Squad reshape this summer

[Harry's Game]

Exclusive ..

Just come across a copy of the notes from Wilder and Hoyland’s meeting from earlier in the summer to discuss recruitment strategy

 

[Champagneblade]

We have no legs in midfield and no width? We have two wingers who will likely compete for the right side in Donovan and Chong.
We also have Peck, Blaster, O'Hare in midfield with Hamer usually deployed out left who have legs. In Hamer he tends to come off after 60 mins though.

The way I see it is we lack depth and competition. With a notable area of quality lacking in CB to compete with and play with Tanganga.
Sure Tanganga didn't have a fantastic season last season but he was one of the best CB's in the league before hand. Reckon with a better partner next to him he can flourish again.

As it stands right now we can field a decent first 11. But I'd like to see more quality in there and deffo on the bench.

Currently I'd field:
Cooper,
Seriki, Tanganga, Baptiste (If he's stepped up enough) McCallum,
Donovan/Chong, Peck, Reidewald, Hamer,
O'Hare
Bamford

You could swap O'Hare for a striker etc.

But fresh injection of players over the summer usually helps kick teams on. We need some good signings to come in, unless a few from the youth can step up.
Baptiste and One if they are ready can be like new signings.

That’s it.

It’s not as if we can’t put a team out or have zero depth all over.

Our back up fullbacks are Doherty and Burrows at present. Our back up midfield is Arblaster and Rothwell. Our arguably back up right winger was at the World Cup. Campbell and Cannon may not make the XI.

We’re not bad off, it’s just the lack of movement to get the squad we want that frustrates and of course the obvious 2 or 3 difference makers that we may need to show patience for.

 

[JohnDenver]

That’s it.

It’s not as if we can’t put a team out or have zero depth all over.

Our back up fullbacks are Doherty and Burrows at present. Our back up midfield is Arblaster and Rothwell. Our arguably back up right winger was at the World Cup. Campbell and Cannon may not make the XI.

We’re not bad off, it’s just the lack of movement to get the squad we want that frustrates and of course the obvious 2 or 3 difference makers that we may need to show patience for.

You’re right, but I do think healthy squads are refreshed every summer, and there are too few new faces (as yet).

The danger I see is one of stagnation and the potential for a couple of injuries to make us weak in key areas.

A bit more churn in the squad (outgoings and decent incomings), and I’d be happier.

 

[The Fox]

The frustration of many managers says something more about the state of the game than individual clubs.

The transfer values are escalating , income is static ( for most) , and clubs already losing money ( almost all) , are bound by more regulation .

The only out is to be a selling club , developing talent although most PL transfers are for foreign players not EFL players , so who's buying ? .

I expect the regulations will calm the market in the EFL as its designed to do, and more EFL clubs will be forced to develop their own players , which is how it should be.

This window however has alot if managers owners and supporters scratching thier heads.

Think the message for all the above is to wait , keep calm and simply manage what you can .

 

[HOT CURRIE 10]

We have no legs in midfield and no width? We have two wingers who will likely compete for the right side in Donovan and Chong.
We also have Peck, Blaster, O'Hare in midfield with Hamer usually deployed out left who have legs. In Hamer he tends to come off after 60 mins though.

The way I see it is we lack depth and competition. With a notable area of quality lacking in CB to compete with and play with Tanganga.
Sure Tanganga didn't have a fantastic season last season but he was one of the best CB's in the league before hand. Reckon with a better partner next to him he can flourish again.

As it stands right now we can field a decent first 11. But I'd like to see more quality in there and deffo on the bench.

Currently I'd field:
Cooper,
Seriki, Tanganga, Baptiste (If he's stepped up enough) McCallum,
Donovan/Chong, Peck, Reidewald, Hamer,
O'Hare
Bamford

You could swap O'Hare for a striker etc.

But fresh injection of players over the summer usually helps kick teams on. We need some good signings to come in, unless a few from the youth can step up.
Baptiste and One if they are ready can be like new signings.

As said there are no legs in midfield,Peck a good player but hardly quick or athletic,Ollie-not quick at all,Hamer-not,O’Hare-a jack russel and not quick.
Width-Chong hahaha
Donovan-young and totally inexperienced.
Tanganga-he was a decent centre back with a big guy at the side of him to help him out. Bindon bailed him out many times last season with lapses of concentration,poor ball play and poor positioning.

 

[Champagneblade]

After today's press conference it seems now it's more about getting the better deal for Gus.

He goes, as our best player. That being said, I think he would openly admit he's very much been a square peg in a round hole at left side to accomodate others or make up for his defensive limitations.

1. Probably the most obvious one; play Burrows there and have him and McCallum together.
2. O'Hare out wide and cutting in, and play more of a 4-4-2 with likely Cannon coming in.
3. Play One there as a wide forward.
4. Chong is actually left footed. Him and Donovan out wide would be an option.

In all likelihood it's a great opportunity for a loanee. No conventional rival at this point. If fit, pretty much a guaranteed starter.

I can see BBD being a target, but I wouldn't pay over the odds. It's clear Saints don't want him so sending them cash their way for a player not in their plans would seem unnecessary.

 

[Zeblades34]

Foo kin Nowan is coming in on loan i here

 

[Keen Blade]

The frustration of many managers says something more about the state of the game than individual clubs.

The transfer values are escalating , income is static ( for most) , and clubs already losing money ( almost all) , are bound by more regulation .

The only out is to be a selling club , developing talent although most PL transfers are for foreign players not EFL players , so who's buying ? .

I expect the regulations will calm the market in the EFL as its designed to do, and more EFL clubs will be forced to develop their own players , which is how it should be.

This window however has alot if managers owners and supporters scratching thier heads.

Think the message for all the above is to wait , keep calm and simply manage what you can .

Championship has been living dangerously beyond its means for a very long time.
For years folk have said
"A big club will go pop sometime".
Well ,
They might not be the biggest , but Leicester and the pigs ought to be a lesson to everyone.
We all know the pigs cheated the apocalypse only with the EFL's help.
I don't know enough detail about the Foxes to comment fully.
But a re-set is required at our level for those without parachutes.
And the Blades need to stop chasing the dragon , with big fees & loans on big wages ,
and start acquiring younger players with potential and get developing them.
One of the joys of following a footy club , at any level , is seeing players develop.
One of the biggest downers is watching £millions thrown away on old injury-prone players or those who you know will never be worth more than the fee we paid.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

After today's press conference it seems now it's more about getting the better deal for Gus.

He goes, as our best player. That being said, I think he would openly admit he's very much been a square peg in a round hole at left side to accomodate others or make up for his defensive limitations.

1. Probably the most obvious one; play Burrows there and have him and McCallum together.
2. O'Hare out wide and cutting in, and play more of a 4-4-2 with likely Cannon coming in.
3. Play One there as a wide forward.
4. Chong is actually left footed. Him and Donovan out wide would be an option.

In all likelihood it's a great opportunity for a loanee. No conventional rival at this point. If fit, pretty much a guaranteed starter.

I can see BBD being a target, but I wouldn't pay over the odds. It's clear Saints don't want him so sending them cash their way for a player not in their plans would seem unnecessary.

That pressed reads as "you've got a healthy enough wage bill as it is, be grateful for what you've got and work with what you've got".

 

[Champagneblade]

Foo kin Nowan is coming in on loan i here

Good to see we’re looking at the Asian market

 

[HJBlade]

Think Wilders needs to revert to the old 5-3-2 formation. We don’t have any out and out wingers bar Donovan, who’s looked shaky, and isn’t ours.

Seriki, Doherty, Burrows and McCallum are top-class options for wing-backs in this division.

O’Hare and Chong could fill the Duffy role.

Just need to sign some centre-backs with what little money we have but are cheaper to get than top class wingers.

 

[10-0 win]

Our wagebill for 25/26 season huge, downsized with many leaving but we'll carry it into this season. Some loans probably but Even selling some doubt the money will be spent, more likely needed for wages. We're still probably top 6 - 8 in wages.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Think Wilders needs to revert to the old 5-3-2 formation. We don’t have any out and out wingers bar Donovan, who’s looked shaky, and isn’t ours.

Seriki, Doherty, Burrows and McCallum are top-class options for wing-backs in this division.

O’Hare and Chong could fill the Duffy role.

Just need to sign some centre-backs with what little money we have but are cheaper to get than top class wingers.

If only someone could fill the Duffy role!

 

[ancientblade]

After today's press conference it seems now it's more about getting the better deal for Gus.

He goes, as our best player. That being said, I think he would openly admit he's very much been a square peg in a round hole at left side to accomodate others or make up for his defensive limitations.

1. Probably the most obvious one; play Burrows there and have him and McCallum together.
2. O'Hare out wide and cutting in, and play more of a 4-4-2 with likely Cannon coming in.
3. Play One there as a wide forward.
4. Chong is actually left footed. Him and Donovan out wide would be an option.

In all likelihood it's a great opportunity for a loanee. No conventional rival at this point. If fit, pretty much a guaranteed starter.

I can see BBD being a target, but I wouldn't pay over the odds. It's clear Saints don't want him so sending them cash their way for a player not in their plans would seem unnecessary.

burrows could play lm no problem him and mcallum down the left flank would be a good option imo

 

[DronnieBlade]

Increasing lack of faith that the team of individuals responsible for recruitment will, once again, fail to get our main targets over the line.

And that, once again, we will be scrapping the barrel to simply get bodies, any bodies, in the building.

Does the gaffer not need time to integrate new players ?

Up to speed tactically ?

Benefit from a FULL pre-season ?

Over the last few years it’s always the same. Last minute.com.

Not good enough .

Month later.

Same old same old .

 

[AdamSufc1997]

Owners should be investing in better recruitment. Must have the worst recruitment team in the efl

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

On the bright side if we don't get any more new players we won't have to worry about them getting a good pre season.

 

[Champagneblade]

Think Wilders needs to revert to the old 5-3-2 formation. We don’t have any out and out wingers bar Donovan, who’s looked shaky, and isn’t ours.

Seriki, Doherty, Burrows and McCallum are top-class options for wing-backs in this division.

O’Hare and Chong could fill the Duffy role.

Just need to sign some centre-backs with what little money we have but are cheaper to get than top class wingers.

I’m glad you posted that. I was mulling over similar last night.

The squad is more set up for 3 at the back really.

As you say we don’t have an excessive amount of genuine wingers at all.

Wing backs you’ve mentioned. It was said Doherty had played RCB for Wolves too. You could have him, Tanganga and Baptiste or Tanganga, McGuinness and Baptiste. You’ve still currently got Zatterstrom, Norrington-Davies and Sasnauskas as further back up options.

I’d you wanted them to overlap then both Tanganga and Doherty on the right could do that. On the left RND could and Zatterstrom is supposed to be able to bring the ball out of defence.

Presently Jairo and Peck/Arblaster in the middle two. Jairo as Coutts and Peck/Arblaster as Fleck

You could play O’Hare as the 10 and then you’d have Bamford/Cannon or One/Campbell.

But furthermore whilst Donovan came in as a winger it’s also suggested he plays attacking midfield.

You could in some circumstances play two no 10s in a 3-4-2-1 and have 2 from O’Hare, Donovan, Chong and Marsh.

Or you could play 5-3-1-1 like we did wit Ndiaye and play both Peck and Arblaster but alongside Jairo and have a 10 behind Bamford.

You can debate quality of the players but you’re not missing any role. At present we have no LW.

 

[SUFCScorecard]

I’m glad you posted that. I was mulling over similar last night.

The squad is more set up for 3 at the back really.

As you say we don’t have an excessive amount of genuine wingers at all.

Wing backs you’ve mentioned. It was said Doherty had played RCB for Wolves too. You could have him, Tanganga and Baptiste or Tanganga, McGuinness and Baptiste. You’ve still currently got Zatterstrom, Norrington-Davies and Sasnauskas as further back up options.

I’d you wanted them to overlap then both Tanganga and Doherty on the right could do that. On the left RND could and Zatterstrom is supposed to be able to bring the ball out of defence.

Presently Jairo and Peck/Arblaster in the middle two. Jairo as Coutts and Peck/Arblaster as Fleck

You could play O’Hare as the 10 and then you’d have Bamford/Cannon or One/Campbell.

But furthermore whilst Donovan came in as a winger it’s also suggested he plays attacking midfield.

You could in some circumstances play two no 10s in a 3-4-2-1 and have 2 from O’Hare, Donovan, Chong and Marsh.

Or you could play 5-3-1-1 like we did wit Ndiaye and play both Peck and Arblaster but alongside Jairo and have a 10 behind Bamford.

You can debate quality of the players but you’re not missing any role. At present we have no LW.

I agree with this, however, don’t think he will, we’ve been playing 4 at the back all pre-season. Unless they’ve been secretly practicing 532 in training it would be odd to switch now.

For me our lack of athleticism in midfield, despite having pretty good quality lends itself to 3 in midfield and 3 at the back (with reinforcements, which we know we are pursuing) . But I still don’t think it will happen.

 

[ATL Recs]

I’m glad you posted that. I was mulling over similar last night.

The squad is more set up for 3 at the back really.

As you say we don’t have an excessive amount of genuine wingers at all.

Wing backs you’ve mentioned. It was said Doherty had played RCB for Wolves too. You could have him, Tanganga and Baptiste or Tanganga, McGuinness and Baptiste. You’ve still currently got Zatterstrom, Norrington-Davies and Sasnauskas as further back up options.

I’d you wanted them to overlap then both Tanganga and Doherty on the right could do that. On the left RND could and Zatterstrom is supposed to be able to bring the ball out of defence.

Presently Jairo and Peck/Arblaster in the middle two. Jairo as Coutts and Peck/Arblaster as Fleck

You could play O’Hare as the 10 and then you’d have Bamford/Cannon or One/Campbell.

But furthermore whilst Donovan came in as a winger it’s also suggested he plays attacking midfield.

You could in some circumstances play two no 10s in a 3-4-2-1 and have 2 from O’Hare, Donovan, Chong and Marsh.

Or you could play 5-3-1-1 like we did wit Ndiaye and play both Peck and Arblaster but alongside Jairo and have a 10 behind Bamford.

You can debate quality of the players but you’re not missing any role. At present we have no LW.

Jairo covering the ground Coutts did

 

[Champagneblade]

Jairo covering the ground Coutts did

Not sure I get your point.

Riedewald has played his career at a much higher level than Coutts. Coutts played deep, he didn’t cover a lot of ground just read it well.

Jairo is the obvious deeper lying player like Coutts. Just like Arblaster or Peck are the most likely box to box options like Fleck.

 

[Eric_Brooks]

So basically wilder gers a new contract and we have brought in the lad from Brentford

 

[SB_90]

i was saying last night from a buying pov. this summer window is arguably better than the 2025. as we signed many players last year & it didnt do us much good. so i wondered what our track record has been the last 2 years just to see.

it doesnt make for great reading. as in my opinion 19 of our last 25 signings since January 2025 have failed, & of the 3 "successes" 1 was on loan & other 2 signed outside of the transfer window

So i agree we need new players but also i have zero confidence in new players improving this team

24/25
Jamie Shackleton - Flop
Sam McCallum - Success
Kieffer Moore - Success (even if stevie wonder did cost us promotion)
Callum O'Hare - Success
Harrison Burrows - Success
Harry Souttar - Success
Alfie Gilchrist - Flop
Tyrice Campbell - Success
Micheal Cooper - Success
Jesurun Rak Sakyi - Success
Ben Brereton Diaz - Flop
Tom Cannon - Flop
Hamza Choudhury - Success
Harry Clarke - Flop
Jefferson Caceres - Flop
Christian Nwachhuku - Flop
Rob Holding - 50/50 (shouldve been a Success but wilder JLT blindness cost him)

25/26
Louis Barry - Flop
Mihail Polendakov - Flop
Dbjril Soumare - 50/50
Ben Godfrey - Flop
Nils Zätterström - Flop
Danny Ings - Flop
Japhet Tanganga - 50/50
Tahith Chong - Flop
Chiedozie Ogbene - Flop
Alex Matos - Flop
Mark McGuinness - Flop
Ben Mee - (great debut) Flop
Jaïro Riedewald - Success
Patrick Bamford - Success
Joe Rothwell - Flop
Ki-Jana Hoever - Flop
Leo Hjelde - Flop
Kalvin Phillips - Flop

 

[Bladeinleeds]

i was saying last night from a buying pov. this summer window is arguably better than the 2025. as we signed many players last year & it didnt do us much good. so i wondered what our track record has been the last 2 years just to see.

it doesnt make for great reading. as in my opinion 19 of our last 25 signings since January 2025 have failed, & of the 3 "successes" 1 was on loan & other 2 signed outside of the transfer window

So i agree we need new players but also i have zero confidence in new players improving this team

24/25
Jamie Shackleton - Flop
Sam McCallum - Success
Kieffer Moore - Success (even if stevie wonder did cost us promotion)
Callum O'Hare - Success
Harrison Burrows - Success
Harry Souttar - Success
Alfie Gilchrist - Flop
Tyrice Campbell - Success
Micheal Cooper - Success
Jesurun Rak Sakyi - Success
Ben Brereton Diaz - Flop
Tom Cannon - Flop
Hamza Choudhury - Success
Harry Clarke - Flop
Jefferson Caceres - Flop
Christian Nwachhuku - Flop
Rob Holding - 50/50 (shouldve been a Success but wilder JLT blindness cost him)

25/26
Louis Barry - Flop
Mihail Polendakov - Flop
Dbjril Soumare - 50/50
Ben Godfrey - Flop
Nils Zätterström - Flop
Danny Ings - Flop
Japhet Tanganga - 50/50
Tahith Chong - Flop
Chiedozie Ogbene - Flop
Alex Matos - Flop
Mark McGuinness - Flop
Ben Mee - (great debut) Flop
Jaïro Riedewald - Success
Patrick Bamford - Success
Joe Rothwell - Flop
Ki-Jana Hoever - Flop
Leo Hjelde - Flop
Kalvin Phillips - Flop

When it’s written on paper like that the last 2 windows have crippled us.

I would imagine the wages and loan fees, agent fees and transfer fees on the DROSS we brought in in the last 12 months must be ruinous

Barry 1/2mil
Soimare 1/2mil
Fucking Godfrey - 1/2mil
Ings 1mil
Zatrerstrom -3/4mil
Chong -2/3mil
Matos - 3/4mil
Mcguinnes -8mil
Mee 1mil
Rothwell 1mil
Hoever - 500k
ANOTHER FUCKING RIGHT BACK - hjede 500k
Phillips - 500k for about 2 touches and a red card

Conservatively we Must have spunked best part of 25mil on some of the worst players I’ve ever seen play for us.

When you ask yourself how Cov or Brentford, Brighton or Bournemouth would have spend those same fees - it’s no surprise we are where we are now.

Just the success rate of the last 2 years of transfer - where maybe 10/15% you’d actually make again In hindsight. Another 20/25%added very little or didn’t live up to billing and about 60/70% were actually detrimental or provided absolutely nothing at all to us. Mean the recruitment needs an overhaul. We have to get better at using limited fund or we are never ever sniffing the PL again.

 

[FriethBlade]

Championship has been living dangerously beyond its means for a very long time.
For years folk have said
"A big club will go pop sometime".
Well ,
They might not be the biggest , but Leicester and the pigs ought to be a lesson to everyone.
We all know the pigs cheated the apocalypse only with the EFL's help.
I don't know enough detail about the Foxes to comment fully.
But a re-set is required at our level for those without parachutes.
And the Blades need to stop chasing the dragon , with big fees & loans on big wages ,
and start acquiring younger players with potential and get developing them.
One of the joys of following a footy club , at any level , is seeing players develop.
One of the biggest downers is watching £millions thrown away on old injury-prone players or those who you know will never be worth more than the fee we paid.

Keen this a million times. Id rather sign a young midfielder from a lower league and see if we can imporve him than bring the likes of Jairo and Rothwell in who are well past their best and dont have the legs. This is what we used to do well under Bassett (and Wilder in his first spell) but its gone out of the window as Wilder thinks what we r missing is experience (read 30yr+ on a downward trajectory).

Lets see if the likes of One are going to be good enough, play him tomorrow, after all he played for the side who won the same division that Mansfield play in.

 

[SB_90]

Just the success rate of the last 2 years of transfer - where maybe 10/15% you’d actually make again In hindsight. Another 20/25%added very little or didn’t live up to billing and about 60/70% were actually detrimental or provided absolutely nothing at all to us. Mean the recruitment needs an overhaul. We have to get better at using limited fund or we are never ever sniffing the PL again.

you have to wonder what on earth is our scouting team doing. but its as i say in modern football, its 1 things to spend money its another to spend it well

 

[Bladeinleeds]

you have to wonder what on earth is our scouting team doing. but its as i say in modern football, its 1 things to spend money its another to spend it well

100% - and It not like it’s just us to be fair.

Man U will have a massive scouting department wasted 100s on millions on players that were garbage for them

Sancho
Onana
Van de beek
Zirkzee
Mount
hojland etc etc

The biggest competitive advantage you can have in football is good scouting COMBINED with a style of play where you actually know what you’re looking for and how you want the new signings to fit in and play in your side. The sides punching above thier weights all have that.

I think Chris knows how he wants players to play but has such a limited pool where we are ‘willing’ to buy from - we are shrinking the net massively. That’s why we’re spending 9million on cannon

 

[Bladesman]

 

[ATL Recs]

100% - and It not like it’s just us to be fair.

Man U will have a massive scouting department wasted 100s on millions on players that were garbage for them

Sancho
Onana
Van de beek
Zirkzee
Mount
hojland etc etc

The biggest competitive advantage you can have in football is good scouting COMBINED with a style of play where you actually know what you’re looking for and how you want the new signings to fit in and play in your side. The sides punching above thier weights all have that.

I think Chris knows how he wants players to play but has such a limited pool where we are ‘willing’ to buy from - we are shrinking the net massively. That’s why we’re spending 9million on cannon

When he did have the money he spent it wisely ??? I think not

He knew our style of play when JOC was injured the KEY to the way we play as he created it
He spent 20 plus million on a striker and 300k on Robinson and loaned Ampidu to replace the KEY to our unique style

Then did the same thing in January 25

I think there’s a subliminal message in there about Chris’s management

 

[AnstonBlade1]

Problem is any kind of creativity we had has now left re Gus and Brooks
We’ve got nothing down the left hand side and Chong on the right
Then all the same kind of players in the middle Peck, Rothwell, Blaster all side to side and back