Injuries

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?


Listened to BladesPod the other day. Notable how many times we've gone into previous campaigns in such bad shape with re: injuries.
Multiple times we've limped into them unprepared, missing our entire forward line and cobbling together an XI.

This time it's different.
Provided we avoid something daft on the last day, we'll be looking in the best shape heading into these that I can remember.

I've only ever felt confident about 2 previous play-offs campaigns.
2003 - lost to Wolves in the Final.
2022 - lost to Forest on semis.

This season's side is capable of a big game once every half a 7/8 matches.
That big game is enough to beat everybody in the play-offs, regardless of their form.

We're about due another big game...
but can we back it up with another one?!
That's where my doubt creeps in.
 
So on 2 August I had a guess at how many games the walking wounded players would play this season. I had guesses for our established injured talent, Tom Davies, Brewster and RND, and also for Shackleton, who I assumed would bring his injuries over with him from Leeds.

The final tallies (league games only):

Brewster: I said he'd play 14 games. He actually featured in 36 games (16 starts, 20 sub) which was excellent given his run of injuries up to this season. Hopefully that's all behind him now.

Davies: I predicted 5 games. He actually played 13 (6 starts, 7 sub) which was more than double what I predicted but still amounted to a second injury plagued season. He is at least available (in theory) for the playoffs.

RND: I didn't think he'd play at all. He actually played 14 times (only 2 starts, 12 sub) but we have not seen him since his shocking display at Swansea in January. You wonder whether he will be a first team player at this level again. Again, another injury plagued season.

Shackleton: I predicted 21 games and he only managed 14 (2 starts, 12 sub) and he has not played since 14 December v Plymouth. His injury was weird, his lack of recovery from it even odder, and we did not miss him save when we had no RB and he did his Ben Osborn trick of being injured when we needed him as cover. As many predicted at the time, his signing was a waste of resources.
 
So on 2 August I had a guess at how many games the walking wounded players would play this season. I had guesses for our established injured talent, Tom Davies, Brewster and RND, and also for Shackleton, who I assumed would bring his injuries over with him from Leeds.

The final tallies (league games only):

Brewster: I said he'd play 14 games. He actually featured in 36 games (16 starts, 20 sub) which was excellent given his run of injuries up to this season. Hopefully that's all behind him now.

Davies: I predicted 5 games. He actually played 13 (6 starts, 7 sub) which was more than double what I predicted but still amounted to a second injury plagued season. He is at least available (in theory) for the playoffs.

RND: I didn't think he'd play at all. He actually played 14 times (only 2 starts, 12 sub) but we have not seen him since his shocking display at Swansea in January. You wonder whether he will be a first team player at this level again. Again, another injury plagued season.

Shackleton: I predicted 21 games and he only managed 14 (2 starts, 12 sub) and he has not played since 14 December v Plymouth. His injury was weird, his lack of recovery from it even odder, and we did not miss him save when we had no RB and he did his Ben Osborn trick of being injured when we needed him as cover. As many predicted at the time, his signing was a waste of resources.

Brewster has been a huge shock, as not only has he been available but he's actually contributed really well - particularly since Xmas.

It's such a shame that Tom Davies can't keep fit. I don't think we've seen much of him next to a proper DM, he played most of his football when Sydie Peck was still finding his feet next to him.
He gives us something the others don't in terms of his ability to take the ball on the turn, dribble past a man and put a bit of zip on our attacks.
 
It will be interesting what we do with z Brewster. He’s useful at times. His injury record has improved.

I’m not sure he’s 28k per week useful though!
 
So on 2 August I had a guess at how many games the walking wounded players would play this season. I had guesses for our established injured talent, Tom Davies, Brewster and RND, and also for Shackleton, who I assumed would bring his injuries over with him from Leeds.

The final tallies (league games only):

Brewster: I said he'd play 14 games. He actually featured in 36 games (16 starts, 20 sub) which was excellent given his run of injuries up to this season. Hopefully that's all behind him now.

Davies: I predicted 5 games. He actually played 13 (6 starts, 7 sub) which was more than double what I predicted but still amounted to a second injury plagued season. He is at least available (in theory) for the playoffs.

RND: I didn't think he'd play at all. He actually played 14 times (only 2 starts, 12 sub) but we have not seen him since his shocking display at Swansea in January. You wonder whether he will be a first team player at this level again. Again, another injury plagued season.

Shackleton: I predicted 21 games and he only managed 14 (2 starts, 12 sub) and he has not played since 14 December v Plymouth. His injury was weird, his lack of recovery from it even odder, and we did not miss him save when we had no RB and he did his Ben Osborn trick of being injured when we needed him as cover. As many predicted at the time, his signing was a waste of resources.

I’d forgotten Shackleton was here.
 
Looking like the ones missing till next season..

RND
Arblaster

Hopefully back for the 2nd leg/Wembley if we get there..

Seriki
BBD

Erm Shackleton? 😯
 
Listened to a Bristol pod earlier this week and they have injury problems of their own and a small squad which is causing issues.

3 of their key players are needing operations in the summer and struggling through games.

The goalkeeper is struggling to jump so they keep conceding goals from corners into the 6 yard box.

That is until they play us😂
 

* BREAKING NEWS *

Chris Wilder signs injury ravaged player for Sheffield United.

"If anyone can get them playing again then I can," said the boyhood Blade. "I didn't sign Brewster, Davies and Shackleton because I'm a mug. It's players like these and Norrington-Davies who are the future of this club."

During a recent training session a journalist asked the charismatic manager who was the one player from the past who he'd have loved to have signed. "Jamie Redknapp, maybe Michael Owen towards the end of his career."
 
Shackleton surely owes us money under the trades description act. How many games has he actually been available for?

I had the same thoughts. He’s just never been seen here.

Feel for the lad but his career here has been stalled since he signed here. At least we’ve seen Davies a few times.

Shows the need for some depth though.
 
Davies injured again before the season even started? That's worrying and extremely disappointing. Was hoping for him to play a big part this season.
Me too, he's very much a Reuben Selles type of player.

As for Shackleton, to me he's very much become one of those "Oh him! Is he still here?" players.
 
Davies injured again before the season even started? That's worrying and extremely disappointing. Was hoping for him to play a big part this season.
Followed him throughout his career sadly! Can't see it changing now. As for Shackleton what a fckg waste of a signing 🙄
 
Tom Davies too busy being the Series Editor in the Sewing Bee!
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20250715-220220.webp
    Screenshot_20250715-220220.webp
    107.2 KB · Views: 21

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

Back
Top Bottom