Michael Higdon

[bigbirdblade]

Give the guy a break. What bad attitude? A stupid sending off yes against chesterfield but after that injuries and Clough's unwillingness to try anything new put paid to his season. I reckon he could be fantastic with the right man management.

 

[Lightsoot]

Re: Higdon's bad attitude, having watched him live he appeared to be a constant moaner. Wanted the ball exactly to him but wouldn't chase or do any leg work. His body language seemed aggressive to his teammates but he causes frustration due to a lack of movement.

Higdon has been mostly successful wherever he has played so I'm convinced we haven't seen the real him. I think he'll have a good season next year but whether that is with us remains to be seen. Last year, based on his stats, was out of character. I hope he does himself justice because he could do really well for us.

 

[alcoblade]

This really amuses me how other fans saw this "cameo" against Spurs.

What did he actually do ??

Please excuse my lack of understanding here but from where I was sat that night ( and on the replays I saw) what he actually did was clumsily crash in to the Spurs CBs !!!

Now if this is what good looks like, I need a whole different perspective of the game.

UTB

I remember you getting annoyed after he'd played about 90 minutes of football, and I suggested you might gone him more time. You'd already written him off then.

As it happens, I think you're right. I still find it perplexing why anyone suggesting he gets a clean slate draws such anger from you?

UTB

 

[DronnieBlade]

I remember you getting annoyed after he'd played about 90 minutes of football, and I suggested you might gone him more time. You'd already written him off then.

As it happens, I think you're right. I still find it perplexing why anyone suggesting he gets a clean slate draws such anger from you?

UTB

Didn't think I was putting this across in an angry way. Apologies to anyone who took it this way.

I say again, I hope Higdon has a marvellous season and contributes magnificently to our promotion season. The improvement required will need to be monumental but hey ho !!

In the same way I hope its my turn to win the lottery on Wednesday !!!!

UTB

 

[Bugboyblade]

I think he could be the dark horse next season. Didn't really see enough of him to make a firm opinion on him. He's scored goals at all his previous clubs. So was it injury ? Not playing to his strengths ? Fitness ? Not man managed well we don't know. Give him a chance it will be interesting to see him fully fit.

 

[DronnieBlade]

I think he could be the dark horse next season. Didn't really see enough of him to make a firm opinion on him. He's scored goals at all his previous clubs. So was it injury ? Not playing to his strengths ? Fitness ? Not man managed well we don't know. Give him a chance it will be interesting to see him fully fit.

At the risks of sounding like a broken record, we cannot afford to "wait" for Higdon or anyone else to come good. Even for a handful of games.

If promotion is to be achieved, all players will need to be bang at it from game 1.

UTB

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

He was like a big lummox against Swindon at home and they were basically taking the piss out of him by baiting him to get sent off. It was embarrassing for the lad.

Like everyone else has said, be good to see him come good but he's got such a lot of improving to do, fitness wise especially.

 

[Bartleby]

He was like a big lummox against Swindon at home and they were basically taking the piss out of him by baiting him to get sent off. It was embarrassing for the lad.

Like everyone else has said, be good to see him come good but he's got such a lot of improving to do, fitness wise especially.

I remember that, they had to substitute him that game or he would have been sent off for sure. Murphy came on for him, and scored two goals. Seemed Higdon was "unfit" after that and I don't think he played again all season did he (though that maybe says as much about Clough than it does Higdon).

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I remember that, they had to substitute him that game or he would have been sent off for sure. Murphy came on for him, and scored two goals. Seemed Higdon was "unfit" after that.

Exactly. Why is this not mentioned? He was fine when he went off, and afaik was never seen again. (Fwiw I thought this was more of a comment on a gullible ref than Higdon seeing any red mist.) He might have been injured in training but I can't remember us being told that. Were we?

 

[Bartleby]

(Fwiw I thought this was more of a comment on a gullible ref than Higdon seeing any red mist.)

I did as well, a lot of it took place near the technical area and we had a fairly good view of it. Could see the frustration on Higdon's face as he looked to the ref for support, but he was having none of it and he let Swindon get away with some shocking theatrics which would have ended in an (unfair) red card. Hoping to witness us giving Swindon the tonking they deserve next season.

 

[mattbianco1]

I'll tell you why Fulwood.

We need players that will be at full tilt from game 1 to game 46.

We need players that can influence games in an individual and collective sense.

We need players that can, as a bare fucking minimum exhibit basic footballing talent on a consistent basis.

We need players with speed strength and stamina that can, when requested, complete 90 exhausting minutes at maximum intensity.

We need players that have the right attitude and character to help dig in when the chips are down.

Need I go on ?????

No personal agenda here. I hope Higdon has a marvellous season and contributes magnificently to our promotion season.

He won't

UTB

Maybe Higdon sat with 40% of our fans in the "we have no faith in Clough, so whatever he says, i'm not listening" camp?

Maybe he had no respect for Clough.

Maybe he didn't fit into Clough's plans/tactics

Maybe he will act as the perfect partner to a smaller, faster striker (McNulty, Murphy, Sharp)?

 

[mattbianco1]

I remember that, they had to substitute him that game or he would have been sent off for sure. Murphy came on for him, and scored two goals. Seemed Higdon was "unfit" after that and I don't think he played again all season did he (though that maybe says as much about Clough than it does Higdon).

That was Mark Cooper's fault. Horrible tactics, up there with Preston and MK Dons.

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

That was Mark Cooper's fault. Horrible tactics, up there with Preston and MK Dons.

It was Higdon's fault for being susceptible to the horrible tactics and for being daft enough to keep flying in late.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Maybe Higdon sat with 40% of our fans in the "we have no faith in Clough, so whatever he says, i'm not listening" camp?

Maybe he had no respect for Clough.

Maybe he didn't fit into Clough's plans/tactics

Maybe he will act as the perfect partner to a smaller, faster striker (McNulty, Murphy, Sharp)?

All of the above plausible Matt.

As are the opinions that I have expressed.

I believe we have had this conversation before, about 10 months ago ;-)

UTB

 

[Eyeball]

This really amuses me how other fans saw this "cameo" against Spurs.

What did he actually do ??

Please excuse my lack of understanding here but from where I was sat that night ( and on the replays I saw) what he actually did was clumsily crash in to the Spurs CBs !!!

Now if this is what good looks like, I need a whole different perspective of the game.

UTB

No agenda??

 

[Darthblade]

Looking at the goals video from last season he was involved in quite as few at the beginning. Knock ons etc do I think , no pun intended he'll be a big player for us next season. That vid also shows how much we'll miss Baxter and Murphy, if sold

We would miss Baxter like we would miss another miniature CM player. He's talented but ineffective in L1.
UTB & FTP

 

[Darthblade]

There's no doubt that Higdon was a major, major disappointment last season. Never got fit, appeared to have a bad attitude and then was injury prone.

Higdon's form in Holland and Scotland would suggest that he clearly underperformed and that, at League 1 level, he should be doing better.

Higdon did himself no favours but Clough didn't help him either, seldom playing Higdon alongside a recognised strike partner. Ultimately Higdon has himself to blame but I think he could fare better under Adkins.

He'll always lack mobility, but he does know where the goal is and is a presence. I'd be intrigued to see how Higdon would fair if paired up top with Matt Done, or even Che Adams for example.

Higdon could have no complaints if he was moved on in pre-season. But if he comes back from the holidays fit, and trimmer, then maybe Adkins could get the big man's mind right?

Higdon isnt mobile enough and Adams is a young development player.
We need at least one big , fast hungry goalscorer and two CHs before the season starts, not in January when its too late.
UTB & FTP

 

[Lane Ender]

Higdon isnt mobile enough and Adams is a young development player.
We need at least one big , fast hungry goalscorer and two CHs before the season starts, not in January when its too late.
UTB & FTP

Thats the minimum we need throw in a quality creative midfielder as well

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I'm all for that. Think he doesn't have a prayer but prepared to give him a chance under a new Manager.

and I agree with you - but we have an experienced player who might just listen to someone like Adkins. Players like Higdon should realise they are running out of decent clubs to play for, and although last season was disappointing he should have something to offer.

If Adkins decides he is crap, fair enough, but everyone should be given a chance - even Collins for that matter.

To simply discard players on a whim is not the way to do it, and if we were to listen to some of our fans we wouldn't have a bloody squad left as numerous failed to live up the their billing last season.

Once again we have to trust the manager to know what he is doing - hopefully numerous degrees better than Clough.

UTB

 

[Bladesway]

and I agree with you - but we have an experienced player who might just listen to someone like Adkins. Players like Higdon should realise they are running out of decent clubs to play for, and although last season was disappointing he should have something to offer.

If Adkins decides he is crap, fair enough, but everyone should be given a chance - even Collins for that matter.

To simply discard players on a whim is not the way to do it, and if we were to listen to some of our fans we wouldn't have a bloody squad left as numerous failed to live up the their billing last season.

Once again we have to trust the manager to know what he is doing - hopefully numerous degrees better than Clough.

UTB

Problem is you sometimes think it is more important for some people to be proved right than seeing a player succeed.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Problem is you sometimes think it is more important for some people to be proved right than seeing a player succeed.

Once again correct.

I think, like Sitters that Baxter is a waste of space, but would gladly eat my hat if proved wrong.
Same applies to Collins - would love Adkins to make him 20/30% better and be a centre half stalwart next season.

Some I am afraid can't bear to think of Higdon as actually being a decent footballer. Would love him to succeed, it would actually mean we wouldn't need another striker - which is a win, win situation.

Perhaps they are the same who castigated Basham from minute one...............

UTB

 

[Grecian2000]

Problem is you sometimes think it is more important for some people to be proved right than seeing a player succeed.

and I fundamentally disagree with this. Nothing winds me up more than the people who criticise anyone who isn't happy with a performance with the inevitable "You're glad we lost so you can slag them off". Not so, in my opinion. We ALL want us to win and play brilliantly and the only difference is how we react when we, inevitably, don't.

Some players start badly and turn it around (Basham this season, Murphy/Flynn last). I don't think anyone doesn't want this to happen.
Higdon has been an absolute bust so far but I'm sure people would be delighted if he gets a game and knocks in a hat trick. On current evidence (i.e all we've got to go on) this is highly unlikely and that's why people aren't holding their breath on it, not because they really want him to fail.

 

[Bladesway]

and I fundamentally disagree with this. Nothing winds me up more than the people who criticise anyone who isn't happy with a performance with the inevitable "You're glad we lost so you can slag them off". Not so, in my opinion. We ALL want us to win and play brilliantly and the only difference is how we react when we, inevitably, don't.

Some players start badly and turn it around (Basham this season, Murphy/Flynn last). I don't think anyone doesn't want this to happen.
Higdon has been an absolute bust so far but I'm sure people would be delighted if he gets a game and knocks in a hat trick. On current evidence (i.e all we've got to go on) this is highly unlikely and that's why people aren't holding their breath on it, not because they really want him to fail.

Oh I agree but when you read the posts on here it is the absolute opposite.

 

[Bladesway]

Once again correct.

I think, like Sitters that Baxter is a waste of space, but would gladly eat my hat if proved wrong.
Same applies to Collins - would love Adkins to make him 20/30% better and be a centre half stalwart next season.

Some I am afraid can't bear to think of Higdon as actually being a decent footballer. Would love him to succeed, it would actually mean we wouldn't need another striker - which is a win, win situation.

Perhaps they are the same who castigated Basham from minute one...............

UTB

Or those who appear to lie in wait saying nothing until a defeat and then BANG, in they come telling you all along they were "right" and the idiot should be fired, (or tosser or other equally helpful and constructive name). They then melt away until the next defeat or poor performance. I don't deny they actually want us to succeed but when you read through there are serial offenders who will stop at nothing to say "told you so".

 

[Deleted member 875]

The problem with Higdon last season was that he needed a few games to get his fitness levels up, and to settle in to the side. Injuries and suspension initially put paid to that, then he seemed to fall foul of being one of the players Clough would play for a game and then we wouldn't see him for a couple of months.

Last season I thought the tactics we played suited Higdon like a French chauffeur suited Princess Diana. Higdon is a target man, who will link up better when played up front of a smaller, faster striker who can play off Higdon. There was no way he was suited to being the lone front man and expected to chase everything down.

Next season the 2 players I expect to shine under the tutelage of Nigel Adkins will be Higdon and McNulty provided Adkins decides that our best way out of this godforsaken division is to attack, be positive and play 2 up front with an emphasis on creating chances.

 

[Fiery Blade]

Whilst most people on here think that Michael Higdon is useless wasn't he the the guy that came on in the dying minutes of the Capital One cup tie at MK Dons and won the game for us with two goals in as many minutes?
Trouble is, people on here form opinions and nothing will change them - Billy Sharp has been poor in both spells at the Blades, yet, there are still people clamouring for his third return, De Girolamo has yet to prove that he can cut the mustard yet he is hailed as the new Messiah, Collins is a slow leaden footed defender that drops at least one clanger every game, bollocks everyone around him for his errors and yet there were fans begging for us to bring him back and that he would be the answer to our centre back woes !
As Mr Adkins has already stated all players have a clean slate, it is up to them to stake a claim !

 

[super_pig]

i reckon a few might shock people with their sudden 'improvement' actually. at this level a lot of it is in the head

 

[Fulwood Blade]

i reckon a few might shock people with their sudden 'improvement' actually. at this level a lot of it is in the head

it's also about having the correct support from midfield.
Anyone who plays up front may very well have a partner this season.
will be interesting to see what Adkins thinks of our diddymen midfield

UTB

 

[blades78]

I'll tell you why Fulwood.

We need players that will be at full tilt from game 1 to game 46.

We need players that can influence games in an individual and collective sense.

We need players that can, as a bare fucking minimum exhibit basic footballing talent on a consistent basis.

We need players with speed strength and stamina that can, when requested, complete 90 exhausting minutes at maximum intensity.

We need players that have the right attitude and character to help dig in when the chips are down.

Need I go on ?????

No personal agenda here. I hope Higdon has a marvellous season and contributes magnificently to our promotion season.

He won't

UTB

A number of the bloke applies to Mr Baxter as well. I would have shipped me out but his failed drugs test. Got the ability at times, but not quite good enough for us to build a team round.

 

[Bladesman]

Sell him.