January Sales

[Champagneblade]

Talk of more players going out than in from the press conference. Appreciate this will lead to accusations of not having a piss to pot in (care of Deadbat). But looking at the squad is that really unreasonable?

Keepers (6) - Olsen, Foderingham, Verrips, Eastwood, Dewhurst, Amissah.

Right backs (4) - Baldock, Bogle, Seriki, Starbuck

Left backs (6) - Stevens, Norrington-Davies, Osborn, Lowe, Robinson, Boyes

I can't see any centre backs outgoing with Egan, Basham and Davies likely to form the three with some of the younger guys taking in loan games.

Central midfield, with Fleck now needing time out and Guedioura also crocked might see little movement. Probably if Norwich come in for Hourihane we'll not stand in his way. Hopefully MGW remains. It still leaves Norwood, Berge, Freeman, Osborn not to mention Slater having a chance to force a way in between now and January.

Forwards (8) - Sharp, McBurnie, Mousset, Brewster, McBurnie, Burke, N'Diaye, Jebbison

I'd say these positions need to be looked at. Hopefully there is no need to sell off the younger, more promising players but I can imagine keeping these players around so neither good for morale nor the bank balance.

Who would you be looking to trim?

 

[Lightsoot]

Good summary. But you’ve got McBurnie in twice Champers, so Didzy needs adding.

I think our January outgoings will be Berge, Burke and possibly McBurnie if he fails to make a positive impression between now and the window.

Moose may also go if his admirers in France follow up their interest, given his contract situation and appalling fitness. And if Seriki is any good as a back-up is there an argument for moving Baldock on, and maybe Lowe if Forest would buy him?

The squad is bloated. We’ve got to move players out if we can.

 

[robbiez666]

Need to lose a senior keeper. No point having Verrips. Get one of the young lads out on loan.

Need to make a decision regarding Lowe, RND and Osborn. If he sees RND as the future I'd see if Forest will buy Lowe. If not I'd recall and try and move RND out. Unless Stevens picks up, but I can't see that happening given I think he's carrying an injury. Osborn's contract is up. I'd probably be looking, given our huge vat of cash, to see if he'd sign an extension. That, I guess, depends on wages. I see him more as a utility player than a guaranteed starter. I think he's a very handy player to have in your squad at this level. Especially when we'll be trimming the squad.

In terms of Robinson, I'd be tempted just to keep him until his contract runs out in summer. Can't see anyone being interested unless we subsidised wages and I think he's ok (and the only) cover in a back 3 at this level. Lopata is probably better served playing football at Southend.

If Berge is determined to leave then we need to cash-in for a decent amount. We'll lose money but that can't be helped. If Freeman is not in the plans then I'd look to shift as well. We could use someone coming in to bolster the midfield.

Jebbo is probably better served playing games under JFH. I'd look at shifting Mousset and Burke. Can't see that happening though. I'm not sure what his plans are, but if a decent offer comes in for Brewster or McBurnie (it won't) we'd be mad not to take it.

We are still short at CB if we're playing 3. No cover for Bash or Egan. I feel we'd be sensible to look to strengthen there and maybe in midfield.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Let’s face it.

Any cash offers for any players will be duly considered.

Ironic that we are now in this position, and have paid top top dollar on far too many, we now have a fire sale on our hands that will recoup little.

Business > Football. Shame

Blades Way !!!

Make no bones about it, a toxic situation is a brewing that will make the recent Hull / Coventry fans stand offs look like patty cake !!

UTB

 

[Bert]

Make no bones about it, a toxic situation is a brewing that will make the recent Hull / Coventry fans stand offs look like patty cake !!

We're getting turfed out of Bramall Lane and changing our name?

 

[A Storm of Blades]

We're getting turfed out of Bramall Lane and changing our name?

Imagine if we got a points deduction due to actual financial hardship (rather than the made-up ones the eeyores of our fan base like to salivate over)? It would be like setting off 500 small tactical nukes.

 

[DronnieBlade]

We're getting turfed out of Bramall Lane and changing our name?

Sounds daft. Doesn’t it ??

UTB

 

[Blade.com]

Talk of more players going out than in from the press conference. Appreciate this will lead to accusations of not having a piss to pot in (care of Deadbat). But looking at the squad is that really unreasonable?

Keepers (6) - Olsen, Foderingham, Verrips, Eastwood, Dewhurst, Amissah.

Right backs (4) - Baldock, Bogle, Seriki, Starbuck

Left backs (6) - Stevens, Norrington-Davies, Osborn, Lowe, Robinson, Boyes

I can't see any centre backs outgoing with Egan, Basham and Davies likely to form the three with some of the younger guys taking in loan games.

Central midfield, with Fleck now needing time out and Guedioura also crocked might see little movement. Probably if Norwich come in for Hourihane we'll not stand in his way. Hopefully MGW remains. It still leaves Norwood, Berge, Freeman, Osborn not to mention Slater having a chance to force a way in between now and January.

Forwards (8) - Sharp, McBurnie, Mousset, Brewster, McBurnie, Burke, N'Diaye, Jebbison

I'd say these positions need to be looked at. Hopefully there is no need to sell off the younger, more promising players but I can imagine keeping these players around so neither good for morale nor the bank balance.

Who would you be looking to trim?

By heck, written down that midfield looks pretty poor.

 

[Champagneblade]

Good summary. But you’ve got McBurnie in twice Champers, so Didzy needs adding.

I think our January outgoings will be Berge, Burke and possibly McBurnie if he fails to make a positive impression between now and the window.

Moose may also go if his admirers in France follow up their interest, given his contract situation and appalling fitness. And if Seriki is any good as a back-up is there an argument for moving Baldock on, and maybe Lowe if Forest would buy him?

The squad is bloated. We’ve got to move players out if we can.

I was too slow to change it, you are right on McGoldrick!

I think we are in a bit of an luxurious position to an extent because we have such a much of a muchness squad.

If any one of Lowe, Stevens or RND were sold, would there really be outrage on which one left? We should move one out. Seriki should get a loan, even if non-league.

To an extent same with the strikers. The only kicker would be that we're unlikely to want to take the huge hit on Brewster or McBurnie their current performances merit. I think Mousset is our best striker fit and on form, but given that applies to Man U at home 3 seasons back and Barnsley away this season, it's not much to build on. If Hecky can get a regular tune out of him, he'd be better on the business side, making gold out of base metals! If interest from Turkey firms up and we can get a few million, then why wouldn't we?

Burke is a no brainer. In that he has no football brain at all! He should be first out.

I'm interested to see how Hecky brings out from the cold. If we see some interest in Berge in Jan, then maybe there is room for Slater. We certainly don't do enough to get the ball back.

 

[ancientblade]

freeman might well come back in to the picture if we go back to 3412 can see him and mgw vying for the number 10 role

 

[Trafford]

Thought I saw a report that Lowe has suffered an injury that will keep him out for some time, so possibly not an option to recall or sell?

Hecky’s comment that “it’s sometimes more important to move players on than to buy new ones” was interesting and doesn’t seem to have been picked up on. Did he mean that there were bad eggs in the squad or just that opportunities need to be created for youngsters to come through?

 

[Hagansbootlaces]

Thought I saw a report that Lowe has suffered an injury that will keep him out for some time, so possibly not an option to recall or sell?

Hecky’s comment that “it’s sometimes more important to move players on than to buy new ones” was interesting and doesn’t seem to have been picked up on. Did he mean that there were bad eggs in the squad or just that opportunities need to be created for youngsters to come through?

Yes, Lowe out for 2 months is, reported a few days ago I think, As for Heckys comments, we'll possibly he meant both, the other issue is the group mindset regards confidence and the lingering relegation, you can't just give people confidence or alter the group dynamic easily,

Obviously one option is changing the ratio, adding young kids in that haven't played in a team that got relegated, that are high on confidence, even in training through the week, and yes moving some of the squad out, you can argue Burke, Mousse, McB and 4/5 others haven't had a run of games, okay recently Slav might not have fancied McB or Burke, possible that whatever they did on the training pitch, didn't mean anything, but no one has really taken their chance when they did get a game

 

[Revolution]

Anyone who we get a good offer for will be sold.

They won’t dump our PL era rubbish we’ve signed because it’s very clear Heckingbottom has been ordered to play them as part of the strategy. None of these players will go unless we receive an idiot bid.

 

[Gin&Juice]

Just bin Slater off. Poor lad. Mousset can fuck off to Le Harve as well. The old boys like Stevens, Norwood and Fleck will probably last the season. Baldock will go Greece.

 

[metalblade]

Talk of more players going out than in from the press conference. Appreciate this will lead to accusations of not having a piss to pot in (care of Deadbat). But looking at the squad is that really unreasonable?

Keepers (6) - Olsen, Foderingham, Verrips, Eastwood, Dewhurst, Amissah.

Right backs (4) - Baldock, Bogle, Seriki, Starbuck

Left backs (6) - Stevens, Norrington-Davies, Osborn, Lowe, Robinson, Boyes

I can't see any centre backs outgoing with Egan, Basham and Davies likely to form the three with some of the younger guys taking in loan games.

Central midfield, with Fleck now needing time out and Guedioura also crocked might see little movement. Probably if Norwich come in for Hourihane we'll not stand in his way. Hopefully MGW remains. It still leaves Norwood, Berge, Freeman, Osborn not to mention Slater having a chance to force a way in between now and January.

Forwards (8) - Sharp, McBurnie, Mousset, Brewster, McBurnie, Burke, N'Diaye, Jebbison

I'd say these positions need to be looked at. Hopefully there is no need to sell off the younger, more promising players but I can imagine keeping these players around so neither good for morale nor the bank balance.

Who would you be looking to trim?

I'd move on Olsen, Baldock, Stevens we can cover these easily. In midfield we need the bodies whoever they are. Up front Jebbison isn't ready yet leave him at Burton. Sharp I'd only use as a sub or the odd start in two up front never as a lone striker. Get rid of Burke and let Brewster, McBurnie, Mousset and Ndiaye fight it out to start keep McGoldrick as he could be useful in midfield with our lack of bodies there. So that is four I'd do my best to ship out in January then decide what to do with Mousset, Sharp and McGoldrick at the end of the season. Places in midfield would also be up for grabs until the summer then either promote youth or wheel and deal to get better in.

 

[Hagansbootlaces]

Anyone who we get a good offer for will be sold.

They won’t dump our PL era rubbish we’ve signed because it’s very clear Heckingbottom has been ordered to play them as part of the strategy. None of these players will go unless we receive an idiot bid.

So if Hecky starts with any or all of the players that got relegated, it's because he was ordered to do? He plays Brewster not because he had his best game at Reading, or he plays Berge because he is fit, it's because he was ordered to? Short of naming the entire U23 team, how does any line up he names, disprove he is under orders

 

[Revolution]

So if Hecky starts with any or all of the players that got relegated, it's because he was ordered to do? He plays Brewster not because he had his best game at Reading, or he plays Berge because he is fit, it's because he was ordered to? Short of naming the entire U23 team, how does any line up he names, disprove he is under orders

Watch the press conference.

 

[Hagansbootlaces]

Watch the press conference.

Why did 'we' buy Berge, Brewster, McB, Burke or any other player over the last 5 years, because they were judged to be better than we had, or made the squad stronger.
Playing Berge is a no brainer, simply because no one else has made a starting position there own, with performances on the pitch, likewise any of the strikers, Mousse aside who Slav had made his number 1 striker from day one, obviously fitness and injuries ruled him out more often than not.

Our strikers mirror midfield no one has cemented their place, if Brewster starts tomorrow can Billy, Burke or McBurnie argue?

 

[reedy63]

I did not realize the squad is that big.at least 6 players need to be sold. I wonder if Wilder comes in for any.

 

[ancientblade]

if he can get berge and brewster firing its like signing 2 new players

 

[Now and again]

I’d love it if we could get something decent for Moose. He’s never going to be consistent wherever he goes. Such a waste of talent.

Really hoping we don’t let Sander go, if we can get him fit I feel he will have a fantastic remainder of the season.

Lets get Jebbison back and get him some minutes.

 

[Keen Blade]

We're getting turfed out of Bramall Lane and changing our name?

Shirecliffe , Sheisters ?

 

[JOEYDEE]

We're getting turfed out of Bramall Lane and changing our name?

Yep changing our name to just ' Sheffield 'and going to play at 'Bramhall Lane '

 

[A Storm of Blades]

Watch the press conference.

Where it was stated a million times he’s in charge of the entire football operation? So you’re saying a man that, by his own admission, knows nothing about football, is secretly dictating which players should and shouldn’t play?

 

[Houston_Blade]

Anyone who we get a good offer for will be sold.

They won’t dump our PL era rubbish we’ve signed because it’s very clear Heckingbottom has been ordered to play them as part of the strategy. None of these players will go unless we receive an idiot bid.

It’s dismal that we’ve got the prospect of McBurnie and Brewster trotting around for the remainder of the season in the vain hope that they are actually footballers

Berge will be played as a ‘shop window’ player, if he stays fit we’ll take £3.50 and a bag of donuts for him in Jan.

Freeman and Mousset would probably eat the donuts and should be made to train in a sweatsuit to lose some timber.

I’m fully agreed that Sharp/Didz are too old to be our starters long term and that Norwood, Fleck, Stevens and Baldock need replacing but at the moment the alternatives are shit so we can’t.

 

[dn5 shaun]

It’s dismal that we’ve got the prospect of McBurnie and Brewster trotting around for the remainder of the season in the vain hope that they are actually footballers

Berge will be played as a ‘shop window’ player, if he stays fit we’ll take £3.50 and a bag of donuts for him in Jan.

Freeman and Mousset would probably eat the donuts and should be made to train in a sweatsuit to lose some timber.

I’m fully agreed that Sharp/Didz are too old to be our starters long term and that Norwood, Fleck, Stevens and Baldock need replacing but at the moment the alternatives are shit so we can’t.

Just a bag of donuts will do as long as I get one.

 

[Charlieblade]

I’d love it if we could get something decent for Moose. He’s never going to be consistent wherever he goes. Such a waste of talent.

Really hoping we don’t let Sander go, if we can get him fit I feel he will have a fantastic remainder of the season.

Lets get Jebbison back and get him some minutes.

I agree about Berge, needs shop window for Jan sales, or buckle down and star in the side. Players out on loan will probably stay there. PH needs to build respect and reputation with other clubs/managers.
Jebbison back is a nice thought, but we have loads of strikers already. If Billy and Didzy are key to his plans, they can’t play two games every week, so the others will get a chance to shine too.

The more I look at it, the big problems PH has inherited just get bigger.

Coulibally back from Beerschot?

 

[SouthStandGBlock]

Most relegated teams have a fire sale. We haven't, we've had half of one, with Ramsdale going.

I reckon the other half is in January, and it's needed. Apart from Bash and Billy we can move any of them on for me.

However, there's a lot of games between now and January, so let's see what we all think in 2 months time.

 

[blade67]

The interesting part of that comment from Hecky was when he spoke of de-motivated players as being the ones he expects to leave. I took that as code regarding players who are not pulling in the right direction. Todays squad will be interesting to see any clues on who Hecky doesn't want involved.

There are 24 players below who I think will be fit and available and have been regularly in the squad so far. Look for who is missing in the next 2 or 3 matches.

My guess for some of the left behind include Freeman, Mousset and Burke.

Keepers - Olsen, Foderingham, Verrips

Defenders Baldock, Bogle, Stevens, Norrington-Davies, Egan, Basham, Davies, Robinson

midfield - Hourihane, MGW, Norwood, Berge, Freeman, Osborn

Forwards - Sharp, Didzy, Mousset, Brewster, McBurnie, Burke, N'Diaye

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

Based on the training video I wouldn’t be surprised to see Norrington-Davies on the bench today. Was constantly shouted to.

Berge shown a lot at the beginning with Brewster so wouldn’t be surprised if both start.