Leonard

[GrayBlade]

Its a fucking disgrace the way some fans have gone off about the new players ,especially some who are respected and should know better. Leonard has had 2 starts ,Evans a couple more ,yet its their fault ,as it was Wilsons previously ,not the 9 experienced team mates ,not the defenders who keep whacking it over their heads ,not the wing backs who kept losing the ball ,not the forwards who did fuck all ,not the main midfielder who had a mare ,no its the 2 new guys ,why would anyone want to come here with some fans like ours. Get a fucking grip.

Yep agreed. That said, I’m sure we could find very similar threads on here about Blackman, Baldock, Stevens, Lundstram Wilson, Donaldson and Stearman not to mention Moore, Wright, Basham, Duffy, Sharp and Coutts, so hopefully the lad will know that he’s in good company and will turn it around once he’s settled.

 

[JohnStreet]

I think the problem is - we sign Ryan Leonard and everyone is expecting him to be John Barnes!

 

[Ricky]

Anyone writing him off hasn't considered that we've only seen him play in central midfield.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

I will only sign players that will improve us and also add value to the squad...............who said that.

Is that instant improvement or gradual improvement.

 

[zablade]

Its a fucking disgrace the way some fans have gone off about the new players ,especially some who are respected and should know better. Leonard has had 2 starts ,Evans a couple more ,yet its their fault ,as it was Wilsons previously ,not the 9 experienced team mates ,not the defenders who keep whacking it over their heads ,not the wing backs who kept losing the ball ,not the forwards who did fuck all ,not the main midfielder who had a mare ,no its the 2 new guys ,why would anyone want to come here with some fans like ours. Get a fucking grip.

Yes let’s fully blame the plyers who got us to the top of the League when we beat Leeds in October.

We’ve recruited poorly, due to a lack of backing. Three League one triers and a selfish crock on loan from Man U.

The clappers may not like it but it true.

 

[I should coco]

And the winner of the silliest post since the internet was invented, is:

Leonard’s performance tonight was one of the worst I’ve seen from a Blades player

 

[Rootshallbloke]

I think the problem is - we sign Ryan Leonard and everyone is expecting him to be John Barnes!

Hmmmm, don't think so.

 

[8lade]

At least we didn't blow a million quid on Luther Blissett!

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Leonard ain’t no “number 10”. He and Evans are nothing more than “water carriers” who simply give the ball to the flair players in the team. Unfortunately they are much too similar to be in the same starting eleven, and it is unforgivable that one of them plays at the expense of Duffy.

 

[ljk]

Leonard’s not even been that bad! Useful sub appearance against qpr, solid debut against Norwich (good first half), and then some teething issues in a couple of less impressive performances.

Evans has (rightly) received praise for all of his performances bar Hull, where, like most, he was poor.

Wilson scored a goal on his debut, and almost scored a great goal v villa in a decent first half. Hasn’t looked as bright in his other performances, but he’s only on loan.

Holmes has barely played, but has looked fairly bright and positive.

Even if we were to judge the January signings so ludicrously early, I really don’t get the argument that they’ve been awful.

 

[PokerBlade]

Shocking game on Friday. Didn't know where he was supposed to be and didn't do anything when he was near the ball.

I'm not judging him on that performance alone. He's done okay in his other appearances and he deserves a fair bit more time before I come to any conclusions but, and this isn't his fault, he's part of the problem. We've been forced to sign players that need time to adjust. They're making big steps up and it's no surprise if some of them struggle. We've become victims of our own success in this regard because we're looking for players who can not only step up to this level but also mount a play-off push. Unfortunately, if we're going to make the play-offs, we don't have time to wait. Players like Lundstram and Leonard who, if they do make the grade, have needed more time than we can spare will be what costs us if a turn around doesn't come very quickly. That's the situation we're in right now and if that's what our budget could afford then I don't see how we could really have done any better.

 

[unitedbhoy]

Jesus Christ give the bloke a chance. Looks to me like attacking mid isn't his position. Let him have a proper run of games before writing him off. This is a man wilder has been desperate for - give it time.

 

[Dnblade]

Feel a bit sorry for Leonard and Evans,they were poor at Hull,but they're still finding their feet in this Division,and we haven't really got time to wait for them to bed in.
Leonard was playing on the right of the 3..Fleck on the left with Evans sitting in the middle a bit deeper...I thought Fleck tried to drive us forward and did ok...Evans couldn't get on the ball and get his passing going...totally ineffective,but half the time the ball was flying over his head as we lumped it forward...I don't know if Lenny was instructed to get some shots off,but twice he elected to shoot with Baldock in space in the right hand channel well placed.
For me,i definately think both him and Evans will turn out to be good signings in the long run,but I'd rather see us play with the Duffy behind the strikers at Reading,or with Evans and Fleck as the 2,or even twin no.10's behind Leon if Brooks is fit...it will be interesting to see how Chris goes after listening to the post match interview.

 

[Harrisblade]

Feel a bit sorry for Leonard and Evans,they were poor at Hull,but they're still finding their feet in this Division,and we haven't really got time to wait for them to bed in.
Leonard was playing on the right of the 3..Fleck on the left with Evans sitting in the middle a bit deeper...I thought Fleck tried to drive us forward and did ok...Evans couldn't get on the ball and get his passing going...totally ineffective,but half the time the ball was flying over his head as we lumped it forward...I don't know if Lenny was instructed to get some shots off,but twice he elected to shoot with Baldock in space in the right hand channel well placed.
For me,i definately think both him and Evans will turn out to be good signings in the long run,but I'd rather see us play with the Duffy behind the strikers at Reading,or with Evans and Fleck as the 2,or even twin no.10's behind Leon if Brooks is fit...it will be interesting to see how Chris goes after listening to the post match interview.

.I thought Fleck tried to drive us forward and did ok..

He might have been trying to drive us forward but he was far from ok!
In fact compared to what he has done for us in the past he was probably the worst of the lot in terms of ball control, losing the ball and passing.

 

[Wards]

Poor so far but we’re in that market where we need to sign players and get them developed to our level. Sadly we can’t go out and afford to buy proven players at this level, at least ones with the ambition and hunger that Wilder wants.

 

[Dnblade]

He might have been trying to drive us forward but he was far from ok!
In fact compared to what he has done for us in the past he was probably the worst of the lot in terms of ball control, losing the ball and passing.

Thought he was the best of the 3 Midfielders;but not at his best...it usually takes a game for him to get up to speef anyway.

 

[FinchleyBlade]

He is a ball winning/box to box midfielder, not an attacking midfielder or deep-lying playmaker.

Give him time, I predict he will be an excellent player for us in the long term.