Sometimes it's hard to change clubs. Even for Billy Sharp.

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DronnieBlade said:
This weekends squad will be more than interesting.

The inclusion of Clarke over Sharp, will signal the end of his time here.

Of that I have no doubt whatsoever.

UTB
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Absolutely no chance that CW would put Clarke on the bench over Sharp is there?!

Sharp should be starting for me in a game where we have a good chance of creating chances.
 



Kanye said:
Can't agree. Michael Owen was very much an exceptional case.

Every player is different, some peak early, some peak late.

Look at the 2 best players in the world in the last decade: Messi and Ronaldo, players who, at their peak, were capable of 60+ goals a season. They weren't capable of doing that at any age though.
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Ronaldo ripped Neville a new one as a youngster, it was on his recommendation that Ferguson signed him. Just been listening to Guardiola and his desperation to fit Phil Foden into his team. He reckons game time is what youngsters need to bring them on. Alan Hansen's ' you never win anything with kids' retort proves, given a chance, young players can be the answer.
 
derekacorah said:
I know this is not at all the point of your OP but the reason that Billy wasn't successful the first 2 times around was that he was played in the wrong position. The other teams he played for (and now CWAK) know that his strengths lie in being on the end of balls into the box.

Our managers at the time used to have him running the channels and providing for others. Don't get me wrong, he's good at this and still does a job at this now when called upon, however he needs to be in the box for the chances to be "successful" as a striker (i.e. scoring goals).
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And as Wilder knows full well the service to get to that point is lacking.

Elsewhere Ive made a case for L.Freeman and I think he is essential if we are to acore more goals. Might concede a couple more though. Thats Wilder's dilemma.

You're right thats not at all the point of the o.p.but some cant read it properly anyway.
 
snootyfenooty said:
What on earth are you talking about. Soton was 6 games in and he wasn't selected as a starter in any of them. He's missed the "opportunity" in the last two games due to his red card and he wouldn't have started in them either. We'll see in the upcoming fixtures so stop making daft comments in the meantime.
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What on earth am I talking about? I'm talking about Billy Sharp.

How is my comment daft? The reason Billy Sharp was in the BT studio rather than on the bench (in Leon Clarke's spot) was due to his sending off. That's not a daft comment, it's the truth.

You're right, he didn't start the first 6 games, but neither did Lys Mousset: but because Mousset wasn't suspended, and has arguably shown more promise in his recent substitute appearances, he's probably ahead of Billy now in the 'pecking order'. No player has made a convincing stake for their place though, it's wide open: they've all contributed 1 goal each, and not one player's form has been particularly consistent.
My point is though, that nobody is denying anyone the opportunity for him to "show what he can do". His goal against Bournemouth was great, his sending off the other week is a disappointment. If he wants to earn a starting place, he's perfectly capable, and no-one is standing in his way.

And as for your comment about Billy not starting whether he was suspended or not: that's conjecture.
 
Kanye said:
What on earth am I talking about? I'm talking about Billy Sharp.

How is my comment daft? The reason Billy Sharp was in the BT studio rather than on the bench (in Leon Clarke's spot) was due to his sending off. That's not a daft comment, it's the truth.

You're right, he didn't start the first 6 games, but neither did Lys Mousset: but because Mousset wasn't suspended, and has arguably shown more promise in his recent substitute appearances, he's probably ahead of Billy now in the 'pecking order'. No player has made a convincing stake for their place though, it's wide open: they've all contributed 1 goal each, and not one player's form has been particularly consistent.
My point is though, that nobody is denying anyone the opportunity for him to "show what he can do". His goal against Bournemouth was great, his sending off the other week is a disappointment. If he wants to earn a starting place, he's perfectly capable, and no-one is standing in his way.

And as for your comment about Billy not starting whether he was suspended or not: that's conjecture.
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Well its difficult to argue against your level of expertise if you can identify who's showing the most "promise" and their place in the pecking order in their few minutes worth of cameo performances as a sub. I suppose my level of understanding of football is far inferior to yours as I am unable to identify that Billy's "form has not been particularly consistent" during his 64 minutes worth of game time spread over 6 matches. (During which time he managed to score a goal incidentally).

In other words what a load of bollocks.
 
snootyfenooty said:
Well its difficult to argue against your level of expertise if you can identify who's showing the most "promise" and their place in the pecking order in their few minutes worth of cameo performances as a sub. I suppose my level of understanding of football is far inferior to yours as I am unable to identify that Billy's "form has not been particularly consistent" during his 64 minutes worth of game time spread over 6 matches. (During which time he managed to score a goal incidentally).

In other words what a load of bollocks.
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Why are you being so sarcastic and condescending? We're both blades, can we not have a reasonable discussion?

Mousset being ahead of Sharp is just my opinion, as is just about everything else I write - this is a football forum.

If you disagree, why don't you say why? If all you do whenever anyone disagrees with you is dismiss their opinion as bollocks, I fail to see what you get out of your reply.

All the best, up the blades.
 
Kanye said:
Why are you being so sarcastic and condescending? We're both blades, can we not have a reasonable discussion?

Mousset being ahead of Sharp is just my opinion, as is just about everything else I write - this is a football forum.

If you disagree, why don't you say why? If all you do whenever anyone disagrees with you is dismiss their opinion as bollocks, I fail to see what you get out of your reply.

All the best, up the blades.
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The sarcasm and condescension started in your silly post #12. You have since relegated Sharp below Mousset in the pecking order as you claimed Mousset was showing more promise and Billy (amongst others) wasn't showing any consistency. All in 64 minutes of game time during which he scored. So yes, I have disagreed but contrary to you saying otherwise I have said why, the proof is in the pudding - a paltry amount of game time, scored once. I could also add proven goalscorer, leading scorer over last few years, not being given a start despite last years heroics, dearth of goals from other strikers etc etc.
 
Just for the record, my O.P. does not state an opinion that Billy Sharp cannot score goals in the Championship or even the Premier League.

My O.P. does not express any opinion whether Sharp should be in the starting line up.

The O.P. simply points out that as big a legend as Sharp is, he nevertheless found it hard to make a goalscoring impression at some new clubs when he was settling in.

After those barren periods he picked up his record and built on it. That's what good players do, but they can't turn it on like a tap, particularly when they most want to do so at a new club.

A couple of posters either can't absorb post content or they don't wish to. One on here is just looking for a fight.

Another pertinent point is that goalscoring is only part of the role of any forward and there are numerous levels to Wilder's reasoning for giving players game time in front of Sharp who's age also has to be a factor in a long season. We will need him in the 38th game as well as the 8th.
 
snootyfenooty said:
The sarcasm and condescension started in your silly post #12. You have since relegated Sharp below Mousset in the pecking order as you claimed Mousset was showing more promise and Billy (amongst others) wasn't showing any consistency. All in 64 minutes of game time during which he scored. So yes, I have disagreed but contrary to you saying otherwise I have said why, the proof is in the pudding - a paltry amount of game time, scored once. I could also add proven goalscorer, leading scorer over last few years, not being given a start despite last years heroics, dearth of goals from other strikers etc etc.
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I apologise if post #12 came across that way, it wasnt my intention - which particular part did you find sarcastic/condescending?

That's fair enough, though I'd stick to my point about consistency: while I admit that 64 minutes isn't much time at all, hes managed to bag a goal, yet also get sent off. I feel that illustrates the inconsistency I was talking about IMO.

And again, that minimal amount of game-time was partly due to the manager not selecting him in the first few games, but recently it's been due to his suspension.

Billy is a hero of mine, a genuine club legend in my eyes so I would love to see him play more games from an emotional point of view. You're right that he's been our top scorer for the last few seasons, but he's also 33 years old.
I think he'll get more game time, and more goals as the season goes on, but I can understand why other players have been favoured thus far. Robinson and Mousset have pace, McGoldrick is the best at linking the flat 3 with the attack and McBurnie is our only real striker that looks an aerial threat.

As I said before, no striker has really made a convincing claim to be automatic 1st choice, and it will be horses for courses until they do.
 
Dronfield Blade said:
Good post, I do worry that in this day and age fans expect instant results and that culture bothers me.

The likes of Mcburnie and Robinson will only improve under Wilder (like Stevens and Lundstrum ect.) but the fans dont seem to learn from the past.

Don't get me wrong I have often questioned why a player is in the starting line-up but I don't go actively out of my way to slate a player like you see on this forum, twitter and facebook.

Many fans say that there is no loyality from footballers, but can you blame them? A couple of bad games and fans turn on them.

This is not a swipe at our fans but football fans in general. People lack patience.
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You are right but.......
we haven't got the time for them to develop we need some kind of performance err now. And by that I mean goals.
 
Cerberus Blade said:
Players are like flowers. Some bloom early and fade. Some look like they are never going to flower, then they bloom very late. Some hardly bloom at all. Very few are perennials.

In the case of Sharp, he used to remind me a lot of Clive Mendonca. Sensational in our reserves, but couldn't do it in the first team - then sensational for other teams after we'd sold him. Since he's come back I think he's been in the form of his life. He's a late bloomer for Sheffield United in that respect. He looks fitter and stronger now than he ever did and his contribution to the team is excellent. I'm of the opinion that we'd have had more points on the board now if he'd played more. I hope he's in the starting 11 this weekend at Watford.

As for the others - I think you're right - we don't expect the likes of McBurnie and Robinson to be in the same class as Sala, Mane, Firminho - the question is are they good enough to cut it at this level? and we don't know that yet. I'm confident that Mousset is though, based on what I've seen so far. And as for McGoldrick, I think he's more than capable of competing at this level, but not as a striker, as a midfield player.
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using the gardening analogy .when adkins bought him back he was stood amid a lot of manure for 12 months , which helped him bloom the following summer
after being fallow for 12 months
 
Duffy's dad reckons Sharp won't be here for much longer due to "Herr Wilder" and wanting to justify his new signings. Screenshot_20191002-193041.pngScreenshot_20191002-193115.png
 



Woodwardfan said:
If you study Billy Sharp's career statistics you will see that our legend and captain certainly had difficulty finding his scoring boots at a new club when playing above the L.1. level.

Our 3 new strikers cost a lot of money in our terms, but are very modest signings for the Premier League.

We needed 10 players to make up a P.L. squad and we bought 8 and kept Freeman (K) and Clarke. We spent around £43m (est.), not a lot of money at this level.

The following players were signed elsewhere in the P.L. last summer:, Joelinton £40m at Newcastle, Pepe Arsenal £72m, Perez £30m Leicester, Southampton Adams £15m, Ings £20m, Brighton £20m Maupay, Wesley Villa £22m, West Ham Haller £45m.

Ings and Haller are doing OK at this stage. The rest are settling-in somewhat and are seasoned professionals.

Career records for our new lads show that Mousset ( 23 years old) had his best season at Le Havre in French League 2 when he was 19 y.old and he scored 14 of his 18 career goals.
McBurnie ( just 23 years old), in the last season and a half scored 9 at Barnsley and 22 at Swansea and they are 31 out of his 40 career total.
Robinson (24 y.old) scored 19 in 68 games in the last 2 seasons and has scored 37 in his career.

These lads are under severe pressure in the P.L. and at a new and bigger club with 30000 crowds; the attendances at Stamford Bridge and Goodison Park were dreams just a few months ago. We bought potential, not the finished product, which was out of the question. The quicker they settle in the better and let's wish them all the success they and we dream about. Our manager has staked a big proportion of his club budget on the lads and expects a return from their development. It might not bear fruit before Xmas even but they are on good contracts and will produce at some stage, maybe even this weekend. Even if it's not until next season we have bought young lads of good character with a group ethos. Two have been successful this past year or so and our manager thinks they have what it takes. Mousset is an intriguing player with obvious talent and not much experience; a very brave acquisition but not done without good reason for sure, this is Wilder we are talking about!!

I don't think we had the opportunity to sign Defoe or another experienced veteran striker, nor could we afford the wages anyway. In any case perhaps they would not have lasted a full season fitness-wise and would have wanted a two year contract, maybe 3. Defoe was sub at Rangers when I've watched them.

We have invested for the 'here and now' and definitely for the future as well. Let's give the lads every encouragement at this critical stage of their careers. Much depends on them and of course Sharp and McGoldrick; a very good 5 man strike force in a really good squad, probably the best we have ever had in depth and quality since the 1970's.

Always remember that criticism of the players, including ' just not good enough at this level', is a direct criticism of our manager - give him and the players your total backing and the lads will settle in all the better. There's real pressure on the manager, despite his record. The owner and any potential new owners/ investors will be watching closely how he spends his budget and manages at this level. If anything, Wilder has usually signed more experienced players in the past, but he is building for the future and this season is not the 'end-game'.

P.S. Sharp was 21 when he re-signed for us in 2007 and in that spell he scored 8 goals in 51 appearances in the Championship. I am a big Billy Sharp fan, always was, but even with all his ability, things sometimes take a while.
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Great post Woody lad.
 
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DronnieBlade said:
This weekends squad will be more than interesting.

The inclusion of Clarke over Sharp, will signal the end of his time here.

Of that I have no doubt whatsoever.

UTB
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I wish it signalled the end of your time on here
 
BladeFisher said:
You are right but.......
we haven't got the time for them to develop we need some kind of performance err now. And by that I mean goals.
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We do have time, if we keep playing like we are I'm more than confident we will stay up, at thats the main target this season.

Also what do you propose as the alternative? Sign some experienced prem striker?

Both tactically and financially, this is the smartest route we can take. Cherry pick the talented youth from lower leagues and develop them, obviously they all wont work out.

Also, buying young brings resale value if they have to drop back down in to the championship.

Personally, give me Robinson and Mcburnie over an experianced prem striker in his last days. UTB
 
Dronfield Blade said:
We do have time, if we keep playing like we are I'm more than confident we will stay up, at thats the main target this season.

Also what do you propose as the alternative? Sign some experienced prem striker?

Both tactically and financially, this is the smartest route we can take. Cherry pick the talented youth from lower leagues and develop them, obviously they all wont work out.

Also, buying young brings resale value if they have to drop back down in to the championship.

Personally, give me Robinson and Mcburnie over an experianced prem striker in his last days. UTB
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Looking 'big picture' the stakes are high as it all plays out.

Our manager is going to work closely with Van Winkel who has the European perspective.

These recent signings were all from Wilder's team, or were they? Maybe The Moose was from Van man.

Either way we want Wilder to be happy and in control. The success of our new man can strengthen his hand.
 
Woodwardfan said:
Sorry DronnieBlade , I have to say that you have contributed nothing on this thread and have been an unwelcome distraction, it might be called attention seeking and certainly interrupted the discussion.
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Wowza.

As the entitled “owner” of the thread, I’ll consider myself told off.

Naughty step or hands on head in corner ??

Fuck me.

UTB
 



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