Transfer window thoughts

[Revolution]

1. The most pleasing thing about this window is that, for the first time since before 2011-12, we haven't sold one or more of our best players from the previous season. We haven't even done a Jordan Slew/DCL cash in of unproven young talent. This is refreshing and welcome. If bids were made, well done to the club for turning them down.

2. We have indeed brought in a good number of players - 10 in total. 8 have been with us since the start of the season, and a grand total of 2 - Blackman and Stevens - are starting. It would be the same were we not adjusting due to injuries - Stearman would be playing but Blackman wouldn't. Time will tell, I suppose, but that's not a very good hit rate in relation to improving the team as opposed to the squad. Still, in Wilder we trust and all that.

3. We need to stop crying about agents. They are not going to go away any time soon. If we can't negotiate with them, hire someone who can.

4. I generally don't understand why people are upset with the club for not spending a lot of money yesterday or in the transfer window generally. It is transparently obvious that the owners cannot, or will not, sanction the type of spending that half of the clubs in the division are engaged in. McCabe is a man of substance by most people's standards but it seems that he won't or can's spend the kind of money that he did 10 years ago (and even that is not a lot these days) and we seem to have the world's only Saudi prince with limited resources. Given that we cannot compete with teams with wealthier backers and parachute money, the plan is clearly to trust in Wilder (who has more than earned it) and see what he can do, on the basis that early indications are that the team should be strong enough to avoid relegation barring incredible bad luck with injuries (on that note, Billy Sharp should be wrapped up in cotton wool whenever he leaves the house from now on).

In summary - pleased we kept the good players, and not that disappointed by the lack of incoming bigger names as it was never on the cards. This season will still be fun and if we can find a way to win away we might even surprise.

Onwards and hopefully not downwards.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

1. The most pleasing thing about this window is that, for the first time since before 2011-12, we haven't sold one or more of our best players from the previous season. We haven't even done a Jordan Slew/DCL cash in of unproven young talent. This is refreshing and welcome. If bids were made, well done to the club for turning them down.

2. We have indeed brought in a good number of players - 10 in total. 8 have been with us since the start of the season, and a grand total of 2 - Blackman and Stevens - are starting. It would be the same were we not adjusting due to injuries - Stearman would be playing but Blackman wouldn't. Time will tell, I suppose, but that's not a very good hit rate in relation to improving the team as opposed to the squad. Still, in Wilder we trust and all that.

3. We need to stop crying about agents. They are not going to go away any time soon. If we can't negotiate with them, hire someone who can.

4. I generally don't understand why people are upset with the club for not spending a lot of money yesterday or in the transfer window generally. It is transparently obvious that the owners cannot, or will not, sanction the type of spending that half of the clubs in the division are engaged in. McCabe is a man of substance by most people's standards but it seems that he won't or can's spend the kind of money that he did 10 years ago (and even that is not a lot these days) and we seem to have the world's only Saudi prince with limited resources. Given that we cannot compete with teams with wealthier backers and parachute money, the plan is clearly to trust in Wilder (who has more than earned it) and see what he can do, on the basis that early indications are that the team should be strong enough to avoid relegation barring incredible bad luck with injuries (on that note, Billy Sharp should be wrapped up in cotton wool whenever he leaves the house from now on).

In summary - pleased we kept the good players, and not that disappointed by the lack of incoming bigger names as it was never on the cards. This season will still be fun and if we can find a way to win away we might even surprise.

Onwards and hopefully not downwards.

Good points.

My main worry was that we would sell Brooks or Sharp, we have done neither.

Agree regarding agents, this is the nature of the industry Sheffield United are in along with all other professional football clubs in the world. It didn't stop other clubs getting deals done and shouldn't impact on us.

I admire Wilders stance on value for money and not paying over the odds but at some point or other we may have to review the overarching structure if we wish to progress.

In terms of Sharp I said same last week if he gets injured /suspended we are screwed.

One other thing that worries me is why we are frantically trying to get deals over the line on deadline day? In particular for the loanees, shouldn't these negotiations have been ongoing during last few weeks?

In Wilder we trust yes - but by his own admission we are 3 players short of what he wanted, let's hope it doesn't hurt us before January.

Oh and get cracking on January deals now.

 

[sufcboy95]

We started well bringing in the likes of Stevens and Baldock.
However the end has been abysmal. We haven't got any of our targets, nor have we sorted out our biggest downfall. Despite their seeming to be money to be spent, we don't seem able to get deals across the line, we've had bid after bid rejected for several players, not sure if this is wilder being stubborn not wanting to pay over the odds, or owners not releasing funds.
We still have zero pace what so ever, and no depth in midfield.
16-19th place finish

 

[mattbianco1]

Pressure is back off again regarding Brooks. Now his head can't be turned until January, we will probably get to see more of him.