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LouTheBlade

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Without getting carried away I think the performance at St James’ was a pretty good indication of where we are in terms of the squad at the moment. United played quite well for large parts of the first half, particularly in midfield where I thought we started very brightly and closed the ball down well. Sadly though, we showed once again that we lack any sort of incisiveness and invention in the final third and managed to score a goal from an opportunistic flick. We also looked very naive defensively at times and with Newcastle’s attacking quality, they were always likely to find it easy getting in behind us.

I think the game showed our qualities and inadequacies quite clearly and I am in no doubt now as to which players I would keep and which ones I would move on. Unfortunately KB is unlikely to see it the same way as the average fan (i.e. me) but opinion is what makes football so interesting. I took many positives from that game but there were also some glaring issues that stick out in showing that some players just simply aren’t good enough to get us where we want to be. Of the players we currently have at the club I would do my utmost to keep the following;

Paddy Kenny
Best Goalkeeper in the Championship on his day, a true Blade.

Mikhel Aksalu
I would like to see him play before making a judgment.

Derek Geary
There is always room for someone like Del, but he has to prove his fitness.

Nyron Nosworthy
Opinions are divided on him but I think he’s great. He has entertainment value and he’s shown good commitment as a loanee. He would become a Blades favourite.

Chris Morgan
Makes some daft decisions at times but a great captain and we miss his presence when he doesn’t play.

Kyle Bartley
I know this lad had a shocker against Scunny and after starting well has looked a little naive; but he has some terrific attributes and will become a good centre half with experience IMO. We should try and get him on a season long loan if we can.

Gary Naysmith
I am under no illusions regarding his situation and he will probably be moved on because of his salary. If we can afford to keep him we should as Taylor and Stewart should be moved on IMO.

Lee Williamson
Quality player, but should be deployed as a central midfielder and not as a wide player.

James Harper
He blows hot and cold. Has been slightly disappointing considering his pedigree but he has great experience and can do something unique to our squad. He can pass the ball.

Nick Montgomery
Frustrates the bollocks off me and he was diabolical at St James’ but there will be games where he can be used effectively. Very committed ball winner as we all know. I would keep him for now.

Kyel Reid
Hardly seen him play and he is in great form for Charlton. If we can get him settled he would be a good squad player.

Darius Henderson
Some fans don’t like him and he can be a daft sod at times but if we can keep him fit and calm his temper he is a good player to have. He gives us a powerful presence up top.

Richard Cresswell
He is simply our most effective player at the moment. A hard working, honest guy. He will be a mainstay next season.

Billy Sharp
Keep if Blackwell goes. Sell if Blackwell stays.

Jamie Ward
Our best player. Enough said.

Any players not mentioned above should be moved on IMO. Either because I believe them to be over the hill or not good enough. I have heard of a few names mentioned as possible signings, most recently Phil Bardsley this morning but I would like to hear the opinions of fellow Blades. Who would you like to see at the club???
 



That's particularly optimistic but I'd agree with some of those. Last night, the difference was that Newcastle had some Premiership quality while we just had graft. Which United players could have scored the goal Nolan did?

GKs:
Kenny - has a point to prove and should be given the chance to do so.
Aksalu - as back up should see us without issues, we know Blackwell loves the loan market so any injuries could be covered

DF:
Taylor - battles hard but isn't good enough to be first choice left back for a side which should be aspiring towards the playoffs.
Geary - doesn't sound great on an injury front but if we can sign him on a pay-as-you-play deal then that would be good.
Naysmith - it feels like he has a point to prove after missing the entire season. However, his wage demands may preclude that and someone like West Brom / Wolves / Bolton / Blackburn could come calling in the summer.
Morgan - will continue to give the same: total commitment and daft penalties/free kicks.
Seip - if he's cheap...
Bartley - obviously needs games to learn the centre half's trade but given his propensity for mistakes, should that be here or somewhere else?
Nosworthy - is NOT A RIGHT BACK. He looked so uncomfortable with the wingers running at him. If his wage demands aren't exhorbitant he would make a good partner for Morgan in the heart of the defence next year.

MF:
Yeates - Championship winger: not particularly quick, not particularly tricky and not particularly reliable with crossing but does well enough.
Little - turns like a tanker and doesn't have the fitness to play week in week out. Does the quality of his delivery make up for that? Probably not.
Quinn - a difficult one. If someone offers us £1m it would be a good deal for both parties but he could play a key role next season, particularly if Montgomery leaves.
Montgomery - you don't know what you've got til it's gone. Frustrating at times in possession (but if he could pass and dribble like Zidane he wouldn't have been a Blade for 10 years!) and can be troubled by teams who move the ball quickly but he will get stuck in from kick off to full time. If we can keep him then that would be a bonus but probably not worth breaking the bank for - could Quinn fill the Monty role next year?
Harper - doesn't offer enough to justify what would probably be one of the higher wages next year.
Williamson - if he can stay fit, could be an important player next year. Pre-season for him will be vital.
Ward - forget this falling out with Blackwell stuff. Does everyone get on with their manager all the time? Probably one of our better players this season but needs to work on his decision making - when to pass and when to shoot.

FW:
Henderson - probably another high earner who a decent bid should be accepted for. Good with ball to feel but will continue to get sent off for getting too involved with the opposition defence. Look at Carroll last night: yes, he's a complete Charver but he goaded Morgan into giving away a penalty; Henderson would have given away a free kick had it been at the other end. Still, a potential role to play.
Cresswell - grafter with a knack for getting in the right place at the right time. Could well play a pivotal role next season.
Evans - needs to rebuild his confidence but shooting on sight isn't going to do it. Might benefit from a 3 month loan somewhere like Doncaster?!
Sharp - one way or another, I don't think it will ever work out for our Billy. If someone offers us the cash (ie over £1m, Norwich maybe?) then take it and run.

Others:
Reid - if he can sort his head out, deserves another chance.
France - forget it. Evidently not good enough and signed purely to spite Brian Laws, which is in itself a ridiculous decision
Stewart - just not good enough. Release to the MLS or Yeovil or Rotherham.
Fortune - even more error prone than Nosworthy - and in his preferred position. Not worth keeping.

Line-up
GK: Kenny
DR: new / Naughton on loan?
DC: Morgan
DC: Nosworthy / Seip / new
DL: Naysmith / new / Taylor (in that order!)
MR: Ward / Yeates
MC: Montgomery / Quinn
MC: Williamson
ML: New / Reid / Quinn
FW: Henderson
FW: Cresswell

We need another forward (unless Foster can step up?), a right back (academy's strong point...) and a left winger.

UTB!
 
Michael Brown - Imagine a player that could win the ball and distribute it, his shooting skills are unknown as he has not had a shot in roughly half a decade.

La Fondre - Surely worth a cheeky approach if RUFC complete their mission of fucking this season up.

Bradley Wright Phillips - We missed out on Dyer so we could get his partner in crime on the cheap from PAFC.

Darren Ambrose - If SWFC do stay up and CPFC drop then Ambrose has been playing very well this season.

Snodgrass - Same as Rotherham if Leeds balls up this season, have a little go at getting this fella.

Forget the premiership as the only players that are available to SUFC seems to be over paid old shit.
 
There is talk of Phil Bardsley and Nyron Nosworthy although their wages will probably be relatively high for the CCC. If we can stump up for players of their calibre I would look at Michael Brown as well.

In terms of cheaper options Lloyd Sam is a good young winger and out of contract at Charlton.
 
We need a bigger pitch, thought st james looked massive and we used it well in the first half.
 
I propose an award for the earliest suggestion of signing Michael Brown. The leaves aren't even out on the trees yet!

:)

:D someone had to say it. Although Worksop did say it first. I can't see it personally. He will want too much money. I think Pompey will keep him for their CCC campaign anyway. Time and time again we have suggested signing him back over the last few years. I started to think that the older he got, the less appealing it seemed.....

But at the moment we could do with someone sitting in there and knocking the ball around. He would be a more talented alternative to Monty. Browny isn't the same player he was, Spurs saw to that by turning him into a defensive midfielder. But that's exactly the job I would sign him for now.
 
It's a results game, we played well at Newcastle but lost. Wholesale changes required for me starting with KB. If there's any slight suggestion that Sharp and Ward won't be around next season solely because of Blackwell then it spells out his complete lack of man-management skills and he has to go.
 

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