Squad 24/25 Season

[BigBed]

..............................Davies
.............................(Grbic)

Gilchrist.....Souttar......Robinson......Burrows
(Shackleton)...(Anel)...(Trusty)...(McCallum)

.......Arblaster.......Souza.......Brooks
........(Davies)........(Peck).....(........)

.....................O'Hare.......Hamer
..........................(Slimane)

............................Moore
..........................(Brewster)

Goalkeeper desperately required.

Defensively we look OK, but I don't like that we have two attacking LWBs and two less technically gifted RWBs.

Midfield looks good on paper, but any injuries and we're struggling.
We could really do with getting a few in.

Likewise, up front.

I think we probably need GK, RB, CM, LM & RM, CF x 2.
We need a couple of players that are capable of beating a man. We had it in spades the season we went up (Berge, Ndiaye, Bogle etc.). Real shame we lost the latter.

Don't forget Mcatee, all we care about is James Mcatee!!

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Don't forget Mcatee, all we care about is James Mcatee!!

Incredible options for this level.

Keep it tight & let one of them win it for you. We spent most of the season with injuries in double figures and still pissed it in the end.

We're a long way off that level as it stands.

 

[BigBed]

Incredible options for this level.

Keep it tight & let one of them win it for you. We spent most of the season with injuries in double figures and still pissed it in the end.

We're a long way off that level as it stands.

We can only dream mate, unless Wilder is very confident he can gel this squad, which I expect he will
Queue the Nursery Tavern and a barrel of Cruzcampo!!

 

[mattbianco1]

Assuming we get Cooper and Rak-Sakyi, I think we need another Striker then we're there.

 

[mattbianco1]

Not sure where Bannan fits in though

 

[Shadota]

Not sure where Bannan fits in though

At the dole office?

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

Probably too early to do positions as some may leave still but how I see it right now...

???/Davies

Gilchrist/Shackleton
Souttar/Anel
Robinson/Trusty
Burrows/McCallum/RND

Arblaster/Souza
Hamer/Davies

???/Slimane
O'Hare
???/Brooks

Moore/Brewster

Reckon we need 3 more starters for the 11 then squad players. Not counted Faxon, Peck or Marsh. Grbic has gone for me

 

[s8_blade]

Probably too early to do positions as some may leave still but how I see it right now...

???/Davies

Gilchrist/Shackleton
Souttar/Anel
Robinson/Trusty
Burrows/McCallum/RND

Arblaster/Souza
Hamer/Davies

???/Slimane
O'Hare
???/Brooks

Moore/Brewster

Reckon we need 3 more starters for the 11 then squad players. Not counted Faxon, Peck or Marsh. Grbic has gone for me

I think Anel will start instead of Robinson and Souza will start with Hamer further forward

 

[Pintor75]

Looks a decent team on paper, surely we'll do something with these lads, our best looking midfield for last 3 years imo, just need a Keeper and even Adkins could coach em

 

[CaptainMorgans]

.............................(Grbic)

Gilchrist.....Souttar......Robinson......Burrows
(Shackleton)...(Anel)...(Trusty)...(McCallum)

................Arblaster.......Souza......
................(Davies)........(Peck).....

...........JRS..........O'Hare.......Hamer
...(T.Campbell).....(Slimane)...(Brooks)

..........................Moore
.......................(Brewster)

If we bring in JRS and T Campbell as rumoured it starts to take some shape.

Still wouldn't want us to rely on T Davies, Peck, A Brooks, Slimane or Brewster as backup.
I'd always prefer for us to treat the academy graduates as free hits, great if they can contribute but not to be relied upon.
T Davies and Brewster, for different reasons, should also be treated in a similar vain.

On that basis, we're a CF (or 2) a LW, a CM (or 2) and a first choice GK away from a solid squad. 2 loan spots left to use (after JRS arrives), so will need 3/4 permanents.

A lot still to do, but in better shape than we started last season.

 

[The Fox]

Since the sale of Osula for £10/15m , the rejected bid for Vini of £15m i was wondering what the value of our current 1st team squad is and how that compares with what it cost.

I ignore Transfermarket and the like but could make a case for the current squad to be over £100m not including loanees of course

Also realise that £100m gets you 1 player at the elite level which is bonkers

Its cost a fraction of that due to the academy graduates and some canny buying probably half that amount

I know people like to point out the cost of Brewster etc but still done some decent business

We can all have our silly fantasy football guesses at values but credit where its due

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

Update..

Got 27 players in our squad with needing 20 for a match day.

Cooper
Davies
Grbic

Gilchrist
Shackleton
Seriki
Anel
Souttar
Robinson
Trusty
RND
McCallum
Burrows

Arblaster
Souza
Davies
Peck
Slimane
Brooks
Coulibaly
Hamer
O'Hare
Rak-Sakyi

Brewster
Campbell
Moore
Marsh

 

[loyalblade95]

Could we potentially have something like this. Potential signings are in italics.

-------------------Cooper
Gilchrist-Souttar-Mepham-Burrows
------------Arblaster-Hamer*
--------Brooks-Billing*-Johnston
-------------------Moore

Subs: Davies, Trusty, JlT, McCallum, Peck, O'Hare, Rak-Sakyi, Campbell, Cannon

Based this off of two departures in Souza and Anel, as well as takeover.

Put *'s next to Billing and Hamer to indicate that we could swap positions and have Billing alongside Arblaster with Hamer in the 10.

Not sure how strong our links to Mepham are but seen people saying he could play LCB.

Obviously that would be a dream end to the window but we'll see what happens.

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

Couple of strikers needed

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

I'd say this is our main 25 man squad who were given squad numbers the other week. Other youth players not mentioned to fill in for injuries/suspensions.

Cooper
Davies
Grbic

Gilchrist
Shackleton
Seriki
Anel
Souttar
Robinson
RND
McCallum
Burrows

Arblaster
Souza
Davies
Peck
Brooks
Coulibaly
Hamer
O'Hare
Rak-Sakyi

Brewster
Campbell
Moore
Marsh

 

[UddersBlade]

I'd say this is our main 25 man squad who were given squad numbers the other week. Other youth players not mentioned to fill in for injuries/suspensions.

Cooper
Davies
Grbic

Gilchrist
Shackleton
Seriki
Anel
Souttar
Robinson
RND
McCallum
Burrows

Arblaster
Souza
Davies
Peck
Brooks
Coulibaly
Hamer
O'Hare
Rak-Sakyi

Brewster
Campbell
Moore
Marsh

We are a decent striker short of a very good squad. I fear we will lack goals with this squad this season. Play offs at best.

 

[Champagneblade]

I'd say this is our main 25 man squad who were given squad numbers the other week. Other youth players not mentioned to fill in for injuries/suspensions.

Cooper
Davies
Grbic

Gilchrist
Shackleton
Seriki
Anel
Souttar
Robinson
RND
McCallum
Burrows

Arblaster
Souza
Davies
Peck
Brooks
Coulibaly
Hamer
O'Hare
Rak-Sakyi

Brewster
Campbell
Moore
Marsh

There is an article by Ali Maxwell commenting that we have the biggest drop off in quality between the first XI and the back ups:

"The biggest gap of any team" - EFL pundit identifies "massive" Sheffield United concern

Ali Maxwell has concerns about whether Sheffield United have enough depth in the squad to maintain a promotion challenge.

footballleagueworld.co.uk

In contrast there is an article by Adrian Clarke saying how he likes the look of the incomings:

"I really like the new-look Sheffield United" - Pundit drops exciting Blades prediction

Adrian Clarke has backed Sheffield United to strongly compete for promotion in the latest episode of the 'What The EFL?!' podcast

footballleagueworld.co.uk

I don’t mind Ali Maxwell and on the face of it he could well have a point. But I also think that perception is due to the fact that we have a number of unknown quantities and I quite like this. The alternative is often round the block journeymen eating up your wage bill.

Having seen Shackleton for more minutes and heard him interviewed, I think he could be an underrated signing.

in fact we have 9 defenders covering 4 positions and if we end up giving Seriki games then, from what I’ve seen recently of him, that might not be a bad thing. We are lean but have some flexibility. Likewise having a pathway for Sasnauskas to gate crash the squad is a good thing.

I think we all know that if we lose a midfielder then Gus is going in there and Brooks will take the other wide spot. If we lose two then this opens a pathway for Peck which is a great opportunity. It could also mean O’Hare dropping deeper and playing a forward a little more withdrawn like Brewster or Campbell. There isn’t a reliance on Davies but hopefully he can get fit again.

I do like the hope it gives to anyone not in the XI and of course an injury ravaged team missing 8 or 9 is going to sting.

Marsh might take more time but it’s hard not to be encouraged by Campbell’s efforts in the U21s since arriving.

I kind of like the balance to be honest, provided we avoid an injury plague.

We’re not wasting 100s of pounds on players who are not contributing and we give a chance for some exciting youth players to emerge and have reduced the wage bill dramatically too.

A quarter of the squad are some form of youth graduate, up to a third if you include Faxon, Sasnauskas, Boyes, and Oné.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

There is an article by Ali Maxwell commenting that we have the biggest drop off in quality between the first XI and the back ups:

"The biggest gap of any team" - EFL pundit identifies "massive" Sheffield United concern

Ali Maxwell has concerns about whether Sheffield United have enough depth in the squad to maintain a promotion challenge.

footballleagueworld.co.uk

In contrast there is an article by Adrian Clarke saying how he likes the look of the incomings:

"I really like the new-look Sheffield United" - Pundit drops exciting Blades prediction

Adrian Clarke has backed Sheffield United to strongly compete for promotion in the latest episode of the 'What The EFL?!' podcast

footballleagueworld.co.uk

I don’t mind Ali Maxwell and on the face of it he could well have a point. But I also think that perception is due to the fact that we have a number of unknown quantities and I quite like this. The alternative is often round the block journeymen eating up your wage bill.

Having seen Shackleton for more minutes and heard him interviewed, I think he could be an underrated signing.

in fact we have 9 defenders covering 4 positions and if we end up giving Seriki games then, from what I’ve seen recently of him, that might not be a bad thing. We are lean but have some flexibility. Likewise having a pathway for Sasnauskas to gate crash the squad is a good thing.

I think we all know that if we lose a midfielder then Gus is going in there and Brooks will take the other wide spot. If we lose two then this opens a pathway for Peck which is a great opportunity. It could also mean O’Hare dropping deeper and playing a forward a little more withdrawn like Brewster or Campbell. There isn’t a reliance on Davies but hopefully he can get fit again.

I do like the hope it gives to anyone not in the XI and of course a ravages team missing 8 or 9 is going to sting.

Marsh might take more time but it’s hard not to be encouraged by Campbell’s efforts in the U21s since arriving.

I kind of like the balance to be honest, provided we avoid an injury plague.

We’re not wasting 100s of pounds on players who are not contributing and we give a chance for some exciting youth players to emerge and have reduced the wage bill dramatically too.

I still think we left ourselves a little short.
We really needed a CF, a right footed LW, a defender (either RB or CB given Gilchrist's versatility) and possibly even a CM.

We had two loan slots left to use and the free agent market was very reasonable for Championship squad players.
The likes of Tom Cannon, Jeremy Sarmiento, Mikey Johnstone - all heavily linked but didn't materialise.
And I've seen plenty of free agents move this week such as Stuart Armstrong, Steven Alzate, Liam Cooper, who all could have done a decent job when needed.

It was clear Wilder wanted more, he seemed to expect more also. Something seemed to go off at Board level towards the end of the window. Wilder's best mate referenced him being "prevented from bringing anybody in" and when asked about transfers Wilder looked visibly uncomfortable.

Thankfully for us, the academy lads seem well up for the challenge.
But it's a risk to expect them to be up to the challenge consistently. It could work, but I don't remember many top two sides relying so heavily on unknown quantities.
The key thing is, the squad seems really united and they're playing for Wilder. We've been a fun team to watch this season.
We just need to get a little more professional at seeing things out now.

 

[jim2007]

The alternative is often round the block journeymen eating up your wage bill.

Excellent point, very well put.

 

[Champagneblade]

I still think we left ourselves a little short.
We really needed a CF, a right footed LW, a defender (either RB or CB given Gilchrist's versatility) and possibly even a CM.

We had two loan slots left to use and the free agent market was very reasonable for Championship squad players.
The likes of Tom Cannon, Jeremy Sarmiento, Mikey Johnstone - all heavily linked but didn't materialise.
And I've seen plenty of free agents move this week such as Stuart Armstrong, Steven Alzate, Liam Cooper, who all could have done a decent job when needed.

It was clear Wilder wanted more, he seemed to expect more also. Something seemed to go off at Board level towards the end of the window. Wilder's best mate referenced him being "prevented from bringing anybody in" and when asked about transfers Wilder looked visibly uncomfortable.

Thankfully for us, the academy lads seem well up for the challenge.
But it's a risk to expect them to be up to the challenge consistently. It could work, but I don't remember many top two sides relying so heavily on unknown quantities.
The key thing is, the squad seems really united and they're playing for Wilder. We've been a fun team to watch this season.
We just need to get a little more professional at seeing things out now.

Good points and I’m not saying we couldn’t have felt more secure bringing in more experienced players there.

But I just like that Peck will get a go now. He looks to be grasping the nettle.

Brooks will get more game time. He’s been arguably our best player.

There is a chance that Oné, with his stature, breaks in and causes a bit of a shock. We might be able to build Marsh up through cameos.

There’s just something wholesome about that dynamic.

Hopefully we can manage that rather than circumstances thrusting them in but genuinely excited to see what these young lads can add.

I missed out Buyabu. He could also add to the mix.

 

[Stretch]

There is an article by Ali Maxwell commenting that we have the biggest drop off in quality between the first XI and the back ups:

"The biggest gap of any team" - EFL pundit identifies "massive" Sheffield United concern

Ali Maxwell has concerns about whether Sheffield United have enough depth in the squad to maintain a promotion challenge.

footballleagueworld.co.uk

In contrast there is an article by Adrian Clarke saying how he likes the look of the incomings:

"I really like the new-look Sheffield United" - Pundit drops exciting Blades prediction

Adrian Clarke has backed Sheffield United to strongly compete for promotion in the latest episode of the 'What The EFL?!' podcast

footballleagueworld.co.uk

I don’t mind Ali Maxwell and on the face of it he could well have a point. But I also think that perception is due to the fact that we have a number of unknown quantities and I quite like this. The alternative is often round the block journeymen eating up your wage bill.

Having seen Shackleton for more minutes and heard him interviewed, I think he could be an underrated signing.

in fact we have 9 defenders covering 4 positions and if we end up giving Seriki games then, from what I’ve seen recently of him, that might not be a bad thing. We are lean but have some flexibility. Likewise having a pathway for Sasnauskas to gate crash the squad is a good thing.

I think we all know that if we lose a midfielder then Gus is going in there and Brooks will take the other wide spot. If we lose two then this opens a pathway for Peck which is a great opportunity. It could also mean O’Hare dropping deeper and playing a forward a little more withdrawn like Brewster or Campbell. There isn’t a reliance on Davies but hopefully he can get fit again.

I do like the hope it gives to anyone not in the XI and of course an injury ravaged team missing 8 or 9 is going to sting.

Marsh might take more time but it’s hard not to be encouraged by Campbell’s efforts in the U21s since arriving.

I kind of like the balance to be honest, provided we avoid an injury plague.

We’re not wasting 100s of pounds on players who are not contributing and we give a chance for some exciting youth players to emerge and have reduced the wage bill dramatically too.

A quarter of the squad are some form of youth graduate, up to a third if you include Faxon, Sasnauskas, Boyes, and Oné.

Maxwell has got it mostly right, but we also aren't a million miles away from where we need to be.

I genuinely don't think there are many teams who can beat our starting 11. Burnley and West Brom perhaps, Leeds?...not so sure, and then one or two others who will really 'click' as the season progresses such as Coventry. We have real quality in each of those starting slots.

Beyond that we look at the bench:

- Whichever of Brooks or Rak-Sayki are benched, Robinson and McCallum could regularly start in a top 6 side imo.

- Campbell, Shackleton and RND are also in that conversation, but everything hinges on their consistent fitness.

- We then have the likes of Peck and Marsh who are showing about as much potential as we could possibly hope for, but probably aren't consistent enough to start regularly in a top team.

- Brewster is a grafter but would never get near a top end side because of his scoring record.

- Davies is a mid table keeper, solid enough but not really a stand out performer. Fine as back up though.


As several have repeatedly said, we around 3-4 players short - CF, RB/CB and a CM (unless Davies is fit and firing soon).

Add in the above and we are amongst the strongest squads in the division.

 

[BrisBlade]

I thought the squad rules were a maximum 25 senior players born before Jan 1 2004 and all loans count as senior. If so, do we have one too many? I think only Faxon, One, Peck, and Nwachukwu count as under 21. Baptiste and Brookes both born in 2003 I believe. Have I missed something or is CW having a difficult conversation tomorrow?

 

[BrisBlade]

I thought the squad rules were a maximum 25 senior players born before Jan 1 2004 and all loans count as senior. If so, do we have one too many? I think only Faxon, One, Peck, and Nwachukwu count as under 21. Baptiste and Brookes both born in 2003 I believe. Have I missed something or is CW having a difficult conversation tomorrow?

PS - Aware the post a couple above includes Blaster who is out, but doesn't includes Shackleton. So the problem still exists. Baptiste could go back to the 21s I guess.

 

[MayorOJC]

I thought the squad rules were a maximum 25 senior players born before Jan 1 2004 and all loans count as senior. If so, do we have one too many? I think only Faxon, One, Peck, and Nwachukwu count as under 21. Baptiste and Brookes both born in 2003 I believe. Have I missed something or is CW having a difficult conversation tomorrow?

Baptiste and Brooks both count as U21. It's 21 years old or younger on Jan 1 2024

 

[Bladezz]

^^^ Look at the squad from first post

(30 players)

Cooper
Davies
Faxon

Seriki
Clarke (L)
Gilchrist (L)
Baptiste
Anel
Holding (L)
Robinson
RND
Burrows
McCallum

Souza
Choudhury (L)
Peck
Davies
Arblaster
Hamer
O'Hare
Brooks
Rak-Sakyi (L)

Moore
Cannon
Brewster
BBD (L)
Campbell
One
Cáceres
Nwachukwu

Looks so much healthier now.

In the next window we hags to just replace the loans. Much easier to scout and plan than a huge overhaul of players.

With the club in a position like it is we could always sell a bigger name Anel / Hamer etc invest the money in the squad and continue to develop.

Exciting times.

 

[BrisBlade]

Baptiste and Brooks both count as U21. It's 21 years old or younger on Jan 1 2024

I think you are right... I was going off an article on FourFourTwo which said born on or after 1 January 2004 but I suspect that is a mistake.

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

^^^ Look at the squad from first post

(31 players)

Cooper
Davies
Faxon

Seriki
Clarke (L)
Gilchrist (L)
Baptiste
Anel
Holding (L)
Robinson
RND
Burrows
McCallum

Souza
Choudhury (L)
Peck
Davies
Arblaster
Shackleton
Hamer
O'Hare
Brooks
Rak-Sakyi (L)

Moore
Cannon
Brewster
BBD (L)
Campbell
One
Cáceres
Nwachukwu

 

[Cappy]

As a side note, a player who is on loan to us is allowed to be be made permanent, outside of the transfer window. The transfer window restricts players registering with new teams, not changing their contractual status

So we can still ‘fix’ the 6 loanee issue

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

As a side note, a player who is on loan to us is allowed to be be made permanent, outside of the transfer window. The transfer window restricts players registering with new teams, not changing their contractual status

So we can still ‘fix’ the 6 loanee issue

Ideally 1 of the 6 I think we should try sign permanently. They're all available and fit and we need everyone as possible.

 

[Champagneblade]

As a side note, a player who is on loan to us is allowed to be be made permanent, outside of the transfer window. The transfer window restricts players registering with new teams, not changing their contractual status

So we can still ‘fix’ the 6 loanee issue

Although not cheap, you’d imagine BBD is the obvious one that we’d have no qualms having with us next year regardless of the division.