Deadbat
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2024/25 SUFC SEASON REVIEW / SCHOOL REPORT: Part 8
Summary / Conclusions and Awards
To conclude, this past season started with a lot of uncertainty (the disaster of last season/the points deduction, the ownership being in limbo and even there being real doubts over the retention of Chris Wilder). We ended up statistically have a far better season than we thought, looked like we would go up but then dipped at the end but seemed to recover and at half time we were 45 minutes from achieving our goal. It all went wrong, as it always does at Wembley and really hurt but you have no option but to try and bounce back. At least next year, we may win some games but the longer you stay out of the top flight, the harder it gets and the money imbalance becomes such a factor. I cannot say I have really enjoyed this season which is weird – course it was better than the trainwreck of last season and we beat Wednesday twice and had some moments in the playoffs and indeed other games. However, we struggled against the better teams (lost 6-7 to the promoted sides) and the football was not great for long spells even if we won a lot of games. In an ideal world, you want to win and be entertained. We did the former for most of the season but then came up short to the style and how we played resonates even more. The club at least got took over and the ownership issue is sorted – even if we are not sure of the plans of the new guys – and the manager you would expect would remain for now. We have some good young players in Peck, Arblaster, Seriki, One etc and made some really smart signings in Cooper and Burrows so the basis for a side that should easily be around the top places (top 6) next season is still there – even if some or all of Anel, Souza and Hamer move on. Still, as I write this, I cannot stop thinking of the moment here or there at Wembley when if we do something different (manager/player etc) we are promoted at the first attempt. We do seem to be unlucky as a club (VAR) but also the mentality when it matters at big games is lacking – no matter who the manager/players are.
Deadbat’s Awards for 2024/25
Player of the Season: Cooper (Last season –Hamer)
Runner up: Hamer (Last season – Robinson)
Third: Peck (Last season – Bogle)
*Souza and Souttar did not play enough games to be considered
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Moment of the season: The derby double – beating them once is always good, twice is superb and no matter how tight the games are- it is still a highlight when you have the bragging rights. The home win and second half performance against Bristol City was great too.
Worst moment of the season: Has to be Wembley I am afraid. The VAR moment was cruel but we still led but the moment that slow shot from Watson nestled into the corner, I wanted the ground to open and swallow me up. It was an absolute gut wrencher akin to the Hopkin, Simo moments at the stadium. In terms of the regular season, the defeat at Plymouth effectively ended any chances of promotion. As I walked back to the front and stood near the lighthouse, I ate my Tesco meal deal and it started pouring it down. That was a low point!
Goal of the season: Hamer v Coventry – ahead of Moore at Cardiff.
Best individual display: Hamer v Boro. I gave him 8.5 (not sure I gave a 9 all season?) but Souza was also given a few 8.5 (Stoke/Watford home) marks and Souttar was superb against Wednesday but Hamer looked the best player in the league in that first half v Boro and ran the game.
Best team performance of the season: Coventry 3-1 (H). The game that made us think we were going up. We were excellent that night. Then it all went wrong! The two Bristol City games we played very well of course.
Worst team performance of the season: Plymouth 1-2 (A). I thought we were awful in all three games – the big ones we lost but Plymouth against the worst side in the league (at the time), the way we threw the game away and promotion stands out. We had some real grinders even in terms of wins, but I thought we were worse against Portsmouth than Hull and somehow won that game but suppose got to pick a loss.
Pass of the season: Peck v Middlesbrough. A beautiful through ball that dissected the defence and led to Brereton Diaz scoring.
Save of the season: Cooper v Bristol City. The header from Armstrong seemed to go past him but he somehow reached back to make the save.
Most improved player: Seriki. Souza or Ahmedhodzic are good shouts here and Brewster became respectable at least but Seriki went from not being someone who could not even get in the Rochdale and Rotherham teams to a viable top level Championship starter.
Unsung hero: Tom Davies. O’Hare has worked hard at times and McCallum always did a job when he came on but Davies fought back and despite struggling with injuries became liked by United fans. Choudhury and McCallum always did a job wherever called upon and played various positions.
Biggest disappointment (player): Tom Cannon. I think Moore did not have the impact we hoped but Cannon’s signing so far has been a disaster. He has contributed next to nothing and seems a complete waste of money.
Best opponent (player) v United: Tommy Watson. Sunderland. Outstanding at the Lane and tore us apart but then he scored the winner at Wembley. Not far behind was Dan James. He looked excellent in both games and everything decent came from him. Josh Murphy was very good for Portsmouth too and someone I would like us to sign.
Worst opponent (player) v United: Dickie – Bristol City. To get sent off twice is some achievement and both games turned on such decisions. Both were correct too and almost identical as he chopped down attacking players as the last man! Travers – Middlesbrough. We had a couple of other red cards – Swansea (Darling) and Sunderland (Mepham) and also an own goal (Tymon for Swansea) but think the keeper for Boro was at fault for 3 goals and was decidedly dodgy all game.
Signing of the season: Michael Cooper. Burrows has been a great buy and should improve but Cooper was better than anyone thought and hopefully will be our number one for years to come.
Worst signing of the season: Tom Cannon. See above. I was disappointed though with Brereton Diaz too.
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Thanks for reading if you managed to stay with it!
---
Up the Blades!
Twitter - @Deadbat_DB
I have put it on our word press account also so people can view it on there also:
https://tuftyclubsufc.wordpress.com/
Summary / Conclusions and Awards
To conclude, this past season started with a lot of uncertainty (the disaster of last season/the points deduction, the ownership being in limbo and even there being real doubts over the retention of Chris Wilder). We ended up statistically have a far better season than we thought, looked like we would go up but then dipped at the end but seemed to recover and at half time we were 45 minutes from achieving our goal. It all went wrong, as it always does at Wembley and really hurt but you have no option but to try and bounce back. At least next year, we may win some games but the longer you stay out of the top flight, the harder it gets and the money imbalance becomes such a factor. I cannot say I have really enjoyed this season which is weird – course it was better than the trainwreck of last season and we beat Wednesday twice and had some moments in the playoffs and indeed other games. However, we struggled against the better teams (lost 6-7 to the promoted sides) and the football was not great for long spells even if we won a lot of games. In an ideal world, you want to win and be entertained. We did the former for most of the season but then came up short to the style and how we played resonates even more. The club at least got took over and the ownership issue is sorted – even if we are not sure of the plans of the new guys – and the manager you would expect would remain for now. We have some good young players in Peck, Arblaster, Seriki, One etc and made some really smart signings in Cooper and Burrows so the basis for a side that should easily be around the top places (top 6) next season is still there – even if some or all of Anel, Souza and Hamer move on. Still, as I write this, I cannot stop thinking of the moment here or there at Wembley when if we do something different (manager/player etc) we are promoted at the first attempt. We do seem to be unlucky as a club (VAR) but also the mentality when it matters at big games is lacking – no matter who the manager/players are.
Deadbat’s Awards for 2024/25
Player of the Season: Cooper (Last season –Hamer)
Runner up: Hamer (Last season – Robinson)
Third: Peck (Last season – Bogle)
*Souza and Souttar did not play enough games to be considered
---
Moment of the season: The derby double – beating them once is always good, twice is superb and no matter how tight the games are- it is still a highlight when you have the bragging rights. The home win and second half performance against Bristol City was great too.
Worst moment of the season: Has to be Wembley I am afraid. The VAR moment was cruel but we still led but the moment that slow shot from Watson nestled into the corner, I wanted the ground to open and swallow me up. It was an absolute gut wrencher akin to the Hopkin, Simo moments at the stadium. In terms of the regular season, the defeat at Plymouth effectively ended any chances of promotion. As I walked back to the front and stood near the lighthouse, I ate my Tesco meal deal and it started pouring it down. That was a low point!
Goal of the season: Hamer v Coventry – ahead of Moore at Cardiff.
Best individual display: Hamer v Boro. I gave him 8.5 (not sure I gave a 9 all season?) but Souza was also given a few 8.5 (Stoke/Watford home) marks and Souttar was superb against Wednesday but Hamer looked the best player in the league in that first half v Boro and ran the game.
Best team performance of the season: Coventry 3-1 (H). The game that made us think we were going up. We were excellent that night. Then it all went wrong! The two Bristol City games we played very well of course.
Worst team performance of the season: Plymouth 1-2 (A). I thought we were awful in all three games – the big ones we lost but Plymouth against the worst side in the league (at the time), the way we threw the game away and promotion stands out. We had some real grinders even in terms of wins, but I thought we were worse against Portsmouth than Hull and somehow won that game but suppose got to pick a loss.
Pass of the season: Peck v Middlesbrough. A beautiful through ball that dissected the defence and led to Brereton Diaz scoring.
Save of the season: Cooper v Bristol City. The header from Armstrong seemed to go past him but he somehow reached back to make the save.
Most improved player: Seriki. Souza or Ahmedhodzic are good shouts here and Brewster became respectable at least but Seriki went from not being someone who could not even get in the Rochdale and Rotherham teams to a viable top level Championship starter.
Unsung hero: Tom Davies. O’Hare has worked hard at times and McCallum always did a job when he came on but Davies fought back and despite struggling with injuries became liked by United fans. Choudhury and McCallum always did a job wherever called upon and played various positions.
Biggest disappointment (player): Tom Cannon. I think Moore did not have the impact we hoped but Cannon’s signing so far has been a disaster. He has contributed next to nothing and seems a complete waste of money.
Best opponent (player) v United: Tommy Watson. Sunderland. Outstanding at the Lane and tore us apart but then he scored the winner at Wembley. Not far behind was Dan James. He looked excellent in both games and everything decent came from him. Josh Murphy was very good for Portsmouth too and someone I would like us to sign.
Worst opponent (player) v United: Dickie – Bristol City. To get sent off twice is some achievement and both games turned on such decisions. Both were correct too and almost identical as he chopped down attacking players as the last man! Travers – Middlesbrough. We had a couple of other red cards – Swansea (Darling) and Sunderland (Mepham) and also an own goal (Tymon for Swansea) but think the keeper for Boro was at fault for 3 goals and was decidedly dodgy all game.
Signing of the season: Michael Cooper. Burrows has been a great buy and should improve but Cooper was better than anyone thought and hopefully will be our number one for years to come.
Worst signing of the season: Tom Cannon. See above. I was disappointed though with Brereton Diaz too.
---
Thanks for reading if you managed to stay with it!
---
Up the Blades!
Twitter - @Deadbat_DB
I have put it on our word press account also so people can view it on there also:
https://tuftyclubsufc.wordpress.com/
