Deadbat
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2023/24 SUFC SEASON REVIEW / SCHOOL REPORT
Defenders
Chris Basham The ever popular Bash went into his last year of his deal but we not really expected to play too much but that was said the previous season and he had made 35 appearances either as a starter or off the bench when the Blades went up. I think we ever-popular expected him to back up Anel Ahmedhodzic but other than the odd stint off the bench or for cover, expected him to be more there for his experience and just being a top pro/bloke who embodied all the best qualities of being a Blade.
After the disastrous summer in terms of planning, Bash somehow ended up starting the opening day in midfield but he and Norwood struggled against the pace and athleticism of the Palace midfield. He came on against Fulham and Man City in two close defeats and started against Lincoln but was largely on the bench. Did play at Spurs and I thought had a decent first half but then struggled with the quickness and movement of their forwards in the late defeat. He came on against Newcastle and West Ham but then started at Fulham as we had a number of injuries yet again. He was making a run forward when his foot got caught in the turf and we saw the horrific injury and replays were hard to watch. Tim Ream came and sportingly supported him but everyone knew this was a bad one. There was a huge delay and I think quite quickly we knew that was not only his season finished but his career was in real jeopardy. A really sad way for him to end his days at the Lane and he deserved better than that. Interviews with him around Easter and him appearing on Sky Sports News saw him in positive spirits but he had only just started to even do the basics in terms of any work on his leg.
36 this summer, Bash was out of contract and even before his serious injury, you thought it might be the end of the road for him anyway but his confirmed departure was still hard to digest even though it was the right move for all parties. Watching the videos and tributes was really difficult and summed up his contribution to the club. Fantastic player, great bloke and gave it all when on the field. He has played 338 appearances and has been here 10 seasons. A remarkable contribution he has made to the Blades history and will do down as one of the all-time legends – as much for his attitude, perseverance and what he symbolised (never say die / one of the overlapping centre backs) as his actual ability – which was underrated too! What a servant he has been. I do hope he recovers and can finish his career playing again – even if it might be a way down the leagues possibly. He seems a real home bird and expect him to go back up North with his family. Maybe he ends up with a year at somewhere like Hartlepool? Whatever happens, whenever he comes back to the Lane, he will be sure of an amazing reaction. Thanks Bash – a true Blades legend.
Grade E (Last season B-)
John Egan Egan had sort of proved his critics wrong the previous season with another solid performance again as United had a fairly tight defence most of the promotion winning campaign. He did make mistakes and have poor games but had far more good games and made some real meaningful contributions. The concerns going up was not his character but more to do with his lack of pace and struggling with the ball over the top against the pace at the higher level. We had seen him do really well the first season in the Premier League but then he started to struggle (with the rest!) after Covid and for the relegation season. It was felt with Anel (who has some pace and covering) and newcomer Trusty (who we did not know much about) we would have some coverage for his lack of mobility. The season started and Egan was not great in the opening games. It was odd as one of his strengths was winning headers but he lost some key ones that led directly to goals. He continued to skipper both us and Ireland – although was always a worry they seemed to play him every minute, whether a friendly or a qualifier. He played in two tough games against France and Holland and maybe this took it out of him, as he came back and was part of that horrible display against Newcastle. He had a bit of a nightmare that day, as did the rest and visitors cut us apart.
A week later we went to West Ham and he ended up falling awkwardly and seemed in some pain. It seemed like it might be an injury that would keep him out for a bit but weeks (listed as an Achilles) then became months and as the season went on, we heard nothing in terms of any return until some pictures emerged of him training towards the end of the campaign.
As much as he had struggled to start the season, we did miss him as we looked a real soft touch in the middle. Having him available surely could have helped us in the backline despite some of the concerns I have highlighted – he had shown at this level before that he could be ok and you think maybe we would not have had so many goals going in if he had been available? Maybe I am wrong and they still would have occurred anyway. The one consolation is he was not part of any of the other hammerings that happened later in the season so at least if he does return then he is not part of that hangover.
He has played a lot of games for club and country over the last few years and has been one of our real trojans and dependable in almost always being available so this season is the first real long-term injury I have known him have? It does raise questions though as will be 32 next season and after such a serious injury you wonder if he can come back and be ready for the start of the season. Of course, he is out of contract too and when I have heard Wilder discuss the likes of him, Baldock, McBurnie and Lowe, in general terms, you wonder if the club will move on from many of these players citing their unavailability/age (in some cases)? I think that would be harsh on Egan as he has been dependable in terms of his fitness record, before the season. I do not think he is good enough for the Premier League and now at his age, I would be shocked if he ever plays there again, but at Championship level I would no issues giving him another 2 years on his contract – he was never that fast anyway! I think we will need to make lots of changes this summer anyway and do not see anyone at the club that can automatically step in – you think that Anel may be sold too. With Trusty looking far from convincing and no young players coming through in this position, we would be left with Jack Robinson and that is it! If we can do a deal and sort out his contract that suits both parties, I would bring him back. If he left, I would not slate the club though but feel (bit like McBurnie) you are going to have to spend a fair bit of money to replace him and money we do not have really and in the short term he is perfectly fine at the lower level.
Grade E+ (Last season B+)
Auston Trusty Hailing from Pennsylvania, Trusty started out at his home town club the Philadelphia Union – this was after he was originally going to go to North Carolina. He played 56 games in two years before he was traded to Colorado Rapids – another MLS side. In January 2022, Arsenal had seen something in the young defender and brought him to the UK, but he was firstly allowed to play the rest of the season in Colorado – in a loan deal. After coming over to England, he was immediately loaned again – this time to Birmingham City.
He had a really promising debut season over here and was a regular, albeit in a struggling side – and played 44 times and scored 4 goals (only Ahmedhodzic scored more at this level as a defender) and was named Birmingham’s player of the season.
He did go away with Arsenal on their pre-season tour and was involved but with tough competition for places, he opted to sign for the Blades for a fee that could rise up to 5 million pounds with add ons. He seemed to be on the face of it, the perfect sort of signing. Only 24 when he signed, he looked to have lots of the attributes we would welcome – namely appearing quite mobile, quick, decent in the air and also a no-nonsense defender. He also was left footed and thus could help solidify this side, which was the weaker area of the Blades defence. I thought he would go straight in and oust Robinson but as the season started, Heckingbottom went with the previous incumbent to begin the season. Robinson was one of our better performers but the defence were conceding and the clamours for Trusty be given an opportunity grew.
His first league start came at Fulham in a poor defeat and he struggled. He kept his place against Man Utd but then was part of the drubbing at his former club Arsenal as Nketiah scored a hat trick – many of which directly against Trusty. The pace and movement seemed to be too much for him and he was not as dominant as I would have hoped. He remained in the side in wretched defeats against Bournemouth and Burnley and sadly seemed to be no better than what we had and made no real difference. Wilder came in and he played left wing back and did quite well against Salah but then against Brentford felt it was more of a struggle and we saw against Luton him giving a run around by Doughty – which became a theme when he played there.
He ended up back in a more central area but again he was less than impressive sadly and it was hard to see what his strengths were? More big defeats came and he was making routine errors with ball watching, not getting tight enough to his man and at times simply not being aggressive enough. It was not perhaps helping him being moved around positionally and clearly playing him left wing back/left back was not working but even when he played in a more central area – either in a two or a three – it was concerning his performances remained less than impressive and another signing that seemed like a poor one.
He did better, again at Liverpool but then mistakes came in again for the game against Chelsea – losing his man twice on both goals. He was at fault for more goals in the defeat at home to Burnley and seemed to not be able to do the basics of marking, cutting out the balls or going with runners. We conceded more big scores in subsequent defeats.
He seems another affable sort of chap but it seems the Premier League was too much for him and the pace/movement and ability again was just too much of his respective opponents. Worrying that we spent a fair bit on him (not in Premier League terms I suppose) and he is not even close to an upgrade on Robinson – the position he was signed to compete for. He did well in the Championship last time so maybe the drop down will see him regain some form but he was another signing that has been so far disappointing. He has another three years of his contract left but will need to improve quickly if he wants to be a first team regular, even at the lower level. Another that if we moved on and got even close to what we paid, I would be happy with. However, no one is going to pay close to what we paid for him and he has to knuckle down and improve. I would not be surprised if he ends up back in the States at some point as despite a decent season for Birmingham, English football just looks too powerful and quick for him.
Grade F (Last season NA)
Anel Ahmedhodzic was an absolutely inspired signing when we plucked him from Sweden, after he had been previously with Forest and on loan in France. He came in and instantly hit the ground running and showed he was strong, quick and a ball player. He came out with the ball from defence, provided an attacking threat and scored goals! However, for all the attacking play, it was his no nonsense defending and ability to make tackles, read the game and do the nitty gritty why I really liked him. As we panned ahead to being back in the Premier League, I had little doubt he would make the step up and felt he was one of few that would be fine making the step up. Shows how little I know! Almost from the first game to the last, it has been an almighty struggle for him. He made mistakes in the early games through poor marking/not attacking the ball as teams scored from headers and as we were defending so much, we rarely saw him come out from the back.
He seemed a long way off the player we had seen and been excited by, but then maybe the level below he stood out just because he was quicker and stronger than most but the step up saw players against him that actually were quicker and more athletic and stronger too. He really struggled with the pace and physicality and as well as issues with not concentrating/marking, we saw players run past him easily and he resorted to cheap fouls or would simply get shrugged off it. His body language started to become poor and he almost sort of moped about for a while. Maybe it did not help losing Egan/Basham (experienced heads) but even before these went out, we saw the struggles he had. He started to wave his arms around and his head went down quickly. His body language was really poor and we saw little fight from him or him rallying the troops. As the season went on, we released it probably was not simply a loss of form or confidence but actually the step up had been too much. We saw why no one had maybe come from him before apart from Championship teams. I think if we had more options, he would have been dropped for stretches but seemed to play most games despite the number of hammerings we had.
Wilder came in and made him captain – maybe to try and boost his confidence but despite a few better games initially, I felt he continued to be well off the standards required for the top level. He constantly seemed to foul his man and got 12 bookings and a red card throughout the season and served suspensions. A fan favourite from a year ago, he seemed to lose this support and fans started to tire of his poor performances and seemingly not seem to care and just go through the motions. He also did not wear the rainbow armband further drawing the ire of supporters for not supporting equality.
We were linked with selling him in January – with talk of Napoli and other teams sniffing around – the fee being north of 10 million but I do not believe this for a minute as surely United would have moved on? Maybe it was just speculation but he remained? We saw the odd decent game and he had a spell where he seemed more determined but it was not long before he dropped off again. The amount of goals we conceded with him as a regular has to be a real concern for any potential suitors. Him elbowing his man and getting a second yellow as he tropped off shrugging, at home to Forest, summed up his season.
We also had the news we had not even paid for him properly (amongst others) and led to the points deduction. I think United will look to move him on this summer. I do not think he is up to the top level, although proved he is a good Championship player, so can only assume any move would be to the continent? Still only 25, maybe he will bounce back but think we have seen that the fee we paid was probably about right and if we get anything above that, I would be delighted.
Grade E- (Last season B+)
George Baldock A fan favourite, he has seemingly been pitched in competition with Bogle for the last 3 seasons now but invariably he has been the starter and the better option. He had started to pick up a few injuries the previous season but still played 50 games for club and country and seemed to be often more available than his teammate Bogle. We always seemed to play better and defend more resolutely when he played and that proved in the promotion season. A real steady eddy and he seemed to get better as the season went on. Really bought into the United ethos and one of the most consistent players over the recent times. He was seen (along with Egan, Ahmedhodzic, McBurnie) as being of those that whilst would have some difficulties at the higher level, still should be ok and was earmarked as a starter. He played the first game against Palace but then got an injury but played against City – but ironically Bogle came on and scored. He started against Everton but picked up another knock and we did not see him until Arsenal as a sub in the big defeat. Back in the team against Wolves, he won the penalty that saw us win the game and he played at Brighton the next week. He was ‘off it’ against Brentford and Burnley in two awful defeats and thought he had a bit of a nightmare at Villa Park and got away with a few potential penalty appeals. After we lost the games over Xmas, he got yet another injury and was out for a while.
He came back in the defeat at home to Arsenal and improved us after he came on and then played at Bournemouth but he was of course now playing for Greece a lot more. He damaged a calf muscle and then at a press conference a few weeks later, Wilder said he was out for the season. Another that is out of contract and this season he only started 10 games and there were rumours in early May of him signing a three year deal for Panathinaikos. You could not begrdudge him getting one last deal somewhere and a chance to play in his adopted country and play in the sun and it was confirmed he would be leaving before the end of the season. He is 31 now and despite his excellent service has picked up several injuries. If we had kept him and he continued to be injury prone (till this season – like Egan – that had not been an issue) then it would have been seen as a waste of valuable funds. Like Basham, he has been a bit part of what we have done and his fight, determination and never say die attitude means he will be seen in an extremely positive light for his contribution to the club. I think Bogle’s form since Wilder come in and Baldock’s injuries have kind of swayed which way we are going to go likely but regardless of that, he really needs to be saluted for being such an integral part of a mostly great period.
Grade D- (Last season B+)
Defenders
Chris Basham The ever popular Bash went into his last year of his deal but we not really expected to play too much but that was said the previous season and he had made 35 appearances either as a starter or off the bench when the Blades went up. I think we ever-popular expected him to back up Anel Ahmedhodzic but other than the odd stint off the bench or for cover, expected him to be more there for his experience and just being a top pro/bloke who embodied all the best qualities of being a Blade.
After the disastrous summer in terms of planning, Bash somehow ended up starting the opening day in midfield but he and Norwood struggled against the pace and athleticism of the Palace midfield. He came on against Fulham and Man City in two close defeats and started against Lincoln but was largely on the bench. Did play at Spurs and I thought had a decent first half but then struggled with the quickness and movement of their forwards in the late defeat. He came on against Newcastle and West Ham but then started at Fulham as we had a number of injuries yet again. He was making a run forward when his foot got caught in the turf and we saw the horrific injury and replays were hard to watch. Tim Ream came and sportingly supported him but everyone knew this was a bad one. There was a huge delay and I think quite quickly we knew that was not only his season finished but his career was in real jeopardy. A really sad way for him to end his days at the Lane and he deserved better than that. Interviews with him around Easter and him appearing on Sky Sports News saw him in positive spirits but he had only just started to even do the basics in terms of any work on his leg.
36 this summer, Bash was out of contract and even before his serious injury, you thought it might be the end of the road for him anyway but his confirmed departure was still hard to digest even though it was the right move for all parties. Watching the videos and tributes was really difficult and summed up his contribution to the club. Fantastic player, great bloke and gave it all when on the field. He has played 338 appearances and has been here 10 seasons. A remarkable contribution he has made to the Blades history and will do down as one of the all-time legends – as much for his attitude, perseverance and what he symbolised (never say die / one of the overlapping centre backs) as his actual ability – which was underrated too! What a servant he has been. I do hope he recovers and can finish his career playing again – even if it might be a way down the leagues possibly. He seems a real home bird and expect him to go back up North with his family. Maybe he ends up with a year at somewhere like Hartlepool? Whatever happens, whenever he comes back to the Lane, he will be sure of an amazing reaction. Thanks Bash – a true Blades legend.
Grade E (Last season B-)
John Egan Egan had sort of proved his critics wrong the previous season with another solid performance again as United had a fairly tight defence most of the promotion winning campaign. He did make mistakes and have poor games but had far more good games and made some real meaningful contributions. The concerns going up was not his character but more to do with his lack of pace and struggling with the ball over the top against the pace at the higher level. We had seen him do really well the first season in the Premier League but then he started to struggle (with the rest!) after Covid and for the relegation season. It was felt with Anel (who has some pace and covering) and newcomer Trusty (who we did not know much about) we would have some coverage for his lack of mobility. The season started and Egan was not great in the opening games. It was odd as one of his strengths was winning headers but he lost some key ones that led directly to goals. He continued to skipper both us and Ireland – although was always a worry they seemed to play him every minute, whether a friendly or a qualifier. He played in two tough games against France and Holland and maybe this took it out of him, as he came back and was part of that horrible display against Newcastle. He had a bit of a nightmare that day, as did the rest and visitors cut us apart.
A week later we went to West Ham and he ended up falling awkwardly and seemed in some pain. It seemed like it might be an injury that would keep him out for a bit but weeks (listed as an Achilles) then became months and as the season went on, we heard nothing in terms of any return until some pictures emerged of him training towards the end of the campaign.
As much as he had struggled to start the season, we did miss him as we looked a real soft touch in the middle. Having him available surely could have helped us in the backline despite some of the concerns I have highlighted – he had shown at this level before that he could be ok and you think maybe we would not have had so many goals going in if he had been available? Maybe I am wrong and they still would have occurred anyway. The one consolation is he was not part of any of the other hammerings that happened later in the season so at least if he does return then he is not part of that hangover.
He has played a lot of games for club and country over the last few years and has been one of our real trojans and dependable in almost always being available so this season is the first real long-term injury I have known him have? It does raise questions though as will be 32 next season and after such a serious injury you wonder if he can come back and be ready for the start of the season. Of course, he is out of contract too and when I have heard Wilder discuss the likes of him, Baldock, McBurnie and Lowe, in general terms, you wonder if the club will move on from many of these players citing their unavailability/age (in some cases)? I think that would be harsh on Egan as he has been dependable in terms of his fitness record, before the season. I do not think he is good enough for the Premier League and now at his age, I would be shocked if he ever plays there again, but at Championship level I would no issues giving him another 2 years on his contract – he was never that fast anyway! I think we will need to make lots of changes this summer anyway and do not see anyone at the club that can automatically step in – you think that Anel may be sold too. With Trusty looking far from convincing and no young players coming through in this position, we would be left with Jack Robinson and that is it! If we can do a deal and sort out his contract that suits both parties, I would bring him back. If he left, I would not slate the club though but feel (bit like McBurnie) you are going to have to spend a fair bit of money to replace him and money we do not have really and in the short term he is perfectly fine at the lower level.
Grade E+ (Last season B+)
Auston Trusty Hailing from Pennsylvania, Trusty started out at his home town club the Philadelphia Union – this was after he was originally going to go to North Carolina. He played 56 games in two years before he was traded to Colorado Rapids – another MLS side. In January 2022, Arsenal had seen something in the young defender and brought him to the UK, but he was firstly allowed to play the rest of the season in Colorado – in a loan deal. After coming over to England, he was immediately loaned again – this time to Birmingham City.
He had a really promising debut season over here and was a regular, albeit in a struggling side – and played 44 times and scored 4 goals (only Ahmedhodzic scored more at this level as a defender) and was named Birmingham’s player of the season.
He did go away with Arsenal on their pre-season tour and was involved but with tough competition for places, he opted to sign for the Blades for a fee that could rise up to 5 million pounds with add ons. He seemed to be on the face of it, the perfect sort of signing. Only 24 when he signed, he looked to have lots of the attributes we would welcome – namely appearing quite mobile, quick, decent in the air and also a no-nonsense defender. He also was left footed and thus could help solidify this side, which was the weaker area of the Blades defence. I thought he would go straight in and oust Robinson but as the season started, Heckingbottom went with the previous incumbent to begin the season. Robinson was one of our better performers but the defence were conceding and the clamours for Trusty be given an opportunity grew.
His first league start came at Fulham in a poor defeat and he struggled. He kept his place against Man Utd but then was part of the drubbing at his former club Arsenal as Nketiah scored a hat trick – many of which directly against Trusty. The pace and movement seemed to be too much for him and he was not as dominant as I would have hoped. He remained in the side in wretched defeats against Bournemouth and Burnley and sadly seemed to be no better than what we had and made no real difference. Wilder came in and he played left wing back and did quite well against Salah but then against Brentford felt it was more of a struggle and we saw against Luton him giving a run around by Doughty – which became a theme when he played there.
He ended up back in a more central area but again he was less than impressive sadly and it was hard to see what his strengths were? More big defeats came and he was making routine errors with ball watching, not getting tight enough to his man and at times simply not being aggressive enough. It was not perhaps helping him being moved around positionally and clearly playing him left wing back/left back was not working but even when he played in a more central area – either in a two or a three – it was concerning his performances remained less than impressive and another signing that seemed like a poor one.
He did better, again at Liverpool but then mistakes came in again for the game against Chelsea – losing his man twice on both goals. He was at fault for more goals in the defeat at home to Burnley and seemed to not be able to do the basics of marking, cutting out the balls or going with runners. We conceded more big scores in subsequent defeats.
He seems another affable sort of chap but it seems the Premier League was too much for him and the pace/movement and ability again was just too much of his respective opponents. Worrying that we spent a fair bit on him (not in Premier League terms I suppose) and he is not even close to an upgrade on Robinson – the position he was signed to compete for. He did well in the Championship last time so maybe the drop down will see him regain some form but he was another signing that has been so far disappointing. He has another three years of his contract left but will need to improve quickly if he wants to be a first team regular, even at the lower level. Another that if we moved on and got even close to what we paid, I would be happy with. However, no one is going to pay close to what we paid for him and he has to knuckle down and improve. I would not be surprised if he ends up back in the States at some point as despite a decent season for Birmingham, English football just looks too powerful and quick for him.
Grade F (Last season NA)
Anel Ahmedhodzic was an absolutely inspired signing when we plucked him from Sweden, after he had been previously with Forest and on loan in France. He came in and instantly hit the ground running and showed he was strong, quick and a ball player. He came out with the ball from defence, provided an attacking threat and scored goals! However, for all the attacking play, it was his no nonsense defending and ability to make tackles, read the game and do the nitty gritty why I really liked him. As we panned ahead to being back in the Premier League, I had little doubt he would make the step up and felt he was one of few that would be fine making the step up. Shows how little I know! Almost from the first game to the last, it has been an almighty struggle for him. He made mistakes in the early games through poor marking/not attacking the ball as teams scored from headers and as we were defending so much, we rarely saw him come out from the back.
He seemed a long way off the player we had seen and been excited by, but then maybe the level below he stood out just because he was quicker and stronger than most but the step up saw players against him that actually were quicker and more athletic and stronger too. He really struggled with the pace and physicality and as well as issues with not concentrating/marking, we saw players run past him easily and he resorted to cheap fouls or would simply get shrugged off it. His body language started to become poor and he almost sort of moped about for a while. Maybe it did not help losing Egan/Basham (experienced heads) but even before these went out, we saw the struggles he had. He started to wave his arms around and his head went down quickly. His body language was really poor and we saw little fight from him or him rallying the troops. As the season went on, we released it probably was not simply a loss of form or confidence but actually the step up had been too much. We saw why no one had maybe come from him before apart from Championship teams. I think if we had more options, he would have been dropped for stretches but seemed to play most games despite the number of hammerings we had.
Wilder came in and made him captain – maybe to try and boost his confidence but despite a few better games initially, I felt he continued to be well off the standards required for the top level. He constantly seemed to foul his man and got 12 bookings and a red card throughout the season and served suspensions. A fan favourite from a year ago, he seemed to lose this support and fans started to tire of his poor performances and seemingly not seem to care and just go through the motions. He also did not wear the rainbow armband further drawing the ire of supporters for not supporting equality.
We were linked with selling him in January – with talk of Napoli and other teams sniffing around – the fee being north of 10 million but I do not believe this for a minute as surely United would have moved on? Maybe it was just speculation but he remained? We saw the odd decent game and he had a spell where he seemed more determined but it was not long before he dropped off again. The amount of goals we conceded with him as a regular has to be a real concern for any potential suitors. Him elbowing his man and getting a second yellow as he tropped off shrugging, at home to Forest, summed up his season.
We also had the news we had not even paid for him properly (amongst others) and led to the points deduction. I think United will look to move him on this summer. I do not think he is up to the top level, although proved he is a good Championship player, so can only assume any move would be to the continent? Still only 25, maybe he will bounce back but think we have seen that the fee we paid was probably about right and if we get anything above that, I would be delighted.
Grade E- (Last season B+)
George Baldock A fan favourite, he has seemingly been pitched in competition with Bogle for the last 3 seasons now but invariably he has been the starter and the better option. He had started to pick up a few injuries the previous season but still played 50 games for club and country and seemed to be often more available than his teammate Bogle. We always seemed to play better and defend more resolutely when he played and that proved in the promotion season. A real steady eddy and he seemed to get better as the season went on. Really bought into the United ethos and one of the most consistent players over the recent times. He was seen (along with Egan, Ahmedhodzic, McBurnie) as being of those that whilst would have some difficulties at the higher level, still should be ok and was earmarked as a starter. He played the first game against Palace but then got an injury but played against City – but ironically Bogle came on and scored. He started against Everton but picked up another knock and we did not see him until Arsenal as a sub in the big defeat. Back in the team against Wolves, he won the penalty that saw us win the game and he played at Brighton the next week. He was ‘off it’ against Brentford and Burnley in two awful defeats and thought he had a bit of a nightmare at Villa Park and got away with a few potential penalty appeals. After we lost the games over Xmas, he got yet another injury and was out for a while.
He came back in the defeat at home to Arsenal and improved us after he came on and then played at Bournemouth but he was of course now playing for Greece a lot more. He damaged a calf muscle and then at a press conference a few weeks later, Wilder said he was out for the season. Another that is out of contract and this season he only started 10 games and there were rumours in early May of him signing a three year deal for Panathinaikos. You could not begrdudge him getting one last deal somewhere and a chance to play in his adopted country and play in the sun and it was confirmed he would be leaving before the end of the season. He is 31 now and despite his excellent service has picked up several injuries. If we had kept him and he continued to be injury prone (till this season – like Egan – that had not been an issue) then it would have been seen as a waste of valuable funds. Like Basham, he has been a bit part of what we have done and his fight, determination and never say die attitude means he will be seen in an extremely positive light for his contribution to the club. I think Bogle’s form since Wilder come in and Baldock’s injuries have kind of swayed which way we are going to go likely but regardless of that, he really needs to be saluted for being such an integral part of a mostly great period.
Grade D- (Last season B+)
