Crucial 8 Days

[Jim Chimmerney]

With a steady, decent looking start behind us, the next 8 days are going to be crucial and may go a long way to deciding how the season is going to go.

The rumours about Killa won't go away and there's no doubt he's massively important to us. The club were supposedly talking to him again last week and the fact it's all gone quiet suggests he hasn't re-signed so the only real question is, is he after a move ? If he does go, you'd hope we've planned for it and have a replacement lined up but history isn't on our side on that one. Kyle could move inside, with Bromby or France filling in but to me, this current team is based on the strong defence and he would be a massive loss.

The Smith transfer is being whispered again with Reading seemingly pulling out over the weekend. Good player but does he really want to come here and I still have my doubts how he would fit into Blackie's plans and system.

Billy, what's the script here ? Obviously doesn't feature in KB's plans but his departure has gone very quiet as has news on any possible replacement.

With Williamson out, we're still in need of another midfielder, maybe KB sees Smith playing there but it needs sorting, quick.

All in all, a crucial 8 days, who knows how we'll look this time next week but the decisions could well make or break the season IMO.

 

[bricktop]

I personally don't want Tommy Smith, for me he made his bed when he decided he didn't want to come to the Lane and that should really have been that. I want players here who want to play for Sheffield United and not only play for Sheffield United if Reading don't want them.

Holding on to Killa will be essential for the first part of the season, there will rumours about him right up until the transfer window slams shut, and i still have a nasty feeling something will happen during this transfer window that will not be paticularly beneficial to United.

Having said that, i still think we look a bit thin defensively and we could do with a couple of players here as defensive cover in case things don't go to plan.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I personally don't want Tommy Smith, for me he made his bed when he decided he didn't want to come to the Lane and that should really have been that. I want players here who want to play for Sheffield United and not only play for Sheffield United if Reading don't want them.

I think we all let sentimentality cloud our judgement on these types of things.
Smith obviously wants out at Watford and had a desire to play for his previous manager at Reading a club considered in the top 5-6 of this league.
Reading, knowing this, tried to get him on the cheep and after unsettling him have now pulled the plug.

I don't believe it is a case of him not wanting to join us but more of he wanted to go to play for a manager he knows and not uproot his family. It is also worth considering that at 29 this is probably his last chance and so the decision has another level of complexity for him. Does he move to an unknown club and unknown manger who have just sold two of their brightest youngsters, or go to a manager who he knows he can work with in a side which at that point hadn't moved anyone out.
I can understand why this would of been his desired move.
If Reading are now truly not interested then of course we would be one of his first considerations and if he would improve the side we should be behind it.
Unfortunately we aren't at a level where we can cut our noses off to spite our face especially when his initial choices are completely understandable.

 

[mall]

If they wanted on the "cheep" perhaps he would be okay at Norwich.
Geddit?











Canaries.

 

[Pinchy]

What a delight to read a sensible well articulated debate. The demise of BU was a blessing in disguise!

I agree with Bob on Tommy Smith. His approach was perfectly understandable. He is, however, a top player at this level and would be a very welcome addition. The route that brought him here would soon be forgotten.

The overriding priority remains the acquisition of a creative central midfielder before the deadline. Not a squad player; not a utilty man but someone of genuine quality who can make a real difference. This cannot be fudged by papering over the cracks. It's a 'must do'. If this is addressed together with the Smith (or similar) signing then we could do something special this year.

It goes without saying that every effort should be made to keep the peerless Killa at the Lane. We need another centre back for the squad as well. Kyle is simply not big or experienced enough to be considered a centre-back at this stage of his career.

Jim is quite right. The next 8 days could make the difference between play - off contenders and champs. So forgive, forget and welcome Smith if he arrives. As for midfield, is Harper still the player who used to dominate for Reading? Apparently not if he can't get in their below par midfield.

The excellent Brian Stock is surely the man to go for though I see Ben Watson might be available.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

though I see Ben Watson might be available.

Yeah, Watson has only made the bench once this season and seems out of Martinez' plans unless he's been injured. The worry about that one is that Martinez is also a big Killa fan ! Can't see him leaving them just yet although could be a good shout for a loan.