Deadbat
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2024/25 SUFC SEASON REVIEW / SCHOOL REPORT
As I have traditionally done at the end of the last few seasons; it is that time again when I write a review of the campaign and compile a school report for the different sections of the club. I will look at how they have fared and what are the prospects for next season for each respective department of the club. Fortunately, I did write fait but before the disappointment of the playoff final or my motivation to complete this would have been lacking somewhat!
If anyone wants a full copy in advance then DM me on X/twitter (Deadbat_DB) to send me your e mail address and I will gladly email across.
---
I will begin with the review of the season and then tomorrow will be a breakdown of the club, board, and manager/s. Over the next week, I will then add to this looking at players. each area of the squad beginning with goalkeeper etc. I will look at contract situations (I probably might be wrong with some of these so again come in if I have made mistakes) and what might happen to each area of the team. I will also look at the academy and this year a more in depth look the Women’s side.
---
Feel free to add comments/disagree/debate.....after each post I make.
I have graded the board, the manager, players and the fans; in a traditional school report style of A+ to F- (every player who started at least one game- think I may have graded a few others too).
I have had to grade players based on the games they did play so some players who played a lot more may still get a lower grade despite disproportionate number of games in comparison. I have also tried to discuss some of the U21/U18 players.
I have seen most games this season but there have been the odd ones I have missed.
If I have missed anyone then please say. Feel free to weigh in with critique, opinions and even in some cases agreements!
*I wrote some of this a few weeks ago so elements might be a bit out of date/inaccurate and granted some player contracts/decisions on contracts might be being made, even as I release this.
Part 1: Season review/Stats
After the debacle of the previous summer and then us effectively sleepwalking into a Premier League season, I recall penning my thoughts following the season and it being a tough job to even put finger to keyboard. United had been thoroughly embarrassing on and off the field. I felt for Hecky, and even Wilder who came in, but the latter did not really have any impact, and many (including me) were questioning his return. We had a mini uplift before Xmas but then ended up getting the same sort of hammerings we got under the previous management team and went down with barely a whimper. The only positive is we did beat Derby’s record low points total. I was not feeling confident over the summer. We had the 2 points deduction, and a number of senior players were leaving. Jayden Bogle and Oli McBurnie were both attempted to be retained but both moved on -the former, to rivals Leeds.
We then failed to keep players such as Jebbison and Osula – who had both showed promise at different points. It seemed to take an age to bring players in. We saw uninspiring players signed in McCallum and Shackleton although Kieffer Moore felt a better type of signing. We then managed to snare Callum O’Hare, and you started to wonder if we were trying to proper retool. The signings of Harrison Burrows and Michael Cooper (albeit a week after the season) were exactly the type of player you wanted us to bring in as we had to revamp the squad in terms of its profile and age. We then brought in loan players like Harry Souttar, Jesurun Rak Sakyi and Alfie Gilchrist which all seemed coups. Suddenly, we went from a squad that did not have enough players and had some fans thinking we might be nearer the bottom than the top – to a totally different look and you are thinking, we might be there or thereabouts – at least around the playoffs if not as powerful as the sides like Leeds, Burnley and Luton. I think many thought it might still be a season of transition with younger players and less experience and a lot of changes. We knew that it may take a while but just wanted to see a plan and of course more excitement and wins than the previous campaign!
There was still the upheaval off the field – the deduction meant we were playing catch up on the pitch – but the rumoured takeovers had been in the background for over 2 years but we were still left with Abdullah in charge. The latest rumour over an American consortium taking over continued for the start of the season and it seemed it may never happen until finally the change occurred just before Xmas.
August
United kicked off the season being the opening game – a Sky game at Deepdale. The Blades put in a professional and assured performance with Arblaster scoring a deflected effort and Hamer a beauty- to give United a deserved three points. Sydie Peck laid down a marker with a superb showing in the league cup win over Wrexham with other youngsters Marsh and Hampson also impressing. The Blades were brought back down to earth with a bump as they surged into a two-goal lead against QPR with Hamer scoring again and Moore with his first goal for the club. However, the big striker missed a penalty and Rangers came back to salvage an unlikely draw. A 1-1 draw at Norwich saw Arblaster score again before a defeat at rivals Barnsley saw United go out of the cup and the start to the season had been patchy – but with so many new players to incorporate then it was understandable.
September
A battling 1-0 (OG) home win against Watford, saw several melees and flare ups, setting the scene for the season ahead with this narrative (narrow wins and confrontations on the field) becoming commonplace. United won comfortably at Hull with the O’Hare and Hamer combo working to perfection, replicating their link up from their Coventry days. Ahmedhodzic had a difficult week after a rather public fall out involving his country and then his Dad – but he was pushed to take the acclaim from the fans. A gesture that started to become common place with Wilder’s man management coming to the fore again and again. More Hamer brilliance accounted for Derby at the Lane the following week. A scrappy 0-0 draw on the South Coast (another fracas too!) continued the tight defensive play with another clean sheet and the Blades had not conceded a single goal in the month and were right near the top of the table.
October
Two more routine wins at the Lane followed. Another own goal saw Swansea put away first and then a surprisingly poor Luton side despatched easily with Rak Sakyi scoring both goals. The Blades were now gaining momentum with new signings Cooper and Burrows impressing and Souttar proving a colossus at the back. Ahmedhodzic and Souza both were showing huge turnarounds from disappointing campaigns last season.
Despite this excellent start, there was a nagging fear United had not played any of the better sides and indeed they were well beaten at Elland Road and the Riverside as Leeds and Boro were both too strong. For the first time, you wondered if maybe expecting an automatic challenge may be a step too far. Still, the Blades finished the month with an easy win against Stoke with former Potters striker Campbell scoring the clinching goal. The weeks leading up the game had been extremely difficult for the club after the sad passing of former Blades hero George Baldock, who had tragically been found dead in his apartment in Athens. The club came together to mark their former player as United once again had to deal with another awful event – after Women’s player Maddy Cusack had died last September.
November
The Blades started the month with an excellent and commanding performance at Blackburn Rovers – with goals from Burrows – his first for the club and another for Campbell. Souza continued his imperious displays in the centre of the field and with Cooper and Souttar proving almost impassable, supporters’ expectations now were serious of a return to the top flight. A poor showing at Ashton Gate saw United behind but a superb fightback saw sub One nod in and Burrows driving finish with almost the last kick saw jubilant scenes in the away end. That set things up nicely for the first Steel City derby for 5 seasons. Campbell’s clever finish after more good work from O’Hare and Hamer, was the decisive moment as United did enough to take the bragging rights. Scenes post-game of Wilder celebrating in the pub split opinion across the city but for the Blades they had the spoils and remained kings of the city. The win did come at a cost, as influential midfielder, Arblaster, had damaged his knee to the extent it transpired that he would be out for the season.
Another less than convincing showing away from home followed at Coventry as Ahmedhodzic lost his cool with the irritating Bassette and was sent off as United led twice but were pegged back at the death. The Blades were able to respond with a thumping win over an awful Oxford side at the Lane. Goals from O’Hare, Campbell and Rak Sakyi saw as comfortable a night as you could imagine. The next game was a different type of challenge as an excellent Sunderland side came and took the game to United but the Blades managed to hang on in there – with a Michael Cooper penalty save keeping the score level and both sides had a man sent off. Late on, Tom Davies angled in a winner at the Kop end – leading to delirium as the home side took the big three points in a promotion match up. Davies was carried shoulder high on full time as his long recovery from injury was complete. The Blades ended the month at the summit of the table.
December
The away form in terms of performances had dropped off and again West Brom had the better of the game for long periods but the quality United had in attack saw O’Hare and Campbell turn around a deficit. United could not hang on again and had to take a draw. The following midweek, a gutsy showing saw Brewster break his long goalscoring drought to score the winner at Millwall. Struggling Plymouth came to town in the final home game before Xmas and were the better side for long periods but Hamer and a late Moore striker saw United get the win. Moore than scored two back in his home land, with two superb finishes as Cardiff were seen off. The final two home games of the year saw an injury hit squad struggle and Burnley were the better side in a tight contest and gave United their first home defeat of the season with injuries to Souttar and Souza an even bigger worry. The former joined Arblaster as being out for the season damaging his cruciate ligaments. Souza also was to have another spell on the sidelines after already missing games recently.
As I have traditionally done at the end of the last few seasons; it is that time again when I write a review of the campaign and compile a school report for the different sections of the club. I will look at how they have fared and what are the prospects for next season for each respective department of the club. Fortunately, I did write fait but before the disappointment of the playoff final or my motivation to complete this would have been lacking somewhat!
If anyone wants a full copy in advance then DM me on X/twitter (Deadbat_DB) to send me your e mail address and I will gladly email across.
---
I will begin with the review of the season and then tomorrow will be a breakdown of the club, board, and manager/s. Over the next week, I will then add to this looking at players. each area of the squad beginning with goalkeeper etc. I will look at contract situations (I probably might be wrong with some of these so again come in if I have made mistakes) and what might happen to each area of the team. I will also look at the academy and this year a more in depth look the Women’s side.
---
Feel free to add comments/disagree/debate.....after each post I make.
I have graded the board, the manager, players and the fans; in a traditional school report style of A+ to F- (every player who started at least one game- think I may have graded a few others too).
I have had to grade players based on the games they did play so some players who played a lot more may still get a lower grade despite disproportionate number of games in comparison. I have also tried to discuss some of the U21/U18 players.
I have seen most games this season but there have been the odd ones I have missed.
If I have missed anyone then please say. Feel free to weigh in with critique, opinions and even in some cases agreements!
*I wrote some of this a few weeks ago so elements might be a bit out of date/inaccurate and granted some player contracts/decisions on contracts might be being made, even as I release this.
Part 1: Season review/Stats
After the debacle of the previous summer and then us effectively sleepwalking into a Premier League season, I recall penning my thoughts following the season and it being a tough job to even put finger to keyboard. United had been thoroughly embarrassing on and off the field. I felt for Hecky, and even Wilder who came in, but the latter did not really have any impact, and many (including me) were questioning his return. We had a mini uplift before Xmas but then ended up getting the same sort of hammerings we got under the previous management team and went down with barely a whimper. The only positive is we did beat Derby’s record low points total. I was not feeling confident over the summer. We had the 2 points deduction, and a number of senior players were leaving. Jayden Bogle and Oli McBurnie were both attempted to be retained but both moved on -the former, to rivals Leeds.
We then failed to keep players such as Jebbison and Osula – who had both showed promise at different points. It seemed to take an age to bring players in. We saw uninspiring players signed in McCallum and Shackleton although Kieffer Moore felt a better type of signing. We then managed to snare Callum O’Hare, and you started to wonder if we were trying to proper retool. The signings of Harrison Burrows and Michael Cooper (albeit a week after the season) were exactly the type of player you wanted us to bring in as we had to revamp the squad in terms of its profile and age. We then brought in loan players like Harry Souttar, Jesurun Rak Sakyi and Alfie Gilchrist which all seemed coups. Suddenly, we went from a squad that did not have enough players and had some fans thinking we might be nearer the bottom than the top – to a totally different look and you are thinking, we might be there or thereabouts – at least around the playoffs if not as powerful as the sides like Leeds, Burnley and Luton. I think many thought it might still be a season of transition with younger players and less experience and a lot of changes. We knew that it may take a while but just wanted to see a plan and of course more excitement and wins than the previous campaign!
There was still the upheaval off the field – the deduction meant we were playing catch up on the pitch – but the rumoured takeovers had been in the background for over 2 years but we were still left with Abdullah in charge. The latest rumour over an American consortium taking over continued for the start of the season and it seemed it may never happen until finally the change occurred just before Xmas.
August
United kicked off the season being the opening game – a Sky game at Deepdale. The Blades put in a professional and assured performance with Arblaster scoring a deflected effort and Hamer a beauty- to give United a deserved three points. Sydie Peck laid down a marker with a superb showing in the league cup win over Wrexham with other youngsters Marsh and Hampson also impressing. The Blades were brought back down to earth with a bump as they surged into a two-goal lead against QPR with Hamer scoring again and Moore with his first goal for the club. However, the big striker missed a penalty and Rangers came back to salvage an unlikely draw. A 1-1 draw at Norwich saw Arblaster score again before a defeat at rivals Barnsley saw United go out of the cup and the start to the season had been patchy – but with so many new players to incorporate then it was understandable.
September
A battling 1-0 (OG) home win against Watford, saw several melees and flare ups, setting the scene for the season ahead with this narrative (narrow wins and confrontations on the field) becoming commonplace. United won comfortably at Hull with the O’Hare and Hamer combo working to perfection, replicating their link up from their Coventry days. Ahmedhodzic had a difficult week after a rather public fall out involving his country and then his Dad – but he was pushed to take the acclaim from the fans. A gesture that started to become common place with Wilder’s man management coming to the fore again and again. More Hamer brilliance accounted for Derby at the Lane the following week. A scrappy 0-0 draw on the South Coast (another fracas too!) continued the tight defensive play with another clean sheet and the Blades had not conceded a single goal in the month and were right near the top of the table.
October
Two more routine wins at the Lane followed. Another own goal saw Swansea put away first and then a surprisingly poor Luton side despatched easily with Rak Sakyi scoring both goals. The Blades were now gaining momentum with new signings Cooper and Burrows impressing and Souttar proving a colossus at the back. Ahmedhodzic and Souza both were showing huge turnarounds from disappointing campaigns last season.
Despite this excellent start, there was a nagging fear United had not played any of the better sides and indeed they were well beaten at Elland Road and the Riverside as Leeds and Boro were both too strong. For the first time, you wondered if maybe expecting an automatic challenge may be a step too far. Still, the Blades finished the month with an easy win against Stoke with former Potters striker Campbell scoring the clinching goal. The weeks leading up the game had been extremely difficult for the club after the sad passing of former Blades hero George Baldock, who had tragically been found dead in his apartment in Athens. The club came together to mark their former player as United once again had to deal with another awful event – after Women’s player Maddy Cusack had died last September.
November
The Blades started the month with an excellent and commanding performance at Blackburn Rovers – with goals from Burrows – his first for the club and another for Campbell. Souza continued his imperious displays in the centre of the field and with Cooper and Souttar proving almost impassable, supporters’ expectations now were serious of a return to the top flight. A poor showing at Ashton Gate saw United behind but a superb fightback saw sub One nod in and Burrows driving finish with almost the last kick saw jubilant scenes in the away end. That set things up nicely for the first Steel City derby for 5 seasons. Campbell’s clever finish after more good work from O’Hare and Hamer, was the decisive moment as United did enough to take the bragging rights. Scenes post-game of Wilder celebrating in the pub split opinion across the city but for the Blades they had the spoils and remained kings of the city. The win did come at a cost, as influential midfielder, Arblaster, had damaged his knee to the extent it transpired that he would be out for the season.
Another less than convincing showing away from home followed at Coventry as Ahmedhodzic lost his cool with the irritating Bassette and was sent off as United led twice but were pegged back at the death. The Blades were able to respond with a thumping win over an awful Oxford side at the Lane. Goals from O’Hare, Campbell and Rak Sakyi saw as comfortable a night as you could imagine. The next game was a different type of challenge as an excellent Sunderland side came and took the game to United but the Blades managed to hang on in there – with a Michael Cooper penalty save keeping the score level and both sides had a man sent off. Late on, Tom Davies angled in a winner at the Kop end – leading to delirium as the home side took the big three points in a promotion match up. Davies was carried shoulder high on full time as his long recovery from injury was complete. The Blades ended the month at the summit of the table.
December
The away form in terms of performances had dropped off and again West Brom had the better of the game for long periods but the quality United had in attack saw O’Hare and Campbell turn around a deficit. United could not hang on again and had to take a draw. The following midweek, a gutsy showing saw Brewster break his long goalscoring drought to score the winner at Millwall. Struggling Plymouth came to town in the final home game before Xmas and were the better side for long periods but Hamer and a late Moore striker saw United get the win. Moore than scored two back in his home land, with two superb finishes as Cardiff were seen off. The final two home games of the year saw an injury hit squad struggle and Burnley were the better side in a tight contest and gave United their first home defeat of the season with injuries to Souttar and Souza an even bigger worry. The former joined Arblaster as being out for the season damaging his cruciate ligaments. Souza also was to have another spell on the sidelines after already missing games recently.
