New poster, bit of info

[sheffielder]

I thought he was out of contract this summer?

Also, people who doubt this should know that Clough apparently tried to sign him a number of times for Derby. We shall see if this has legs..

 

[Caveblade]

I thought he was out of contract this summer?

Also, people who doubt this should know that Clough apparently tried to sign him a number of times for Derby. We shall see if this has legs..

Has another year I believe?

 

[Esablade]

Why? Have you been invited to the party?

Only the 'bake-a-cake-bukakku-party' on the other thread...

 

[1889]

I think it's a very realistic possibility, he's obviously frustrated about the current position he finds himself in. The RS interview sounded very much like a plea for someone to get his career back on track. He obviously loves Utd, was at Wembley and will have been as excited as anyone about the cup run and upturn in form under Clough.

Utd are currently a very attractive option for any player but Biily Sharp in particular, he's attached to a club miles from his roots who clearly don't rate him, the terrible loss of his son will put things in perspective and I suspect being around his family will have taken on a much greater importance. The style of play and the motivational skills of Nigel Clough are tailor made to restore him back to a 30 goal a season striker and a natural finisher is exactly what we are lacking. All in all, I see this as a perfect fit for both parties and would be very surprised if it didn't happen.

Mind you I thought David Weir was a great appointment

 

[Banny]

For those who reckon they smell pork, I gave you my BM user name, if it concerns you so much go read my posts from that site, I'm a blade.

For those who think I'm bannopig, i can kinda get why you could think as much with my username being Banny, but again, if it concerns you that much, read the above paragraph, as I'm a blade.

KNOWSNOWT : No need for it fella!!

To everybody who has welcomed me, thanks guys and I look forward to reading some decent stuff

UTB!!

 

[Kenilworth]

Can't see it myself for the following reasons

1. Contracts aren't generally up until the end June / early July so that's when moves occur - not the early part of May
2. He is still under contract with 1 year left - we will not be paying a fee for him, surely
3. His form is utter pants
4. We have been repeatedly told that he does not want to drop into League 1
5. Wages will be a major issue to keep within the FFP guidelines - other clubs may be prepared to pay more
6. He has failed twice already here - for whatever reason - so why risk it again?
7. He is too slow and we need pace up front.

However, the reasons I can see this happening are:
1. His form is so poor he needs a fresh start - and that begins with a full pre season knowing where you are going to be
2. If he wants to get back to his family and is prepared to take a wage cut to sort it then it may have legs - he will also need to cancel his contract with Soton.

On balance I am pretty convinced that this rumour is a dud.

But what do I know?

 

[Torrix1889]

Would be delighted to see Billy back at the Lane but just can't see it.

 

[Banny]

Can't see it myself for the following reasons

1. Contracts aren't generally up until the end June / early July so that's when moves occur - not the early part of May
2. He is still under contract with 1 year left - we will not be paying a fee for him, surely
3. His form is utter pants
4. We have been repeatedly told that he does not want to drop into League 1
5. Wages will be a major issue to keep within the FFP guidelines - other clubs may be prepared to pay more
6. He has failed twice already here - for whatever reason - so why risk it again?
7. He is too slow and we need pace up front.

1. NC has already identified his targets.
2. Players get transferred whilst under contract, us blades should know!
3. Nobody in the country had worse form then utd under DW, look at us now.
4. He said publicly he would sign for donny permanently, who could quite realistically be relagated to league 1 on sat.
5. True.
6. What's he got to lose if he's interested in donny?
7. That's your opinion mate, which I will always respect

UTB!!

 

[Banny]

Welcome aboard. Banny. I seldom read B M are you the Banny who is a Wendy and spends lots of time as a WUM? My apologies if you are not one and the same.

Apology accepted me old

UTB!!

 

[Kenilworth]

7. That's your opinion mate, which I will always respect

Bollocks Even I don't do that

Agree with UTB though

 

[mattbianco1]

I thought he was out of contract this summer?

Also, people who doubt this should know that Clough apparently tried to sign him a number of times for Derby. We shall see if this has legs..

This is nailed on unless Billy has turned into a black man...

Kenilworth - Not sure on contract expiry but he signed for Southampton in January 2012. Wikipedia says 3 and half year deal.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Here's a suggestion to get round the FFP rules.

For instance if Southampton wanted to let Sharp go for nothing to get rid of his £20 grand a week wage bill. We pay Sharp £5k a week and buy him for £750k from Southampton. They then agree to pay him £15k a week for the remainder of his contract. Everybody's happy and the FFP rule hasn't been broken.

Then go to Cardiff and do a similar deal for the beard.

 

[Linz]

I'm watching with interest...

 

[LoughboroBlade]

His record in this division is excellent, and I think his indifferent form at Donny can probably be put down to a combination of his depressing time being frozen out at Southampton, coupled with the depressing environment of Donny Rovers - it's not the same club he's returned to. And neither are we should any move materialise - we're playing just the sort of football I'd expect him to thrive in.

He's 28, and probably unlikely to now be picked up and played regularly by anyone in the top half of the Championship. I would have thought this is exactly the right sort of time for him to come to a club where there's a good environment (something he won't have been a part of for a while), good support for him, and a decent manager that can bring him back into form.

 

[YorkBlade]

I hope Billy is coming back, always love seeing a Blade do well...for the Blades

 

[Bergen Blade]

Mixed views on the Donny forums from what I've read.

"Hes done nothing since the leeds game, hes lucky dickov didn't sub him in every game after that. No effort at all, you can see he's down but where we are at min we cnt afford to carry him.
million pound premiership player ?? I dnt think so."

"I'm sure he didn't expect the fans here to be critical of his performances, and that is probably knocking his confidence as well, ultimately his performances up to now have not been good enough"

"With a solid pre-season under his belt, he's a good bet for a 15+ goal tally in the Championship"

"He ain't getting any younger, neither is he uprooting trees anymore."

"I think half of the recent problems we've had have been as a result of not playing to his strengths, I don't see him ever getting many goals while ever we persist with knocking it long to Brown. Sharp has looked his best when the ball has been played on the deck, rather than being forced to chase nothing balls down the channels." http://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=246411.0

There comes a time for all strikers when they just seem to stop scoring, suddenly or gradually. James Beattie was an example of the former, doing well and scoring goals for Stoke in the Premiership, but then failing to score at all for his next three clubs. The third was his return to Bramall Lane, which we all know didn't work out.

If you look at the leading scorers list in the Premiership there aren't many strikers aged 30+ there. Some can temporarily regain their scoring touch by dropping down a level. (Beattie scored a few for Accrington in League Two after he left us). Sharp's main weakness has always been his lack of pace. It is impressive that he's been able to score as many as he has with such a limitation. It shows that he's been good at other things - determination, a predator's instinct, quick turns, calm head, good finishing technique, anticipation, body strength.

But even though Sharp hasn't relied on pace, there will come a day when his agility, mobility, ability to turn quickly will deteriorate a bit more, meaning that he will require an extra tenth of a second to get shots in, which will see many of them blocked. He's just 28, so he may be able to regain his scoring touch, even at Championship level. But it could also be the case that Sharp's lack of natural athleticism will see his goals dry up quicker than some other strikers. Has it started already? I watched him at the Keepmoat Stadium last month. He had a quiet game, but he did get on the scoresheet - a teammate's header hit him and bounced in. It's hard to make conclusions based on one game. Hard to criticise a poacher who scored a goal.

I think it's vital that we study Sharp's performances this season, not just look at his record and play a few years ago. Clough must also decide if Sharp is the type of striker he needs in his set up next season. It wouldn't be nice to see Sharp being brought back and then not being given his favored role as a goal poacher. What will happen if we do bring Ched Evans back, and he's preferred as our main striker? I can't see Sharp and Evans working well together, and there will be others who can do a better job as a target man or supporting striker.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I think it's a very realistic possibility, he's obviously frustrated about the current position he finds himself in. The RS interview sounded very much like a plea for someone to get his career back on track. He obviously loves Utd, was at Wembley and will have been as excited as anyone about the cup run and upturn in form under Clough.

Utd are currently a very attractive option for any player but Biily Sharp in particular, he's attached to a club miles from his roots who clearly don't rate him, the terrible loss of his son will put things in perspective and I suspect being around his family will have taken on a much greater importance. The style of play and the motivational skills of Nigel Clough are tailor made to restore him back to a 30 goal a season striker and a natural finisher is exactly what we are lacking. All in all, I see this as a perfect fit for both parties and would be very surprised if it didn't happen.

Mind you I thought David Weir was a great appointment

Here's a suggestion to get round the FFP rules.

For instance if Southampton wanted to let Sharp go for nothing to get rid of his £20 grand a week wage bill. We pay Sharp £5k a week and buy him for £750k from Southampton. They then agree to pay him £15k a week for the remainder of his contract. Everybody's happy and the FFP rule hasn't been broken.

Then go to Cardiff and do a similar deal for the beard.

Getting around the FFP is easy.

Buy the season tickets for the BL upper and give them away to the schools each match thus generating the Blades of the future.

Depending how much you want to put in dictates the season ticket price. Could sell them for £750K each if you wanted to do a Man City and there would be sod all the FA could do.

 

[Banny]

I'm watching with interest...

Have I missed something Linz, or are you referring to Knowsnowts warm welcome??

UTB!!

 

[DronnieBlade]

There comes a time for all strikers when they just seem to stop scoring, suddenly or gradually. James Beattie was an example of the former, doing well and scoring goals for Stoke in the Premiership, but then failing to score at all for his next three clubs. The third was his return to Bramall Lane, which we all know didn't work out.

If you look at the leading scorers list in the Premiership there aren't many strikers aged 30+ there. Some can temporarily regain their scoring touch by dropping down a level. (Beattie scored a few for Accrington in League Two after he left us). Sharp's main weakness has always been his lack of pace. It is impressive that he's been able to score as many as he has with such a limitation. It shows that he's been good at other things - determination, a predator's instinct, quick turns, calm head, good finishing technique, anticipation, body strength.

But even though Sharp hasn't relied on pace, there will come a day when his agility, mobility, ability to turn quickly will deteriorate a bit more, meaning that he will require an extra tenth of a second to get shots in, which will see many of them blocked. He's just 28, so he may be able to regain his scoring touch, even at Championship level. But it could also be the case that Sharp's lack of natural athleticism will see his goals dry up quicker than some other strikers. Has it started already? I watched him at the Keepmoat Stadium last month. He had a quiet game, but he did get on the scoresheet - a teammate's header hit him and bounced in. It's hard to make conclusions based on one game. Hard to criticise a poacher who scored a goal.

I think it's vital that we study Sharp's performances this season, not just look at his record and play a few years ago. Clough must also decide if Sharp is the type of striker he needs in his set up next season. It wouldn't be nice to see Sharp being brought back and then not being given his favored role as a goal poacher. What will happen if we do bring Ched Evans back, and he's preferred as our main striker? I can't see Sharp and Evans working well together, and there will be others who can do a better job as a target man or supporting striker.

BB.

I am not wanting to pick a fight here fella. I read your posts and am mostly impressed with your intuitive and insightful take on the beautiful game.

However, IMHO you are as far wide of the mark on your assessment as above as I have ever read you to be. In particular, the pipe dream of an Evans and Sharp front 2 would IMHO tear L 1 a new one.

I would personally love to see Sharp back at bdtbl as I believe he would be an important piece of the jigsaw that we have missed this term.

My only reservations about resigning him, any cost issues aside, would be that the lad has been prone to more than his fair share of "niggly" injuries that could in part explain inconsistency in recent performances.

I would hate us to sign an injury crock !!

With a good pre season behind him, Sharp would be a great addition to most championship clubs so would be a huge coup for a L 1 team.

UTB

 

[Bergen Blade]

BB.

I am not wanting to pick a fight here fella. I read your posts and am mostly impressed with your intuitive and insightful take on the beautiful game.

However, IMHO you are as far wide of the mark on your assessment as above as I have ever read you to be. In particular, the pipe dream of an Evans and Sharp front 2 would IMHO tear L 1 a new one.

I would personally love to see Sharp back at bdtbl as I believe he would be an important piece of the jigsaw that we have missed this term.

My only reservations about resigning him, any cost issues aside, would be that the lad has been prone to more than his fair share of "niggly" injuries that could in part explain inconsistency in recent performances.

I would hate us to sign an injury crock !!

With a good pre season behind him, Sharp would be a great addition to most championship clubs so would be a huge coup for a L 1 team.

UTB

Regarding Sharp I didn't even rule out that he could regain his scoring form in the Championship. If I'd seen him more I'd feel more qualified to make a prediction. My main point is that we should do our homework, study his performances this season, and based on that (rather than his scoring record a few years ago) try to see if he's still what we need.

I can't think of many poacher partnerships that have worked well. Dalglish tried to make Aldridge and Rush work, but had to chose one of them in the end. The formation surely played a part, but there was no room for Shevchenko and Drogba in Chelsea's team a few yeas ago, both wanted to be the focal point of their attacks - the main man. The last time he was here, Sharp struggled to make an impact alongside James Beattie. They weren't even very similar as types, but there was only room for one main poacher.

Having said that, if the level of opposition is low enough, superior players will of course win, even without the "ideal" balance.Let's hope that's the case if Evans and Sharp end up being our striker partnership next season.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Regarding Sharp I didn't even rule out that he could regain his scoring form in the Championship. If I'd seen him more I'd feel more qualified to make a prediction. My main point is that we should do our homework, study his performances this season, and based on that (rather than his scoring record a few years ago) try to see if he's still what we need.

I can't think of many poacher partnerships that have worked well. Dalglish tried to make Aldridge and Rush work, but had to chose one of them in the end. The formation surely played a part, but there was no room for Shevchenko and Drogba in Chelsea's team a few yeas ago, both wanted to be the focal point of their attacks - the main man. The last time he was here, Sharp struggled to make an impact alongside James Beattie. They weren't even very similar as types, but there was only room for one main poacher.

Having said that, if the level of opposition is low enough, superior players will of course win, even without the "ideal" balance.Let's hope that's the case if Evans and Sharp end up being our striker partnership next season.

As usual BB, your critique makes a lot of sense. It's a bit like offering Aretha Franklin a recording contract now because of how she sang 40 years ago. By all means recognise past achievements, but never forget why they belong in the past.

I read somewhere that a poster referred to Sharp as having 'unfinished business' at United. Well, beyond this skewered and sentimental view of football life, Billy has had two opportunities to show us what he's capable of, the last time for a not insubstantial fee. Unfortunately, it never worked out on both occasions.

Most of what we read about Sharp is generated by posters who cling to the dream that things will come good between United and Sharp if only the two can embrace one more time. Lovely dream, the prodigal son returning to help the side he supported as a lad, but that's what it is I believe, a dream.

If we do end up with a front two, one player has to act as a foil for the natural goalscorer. It takes a lot of unselfish work, not to say an unselfish ego, to enable this type of pairing to work. Billy likes to score goals, not, as was once commented on, to be the water carrier.

 

[Pedro Verde]

As usual BB, your critique makes a lot of sense. It's a bit like offering Aretha Franklin a recording contract now because of how she sang 40 years ago. By all means recognise past achievements, but never forget why they belong in the past.

I read somewhere that a poster referred to Sharp as having 'unfinished business' at United. Well, beyond this skewered and sentimental view of football life, Billy has had two opportunities to show us what he's capable of, the last time for a not insubstantial fee. Unfortunately, it never worked out on both occasions.

Most of what we read about Sharp is generated by posters who cling to the dream that things will come good between United and Sharp if only the two can embrace one more time. Lovely dream, the prodigal son returning to help the side he supported as a lad, but that's what it is I believe, a dream.

If we do end up with a front two, one player has to act as a foil for the natural goalscorer. It takes a lot of unselfish work, not to say an unselfish ego, to enable this type of pairing to work. Billy likes to score goals, not, as was once commented on, to be the water carrier.

Are you saying the Queen of Soul belongs in the past

Sharp was unfortunate last time he was here on 2 counts he had Blackwell as manager and James Beattie was also here and the focal point of the attack, Sharp had to do the fetching and carrying for Beatie and more often as not ended up out wide which obviously didnt suit his game.
Sharp is not 'in form' for Donny atm, if he did come back he should find his scoring touch in L1 but I wonder if the expectation levels with him returning to BDTBL may prove too much.

 

[mattbianco1]

Spoke with someone who knows Sharp's family yesterday and they said "the rumour isn't as far fetched as it sounds".

The did reiterate it's far from a done deal, but said it has been put to him and Southampton

 

[itsinyerblood]

Are you saying the Queen of Soul belongs in the past

Sharp was unfortunate last time he was here on 2 counts he had Blackwell as manager and James Beattie was also here and the focal point of the attack, Sharp had to do the fetching and carrying for Beatie and more often as not ended up out wide which obviously didnt suit his game.
Sharp is not 'in form' for Donny atm, if he did come back he should find his scoring touch in L1 but I wonder if the expectation levels with him returning to BDTBL may prove too much.

No mate, Ms Franklin of her Columbia/Atlantic days was the vocal equivalent of a great sports person, but like all great talents, her voice was a thing of beauty that was, at some point, going to give way to the wear and tear that happens to any professional singer. She can still belt out a number, but where there was once the ambidextrous skill of someone that deserved all the accolades that came her way, she's no longer that singer.

You could well be right about expectation levels about Sharp, not his fault of course, but I do think he has a body of support who think that this time he'll become our version of Gerd Muller. Can't see it myself, and I think the golden spell he had at Scunny was when Billy couldn't put a foot wrong, never to repeat that feat again.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Spoke with someone who knows Sharp's family yesterday and they said "the rumour isn't as far fetched as it sounds".

The did reiterate it's far from a done deal, but said it has been put to him and Southampton

Clough was asked by Paul Walker about Sharp - answer was something like "we are aware of his situation". No denial of interest, which is something Clough has done on one or two past targets.

 

[Rossb123]

Looks like Clough will look to bring in at least two strikers to play alongside Baxter, before the potential arrival of Mr Evans. I think Miller and Porter will be released, Baxter best position is behind the striker so we don't really have any strikers. I really hope the Sharp rumour is true, like some of the posts above there's nothing better than seeing a true blade being a success in a blades shirt. With the way Clough likes to play he will fit perfectly into the system, In Clough we trust!

 

[wizadry]

Could someone tell me what sort of wage drop he would have to take?
If anyone knows.

 

[Latters]

Could someone tell me what sort of wage drop he would have to take?
If anyone knows.

A very, very big one? Not sure if that helps.

 

[Sirius]

Looks like Clough will look to bring in at least two strikers to play alongside Baxter, before the potential arrival of Mr Evans. I think Miller and Porter will be released, Baxter best position is behind the striker so we don't really have any strikers. I really hope the Sharp rumour is true, like some of the posts above there's nothing better than seeing a true blade being a success in a blades shirt. With the way Clough likes to play he will fit perfectly into the system, In Clough we trust!

OP suggested a deal by Sunday last. Any further info.?

 

[cooperblade]

Struggling to see how Sharp would fit into our current set up. We've been making do with Baxter up front but his lack of height and pace has made us quite easy to defend against - Sharp would work harder but wouldn't rectify the main problems. I also don't think we've making been making but missing loads and loads of chances.

I'd rather see us sign a striker who is more of a handful for defenders and will allow the likes of Scougall, Baxter, Murphy and Flynn to play off him. Someone tall, strong, quick with a good touch who can finish - should be loads of those knocking about in L1!