Incoming Transfers: Improving the 11

[Kanye]

With January upon us, the desperation for the club to get the cheque-book out is only natural. What's more exciting than a fresh signing looking awkwardly at the camera while he pinches the USG logo on his new shirt?

But wait: the game has changed, being a new face is no-longer enough. Being Jack Rodwell or Jack Robinson isn't enough to satiate our demands: we need players who can walk straight into the team and strengthen the starting 11, apparently.

Allow me to explain why that isn't going to happen:

Money

Let's start with the obvious one. If the table is to be believed, we're a top 7 club. Look around at the company we now keep, and ask "how much does it cost to sign a player who can make a difference at this level?"
Let's be honest, we're a long way from matching the spending of the traditional big 6, but even fellow gate-crashers like Wolves and Leicester operate on a different plane to ourselves. Do we have the required £30m+ to sign a Jiménez or a Tielemans? Are we wealthy enough to absorb the loss if it doesn't work out? After all, for every Tielemans there's a Fred or Ndombele.

Scarcity & Competition

While we're on the subject of high-caliber players; are there enough to go around? Once the big boys have had their fill, is there any meat left on the bones? These players are few and far between. Contrary to popular belief, there is not an endless supply of players talented enough to make a difference at this level.

Status

Do these players want to be here for that matter: A player good enough to challenge for a top 6 PL club won't be short of suitors. Surely they have a better option than newly promoted "Sheffield"? Are we a flash in the pan? Will we suffer from the dreaded (and perhaps mythical) second-season syndrome? These are questions that a potential new recruit might ask and while we might be proud our reputation as a David in a world of Goliaths, is that enough to persuade [insert name here] to join us over Arsenal, Man Utd or the like?

Role

Let's assume we get the jump on our competitors: We identify a player who's good enough for a top 6 push, we can afford him, he wants to join us - the stars align. Does he walk straight into the team?
Even if the player was up to speed in terms of fitness and didn't need the typical bedding in period that so many players would to acclimatise to our system, do any of our players deserve to be dropped in order to accommodate this Johnny-come-lately?


If you accept some/all of the above, then like me, you understand that signing players good enough to walk into the team probabaly isn't an option. We're going to have to gamble:

Championship Players

We can keep fishing in the championship, signing the cream of the crop, like Robinson, McBurnie and Freeman, though this isn't a bottomless pit of talent either, and it remains to be seen whether or not the aforementioned players have what it takes to play and stay at this level. Players like James Maddison and Dan James are examples of this strategy working though, and I feel we will continue to trawl the 2nd tier, in the hope of unearthing the odd gem.

Castaways

Another potential market is premier league rejects: players in PL squads who fail to get a look in at their current clubs. Lys Mousset is the perfect example of this working, even if this method is far from an exact science

Freebies

And finally, the bargain bucket; players in the last chance saloon who will almost certainly be overlooked by our rivals, such as Ravel Morrison or Jack Rodwell. The risk is likely low enough for us to continue handing out second chances, in the hope that some of our damaged goods eventually make the grade.


In short, signing players is hard, and it's only getting harder as we get our feet under the top table. I know it's easy to be seduced by the excitement of the black and yellow banner on sky sports news but let's put more faith into the current 11, that have got us to where we are, rather than in the hope of glamorous new signings.

 

[Kanye]

Just to add to this post, but another option to introduce new players to the team is to promote academy graduates.

People who actually watch these players play, and have been doing so for some time, may doubt whether or not this is a realistic option though. (I'm looking at you Ball_Sup (Phil) )

 

[pommpey]

I'd much rather forgo any new incomings and any budget we have being used to solidify the current team by signing Henderson and Besic on permanent contracts. That to me is good business. Sure, they'l costa fucking fortune, but Henderson's form at the moment is better than any keeper we've had at BDTBL for donkey's years and Besic has that capability, with games, to be the new Michael Brown.

pommpey

 

[I should coco]

But wait: the game has changed, being a new face is no-longer enough. Being Jack Rodwell or Jack Robinson isn't enough to satiate our demands: we need players who can walk straight into the team and strengthen the starting 11, apparently.

The "spend sum moneh" brigade will never be happy and cite "no ambishun". Yer' actual facts, like money not guaranteeing success (Manyoo/ cheatinAmmers etc) cut no ice with this lot.

Championship Players

We can keep fishing in the championship, signing the cream of the crop, like Robinson, McBurnie and Freeman, though this isn't a bottomless pit of talent either, and it remains to be seen whether or not the aforementioned players have what it takes to play and stay at this level. Players like James Maddison and Dan James are examples of this strategy working though, and I feel we will continue to trawl the 2nd tier, in the hope of unearthing the odd gem.

Madison, James, Grealish, Pukki, Enda, George, JOC, Fleck, Egan, Bash etc all showed that the step up isn't impossible for good players. The pool will continue to be topped up by new younger players and players getting promoted from leagues below. What we don't need is buying lower league players suddenly becoming fashionable again.

Let the likes of the CheatinAmmers, Chelski, Arsenal continue to spend £40-60m on foreign 'stars' who never quite hack the English game. I believe we can still keep our identity and buy better players, by careful scouting and good management. It won't be sexy or grab the headlines, but it is far more the Sheffield United way.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

I agree it’s hard, there is a glass ceiling in terms of how much we would need to guarantee top half / a European challenge each year.

to me the best technique is to invest in young players for the academy and scouting network, dedicate resources there and you only need one or two to work out.

However, it is reductive you think we can’t scout well and improve the side. The obvious example of Leicester getting mahrez, or kante for peanuts. No reason we can’t aim to do similar really - with the required investment in scouting and infrastructure.

to me 10m spent on that network/infrastructure is likely to be better paid off than taking a punt on a championship player.

 

[I should coco]

I'd much rather forgo any new incomings and any budget we have being used to solidify the current team by signing Henderson and Besic on permanent contracts. That to me is good business. Sure, they'l costa fucking fortune, but Henderson's form at the moment is better than any keeper we've had at BDTBL for donkey's years and Besic has that capability, with games, to be the new Michael Brown.

pommpey

No chance over Hendo sadly IMHO. With current injuries, he is definitely in England's top 3 keepers and Manyoo will want to keep him. I'd suggest a minimum £45m to buy and his wages demand would be well in excess of £100 k per week.

I'd happily take someone like say Ben Foster (if Watford went down) for a nominal fee, then spend the money on a quality striker.

 

[Yewsman]

It’s not about how much you spend but about the players you sign. The PL is full of players signed on huge transfer fees and vastly inflated wages who are frankly no better (and many considerably worse) than our current squad. We have to be clever. CWAK have been clever in the past. Whether they can continue to pluck gems for little or no money will determine whether we can move forward not whether we go and spend huge amounts.

 

[Sheffsteel]

No chance over Hendo sadly IMHO. With current injuries, he is definitely in England's top 3 keepers and Manyoo will want to keep him. I'd suggest a minimum £45m to buy and his wages demand would be well in excess of £100 k per week.

I'd happily take someone like say Ben Foster (if Watford went down) for a nominal fee, then spend the money on a quality striker.

Agree with this and although they seem hugely inflated figures, I think you’re valuations on Henderson are accurate. It’s not because Henderson is worth those amounts.....it’s because Man Utd don’t need the money and will be really keen on having England’s number 1 playing for them.

Hopefully Verrips will become the keeper we hope.....I’m sure our coach will be developing his skills.
Next season might be too early for Verrips....so using Ben Foster as a stop gap seems a good shout....that’s would only be if Watford don't want him though.

 

[pommpey]

I'd suggest a minimum £45m to buy and his wages demand would be well in excess of £100 k per week.

And?

This is 'life in the Premier League'. If you want success, yes, you have to buy it. Hendo is invested and installed in the SUFC playing staff. He is woven into the material on the shirts. He has real capability, has been instrumental in much of our success and works extremely well with the five out in front of him in our defence. He's also kept a lot of clean sheets. Clean sheets cost as much cash as goals. Don't forget, if we sign another keeper, we are not guaranteed him integrating as well as Hendo and playing as well. Better to stick and play rather than twist and bust.

What is our projected payment for staying up this season? Get it spent.

pommpey

 

[I should coco]

What is our projected payment for staying up this season? Get it spent.

Good point.

#spenditall
#andmoreagain
#butnotonaDesso

 

[pommpey]

Good point.

#spenditall
#andmoreagain
#butnotonaDesso

Change the record. FYI - and you still don't get it - the spend on the Desso got us ... nowhere.

pommpey

 

[I should coco]

Change the record

If the cap fits.......

 

[CarlMcBlade]

I know it’s probably a little bit counterintuitive, but bringing new signings in when the team is playing well, is always the preferred option for me. Our style of play probably takes a little bit of getting used to. So the sooner they’re in and around the dressing room and watching us play, the better in my opinion. I know the JTW is an over inflated market, but if we ID a player and he’s the right value.....Let’s get him in.

 

[pommpey]

If the cap fits.......

Great response. Eight defects at home on the Desso, first season. Want more of this? You've got no comeback.

pommpey

 

[I should coco]

Eight defects at home on the Desso, first season. Want more of this? You've got no comeback.

We've done this to death.
You don't like it and think it was a waste of money.
The majority on here think it was money well spent.

Keep going though, if you want another run in the Internet Arguing Cup.

 

[pommpey]

We've done this to death.
You don't like it and think it was a waste of money.
The majority on here think it was money well spent.

Keep going though, if you want another run in the Internet Arguing Cup.

Dude, YOU brought it up.

Now you don't like the small details.

Here's a tip. Avoid the word 'Desso' when you're trying to win an argument with me about signing Dean Henderson on a permanent. It:

a. makes you look one-dimensional and a bit of a dick, spoiling for a fight
b. has zero credibility in the face of truths
c. is a nil-one loss to you (kinda, 'rebounds off the post, onto keeper's head and trickles across the line embarrassing, like the pigs on Satdi' goal)

Hope this helps.

pommpey

 

[I should coco]

Avoid the word 'Desso' when you're trying to win an argument with me

Win?

Grow up.

 

[pommpey]

Win?

Grow up.

Yeah. It's why you put 'Desso' in the response. To rake over old shit (which, in the past has been a totally unsuccessful campaign of pro-McCabe happy-clappy bullshit. 'Fast, attacking football', 'we can put pop concerts on', 'it will reduce injuries' moreso 'we'll get beat by Shrewsbury on it' and 'we'll stay in Div One forever')

As said, avoid Desso, yeah? Let's talk about investing in playing staff talent (rather than fucking playing surfaces, which is what the crux of the Desso argument was, wasn't it? Y'know, £1.2m on a fancy bit of fake grass rather than centre backs when we are shipping plenty of goals. Remember?)

pommpey

 

[Kanye]

The "spend sum moneh" brigade will never be happy and cite "no ambishun". Yer' actual facts, like money not guaranteeing success (Manyoo/ cheatinAmmers etc) cut no ice with this lot.




Madison, James, Grealish, Pukki, Enda, George, JOC, Fleck, Egan, Bash etc all showed that the step up isn't impossible for good players. The pool will continue to be topped up by new younger players and players getting promoted from leagues below. What we don't need is buying lower league players suddenly becoming fashionable again.

Let the likes of the CheatinAmmers, Chelski, Arsenal continue to spend £40-60m on foreign 'stars' who never quite hack the English game. I believe we can still keep our identity and buy better players, by careful scouting and good management. It won't be sexy or grab the headlines, but it is far more the Sheffield United way.

You're right that an influx of players from academies and the lower leagues means that as a pool, the championship never runs completely dry, but at the same time, it's not always brimming with talent like it arguably was last year.

It's also a good point that we have to hope that PL clubs favour overseas signings rather than dipping into the championship. However, Spurs have never been above bring players in from the division(s) below, and with Man Utd signing D James it implies that there will likely always be competition from other PL clubs when shopping in the Championship

 

[I should coco]

Yeah. It's why you put 'Desso' in the response. To rake over old shit (which, in the past has been a totally unsuccessful campaign of pro-McCabe happy-clappy bullshit. 'Fast, attacking football', 'we can put pop concerts on', 'it will reduce injuries' moreso 'we'll get beat by Shrewsbury on it' and 'we'll stay in Div One forever')

It's actually NOT why I put it on. I thought it was on old 'joke' line given the bollocks we've previously had over it.

I genuinely thought you'd find it funny so I'm sorry if I misjudged that.

The non-appeal news makes it all irrelevant now, but being a twat, I can't guarantee the odd cheeky little Desso reference won't repeat in months to come......

 

[cmbillm]

Kanye’s Opening Post was thoughtful and a good summary. CW/AK have not always got player recruitment 100% right and they never will. They are prepared to move on players quickly for the greater good, unlike our neighbours who have kept underperforming players on the books for years. Renewing and refreshing some of the team each year has served us well.... Once firm heroes, Coutts and Duffy leaving for different reasons were replaced more than adequately, improving the team. Long may CW/AK continue in the same vein.

 

[Kanye]

However, it is reductive you think we can’t scout well and improve the side. The obvious example of Leicester getting mahrez, or kante for peanuts. No reason we can’t aim to do similar really - with the required investment in scouting and infrastructure.

to me 10m spent on that network/infrastructure is likely to be better paid off than taking a punt on a championship player.

While I don't think it's impossible for us to be able to pick up the next Mahrez or Kante, I do think it's improbable.

I agree too that we should be investing and expanding our scouting network, however, we must acknowledge that we're starting from zero in that regard. Our European scouting network appears to focus entirely on Britain and more recently, Belgium (With Jan Van Winkel's nationality likely being a clue as to why it's the only foreign market we've dipped our toes into, as of yet.)

We can spend £10m on scouting across Europe, and that might result in us signing a hidden gem, but the days of signing players like Mahrez and Kante are becoming less and less likely, off the back of their success - both of those examples were around 5 years ago and scouting for premier league clubs has become more and more extensive in that time.

Yes, there are recent examples of low-cost foreign imports and yes, we should still improve our own network - I just think we should manage our expectations at the same time.

 

[Need4speed]

Where we could freshen up is with our backup players. i think this needs doing regularly to keep a hungry squad. Lets face it if Baldock is injured do you think Kieron Freeman is fully match fit and raring to go. Love him for his contribution especially his goals in our journey but I think we are better shipping him out and signing someone who comes in as a backup who will push for a start. tHere is only so long you can be at a club and not getting starts unless you are like Jags and Sharpe. I guess the current worry is Luke freeman, we need his kind of quality as backup for the midfield but will he sit on the bench for another year?????

 

[Droppingwell]

I would also like us to look at the younger end and a longer term view. We were in League 1 when we lost Maguire and Calvert-Lewin. Brooks also later on. I think while we are not in a relegation fight, these young players can bed in with a view to coming through over the next couple of years.

 

[Bladezz]

Just to add to this post, but another option to introduce new players to the team is to promote academy graduates.

People who actually watch these players play, and have been doing so for some time, may doubt whether or not this is a realistic option though. (I'm looking at you Ball_Sup (Phil) )

To go from the academy to a premiership top 7 team is very hard. Even Maguire at his age of 19/20 wouldn’t have been able to play in the premier league. It’s taken him years to get to the level he is now at.

 

[Bladezz]

For me the process has to be the same. We have improved so quickly that we are carrying some players. We need to let these go and then build ourselves a second team that is capable to step in and plan a few games. Also add some youth to this second choice side to see if any can develop into first team players.

Then every summer see if there’s 1/2 players that we can buy that can come straight into our side.

I believe this is how you build a sustainable premier league team.

 

[ChemEngBlade]

I'd much rather forgo any new incomings and any budget we have being used to solidify the current team by signing Henderson and Besic on permanent contracts. That to me is good business. Sure, they'l costa fucking fortune, but Henderson's form at the moment is better than any keeper we've had at BDTBL for donkey's years and Besic has that capability, with games, to be the new Michael Brown.

pommpey

I don't reckon Besic will cost all that much, maybe £5mil at most? Surely seems surplus to requirements at Everton having been out on loan for what has been almost 2 seasons now.
Henderson sadly would be out of our reach, he'd be £25mil-£30mil already given his age & potential

 

[ChemEngBlade]

Kanye’s Opening Post was thoughtful and a good summary. CW/AK have not always got player recruitment 100% right and they never will. They are prepared to move on players quickly for the greater good, unlike our neighbours who have kept underperforming players on the books for years. Renewing and refreshing some of the team each year has served us well.... Once firm heroes, Coutts and Duffy leaving for different reasons were replaced more than adequately, improving the team. Long may CW/AK continue in the same vein.

I think this is true, yes we've signed some poor players but so did Sir Alex, just look at Bebe, David Bellion & Gabriel Obertan. The signings of Ricky Holmes & Ryan Leonard particularly stand out as the weirdest ones, we chased them for about 18 months before they signed and were both awful

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

Buying Samir Carruthers and Ricky Holmes turned Mark Duffy into a £30m player....

Buying Freeman and Osborne has turned Fleck into a £40m player..

Watch Lundstram improve if we buy a right footed CM...

 

[pommpey]

I don't reckon Besic will cost all that much, maybe £5mil at most? Surely seems surplus to requirements at Everton having been out on loan for what has been almost 2 seasons now.
Henderson sadly would be out of our reach, he'd be £25mil-£30mil already given his age & potential

Besic - agreed

Hendo - well, THAT is the kind of investment we need, isn't it? He is, without a doubt, a top goalkeeper, and has kept us where we are. With Verrips nowhere near his level and Moore unlikely to play in the first team again, we need to be seriously putting the investment where it counts. We are unlikely to sign anyone this JTW in the outfield (bar Besic, fingers crossed) and let's face it, even in the summer I struggle to see a 'big signing' holding next season's shirt up - Henderson is a statement of intent from the board now McCabe has been booted into the canal.

pommpey