Deadbat
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2020/21 SUFC SEASON REVIEW / SCHOOL REPORT
Rest of week will be posted as below
*Note - this was written before the Jokanovic appointment – I have tried to update in sections but apologies if it refer to us not having a manager yet in sections!
Part 8 Final awards / Conclusions
Strikers
Billy Sharp He had not been a regular in the first season back which we did not really expect and goals had been really hard to come by. He scored the dream leveller at Bournemouth to start the season which was a fantastic moment for the fans and him. He then was never really a regular as McGoldrick and Mousset and even McBurnie were used more. He got sent off at home to Southampton and then remember some surprise starts v Man City and Newcastle where he looked like it was a bit much for him (the pace and physicality of things). He did actually get a run just before lockdown scoring goals against Bournemouth (again) and then the winner at home to Norwich when Blades fans that evening probably felt as good as they ever had done being a Blades fan! United were 6th and heading for Europe. The captain, a Blade, had scored the winning goal in another victory and we were in dream land. Sadly, the lockdown completely derailed things. He started games but was then left out and recall him missing some sitters at Southampton to end the season. He ended up with just 3 goals in the league but only started 11 games so was hard really for him to amass many more and at this level with good teams who see a lot of the ball, it is tough as you do not get many chances.
I was shocked he got a 2-year deal but thought this was more a loyalty thing for what he had done for the club. Despite him playing a fair bit post Xmas I thought that McGoldrick, McBurnie and hopefully if Mousset were fit, he would not play much at all. I was surprised he started the season but he was quickly taken out and was used mostly on the bench in the early games but did score a vital penalty v Fulham. I am not sure he started many games at all – was involved in the awful showing at Southampton and then he came on and got another crucial penalty in the first win against Newcastle as he won the award too. He scored in the cup tie v Plymouth and was excellent, working really hard at Old Trafford. He netted a typical Sharp goal in the win v West Brom and you thought we might have a chance but the losses started piling up again. He was a lonely figure in the defeats in London to West Ham and Fulham and then was back on the bench again. He did play at Leicester in that low point of the season after Wilder went. His interview post game was incredibly honest as he said how embarrassed he was. He picked up an injury and then mid-April revealed he had an op and would be out for the rest of the season but declaring he would be back scoring in front of full crowds soon!
I think Wilder going really hit him harder than most. He was almost like a father figure to him at times. They felt out a few times but overall Wilder kept going back to him. He continued to be a good ambassador for the club but I did feel we lacked leadership on the pitch. That is not a direct criticism of him as Norwood, Egan and McGoldrick captained the side. Maybe none ability wise could impact things to help lead the side but I just thought no one got the side together and really wanted to change things. They all looked clueless. I wanted a bit more passion but they all just seemed stunned by what was happening. All the positive media stuff he did in April-June where he was so vocal and visible seemed a long time ago as the club hit rock bottom. He always seemed visibly upset when he spoke and as a fan it really hit him how things had gone so wrong and so quickly. He has a year left and like McGoldrick expect him to have a role in what will almost certainly be his final year at United. I still think he will play a bit but some fans feel we need to move in a different direction. I would not be that surprised if he did move on even this summer though. He will be 36 this season. It is up to Sharp whether he wants to play further down the leagues and carry on playing or if he will bow out at the Blades (he may go into coaching – he has already started his own coaching organisation for youngsters). He spoke about wanting a season with his pals at Handsworth so maybe he might do that. Been a fantastic servant and so glad in his third spell it came good. Him and Wilder celebrating the promotions and all the scenes around those great wins/days will be some of the best times Blades fans have ever had. We maybe will never have a captain and leading scorer as a true Blades fan leading us up the divisions, managed by a Blade too. It was a time we maybe did not realise how special it was. I hope when he does depart it is with some class. I don’t want him struggling next season if say United do not start well and him becoming criticised by fans. Want him to kind of go out on his terms than being say forced out by a new manager. As I say an ideal scenario is we get back promoted, he plays here and there and gets the odd vital goal and then finishes his career. Sadly, it might be that dream scenarios and situations like this are something we may not experience and it won’t work out like that for him or United.
Grade C- (Last season B-)
David McGoldrick A player that had a great season in 19-20 despite him never scoring (finally got two which we sadly did not see in the lockdown) and was central to our better performances. His link play, work rate, skill and intelligence saw him football wise look totally comfortable at the highest level. Really underrated player and his link up with Mousset from Oct-Dec saw United have their best performances and results really. He showed why he had maybe never played at this level with his abject finishing. The one at Brighton stood out but there a number of other terrible misses. He became a bit of a laughing stock to neutrals but Blades fans continued to appreciate him as he was still playing really well and when he did not play, we did not look the same. I recall his clearance in the home game v Norwich just before lockdown too. A real team player and another that in the twilight of his career was taking his chance in the Premier League now it had finally come. Maybe Wilder’s best ever signing being taken off the scrapheap and being a key man for the two seasons he had been here.
His performances post lockdown actually trailed off despite him doing well in the wins and of course finally scoring but you figured he would still be an important figure. Mousset and McBurnie had scored more goals, but he was our best forward (in terms of play) the previous season and I felt it would be him and one other when the season started. He began on the bench as Wilder went with McBurnie and Sharp but he scored in the league cup and then was put back in as we struggled for goals and to create much. He was ok to begin with scored at Arsenal but not sure any of the strikers generally were much of a threat or played that well consistently. I did feel though that he was the one that contributed more than most. He had to come deep a lot and try and link but looked like he wanted to try and make things happen. He scored at Chelsea and twice v Man Utd (all poacher type goals really). The run of improved games saw him along with Basham, our stand out outfield player and he scored a few more goals. He was very good in the home games against Newcastle and Spurs and then like the rest was excellent at Old Trafford. He continued to be our leading light in the wins against West Brom and Villa – scored the winner.
The whole team dropped off again and his individual showings also petered off. He got a few knocks and was in and out a bit around Wilder’s departure. He got back in though and always seemed the main striker or one we could trust to at least create or even score (albeit he still missed a lot) and he got a winner v Brighton in a game where he was rightly man of the match. A few sub-par games followed this but he never hid and was fantastic at Everton and then ended the season with the winner in front of the fans v Burnley.
I still felt he was the one trying to make things happen even if sometimes his games or decision making was not quite the best but he kept trying and never hid and for the most part still made better decisions than the rest of his teammates. The amount of effort he put in put many other strikers and players in the side to shame. Now 33, he has retired from International duty where he was excellent for his country with most fans really disappointed, he would not be available anymore. He won’t play at the top level again and knows that. He has a year left with United. As good as he has been I am not sure he will remain here after this season – he would be nearly 35 when he signs his next contract but his level of football intelligence and brain means he won’t be without offers even if he has to drop down a bit. Whatever does happen, I will enjoy watching maybe his final season with United. I still expect him to be involved even if we maybe need to look to the future with Brewster, McBurnie and maybe another (none of these have done enough to warrant being regularly picked ahead of Didzy but at some point, we may need to move in that direction – either them or others coming in). He may not play every week next season but of course could maybe do a job in the number 10 role like he did at times in the Championship before. It is saying something when McGoldrick and Sharp have been our best two strikers this season (best of a bad bunch you could argue) and that arguably on performances and goal threat, they should start at the Championship in August. If you had said that they would be the starting strikers 3 seasons after they last started at this level, you would have thought someone was crackers for suggesting it. It says as much about the rest as these two though but both can still offer something in a rigorous 46 game season where you often play twice a week in the Championship.
He also did some great work in the campaign against racism in football with the campaign and boycott of social media seeing him feature on Robert Peston’s show on mainstream TV (ITV on a Thurs night!) and he always talked very well about the subject. It was him of course who initiated taking the knee way back in the first game after lockdown.
I have loved watching him play and still do. At times he may frustrate but for the most part, his slinking, slalom runs and touch/link is superb to watch. Seems a great pro who I am glad had a really great end to his career with the Blades and will definitely be the highlight of his career where for the most part he was a journeyman with injury problems who never looked like he would ever make it to the top. Despite the relegation, one of the few that does not deserve too much criticism and feel he can at least take some positives from the season individually. Clearly as popular with teammates (won players player) as he is with the fans.
Grade B- (Last season B)
Rest of week will be posted as below
*Note - this was written before the Jokanovic appointment – I have tried to update in sections but apologies if it refer to us not having a manager yet in sections!
Part 8 Final awards / Conclusions
Strikers
Billy Sharp He had not been a regular in the first season back which we did not really expect and goals had been really hard to come by. He scored the dream leveller at Bournemouth to start the season which was a fantastic moment for the fans and him. He then was never really a regular as McGoldrick and Mousset and even McBurnie were used more. He got sent off at home to Southampton and then remember some surprise starts v Man City and Newcastle where he looked like it was a bit much for him (the pace and physicality of things). He did actually get a run just before lockdown scoring goals against Bournemouth (again) and then the winner at home to Norwich when Blades fans that evening probably felt as good as they ever had done being a Blades fan! United were 6th and heading for Europe. The captain, a Blade, had scored the winning goal in another victory and we were in dream land. Sadly, the lockdown completely derailed things. He started games but was then left out and recall him missing some sitters at Southampton to end the season. He ended up with just 3 goals in the league but only started 11 games so was hard really for him to amass many more and at this level with good teams who see a lot of the ball, it is tough as you do not get many chances.
I was shocked he got a 2-year deal but thought this was more a loyalty thing for what he had done for the club. Despite him playing a fair bit post Xmas I thought that McGoldrick, McBurnie and hopefully if Mousset were fit, he would not play much at all. I was surprised he started the season but he was quickly taken out and was used mostly on the bench in the early games but did score a vital penalty v Fulham. I am not sure he started many games at all – was involved in the awful showing at Southampton and then he came on and got another crucial penalty in the first win against Newcastle as he won the award too. He scored in the cup tie v Plymouth and was excellent, working really hard at Old Trafford. He netted a typical Sharp goal in the win v West Brom and you thought we might have a chance but the losses started piling up again. He was a lonely figure in the defeats in London to West Ham and Fulham and then was back on the bench again. He did play at Leicester in that low point of the season after Wilder went. His interview post game was incredibly honest as he said how embarrassed he was. He picked up an injury and then mid-April revealed he had an op and would be out for the rest of the season but declaring he would be back scoring in front of full crowds soon!
I think Wilder going really hit him harder than most. He was almost like a father figure to him at times. They felt out a few times but overall Wilder kept going back to him. He continued to be a good ambassador for the club but I did feel we lacked leadership on the pitch. That is not a direct criticism of him as Norwood, Egan and McGoldrick captained the side. Maybe none ability wise could impact things to help lead the side but I just thought no one got the side together and really wanted to change things. They all looked clueless. I wanted a bit more passion but they all just seemed stunned by what was happening. All the positive media stuff he did in April-June where he was so vocal and visible seemed a long time ago as the club hit rock bottom. He always seemed visibly upset when he spoke and as a fan it really hit him how things had gone so wrong and so quickly. He has a year left and like McGoldrick expect him to have a role in what will almost certainly be his final year at United. I still think he will play a bit but some fans feel we need to move in a different direction. I would not be that surprised if he did move on even this summer though. He will be 36 this season. It is up to Sharp whether he wants to play further down the leagues and carry on playing or if he will bow out at the Blades (he may go into coaching – he has already started his own coaching organisation for youngsters). He spoke about wanting a season with his pals at Handsworth so maybe he might do that. Been a fantastic servant and so glad in his third spell it came good. Him and Wilder celebrating the promotions and all the scenes around those great wins/days will be some of the best times Blades fans have ever had. We maybe will never have a captain and leading scorer as a true Blades fan leading us up the divisions, managed by a Blade too. It was a time we maybe did not realise how special it was. I hope when he does depart it is with some class. I don’t want him struggling next season if say United do not start well and him becoming criticised by fans. Want him to kind of go out on his terms than being say forced out by a new manager. As I say an ideal scenario is we get back promoted, he plays here and there and gets the odd vital goal and then finishes his career. Sadly, it might be that dream scenarios and situations like this are something we may not experience and it won’t work out like that for him or United.
Grade C- (Last season B-)
David McGoldrick A player that had a great season in 19-20 despite him never scoring (finally got two which we sadly did not see in the lockdown) and was central to our better performances. His link play, work rate, skill and intelligence saw him football wise look totally comfortable at the highest level. Really underrated player and his link up with Mousset from Oct-Dec saw United have their best performances and results really. He showed why he had maybe never played at this level with his abject finishing. The one at Brighton stood out but there a number of other terrible misses. He became a bit of a laughing stock to neutrals but Blades fans continued to appreciate him as he was still playing really well and when he did not play, we did not look the same. I recall his clearance in the home game v Norwich just before lockdown too. A real team player and another that in the twilight of his career was taking his chance in the Premier League now it had finally come. Maybe Wilder’s best ever signing being taken off the scrapheap and being a key man for the two seasons he had been here.
His performances post lockdown actually trailed off despite him doing well in the wins and of course finally scoring but you figured he would still be an important figure. Mousset and McBurnie had scored more goals, but he was our best forward (in terms of play) the previous season and I felt it would be him and one other when the season started. He began on the bench as Wilder went with McBurnie and Sharp but he scored in the league cup and then was put back in as we struggled for goals and to create much. He was ok to begin with scored at Arsenal but not sure any of the strikers generally were much of a threat or played that well consistently. I did feel though that he was the one that contributed more than most. He had to come deep a lot and try and link but looked like he wanted to try and make things happen. He scored at Chelsea and twice v Man Utd (all poacher type goals really). The run of improved games saw him along with Basham, our stand out outfield player and he scored a few more goals. He was very good in the home games against Newcastle and Spurs and then like the rest was excellent at Old Trafford. He continued to be our leading light in the wins against West Brom and Villa – scored the winner.
The whole team dropped off again and his individual showings also petered off. He got a few knocks and was in and out a bit around Wilder’s departure. He got back in though and always seemed the main striker or one we could trust to at least create or even score (albeit he still missed a lot) and he got a winner v Brighton in a game where he was rightly man of the match. A few sub-par games followed this but he never hid and was fantastic at Everton and then ended the season with the winner in front of the fans v Burnley.
I still felt he was the one trying to make things happen even if sometimes his games or decision making was not quite the best but he kept trying and never hid and for the most part still made better decisions than the rest of his teammates. The amount of effort he put in put many other strikers and players in the side to shame. Now 33, he has retired from International duty where he was excellent for his country with most fans really disappointed, he would not be available anymore. He won’t play at the top level again and knows that. He has a year left with United. As good as he has been I am not sure he will remain here after this season – he would be nearly 35 when he signs his next contract but his level of football intelligence and brain means he won’t be without offers even if he has to drop down a bit. Whatever does happen, I will enjoy watching maybe his final season with United. I still expect him to be involved even if we maybe need to look to the future with Brewster, McBurnie and maybe another (none of these have done enough to warrant being regularly picked ahead of Didzy but at some point, we may need to move in that direction – either them or others coming in). He may not play every week next season but of course could maybe do a job in the number 10 role like he did at times in the Championship before. It is saying something when McGoldrick and Sharp have been our best two strikers this season (best of a bad bunch you could argue) and that arguably on performances and goal threat, they should start at the Championship in August. If you had said that they would be the starting strikers 3 seasons after they last started at this level, you would have thought someone was crackers for suggesting it. It says as much about the rest as these two though but both can still offer something in a rigorous 46 game season where you often play twice a week in the Championship.
He also did some great work in the campaign against racism in football with the campaign and boycott of social media seeing him feature on Robert Peston’s show on mainstream TV (ITV on a Thurs night!) and he always talked very well about the subject. It was him of course who initiated taking the knee way back in the first game after lockdown.
I have loved watching him play and still do. At times he may frustrate but for the most part, his slinking, slalom runs and touch/link is superb to watch. Seems a great pro who I am glad had a really great end to his career with the Blades and will definitely be the highlight of his career where for the most part he was a journeyman with injury problems who never looked like he would ever make it to the top. Despite the relegation, one of the few that does not deserve too much criticism and feel he can at least take some positives from the season individually. Clearly as popular with teammates (won players player) as he is with the fans.
Grade B- (Last season B)