billy failed twice with us because IMO, he did that on both occasions. Only when he relaxed and did his natural thing in his third stint did he become truly successful. Trying too hard to impress will not work for him so let's hope CW can calm him down.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Love Lavery.
Think he could be the ace in the hole up top.

He may be tbf. Thought he looked a bit lightweight at times last season but the lad hadn't had a lot of football. It'll be a make or break season for him I think. Based on last season I think he'll be a fringe player but he could be a surprise for us. Hope so anyhow.

 

[JohnDenver]

He needs to stop that. Billy failed twice with us because IMO, he did that on both occasions. Only when he relaxed and did his natural thing in his third stint did he become truly successful. Trying too hard to impress will not work for him so let's hope CW can calm him down.

That might have played a part, but Blackwell telling him to chase balls over the top for a living was crippling. Poor old Bill has short legs that are only good for use in the penalty area.

 

[DronnieBlade]

You're dreaming. Clarke and Shape are obvious first choice. How can you not possibly see that?

Evans will be introduced gradually. Lavery? Bit part player eventually transferred out of the club.

So who's your revelation then.

Clarke ?

I don't doubt Clarke and Sharp start the season. Fitness issues will see to that. When Tufty accepts it won't work (it won't), Sharp and Evans will cement their places.

I doubt even Tufty sees Clarke and Sharp as an "obvious" first choice.

UTB

 

[Dkc]

Never mind Ched, you over for beers on the 5th?

Yep, maybe do the Premier Inn bar first

 

[Danny_Boy]

He needs to stop that. Billy failed twice with us because IMO, he did that on both occasions. Only when he relaxed and did his natural thing in his third stint did he become truly successful. Trying too hard to impress will not work for him so let's hope CW can calm him down.

Completely agree, hopefully he'll settle down after first few games. If he carries on, the pressure on him will mount and he could flop. Reckon soon as he gets a goal he'll be sound.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

Apologies if mentioned elsewhere in the thread <not read all> but if Ched and Sharpy are in the same team, that Ched is the one taking pens, much, much better than Sharpy from 12 yards.

 

[Ricky]

Lavery just needs to start doing the basics consistently. He needs to keep hold of the ball more often. Regular football will help a lot. If he can improve in this area he should feature prominently.

One thing's for sure, if you could combine Lavery and Evans you'd have one hell of a player..... bit like the 2012 Evans actually!

 

[Houston_Blade]

Lavery must be shit because he couldn't get in the Wendy side. According to them it's their rejects who will be out best players. When they talk of rejects I hope they haven't forgot Bromby, Quinn, Geary and Dooley. Sometimes players just prefer to play for a respectable club and not a club full of overpaid wankers with no bottle.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

So who's your revelation then.

Clarke ?

I don't doubt Clarke and Sharp start the season. Fitness issues will see to that. When Tufty accepts it won't work (it won't), Sharp and Evans will cement their places.

I doubt even Tufty sees Clarke and Sharp as an "obvious" first choice.

UTB

So you do accept then that the obvious starting pair will be Clarke and Sharp? That's good - based on what we know now - and assuming no other strikers come in - that's exactly what I think. I've also said that Evans will be used sparingly at first. He's missed too much football to be thrown right in at the deep end from day 1, plus his ankle still isn't 100%, so it will be several weeks before he begins to start games. We'll see him coming on as sub, probably for Clarke, or Sharp, in the first couple of months.

I see you're one of these fans who insist that the combination of Sharp and Clarke doesn't work? I don't agree with that at all. What I saw last season was an under performing Clarke early on, through injury. Towards the end of the season, when Clarke got fully fit, I thought he was superb and combined well with Sharp. My concern is that Clarke won't stay fit and probably won't play more than half the total number of games in a season. So there has to be someone else to partner Sharp. If indeed Sharp himself is an automatic first choice? He'll definitely start the season as that, but whether he will find chances as easy to come by in the Championship as he did in League 1 is debatable.

Quite honestly, I am more concerned about the striker options than any other area of the pitch (except goalkeeper - where we absolutely MUST go get a competent keeper before the season starts).

Sharp - solid gold but getting on a bit, he's short on pace and he won't get the same amount of chances coming his way at this level.
Clarke - good player - but probably won't stay fit long enough for us to rely on him
Lavery - Who knows? Could be the best of the bunch but still a young kid with not a lot of experience of playing at this level
Evans - Who knows again? If he can get back to anywhere near his previous form he will be a revelation - but it's a big ask
Hanson- He'll be used as an impact sub maybe when we need to throw the kitchen sink at someone, but he's just nowhere near the right level for the Championship

 

[SwissBlade]

Why no mention of the mighty Hanson!!??

Because as i said on post #22 of this thread, he is a different type of player to the other 4:

Yeah i said that on another thread as well, I think a few will be surprised.

But he's quite different to the other 4, they're all very mobile and probably with the ability to change a game quickly. Hanson, not meaning to be disrespectful, is quite one dimensional, which i think we need as well and probably most like to cause players like Terry the most problems

 

[Blade58]

Skybet 100/1 Championship top scorer

Fill yer boots

 

[DronnieBlade]

So you do accept then that the obvious starting pair will be Clarke and Sharp? That's good - based on what we know now - and assuming no other strikers come in - that's exactly what I think. I've also said that Evans will be used sparingly at first. He's missed too much football to be thrown right in at the deep end from day 1, plus his ankle still isn't 100%, so it will be several weeks before he begins to start games. We'll see him coming on as sub, probably for Clarke, or Sharp, in the first couple of months.

I see you're one of these fans who insist that the combination of Sharp and Clarke doesn't work? I don't agree with that at all. What I saw last season was an under performing Clarke early on, through injury. Towards the end of the season, when Clarke got fully fit, I thought he was superb and combined well with Sharp. My concern is that Clarke won't stay fit and probably won't play more than half the total number of games in a season. So there has to be someone else to partner Sharp. If indeed Sharp himself is an automatic first choice? He'll definitely start the season as that, but whether he will find chances as easy to come by in the Championship as he did in League 1 is debatable.

Quite honestly, I am more concerned about the striker options than any other area of the pitch (except goalkeeper - where we absolutely MUST go get a competent keeper before the season starts).

Sharp - solid gold but getting on a bit, he's short on pace and he won't get the same amount of chances coming his way at this level.
Clarke - good player - but probably won't stay fit long enough for us to rely on him
Lavery - Who knows? Could be the best of the bunch but still a young kid with not a lot of experience of playing at this level
Evans - Who knows again? If he can get back to anywhere near his previous form he will be a revelation - but it's a big ask
Hanson- He'll be used as an impact sub maybe when we need to throw the kitchen sink at someone, but he's just nowhere near the right level for the Championship

Good post and summary.

The Sharp and Clarke combo is only an obvious 1st choice on basis that Evans is not 100% fit and his ankle is A OK.

The moment that Evans is bang on it fitness and health wise ( which as you say may take time and it's most likely he will be used as sub to start) than the glaringly obvious choice will be Evans and Sharp. Of that I have no doubt. As you say, Evans is the potential revelation. Which could make him the number 1 striker choice. Unless Sharp hits rock bottom form, I just can't see Tufty dropping Sharp above Clarke in this situation.

While accepting that Clarke had a purple patch at the end of last season, it was a 6 game purple patch. He had been, prior to this and for whatever reasons, very very poor. He will need to show the purple patch form early on in the season if he is to retain his place.

It's nothing personal, but Clarke is a very awkward personality to manage. He is a very insular character. This perhaps explains in part his nomadic career. He now also needs to manage himself in the squad better, integrate better. This will be less easy for him now his bestie EEL is no longer around. And just to put the cherry on the bun, Sharp and Clarke are clearly not the best of mates either. Which doesn't augour well for the blossoming of this partnership you maintain works well.

UTB

 

[DronnieBlade]

Lavery just needs to start doing the basics consistently. He needs to keep hold of the ball more often. Regular football will help a lot. If he can improve in this area he should feature prominently.

One thing's for sure, if you could combine Lavery and Evans you'd have one hell of a player..... bit like the 2012 Evans actually!

Does the fact that, in your own words, Lavery is not doing the basics consistently give you cause for concern ?

Do you think this may hamper the impact you have suggested previously he will have ?

UTB