Lot to do in short period of time

[Bladepicker]

barnyblade you're going to love match day shoutbox lad. It's right up your street.

 

[Bladesway]

barnyblade you're going to love match day shoutbox lad. It's right up your street.

Up the Shitbox, I mean shoutbox.

 

[BushBlade]

in terms of the "4 player" we need to cull due to our "ever bloated squad" which positions/players would those be?

GK - Howard/Long
LB - Harris/McEverley
CB - Collins/McGahay/Kennedy
RB - Brayford/Freeman/Alcock
LM - Murphy/Woolford/Adams
CM - Wallace/Basham/Scougall/Baxter/Coutts/Reed/Cuvelier
RM - Flynn/JMC
Str - Done/McNulty/Higdon/Diego

so the only one I can see "bloated" is Central midfield and 2 of those are injury prone 1 is a youngster, getting rid of 4 players would actually leave us short of cover should we get any injuries.

and if the squad is overbloated.... and you want to ship out 4 players... why then sugges getting 4 more in (including 1 in the most overbloated position?)

Plus, if we play three in centre mid we're not bloated and if we play two, then I can't see Baxter, Cuvelier, Scougall or Reed playing there.

 

[Guesty]

Plus, if we play three in centre mid we're not bloated and if we play two, then I can't see Baxter, Cuvelier, Scougall or Reed playing there.

I wouldn't be particularly unhappy to see any of those four leave. Not all four, obviously, but any combination thereof.

 

[Pinchy]

barnyblade you're going to love match day shoutbox lad. It's right up your street.

No further than the end of the street, mind...

 

[Barney]

Barny, lad
Chill the fuck out.

Get thi sen a cushion an some camomile tea, relax an breathe a little deeper.
You're very welcome to your opinions and to voice them on here but don't get so indignant or you'll be in danger of becoming the site snuff

Your a day late pal, I've been relaxing ever since me and Bladeway/picker? (can't remember, one of the two) came to an understanding.

Mind you, that tends to be the response when a poster is unable to fathom a reply from a debate. It somehow re-directs off topic.

 

[Barney]

No further than the end of the street, mind...

That reminds me, did you ever name those players you wanted?

 

[Pierre's PC]

That reminds me, did you ever name those players you wanted?

I remember seeing pinchys list the post after you listed this bloated squad we have

 

[itsinyerblood]

That reminds me, did you ever name those players you wanted?

He did, told me all about them. Much more interesting than concentrating on our existing squad I should add, always seeking to improve the Blades is Pinchy.

'Up The Blades' we cried as we went our separate ways, with the thought of incoming players lingering long after we'd put the forum to rights.

 

[Bladesway]

This kind of reminds me of Luis Van Gaal at Man United last year, he took his time to assess the squad and left it too late to make any real signings. He had to make do with largely Moyes' team the whole of last year and they started really slowly.

 

[BushBlade]

I wouldn't be particularly unhappy to see any of those four leave. Not all four, obviously, but any combination thereof.

I know what you mean. In a 4231 type formation they could play in the centre of the three and I think Baxter could play a similar role to Keogh's at Scunny, if we sign Sharp but if NA is going to predominantly play a 442 then I can't see a place for them, other than being bit part players.

 

[Kenilworth]

Your a day late pal, I've been relaxing ever since me and Bladeway/picker? (can't remember, one of the two) came to an understanding.

Mind you, that tends to be the response when a poster is unable to fathom a reply from a debate. It somehow re-directs off topic.

In that case, here's a new avar pic for you

 

[Barney]

In that case, here's a new avar pic for you

View attachment 12555

Wouldn't look half bad that

 

[Pinchy]

That reminds me, did you ever name those players you wanted?

Occasionally I have to spend a bit of time on my day job!

I rarely suggest names of players we should sign. I don't know them well enough. I don't know who is available. I don't know how much "I" have to spend. I don't know their character. I don't have a team of scouts to send all over the country and beyond. I see people rave about Beavon and Madden and Maynard and Blackman and Clarke and Winnall and Clucas and Luke James and various lower league nonentities. Players we must have! How dare we miss out on player Z? Look at Club A, they've signed player X - we've missed out. I look back a couple of years and the players in question have fallen like stones.

My team is SUFC. At League One level I know little and care less about opposition players. Sure, like everyone else I'll say to my mates (OK, acquaintances) at the match "that number 6 of theirs is bloody good..." or some such words, but names don't register. They are the other team. I've no further interest. That would change if we progressed through the higher leagues, where I would recognise a few more.

What I can do is tell you what we need, it's not original but it's what I think:

1. Centre-Back. 24-26 At least 6-2. Wins everything in the air. Intimidates the opposition. Inspires team mates.

2. See above. Another one, but a bit more of a footballer, capable of bringing the ball out and delivering to a nearby midfielder.

Note: there is no room in League One for Terry Kennedy size centre-backs. How many do you see in the opposition line-ups? Yes, I know about the handful of squirts who play in central defence at the highest levels. We all know the names, world-class players. They don't exist at this level. Size matters, though it pains me to say it as a devotee of proper football it's true.

3. A big, powerful centre-forward with a decent first touch. A leader of the line who can get maybe 15 himself but set up another 15 for the team. Someone who never gives the centre-half the chance to smoke a cigar (McNulty need not apply for this one). A Chris O'Grady or similar.

Those are the essentials.

As cherries on the top we could do with an athletic full back who can get forward, a taller, more commanding keeper (No, George, not you) and (fearing that Coutts and Wallace may not yet be match-tuned fit) a tall, athletic midfield general with a bit of vision who can dictate the play. Someone in the mould of the lad Hammond at Leicester, perhaps.

Now then, it's for others who actually see players play to put faces to the job descriptions, not me. I hear people mention names at Shrewsbury and Swindon and Orient and all over the place. They sound like they might fit the bill, but I'm not going to adopt them. Eulogising about players you've hardly seen is rather setting yourself up to fail. I know the players we need are out there and I'm quite sure NA knows exactly who they are.

On the other hand, I would sooner sign nobody at all than have a nostalgic walk down Mediocrity Avenue with the likes of 3.9 goals a season Blackman and Old Gregg Halford.

 

[Bladesway]

Occasionally I have to spend a bit of time on my day job!

I rarely suggest names of players we should sign. I don't know them well enough. I don't know who is available. I don't know how much "I" have to spend. I don't know their character. I don't have a team of scouts to send all over the country and beyond. I see people rave about Beavon and Madden and Maynard and Blackman and Clarke and Winnall and Clucas and Luke James and various lower league nonentities. Players we must have! How dare we miss out on player Z? Look at Club A, they've signed player X - we've missed out. I look back a couple of years and the players in question have fallen like stones.

My team is SUFC. At League One level I know little and care less about opposition players. Sure, like everyone else I'll say to my mates (OK, acquaintances) at the match "that number 6 of theirs is bloody good..." or some such words, but names don't register. They are the other team. I've no further interest. That would change if we progressed through the higher leagues, where I would recognise a few more.

What I can do is tell you what we need, it's not original but it's what I think:

1. Centre-Back. 24-26 At least 6-2. Wins everything in the air. Intimidates the opposition. Inspires team mates.

2. See above. Another one, but a bit more of a footballer, capable of bringing the ball out and delivering to a nearby midfielder.

Note: there is no room in League One for Terry Kennedy size centre-backs. How many do you see in the opposition line-ups? Yes, I know about the handful of squirts who play in central defence at the highest levels. We all know the names, world-class players. They don't exist at this level. Size matters, though it pains me to say it as a devotee of proper football it's true.

3. A big, powerful centre-forward with a decent first touch. A leader of the line who can get maybe 15 himself but set up another 15 for the team. Someone who never gives the centre-half the chance to smoke a cigar (McNulty need not apply for this one). A Chris O'Grady or similar.

Those are the essentials.

As cherries on the top we could do with an athletic full back who can get forward, a taller, more commanding keeper (No, George, not you) and (fearing that Coutts and Wallace may not yet be match-tuned fit) a tall, athletic midfield general with a bit of vision who can dictate the play. Someone in the mould of the lad Hammond at Leicester, perhaps.

Now then, it's for others who actually see players play to put faces to the job descriptions, not me. I hear people mention names at Shrewsbury and Swindon and Orient and all over the place. They sound like they might fit the bill, but I'm not going to adopt them. Eulogising about players you've hardly seen is rather setting yourself up to fail. I know the players we need are out there and I'm quite sure NA knows exactly who they are.

On the other hand, I would sooner sign nobody at all than have a nostalgic walk down Mediocrity Avenue with the likes of 3.9 goals a season Blackman and Old Gregg Halford.

Oh boy that's a good post Pinchers.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Oh boy that's a good post Pinchers.

Its just common sense.

UTB

 

[Barney]

Occasionally I have to spend a bit of time on my day job!

I rarely suggest names of players we should sign. I don't know them well enough. I don't know who is available. I don't know how much "I" have to spend. I don't know their character. I don't have a team of scouts to send all over the country and beyond. I see people rave about Beavon and Madden and Maynard and Blackman and Clarke and Winnall and Clucas and Luke James and various lower league nonentities. Players we must have! How dare we miss out on player Z? Look at Club A, they've signed player X - we've missed out. I look back a couple of years and the players in question have fallen like stones.

My team is SUFC. At League One level I know little and care less about opposition players. Sure, like everyone else I'll say to my mates (OK, acquaintances) at the match "that number 6 of theirs is bloody good..." or some such words, but names don't register. They are the other team. I've no further interest. That would change if we progressed through the higher leagues, where I would recognise a few more.

What I can do is tell you what we need, it's not original but it's what I think:

1. Centre-Back. 24-26 At least 6-2. Wins everything in the air. Intimidates the opposition. Inspires team mates.

2. See above. Another one, but a bit more of a footballer, capable of bringing the ball out and delivering to a nearby midfielder.

Note: there is no room in League One for Terry Kennedy size centre-backs. How many do you see in the opposition line-ups? Yes, I know about the handful of squirts who play in central defence at the highest levels. We all know the names, world-class players. They don't exist at this level. Size matters, though it pains me to say it as a devotee of proper football it's true.

3. A big, powerful centre-forward with a decent first touch. A leader of the line who can get maybe 15 himself but set up another 15 for the team. Someone who never gives the centre-half the chance to smoke a cigar (McNulty need not apply for this one). A Chris O'Grady or similar.

Those are the essentials.

As cherries on the top we could do with an athletic full back who can get forward, a taller, more commanding keeper (No, George, not you) and (fearing that Coutts and Wallace may not yet be match-tuned fit) a tall, athletic midfield general with a bit of vision who can dictate the play. Someone in the mould of the lad Hammond at Leicester, perhaps.

Now then, it's for others who actually see players play to put faces to the job descriptions, not me. I hear people mention names at Shrewsbury and Swindon and Orient and all over the place. They sound like they might fit the bill, but I'm not going to adopt them. Eulogising about players you've hardly seen is rather setting yourself up to fail. I know the players we need are out there and I'm quite sure NA knows exactly who they are.

On the other hand, I would sooner sign nobody at all than have a nostalgic walk down Mediocrity Avenue with the likes of 3.9 goals a season Blackman and Old Gregg Halford.

I agree mostly, however I do think your placing too much emphasis on disregarding a player just because he's played for us before. If it's the right player it's the right player, doesn't matter about previous clubs IMO but each to their own I suppose.

 

[Pinchy]

Oh boy that's a good post Pinchers.

Thank you. You are very kind. I know I'm hard work sometimes but I mean well and there is often a tongue-sized indentation in my cheek.

 

[SUFC Guy]

I agree mostly, however I do think your placing too much emphasis on disregarding a player just because he's played for us before. If it's the right player it's the right player, doesn't matter about previous clubs IMO but each to their own I suppose.

I agree and honestly believe that NA would still go for BS even if he had not played for us before. He is just a player that he obviously knows, loves and trusts to get the job done - whether a main or bit part player.

UTB

 

[Bladesway]

Its just common sense.

UTB

Most good posts are.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Occasionally I have to spend a bit of time on my day job!

I rarely suggest names of players we should sign. I don't know them well enough. I don't know who is available. I don't know how much "I" have to spend. I don't know their character. I don't have a team of scouts to send all over the country and beyond. I see people rave about Beavon and Madden and Maynard and Blackman and Clarke and Winnall and Clucas and Luke James and various lower league nonentities. Players we must have! How dare we miss out on player Z? Look at Club A, they've signed player X - we've missed out. I look back a couple of years and the players in question have fallen like stones.

My team is SUFC. At League One level I know little and care less about opposition players. Sure, like everyone else I'll say to my mates (OK, acquaintances) at the match "that number 6 of theirs is bloody good..." or some such words, but names don't register. They are the other team. I've no further interest. That would change if we progressed through the higher leagues, where I would recognise a few more.

What I can do is tell you what we need, it's not original but it's what I think:

1. Centre-Back. 24-26 At least 6-2. Wins everything in the air. Intimidates the opposition. Inspires team mates.

2. See above. Another one, but a bit more of a footballer, capable of bringing the ball out and delivering to a nearby midfielder.

Note: there is no room in League One for Terry Kennedy size centre-backs. How many do you see in the opposition line-ups? Yes, I know about the handful of squirts who play in central defence at the highest levels. We all know the names, world-class players. They don't exist at this level. Size matters, though it pains me to say it as a devotee of proper football it's true.

3. A big, powerful centre-forward with a decent first touch. A leader of the line who can get maybe 15 himself but set up another 15 for the team. Someone who never gives the centre-half the chance to smoke a cigar (McNulty need not apply for this one). A Chris O'Grady or similar.

Those are the essentials.

As cherries on the top we could do with an athletic full back who can get forward, a taller, more commanding keeper (No, George, not you) and (fearing that Coutts and Wallace may not yet be match-tuned fit) a tall, athletic midfield general with a bit of vision who can dictate the play. Someone in the mould of the lad Hammond at Leicester, perhaps.

Now then, it's for others who actually see players play to put faces to the job descriptions, not me. I hear people mention names at Shrewsbury and Swindon and Orient and all over the place. They sound like they might fit the bill, but I'm not going to adopt them. Eulogising about players you've hardly seen is rather setting yourself up to fail. I know the players we need are out there and I'm quite sure NA knows exactly who they are.

On the other hand, I would sooner sign nobody at all than have a nostalgic walk down Mediocrity Avenue with the likes of 3.9 goals a season Blackman and Old Gregg Halford.

Pinchy, yer've been hacked.

 

[Pinchy]

I agree mostly, however I do think your placing too much emphasis on disregarding a player just because he's played for us before. If it's the right player it's the right player, doesn't matter about previous clubs IMO but each to their own I suppose.

I would look at it from the other end of the binoculars. Yes of course, the right player is the right player, but a Blades association doesn't sway me in favour or, believe it or not, against. I think some of us have selective memories about certain former players. In addition, they often don't improve with age. In other cases their time has been and gone and best left that way. I would sign Maguire tomorrow. For me, he grew into a man under Nigel Clough and would improve us enormously. But I would sign him because I want him; not because I want him back.

We are going to buy Billy Sharp. I wouldn't but NA clearly will. His record in the game entitles him to a casting vote worth one more than 20,000 votes from fanatical onlookers like me and you. So I defer to the man who's proved himself and say "Yeah, sign Billy Sharp". It's a leap of faith we have to make, because with this manager comes our big opportunity. It may not come again for a long time.

I digress. I want Billy Sharp to come to our club and help us out of this quagmire of a division with goals galore. But I want it for me and you and all of us, not as some glorious homecoming and vindication/redemption (depending on your point of view) for Billy Sharp. If he gets a hatful (and by Pele I hope he does as much as the Bladiest of Bladey Blades) then he'll do so because of his quality as a striker, not because he's a Blade.

 

[Pinchy]

Pinchy, yer've been hacked.

Fucking Hell. I must be an extra-marital shagging agency...

Ashley, Ashley....they've done us again love...

 

[Guesty]

I know what you mean. In a 4231 type formation they could play in the centre of the three and I think Baxter could play a similar role to Keogh's at Scunny, if we sign Sharp but if NA is going to predominantly play a 442 then I can't see a place for them, other than being bit part players.

Exactly, they've all got their good points but that's too many players for too few roles, especially if we play a 442 as you say.