Can't believe how may negative words are getting said about Quinny on here - absolutely sums up how much some have grown apathetic or even self-critical of all things SUFC...
If any one player deserves any credit what so ever for their performances last season its Quinn - don't get me wrong I have, prior to last season, been ultra critical of Quinny, not least because at times it was so fustrating to see a player with clear ability but not achieving his potential. However, last season he completely transformed not only mine, but many peoples opinion of him. Some may argue that he was simply the best of a bad bunch, but in reality i think he finally found his "role" and developed a footballing maturity last season.
People forget that Squinny is still quite a young footballer, and consistency and development (expecially for midfield players) tend to come in the mid-20's, exactly as we've seen with him.
Not only the technique aspect, but he was the ONLY player who i would consider did a proffessional job last year, and the ONLY player who played like he gave a damn, and similarly the ONE player who looked absolutely devestated after every game lost and as the inevitable relegation was confirmed. He was also one of only a few players to continuously have the balls to come and applaud the fans after every one of those games, whether the result was good or bad, and the first to come and show his appreciation to the Blades' support as we sang our hearts at the point of relegation.
He is one of only maybe 3 or 4 players (Morgs, Monty, Kozzy and him) who I think deep down, really hurt following last season, and didn't just say they were gutted when really they don't give too much thought to it other than hoping they still get to cash their oversized cheques at the end of each month.
Been at the club for nearly a decade now, and for all his downs and critism, the one thing I can say is he has always given 100% and when "on it", Quinny has always been one of the few too excite me with his quality and technique. Its easy to criticse people for backing players based on just thier effort (like we do with Monty for example - god love him but he's not in the same bracket as Quinn), but with Quinny we can all see (or those not completely looking for any reason to take a pop at the club or its players) he is much more than just effort, and should the call come from a club like Swansea, QPR, or whoever, then we can surely admit that he is obviously not a bad player after all.
We'll definitely miss him if and when he does leave, and for those lamenting him for only starting to play for the latter end of last season, can I ask...
If you want to criticise anyone for thier performance last season, surely its wiser to aim the fury at those who didn't "start playing" at ALL last season (aka Ched, Cresswell, Nos, Yeates et al) rather than the ONE player who actually did put in the effort?? And to say you "wouldn't want him next to me in the trenches" - i'd say quite the opposite, when all around him showed no sign of effort or even caring of the dire situation, quinn stood up and counted and, in Morgs absence, showed the only quality of leadership in the squad, by being an example to those failing around him of what we demand from our players, and what is needed when to going gets tough - much rather him in our trench, than the pitiful performances of Yeates and his neshing out of tackles and running blindly into players and showing absolutely no effort or care for this club...
Well done Quinny for your performances last season, the ONE and ONLY senior player who can take any deserved credit from last season, and that comes from someone who has slagged you to high heaven at times in the past, but i'm pleased to say you have proved me and many more wrong, and if/when you leave you should be afforded the same respect that we hold for all the other blades who have had the honour to play for this club of ours for so very long.
UTB!!