Did we do the right thing?

[FallowfieldBlade]

If we sign brewster and maybe one other Creative player it will have been a very good window IMO


Leaving it this late is not good should have been sorted earlier

 

[Kev Gee]

We've started to pick up a few niggling and medium term injury's here and there.

On the ops post I don't think there is a right or wrong way of recruiting as we need that striker to improve our 11. We also needed a proper number 1. But we also needed to improve depth in key areas.

So abit of both was)is needed.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Bit of a silly question.

No club in the PL (apart from Chelsea) has bought players to immediately strengthen their first 11.
If we wanted to do this it would costs about 100 to 120 million.

In the circumstances the recruitment policy is excellent in theory.
Targettibg young hungry players with a future instead of tried a tested older players like Troy Deeney.

 

[Torrix1889]

Due to our budget constraints every signing has been a gamble to a certain extent as to whether they can improve the starting 11. Look at our signings since winning promotion;

McBurnie - jury is still out
C Robinson - failure, gone
Jags - back-up squad player
Rodwell - back-up squad player
L Freeman - failure, gone
Osborn - squad player at best
Moose - jury is still out
Sander - should come on this season but at the moment jury is still out
J Robinson - back-up squad player
Burke - remains to be seen if he will have an impact
Bogle - cover for George but could break through
Lowe - cover for Enda remains to be seen if he will have an impact
Ramsdale - We needed a keeper, he has the qualities but not an improvement
Foderingham - back up squad player
Ampadu - remains to be seen if he will have an impact


So that's 15 signings....(I may have missed one or two) since promotion yet the starting 11 v Wolves had 9 players who were with us in the Championship so therefore we have quite clearly failed to improve on the starting 11 signing gambles and squad players.....the writing was on the wall for me when we offered Rodwell and Jags new deals and there is only hope that any of the new signings this window will make an impact.

Would we have been better off not playing the numbers game and instead signing 3 or 4 players who would have walked into the starting 11 and then given the likes of Slater, RND more of an opportunity within the squad?

 

[guancheblade]

Post lockdown form showed that without just Fleck and O'Connell we were not as effective overall and that is despite Robinson and Osborn having decent matches during the period.

Has anything in our recruitment better prepared us for losing those two first teamers again? I doubt it

 

[guancheblade]

Bit of a silly question.

No club in the PL (apart from Chelsea) has bought players to immediately strengthen their first 11.

No club except Chelsea, oh and City, especially Villa, definitely Arsenal, Everton massively, Palace, Spurs... do you want me to go on?

 

[guancheblade]

Oh and signing replacements for the first XI automatically strengthens the squad depth as your previous first team player in that position you just signed, becomes your first reserve.

They're not mutually exclusive.

 

[robbiez666]

We had to strengthen the squad. Not doing so risked relegation if we are unlucky with injuries and suspensions.

We had to improve the keeper. We have to improve the strikers. We needed to strengthen the squad in other positions.

We only have a limited amount of money.

 

[robbiez666]

Bit of a silly question.

No club in the PL (apart from Chelsea) has bought players to immediately strengthen their first 11.
If we wanted to do this it would costs about 100 to 120 million.

In the circumstances the recruitment policy is excellent in theory.
Targettibg young hungry players with a future instead of tried a tested older players like Troy Deeney.

Contender for most wrong post of the season, so early as well.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Contender for most wrong post of the season, so early as well.

Contender for most naeve post of the season.

Lets go out and spend 120 million on 4 players then....oops one problem....we don’t have the money especially as our income will be drastically reduced.
Ahh it doesn’t matter...we can get into loads of debt...and just pray we don’t get relegated.

It always makes me laugh how people love spending other people money
but if The Prince said “we’re going to be ambitious but need fans to show the same ambition so lets put prices up £10 a match”
The same people wanting us to overspend would be the first to complain.

We’re currently being run as a business...so our policy is to gradually evolve buying talented players with high potential...might work might not.

 

[robbiez666]

Contender for most naeve post of the season.

Lets go out and spend 120 million on 4 players then....oops one problem....we don’t have the money especially as our income will be drastically reduced.
Ahh it doesn’t matter...we can get into loads of debt...and just pray we don’t get relegated.

You stated something which is clearly factually inaccurate. A child can go and Google and make what you said look stupid.

 

[PokerBlade]

Bringing in cover and competition is a good thing and we vitally needed it. My concern is that the player we really need cover/improvement on is McGoldrick. I think we can do just fine again with the same set of strikers, the problem is that without him on the pitch our entire game changes. We hold the ball less, we get forced long, we make far fewer chances.

You can add a Premier League striker but if we're not holding the ball and making chances then it's not going to improve us.

 

[Sheffsteel]

You stated something which is clearly factually inaccurate. A child can go and Google and make what you said look stupid.

Instead of insults...why not provide evidence to back up your point, especially if it’s so easy.

Anyhow thought it interesting to provide some actual facts.
i’ve checked how many new signings or new loans started in the first team in the 1st round of PL matches.

1 club that had 4 new signings starting the game : Leeds
2 clubs that had 3 new signings: Everton and Newcastle
3 clubs that had 2 new signings: Chelsea, Spurs, WBA
7 clubs that had 1 new signing: Arsenal, Fulham, Leicester, Sheff Utd, Southampton, West Ham and Wolves
2 clubs that had 0 new signings: Liverpool and C Palace

So the original poster does have a point in that we could have made more signings to instantly go into the starting 11.
However we don’t seem any worse than most teams in the PL....I suppose we’ll see how good the policy is over the next few weeks.
Also the signing of a new striker (which will sport soon) could have a massive effect on our season.
Think Wilder has deliberately targeted young players with high potential, very strong squad players who can realistically challenge for the first 11.
I‘m expected Ampadu to see plenty of game time and it will be interesting to see if the new wing backs break into the team too.

 

[robbiez666]

Instead of insults...why not provide evidence to back up your point, especially if it’s so easy.

Anyhow thought it interesting to provide some actual facts.
i’ve checked how many new signings or new loans started in the first team in the 1st round of PL matches.

1 club that had 4 new signings starting the game : Leeds
2 clubs that had 3 new signings: Everton and Newcastle
3 clubs that had 2 new signings: Chelsea, Spurs, WBA
7 clubs that had 1 new signing: Arsenal, Fulham, Leicester, Sheff Utd, Southampton, West Ham and Wolves
2 clubs that had 0 new signings: Liverpool and C Palace

So the original poster does have a point in that we could have made more signings to instantly go into the starting 11.
However we don’t seem any worse than most teams in the PL....I suppose we’ll see how good the policy is over the next few weeks.
Also the signing of a new striker (which will sport soon) could have a massive effect on our season.
Think Wilder has deliberately targeted young players with high potential, very strong squad players who can realistically challenge for the first 11.
I‘m expected Ampadu to see plenty of game time and it will be interesting to see if the new wing backs break into the team too.

But your facts aren't fact, are they?

Verifying Device

talksport.com

You initially said that only Chelsea had signed players who went into the first team. You're now only quoting players who started the first game of the season. It's not the same thing.

I'm not actually disagreeing with your point but just the tendency for people to back up points with incorrect statements!

And apologies for any insults, and whilst this isn't exclusively a football thing, I just get frustrated by the growing tendency to back up points with 'facts' which are not 'facts'/

 

[JayGreen17]

Do you feel we approached recruitment correctly?

We finished 9th. To go down via the bottom 3, we would need 9 teams to out perform us. That would be some drop off and regardless of aspirations, 17th is always going to be a good achievement at this level.

Whilst Norwich had a bad season, they were not helped by a continued spate of injuries. Things may have turned out differently if they could have fielded a settled back 4 for instance. The time we were here under Warnock, one single injury to Hulse pretty much sent us down, regardless of the whole Tevez stuff.

Post lockdown form showed that without just Fleck and O'Connell we were not as effective overall and that is despite Robinson and Osborn having decent matches during the period.

Apart from the keeper, which needed resolving, we've covered ourself with depth. We have proper options at wingback now and a very shrewd signing in Ampadu to cover both midfield and defence.

However, unlike Berge, none of these immediately go straight into the team.

So we probably had a choice.

Improve the depth almost like an insurance policy to reduce the drop off if players are unavailable, or improve the immediate first XI, but be open to the risk of a large reduction in quality should a couple of players be out.

It appears that we have favoured the former.

We won't know for sure yet until the window shuts, how much we had to spent or how much we could still use on the first XI.

But have we been conservative and done the right thing or should we have been more bold but risked having a defence potentially containing Freeman, Jags or Rodwell for the run in instead of say Bogle and Ampadu?

there wasn’t a choice, improve your first 11 and by default your improving the squad?

 

[RossingtonBlade]

Since the restart it became glaringly obvious to me that the defence was pretty solid but the back ups were championship level at best. We have now I feel sorted the defence out for the next 9 months.

The midfield needed freshening up big time. Norwood for me is very close to losing his starting place as he just simply ain’t good enough. The lad cannot defend and his set piece delivery is absolutely bobbins. Lundstram, for me has played well a dozen times for us since he’s been with us and his heart just ain’t at the blades anymore. He is shocking. Fleck has been missing far more than often post covid and needs to start hitting form ASAP.
Berge for me is comfortably our best midfielder and he’s currently acting as back up. The only other back up option is Osborn but is he really a suitable back up if Fleck is out for 3 months? I doubt it. This area needed to be addressed ages ago.

Now looking at our forward line, where are the goals going to come from? Mousset could be out for atleast two months and he’ll be touch and go for the rest of the season like usual and for all his ability, his effort is questionable. McBurnie, if it wasn’t for his personality and a big percentage of the fans liking him for that, they would be calling him absolutely piss poor. Which lets be honest he has. Sharp for me for all his effort, I think if we rely on him to start 20 games this season, we aren’t going to finish in a great position. The same goes for McGoldrick.

I think it’s been a huge mistake in not really bolstering our midfield and strikers for starting places not just back ups. We struggled creating chances last year - we averaged less than 3 shots on target last season.

our style of play is really based around Norwood and he struggles against the majority of sides now as teams now let their wide attackers play high & wide which restricts our wing backs getting forward which is our main strength in attack and these overlapping runs are becoming less frequent.This results in us having to play through the lines or even in the air a lot straight down the middle which often doesn’t pay off as it’s too easy to defend against... this is why I’m really surprised CW hasn’t looked at bringing in an attacking midfielder such as Cantwell? Or someone of that mould to change & freshen things up for us as we are very predictable in our approach. We have been dreadful to watch since project restart

 

[Yoonited]

Contender for most naeve post of the season.

Lets go out and spend 120 million on 4 players then....oops one problem....we don’t have the money especially as our income will be drastically reduced.
Ahh it doesn’t matter...we can get into loads of debt...and just pray we don’t get relegated.

It always makes me laugh how people love spending other people money
but if The Prince said “we’re going to be ambitious but need fans to show the same ambition so lets put prices up £10 a match”
The same people wanting us to overspend would be the first to complain.

We’re currently being run as a business...so our policy is to gradually evolve buying talented players with high potential...might work might not.

I agree mate. Any club that has to have a seasons loan for 4 grands worth of boardroom furniture clearly has a very limited budget.
We have,like all clubs some proper dreamers for fans whose expectations are seemingly well out of kilter with the financial reality of Sheffield United
So for those of you who think we SHOULD be signing more expensive proven premiership players that might have an immediate impact, you may want to remember all those clubs a la Bolton,Pompey etc who shared that philosophy and are now having to find a sensible strategy.
We will do well to be incredibly grateful for a set up that cuts its cloth accordingly,moving steadily forward,step by step.
It's a constant juggle I imagine and Chris has been there and done it with the likes of Halfax and others so is perfectly placed to keep us competing in the top division on limited resources.
It's fascinating also that the greatest critics never have alternative ideas or viable solutions. I doubt they could run a profitable sandwich shop,neer mind something as complex as a football club..
Moreover, how do you sell Sheffield as a city to potential players. It's not got much going for it alongside Manchester, London,even Birmingham and Leeds . So many factors play a part in transfers but are sadly lost on a small minority of our fanbase it would appear.
Wilder is a chuffin genius for recognising what our beloved club needs and being able to nurture it.
Anyone imagining they could do better needs to check the mirror and ask themselves why they are not managing Sheffield United FC.
Answers on a postcard...........

 

[Yoonited]

Since the restart it became glaringly obvious to me that the defence was pretty solid but the back ups were championship level at best. We have now I feel sorted the defence out for the next 9 months.

The midfield needed freshening up big time. Norwood for me is very close to losing his starting place as he just simply ain’t good enough. The lad cannot defend and his set piece delivery is absolutely bobbins. Lundstram, for me has played well a dozen times for us since he’s been with us and his heart just ain’t at the blades anymore. He is shocking. Fleck has been missing far more than often post covid and needs to start hitting form ASAP.
Berge for me is comfortably our best midfielder and he’s currently acting as back up. The only other back up option is Osborn but is he really a suitable back up if Fleck is out for 3 months? I doubt it. This area needed to be addressed ages ago.

Now looking at our forward line, where are the goals going to come from? Mousset could be out for atleast two months and he’ll be touch and go for the rest of the season like usual and for all his ability, his effort is questionable. McBurnie, if it wasn’t for his personality and a big percentage of the fans liking him for that, they would be calling him absolutely piss poor. Which lets be honest he has. Sharp for me for all his effort, I think if we rely on him to start 20 games this season, we aren’t going to finish in a great position. The same goes for McGoldrick.

I think it’s been a huge mistake in not really bolstering our midfield and strikers for starting places not just back ups. We struggled creating chances last year - we averaged less than 3 shots on target last season.

our style of play is really based around Norwood and he struggles against the majority of sides now as teams now let their wide attackers play high & wide which restricts our wing backs getting forward which is our main strength in attack and these overlapping runs are becoming less frequent.This results in us having to play through the lines or even in the air a lot straight down the middle which often doesn’t pay off as it’s too easy to defend against... this is why I’m really surprised CW hasn’t looked at bringing in an attacking midfielder such as Cantwell? Or someone of that mould to change & freshen things up for us as we are very predictable in our approach. We have been dreadful to watch since project restart

What do you doubt about Osborne's ability to fill Fleck's boots for more than the odd game?
Looks very mobile,likes a tackle,looks for forward momentum and uses the ball well. Tenacious and hard working too for me.

 

[Barney]

Do you feel we approached recruitment correctly?

We finished 9th. To go down via the bottom 3, we would need 9 teams to out perform us. That would be some drop off and regardless of aspirations, 17th is always going to be a good achievement at this level.

Whilst Norwich had a bad season, they were not helped by a continued spate of injuries. Things may have turned out differently if they could have fielded a settled back 4 for instance. The time we were here under Warnock, one single injury to Hulse pretty much sent us down, regardless of the whole Tevez stuff.

Post lockdown form showed that without just Fleck and O'Connell we were not as effective overall and that is despite Robinson and Osborn having decent matches during the period.

Apart from the keeper, which needed resolving, we've covered ourself with depth. We have proper options at wingback now and a very shrewd signing in Ampadu to cover both midfield and defence.

However, unlike Berge, none of these immediately go straight into the team.

So we probably had a choice.

Improve the depth almost like an insurance policy to reduce the drop off if players are unavailable, or improve the immediate first XI, but be open to the risk of a large reduction in quality should a couple of players be out.

It appears that we have favoured the former.

We won't know for sure yet until the window shuts, how much we had to spent or how much we could still use on the first XI.

But have we been conservative and done the right thing or should we have been more bold but risked having a defence potentially containing Freeman, Jags or Rodwell for the run in instead of say Bogle and Ampadu?

The most biased poll answers ever?

More like:

A) Keep the existing XI, bring new signings in as cover.
B) Bring new signings in for the XI, existing players as cover.

Also, don't know why you are only including injury risk in one of the options. Both of the above options above are the same in that regard.

 

[RossingtonBlade]

What do you doubt about Osborne's ability to fill Fleck's boots for more than the odd game?
Looks very mobile,likes a tackle,looks for forward momentum and uses the ball well. Tenacious and hard working too for me.

I was basing it on a 9/10 game run if Fleck was out injured for 2 months or so. I don’t think he would be good enough to fill in for that length of time but 2/3 games is okay. Surprised me how well he has done though since joining.

 

[Bennyand the Blades]

We're one game in and still well short of "the dreaded window closure" and all ready for some it's time to push the panic button.
In my humble opinion, the time for this sort of discussion would only be relevant if we're where we are now in the January window, then I could understand it,
Right now it's just a load of hot air.......

 

[Freethinker]

You stated something which is clearly factually inaccurate. A child can go and Google and make what you said look stupid.

No need to reply like that mate it's a forum of opinions

 

[ormester]

Personally we needed to get a striker I do think the team look jaded though but we have needed a quality striker they cost money is brewster or the arsenal lad the right option I'm. Not sure

 

[Yoonited]

I was basing it on a 9/10 game run if Fleck was out injured for 2 months or so. I don’t think he would be good enough to fill in for that length of time but 2/3 games is okay. Surprised me how well he has done though since joining.

Fair enough mate though you didn't really satisfy my curiosity as to why.
Are you saying you don't think Osborne is consistent enough ?

 

[robbiez666]

No need to reply like that mate it's a forum of opinions

Stating that something is a fact, when it is not, is not stating an opinion.

Fair play in terms of the tone of the response and I have apologised.

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

Contender for most wrong post of the season, so early as well.

Your bang on

Theres quite a few other teams who have strengthened there starting 11

 

[petcharlie]

I agree mate. Any club that has to have a seasons loan for 4 grands worth of boardroom furniture clearly has a very limited budget.
We have,like all clubs some proper dreamers for fans whose expectations are seemingly well out of kilter with the financial reality of Sheffield United
So for those of you who think we SHOULD be signing more expensive proven premiership players that might have an immediate impact, you may want to remember all those clubs a la Bolton,Pompey etc who shared that philosophy and are now having to find a sensible strategy.
We will do well to be incredibly grateful for a set up that cuts its cloth accordingly,moving steadily forward,step by step.
It's a constant juggle I imagine and Chris has been there and done it with the likes of Halfax and others so is perfectly placed to keep us competing in the top division on limited resources.
It's fascinating also that the greatest critics never have alternative ideas or viable solutions. I doubt they could run a profitable sandwich shop,neer mind something as complex as a football club..
Moreover, how do you sell Sheffield as a city to potential players. It's not got much going for it alongside Manchester, London,even Birmingham and Leeds . So many factors play a part in transfers but are sadly lost on a small minority of our fanbase it would appear.
Wilder is a chuffin genius for recognising what our beloved club needs and being able to nurture it.
Anyone imagining they could do better needs to check the mirror and ask themselves why they are not managing Sheffield United FC.
Answers on a postcard...........

I will give you 90 out of 100 for your post mate .I agree with most of it apart from the dig regarding Sheffield .Jumped in the car yesterday and within half a hour was sitting on a bench overlooking Great Hucklow with a pint in hand thinking where else would I like to be other than here?Answer Nowhere.

 

[RossingtonBlade]

Fair enough mate though you didn't really satisfy my curiosity as to why.
Are you saying you don't think Osborne is consistent enough ?

I don’t think he would be consistently good enough to play at the required level for a lengthy period of time, for a few games he is a suitable replacement but not a long term stand in. That’s my opinion and would like to be proved wrong though

 

[blade67]

Can't vote till the window closes and we've played a few. How do we know the first team won't be improved, because we didn't spend a lot.

That's wednesday thinking

 

[ATL Recs]

Tin hat on here .But if we fail to get a first 11 quality forward before the window closes then I think that will be really underwhelming.

Wilder clearly stated after the Southampton game in July that we are desperate for some help at the top of the pitch yet we are still to address it .

Can’t judge it fairly yet though as the window has still not closed .Hopefully we are all happy come October.

Where you erd that “ then football suspended in October “?