Deadbat
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2024/25 SUFC SEASON REVIEW / SCHOOL REPORT : Part 3
Playing Squad
I will now go through each department – I will show the contract situations (some of these might not be correct so tell me)! I will then discuss the outlook for next year.
We will begin with the Goalkeepers….then the Defence and so on….posted over the next week ending with the Academy and final awards/conclusions.
Goalkeepers
Defence
Midfield
Attack
Academy
Final awards / Conclusions
Goalkeepers
Michael Cooper Cooper is someone who had been promising at Plymouth for a few seasons as they moved up to the Championship but had suffered a serious injury to keep him out for a period. A few United fans had banged the drum about signing Cooper (credit Jimmy Ramble here – he did get Cameron Archer wrong though for balance!) and on the face of it, it seemed an easy solution – a young-ish (24) keeper that would not cost too much. There were of course concerns if he could do produce it at a bigger club and maybe his injuries had hampered his progress somewhat. United were linked with Carl Rushworth and then some more experienced keepers but then the Cooper rumours seemed to grow. He did not play in the opening day hammering Plymouth had at Hillsborough and then we found out he was back up at Sheffield and was in talks with Sheffield. We saw him at the League Cup game versus Wrexham and then it was announced the next day. We are still not sure of the fee but an initial 2 million pounds has been reported which seemed cheap (even cheaper now) with add ons.
Cooper started at Norwich in a draw but then kept 6 clean sheets in a row. He was largely well protected by an excellent defence but then he was superb at Portsmouth. He showed a real calmness about him and after such uncertainty in this position, he just looked very competent. A decent shot stopper but commanded well, took crosses and his distribution with his feet was good (and he was fine dealing with balls to his feet). After two defeats at Leeds and Boro (not sure any of the goals were his fault) he continued to perform well with a number of clean sheets kept. We did have a few games (WBA/Coventry) where we conceded 2 and our defence looked less solid but not sure Cooper again was really to blame for anything? It was remarkable that he did not concede at home until 29th December against West Brom – 10 games and over 900 minutes of football! Quickly, it became clear that United had snared a real bargain and one that surely is/will be capable of playing top flight football at some point.
Cooper started to make some big saves in games as the loss of Souttar started to have an impact. He was outstanding in the home game against Portsmouth and made an incredible stop in the home game against Bristol City. More key saves in the Sheffield Derby further increased his growing reputation. As we saw our rivals down the road at Leeds have issues in this position, we (and Burnley) arguably had the best two keepers at this level. He did have a shaky spell when he flapped at a cross-v Coventry and then was indecisive in the game against Millwall and nearly scored an own goal (he nearly did that in a previous game at home!). He clearly was furious to lose at his former club a few days later. He was an almost ever present since he signed and availability is sometimes underrated – especially considering his former injuries – he was only rested for the final league game. I thought that he was a bit slow for the winner at Wembley but maybe that is harsh? He only had really two shots and both went in – but was not protected.
Cooper looks relatively unflappable and that is the big thing for me. I feel relaxed that he will deal with most things and do not worry when the ball goes towards him – which was not the case last season with probably both keepers we had. He makes the big saves when he has to but also just looks very good at most key areas of his position. I have no doubt he can go on and even potentially be an England player (granted Trafford is the younger and maybe more fashionable type of goalkeeper).
Grade A- (Last season NA)
Ivo Grbic was a signing that was an absolute disaster. He came in from Atletico Madrid but was unconvincing from the start and made errors galore. He lost his place as Foderingham came back in and Wilder quickly realised it was a mistake. The summer came and Foderingham departed for West Ham but Grbic and Davies split games in pre-season but recall another error as he left his whole goal in a game at Harrogate. Attention turned to United securing a new keeper. Davies started the season at Preston but Grbic played against Wrexham in the league cup and he did ok with nothing glaring occurring. Yet, it was this night when Michael Cooper was pictured in the stands and soon signed, Grbic was out in the cold as Cooper was to be number one, with Davies as back up.
The transfer window went past but Turkey had another week to make signings and Rizespor opted to sign Grbic. He conceded early on into his debut and let in 5 against Galatasaray (which was a repeat of his first game at the Lane against Brighton). His performances were not much different to those we saw for United. His side struggled and he then picked up a bad head injury around Christmas time. He barely played after this and as at United, he lost his place. I cannot see them picking up any option they had on him and he will come back to the Lane. Sadly, you cannot see how we can move him on but then he has found 2 or 3 decent moves so must have a good agent! If he returns, then you expect we will try and move him out on loan and at least save his wages. Still has another 2 years left on his contract.
Grade E (Last season F)
Adam Davies has continued to hang around despite seemingly being out of the door for a good few seasons. Seems a good pro and does not complain and maybe he has accepted his lot – as a Championship back up. He has been here for 4 seasons now and never been a regular, only playing 14 games for us – 9 in the league. Foderingham departed and Grbic was clearly not trustworthy. United were linked with a number of keepers but as the summer went on, nothing materialised in terms of incoming – Davies remained and was given a new year deal. The season started and Davies ended up in goal at Preston and did ok – but then was not totally convincing as QPR came back to draw. After Michael Cooper came in, Davies was back to the bench as back up. Thoughout the season, even though he did not play/start, he ended up with a number of injuries and Faxon was back up as much as Davies for long periods. He was back on the bench after Xmas regularly and also he was always part of the Wales squad too. He did play the final game and was ok but still a few jittery moments I felt. With another year, he will remain around the place but with Faxon still not quite ready and Grbic not part of the plans, we still need another reliable back up.
Grade C- (Last season E-)
Others (not played/gone on loan/young players)
Luke Faxon had progressed through the ranks at United and quickly established himself as u18’s and then u21’s number one. There were rumours of interest from Liverpool, Man City and Man Utd, so the Blades tied him down to a big contract. He was impressive in the u21’s final as United won their development league. With the issues over the number one, Faxon was right involved in pre-season squads and even when Cooper came, he was on the bench. With Grbic leaving, he could not really be given a loan move as we needed three keepers of course. Hopefully, if we can bring another keeper in, Faxon might get a loan at National League/League Two. The club do seem to think a lot of him, with him having a deal until 2028 (with an option year to 2029 too).
Next season
Cooper will remain number one and seems to be the future of the club – unless someone comes and signs him – which is not beyond the realms of possibility. He is that good. As for the back up to Cooper, I still feel we need another better option than Davies who has never totally convinced – when he has been used and we would hope we would not need to pitch him in, if Cooper gets injured or suspended. I think Faxon and Molyneux are not ready and both would benefit from further loans so we do need to bring another keeper in to support Cooper for me.
Returning players;
Player / Position Years remaining (contract expires) Red this year – Orange next year - Green longer contract –
Goalkeepers
Adam Davies 1 year (2026)
Ivo Grbic 2 years (2027)
Michael Cooper 3 years (2028)
Luke Faxon 3 years (2028)
Youngsters involved in 1st team last season or loans out (contracts unknown if not stated)
None
