John Ashdown's View

[Flatulent_Bob]

That's kind of my viewpoint too . 150 k ( or 100 ) and the rest in add ons .

I'd still question £500k though.
Chesterfield are broke, they're going down and need to offload. Evans hasn't played regularly and hasn't set the league alight this year.
So why £500k even if it's only if we win the champions league, for someone who would appear to be struggling to be able to play regularly. It's certainly a top end price that you'd expect anyone to pay.
My thoughts are is it what Chesterfield need to say to appeal to their fans and make it sound a great deal but why aren't local journos uncovering the real cost?
When something just does add up, people are going to ask questions, and that's all before you factor the divisive nature of the player in question with the fans.

 

[coolhandluke]

"Perhaps Wilder feels he can reinvigorate the striker as he has done with several members of a previously underachieving squad this season." There you go, Luke.

And as I say, less than 60% of the article relates to the history of the case (a history that's very much needed for context's sake).

I have actually read the article Alfreton but thanks for reminding me of the small , very small , part of the article that actually makes any sense at all . Wilder is certain to breathe far more easily now his managerial reputation has been saved

 

[coolhandluke]

I'd still question £500k though.
Chesterfield are broke, they're going down and need to offload. Evans hasn't played regularly and hasn't set the league alight this year.
So why £500k even if it's only if we win the champions league, for someone who would appear to be struggling to be able to play regularly. It's certainly a top end price that you'd expect anyone to pay.
My thoughts are is it what Chesterfield need to say to appeal to their fans and make it sound a great deal but why aren't local journos uncovering the real cost?
When something just does add up, people are going to ask questions, and that's all before you factor the divisive nature of the player in question with the fans.

Agreed . And one more incredibly frustrating thing about all of this is the fact that if the transfer does go through the fee is revealed as ....... undisclosed .

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

I'm a guardian reader and usually enjoy Ashdown's articles but that is a steaming pile of shite. Reads more like a Daily Mail hatchet job.

To be fair to the bloke , with being a Blade and therefore biased , he is as confused as the rest of us . He would have been better off not putting pen to paper . This Ched issue has more legs to it to run and run. Wonder what will happen when the club come out with a statement .

We all have opinions , but like usual the club is shrouding this in mystery , not the fans . All we want is facts , therefore like that journo we speculate .

Bottom line , if he scores goals and works hard he is in , if he doesn't he is out .

People say concentrate on this great season , 100 points etc . With Evans being a part of our past history you cannot ignore Evans supposedly resigning , never mind how hard you try .

 

[Bayingblade]

Presumably you prefet more hard-hitting opinion piece from the likes of the Mails

Can't comment either way as I never read it.

 

[Snowman]

Because there simply isn't a great divide .

Sic is a Latin term meaning “thus.” It is used to indicate that something incorrectly written is intentionally being left as it was in the original. Sic is usually italicized and always surrounded by brackets to indicate that it was not part of the original. Place [sic] right after the error.

Sorry, just feel like being a clever arse. I believe it should be used after an incorrect spelling or use of grammar not after an incorrect assertion of fact where a simple rebuttal would be required. Then again as I understand it from recent study the following may be accepted as correct usage in the USA.......

It is all right to use sic for factual errors, but unless the error is obviously wrong, as in this case: When the Civil War started in 1961[sic], few believed it would last long, you may be causing unneeded confusion. In your example it would be better to say something like, “The headline stated that 100 people were killed. The actual number was 104.”

So in other words just tell the twat he's wrong.

 

[coolhandluke]

Sic is a Latin term meaning “thus.” It is used to indicate that something incorrectly written is intentionally being left as it was in the original. Sic is usually italicized and always surrounded by brackets to indicate that it was not part of the original. Place [sic] right after the error.

Sorry, just feel like being a clever arse. I believe it should be used after an incorrect spelling or use of grammar not after an incorrect assertion of fact where a simple rebuttal would be required. Then again as I understand it from recent study the following may be accepted as correct usage in the USA.......

It is all right to use sic for factual errors, but unless the error is obviously wrong, as in this case: When the Civil War started in 1961[sic], few believed it would last long, you may be causing unneeded confusion. In your example it would be better to say something like, “The headline stated that 100 people were killed. The actual number was 104.”

So in other words just tell the twat he's wrong.

John Ashdowns a twat and is wrong .

I do beg your pardon kind sir ( sic )

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

For £150k? This isn't a kid with nice feet who might be decent when he grows up, it's a player who scored around 1 in 2 for Norwich in the championship and thirty five for us in L1. In the short spell against us for Chesterfield he showed he's still got the ability, the only question is over his fitness. It's a different kind of risk and one we can partially mitigate by giving him a thorough medical, looking at his records and taking some specialist advice.

I still don't understand what is being hinted at. That KM would chuck a load of money away to prove a point? And the Prince and Wilder would just go along with it?

That's a lot of historical achievement and plenty of money for a 20 minute cameo for a team not good enough for a division below where we will be. Reality is he's shown nothing to justify any fee and a climb up the league

For £150k? This isn't a kid with nice feet who might be decent when he grows up, it's a player who scored around 1 in 2 for Norwich in the championship and thirty five for us in L1. In the short spell against us for Chesterfield he showed he's still got the ability, the only question is over his fitness. It's a different kind of risk and one we can partially mitigate by giving him a thorough medical, looking at his records and taking some specialist advice.

I still don't understand what is being hinted at. That KM would chuck a load of money away to prove a point? And the Prince and Wilder would just go along with it?

Answered your own question. Buying history, not potential and certainly not form. Might turn out OK, might not.

 

[1889]

I'd still question £500k though.
Chesterfield are broke, they're going down and need to offload. Evans hasn't played regularly and hasn't set the league alight this year.
So why £500k even if it's only if we win the champions league, for someone who would appear to be struggling to be able to play regularly. It's certainly a top end price that you'd expect anyone to pay.
My thoughts are is it what Chesterfield need to say to appeal to their fans and make it sound a great deal but why aren't local journos uncovering the real cost?
When something just does add up, people are going to ask questions, and that's all before you factor the divisive nature of the player in question with the fans.

Perhaps that was the pre agreed fee when Evans signed for Chesterfield

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Perhaps that was the pre agreed fee when Evans signed for Chesterfield

Third party ownership?
It would still be too high to trigger any release clause for him based purely on form and what he's shown for Chesterfield.

 

[essexblade73]

a true blade wouldn't slag hia club off like he has in the national press. attention seeking tw@t just like webster

 

[1889]

Third party ownership?
It would still be too high to trigger any release clause for him based purely on form and what he's shown for Chesterfield.

There was a rumour when he signed for Chesterfield, that it had already been agreed that Utd would sign him at the end of the season.
I suppose a sort of, you take the heat, manage any public backlash and get him match fit, arrangement. Utd would promise to buy him for the agreed fee at the end of the season.

It seemed a bit far fetched at the time, but now?

In my opinion. I think it's a great bit of business, Evans will be uniquely motivated and have a single minded determination to succeed at Bramall Lane. No other striker of similar potential, can possess that drive and have so much to prove the supporters of our club. Add Wilder to the mix and only a fool would discount his possible success.
How anyone can hold him personally responsible for his imprisonment beggars belief, the bloke cheated on his girlfriend, then did what he thought was the right thing, told the truth to the Police and was convicted as a result.

If a wrongly convicted murderer, had been released then pardoned, people would be all over social media in his/her support. It's beyond me why Evans is the subject of such vitriol, especially by our supporters, the bloke should be pitied, not castigated. Big deal, we missed out on promotion, he went to prison for 2 1/2 years, surely the very least he deserves now is a 2nd chance?

 

[Bladesman]

There was a rumour when he signed for Chesterfield, that it had already been agreed that Utd would sign him at the end of the season.
I suppose a sort of, you take the heat, manage any public backlash and get him match fit, arrangement. Utd would promise to buy him for the agreed fee at the end of the season.

It seemed a bit far fetched at the time, but now?

In my opinion. I think it's a great bit of business, Evans will be uniquely motivated and have a single minded determination to succeed at Bramall Lane. No other striker of similar potential, can possess that drive and have so much to prove the supporters of our club. Add Wilder to the mix and only a fool would discount his possible success.
How anyone can hold him personally responsible for his imprisonment beggars belief, the bloke cheated on his girlfriend, then did what he thought was the right thing, told the truth to the Police and was convicted as a result.

If a wrongly convicted murderer, had been released then pardoned, people would be all over social media in his/her support. It's beyond me why Evans is the subject of such vitriol, especially by our supporters, the bloke should be pitied, not castigated. Big deal, we missed out on promotion, he went to prison for 2 1/2 years, surely the very least he deserves now is a 2nd chance?

I'd heard something had been agreed back In January regarding us signing Ched. I just assumed it was nonsense.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

There was a rumour when he signed for Chesterfield, that it had already been agreed that Utd would sign him at the end of the season.
I suppose a sort of, you take the heat, manage any public backlash and get him match fit, arrangement. Utd would promise to buy him for the agreed fee at the end of the season.

It seemed a bit far fetched at the time, but now?

In my opinion. I think it's a great bit of business, Evans will be uniquely motivated and have a single minded determination to succeed at Bramall Lane. No other striker of similar potential, can possess that drive and have so much to prove the supporters of our club. Add Wilder to the mix and only a fool would discount his possible success.
How anyone can hold him personally responsible for his imprisonment beggars belief, the bloke cheated on his girlfriend, then did what he thought was the right thing, told the truth to the Police and was convicted as a result.

If a wrongly convicted murderer, had been released then pardoned, people would be all over social media in his/her support. It's beyond me why Evans is the subject of such vitriol, especially by our supporters, the bloke should be pitied, not castigated. Big deal, we missed out on promotion, he went to prison for 2 1/2 years, surely the very least he deserves now is a 2nd chance?

Do wrong and we have a system of punishment for the offender.

Serve your time then get back on the bike if you can find one to ride. Society can then not punish again.

Swan was within his rights to try again at the pigs even though he was a cheat, he'd served his sentence.

What's worse for Evans is he was innocent yet people want to punish him.

That is most bizarre.

 

[Bladesman]

Do wrong and we have a system of punishment for the offender.

Serve your time then get back on the bike if you can find one to ride. Society can then not punish again.

Swan was within his rights to try again at the pigs even though he was a cheat, he'd served his sentence.

What's worse for Evans is he was innocent yet people want to punish him.

That is most bizarre.

Even Jean Hatchet has given it a rest and that is saying something. Although if she has an issue with section 41 then why not focus on that in the first place rather than Ched.

 

[blade67]

I think that the Blades have been very clever if the rumours are to be believed.

the most interesting post on here and I don't think anyone picked it up. What rumours?

IMO, I can see why United would do this "for purely football reasons" as he is clearly a potentially good Championship striker. If they think he's the best value outside the top two divisions, then why not. The gamble seems to be all about fitness given the money we are paying. The only real issue is the timing. Next Monday would have been fine but someone has leaked it and it seems the club aren't that impressed.

For the record I was totally against the club having him back when released from prison. It struck me as totally idiotic for a professional football club to sign a convicted sex offender, but the facts on that have changed. He's cleared his name, legally, and should be allowed to pursue his career as any other player.

United should be only considering the football aspects of this.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

All very valid points for me. Made by a blade in national media so not really aimed at us as it goes over ground we all know well

I enjoyed reading it and think it's a very well-written piece of journalism. I disagree fundamentally with his conclusion though. I don't think the signing of Evans is about "a settling of scores beyond the dugouts" at all. That's a nice little conspiracy theory that will sell a lot of newspapers - but my rather more dull take on it is simply that we've signed him because we think he can score goals at Championship level when fit and it's not costing us a lot of money to do so.

I don't doubt for one minute that United know they are taking a gamble on this. Both from a PR perspective and a footballing perspective. But they've weighed that up and think it's worth a punt and I totally agree with them. I think it's a very small risk that they are taking by signing Evans and if it doesn't work out, hey-ho, so what? But if it does, then they've just acquired a striker who, at his best, will be as good as anything in the Championship, for peanuts.

We have yet to hear Wilder's views on this and of course we won't do so until it is signed and sealed. But it will be good when we do because some of these conspiracy theories may be laid to rest then and more importantly, some fans who are simply not possible to reason with, might just believe what Chris says and get behind the reasons for signing him, rather than creating their own shit-storm on football messageboards like this one.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I'd heard something had been agreed back In January regarding us signing Ched. I just assumed it was nonsense.

I heard the same. I thought he was going to join us in January at first, but my source informed me that he was staying at Chesterfield until the end of the season then coming over then. I understand this has been the agreement in place for some time. Not sure when exactly it was set up, but a it was December, when I first heard of it, so at least from then, if not earlier.

Anyhow, whether that's the case or not, I think United have done well to move early for a player, who could be a very important signing for us next season. I'm not bothered if folks don't like it for whatever reasons, but I do. I like it because I've seen Evans play and he can be absolutely phenomenal. I think I know a good striker when I see one, and I've seen a lot of good ones down the years at the Lane, but none better than he was in the last season he played for us. He really was that good.

That was then though and this is now. Whether he can come anywhere near that form again, who knows? He was clearly a mere shadow of his former self when he played against us for Chesterfield earlier this season - his first touch wasn't great and he'd lost yards of pace. But he still turned Basham inside out, made their goal and then nearly scored twice in the second half as well. If he can still be that dangerous after 4 years of not playing competitive football I am bloody looking forward to seeing what the lad can do after Wilder's had him at his summer boot-camp training and got him razor sharp and fit again. There's one thing for sure - he won't need any motivation to do his utmost for our club. And this is what Wilder's recruitment policy is all about isn't it? Get players in who see Sheffield United as a big step up for them in their careers and want to bust a gut to do well for the club.

In Evans, he is certainly getting that - and possibly an awful lot more too. So, in answer to Mr Ashdown's question about "Why are Sheffield United so desperate to sign Evans?"

I'd say, "that's why".

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Even Jean Hatchet has given it a rest and that is saying something. Although if she has an issue with section 41 then why not focus on that in the first place rather than Ched.

Section H is what she wants to keep an eye on.

 

[Revolution]

I think I know a good striker when I see one

And yet in October you said that Billy Sharp was ready for the knacker's yard...

 

[Harrisblade]

All very valid points for me. Made by a blade in national media so not really aimed at us as it goes over ground we all know well

"Personally, though, it is hard to escape the sense that this smacks of a settling of scores well beyond the dugout."
But who is settling scores with who exactly?

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

a true blade wouldn't slag hia club off like he has in the national press. attention seeking tw@t just like webster

I think you may need to read the article again, as there isn't much in there which slags us off.
It's an opinion piece, and as one of our highest profile fans in the written press, of course he was going to be asked to write a piece on it.
So you can disagree with his views, but it's not a hatchet job by any stretch of the imagination.
The fans are divided (as shown on the thread on the forum), there are unanswered questions around this move, the £500K touted doesn't sit well with most, it doesn't make sense from a purely footballing perspective, McCabe does wallow in self-pity and think we've been hard done to.
I can't see anything that slags us off, the guy is a huge blade, but he just happens to be seeing this from a different opinion to some on here.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

"Personally, though, it is hard to escape the sense that this smacks of a settling of scores well beyond the dugout."
But who is settling scores with who exactly?

With Ched, with the press, with others who he feels strong armed him into breaking his word previously, with sponsors, with the footballing Gods and our perpetual bad luck, it could be a hold host of things.
Again repeating myself, but the whole deal doesn't make sense unless there is something to settle.
It he has been on fire then these questions would have been asked, but it looks like he's struggled since his comeback with injuries and therefore obviously form.
We've been promoted where his current side have been relegated, and you would have thought we would have been looking at targets who perform at a higher level.

It just opens up speculation as to why, and without confirmed or proposed facts from the cub that's what people/fans/reporters are going to do.
We've threads on it just on this forum, because nature abhors a vacuum, and we guess or propose reasons as to why that might be.

 

[Bergen Blade]

A balanced overview for those with a passing interest in this, not for Blades who know the minutiae of the whole sorry saga. Met John a few times, good guy who's passionate about the Blades. Frankly anyone saying this isn't divisive is ignoring lots of social media content over the last few hours, it always was going to be. Whether that is from a moral viewpoint, a footballing viewpoint or a mix of both, supporters have differing views on this supposed signing.

The politics of all this will probably not be known for a long time, if ever. But simply seeing this as a decision to sign a player much like any other it simply isn't in my opinion. John thinks the same and has proffered his opinion on what 'else' is involved here. Don't necessarily agree with him, I have my own opinions as to what the 'other' might be.

What I do know is that if the announcement had been the signing of George Thomas from Coventry the reaction would be one of great surprise, great amounts of Meh and little rejoicing in finding the next piece of the forward jigsaw. Similar records though...

Me and another Blade went to a pub in Bergen to watch the first match of the 2014/15 season (Bristol City at home). We started talking to the only other guy who seemed interested in the match and it turned out it was John Ashdown. The three of us watched the game together and then spent a couple of hours chatting in another pub, also meeting his wife and a couple of his mates. Very nice guy and a real Blade and it was a great evening, despite us losing the season opener.

On this article I think he may have a point from McCabe's perspective, that he's always wanted Ched to return and sort of finish what he started. But this move wouldn't have happened if Chris Wilder didn't want him and that's the main thing. Wilder knows all about his goals and performances in 2011/12, and he and his staff will have watched him enough to assess his ability to get back to something near that form. I'm quite sure that is the reason Evans is returning - if indeed he is!

 

[Cerberus Blade]

And yet in October you said that Billy Sharp was ready for the knacker's yard...

I think I was a bit harsh but based on some of his performances around that time he looked slow and unfit. And if I'm honest, he still looks slow and unfit to me. There's been lots of games this season, including over the past few weeks, when he's contributed zero to the team imo. But, I never said he wasn't a good striker in terms of ability to put the ball in the net. That's the reason why he's in the team, the only reason actually. As long as he can keep popping up with the goals then his name will remain as sacred to some Blades fans as the prophet Mohammed is to Muslims. Do not dare to speak any bad about him - even if it's true.

I'm not religious so I say what I see and others can take that or twist it however they like.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Me and another Blade went to a pub in Bergen to watch the first match of the 2014/15 season (Bristol City at home). We started talking to the only other guy who seemed interested in the match and it turned out it was John Ashdown. The three of us watched the game together and then spent a couple of hours chatting in another pub, also meeting his wife and a couple of his mates. Very nice guy and a real Blade and it was a great evening, despite us losing the season opener.

On this article I think he may have a point from McCabe's perspective, that he's always wanted Ched to return and sort of finish what he started. But this move wouldn't have happened if Chris Wilder didn't want him and that's the main thing. Wilder knows all about his goals and performances in 2011/12, and he and his staff will have watched him enough to assess his ability to get back to something near that form. I'm quite sure that is the reason Evans is returning - if indeed he is!

You might be right Bergs. Unfortunately football is littered with incidence of owners and board executives making decisions directly relating to what happens on the pitch without consulting the manager/coach. We as a club, both within and amongst supporters, have had a near obsession with this player since that season. Whatever the issues around the legal matters, logic tells us with that time out of the game he will struggle to return to performance levels of the past, yet the rumours of a return have never gone away. The pool of possible signings for this position isn't that small and I'm sure Wilder, Knill and Co probably have a decent list, almost all with far better recent records than Evans. So why him, why now if there isn't something other than pure football issues driving this?

Personally, I'll be well Pissed off if it comes to light that Wilder wanted someone like Marquis but has had to compromise and take Wilder.

 

[Muttley]

I have always thought Ched was sort of "on loan" at Chesterfield. For many reasons he has had things to prove, the media frenzy and fans frenzy which never happened, his retrial and his general fitness. I think that his "injury" has been grossly exagerated and he's only played a bit part for a reason.

 

[Revolution]

But this move wouldn't have happened if Chris Wilder didn't want him and that's the main thing.

I hope this is true. I am concerned that it is not.

Billy Sharp, of all people, was signed in 2007 without Robson being consulted. The moves for Evans in 2014 seem to have been made without Clough's approval. It happens.

 

[Revolution]

I have always thought Ched was sort of "on loan" at Chesterfield. For many reasons he has had things to prove, the media frenzy and fans frenzy which never happened, his retrial and his general fitness. I think that his "injury" has been grossly exagerated and he's only played a bit part for a reason.

I find it very hard to believe that a team in relegation trouble would willingly not play Evans if he was fit.

 

[Mad Mick]

the most interesting post on here and I don't think anyone picked it up. What rumours?

IMO, I can see why United would do this "for purely football reasons" as he is clearly a potentially good Championship striker. If they think he's the best value outside the top two divisions, then why not. The gamble seems to be all about fitness given the money we are paying. The only real issue is the timing. Next Monday would have been fine but someone has leaked it and it seems the club aren't that impressed.

For the record I was totally against the club having him back when released from prison. It struck me as totally idiotic for a professional football club to sign a convicted sex offender, but the facts on that have changed. He's cleared his name, legally, and should be allowed to pursue his career as any other player.

United should be only considering the football aspects of this.

The rumours are, and this has been picked up by the press, is that Evans was looking to take legal action against SUFC. It seems to revolve around whether or not a contract had been offered. Now once you get into a legal fight the costs can be enormous. If you lose you also have to pay compensation. We are probably talking 7 figures all in all. So we pick up CE for £150,000 plus add ons. I bet the add ons include how many games he plays for us, as well as other things. Part of the deal is likely to be that he drops any potential legal action. I reckon we could have saved a load of dosh and still get a player who may or may not step up to the plate. To me its a win win situation. Fat Sam this morning hints at what I'm saying. Of course I'm not ITK so its only my take on things.