We're a Team in Transition

[robbiez666]

We have a core side that (largely) went up to the EPL with Wilder and who are now the wrong side of 30 and/or almost at the end of their (relatively lucrative at this level) contracts:

Sharp
Basham
Norwood
Stevens
Fleck
JoC

Robinson
Osborn
McBurnie
Burke

We have a bunch of players contracted to 2024 or beyond who are generally considered first teamers

Foderingham
Egan
Bogle
Ndiaye
Berge
Brewster

and other who have mixed reviews

Lowe
RND
Baldock

We have a load of Academy players who are likely 1-2 years away from the first team, if at all. Most have only played at non-league level except for

Jebbison
Broadbent

You would assume the rest would need a least a year out on loan before being ready

Dewhurst
Lopata
Gordon
Starbuck
Seriki
Gomis
Boyes
Brooks
Arblaster
Neal
Brunt
Ayairi
Osulu
Hackford

We could throw money at the league this year, if we even have money, and bring in players who are older but experienced and expensive lpoans. To keep the likes of Berge and make one last push at going up. Gambling everything on the money that the EPL brings. A lot of clubs have done this. Most have been unsuccessful and landed themselves in financial trouble. Have subsequently spend years treading water in the bottom half of the Championship or getting relegated.

My fear next season is that after what happened this year a lot of fans will be expecting to do better. To challenge for automatic promotion.

I can't see it myself.

Regardless of where we start the 23/24 season, as above illustrates that there will be a lot of player movement.

If we think our young players have the potential to make it at this level and above, bringing in a load of players this season will block their path. We could bring in a load of loan signings but that would mean we're reliant on those young players next season.

I think, realistically, we need to spend the 22/23 season trying to balance the books. Sell one or two players and concentrate on getting the training ground and Academy sorted. Bring in a couple of loans and sign 2-3 young(er) players with an eye to the future.

I'd happily take a mid-table finish next year if I knew that there was a plan in action. I fear most won't and if we did finish say 10th then they'd want the manager sacked.

 

[Varkanoid]

We have a core side that (largely) went up to the EPL with Wilder and who are now the wrong side of 30 and/or almost at the end of their (relatively lucrative at this level) contracts:

Sharp
Basham
Norwood
Stevens
Fleck
JoC

Robinson
Osborn
McBurnie
Burke

We have a bunch of players contracted to 2024 or beyond who are generally considered first teamers

Foderingham
Egan
Bogle
Ndiaye
Berge
Brewster

and other who have mixed reviews

Lowe
RND
Baldock

We have a load of Academy players who are likely 1-2 years away from the first team, if at all. Most have only played at non-league level except for

Jebbison
Broadbent

You would assume the rest would need a least a year out on loan before being ready

Dewhurst
Lopata
Gordon
Starbuck
Seriki
Gomis
Boyes
Brooks
Arblaster
Neal
Brunt
Ayairi
Osulu
Hackford

We could throw money at the league this year, if we even have money, and bring in players who are older but experienced and expensive lpoans. To keep the likes of Berge and make one last push at going up. Gambling everything on the money that the EPL brings. A lot of clubs have done this. Most have been unsuccessful and landed themselves in financial trouble. Have subsequently spend years treading water in the bottom half of the Championship or getting relegated.

My fear next season is that after what happened this year a lot of fans will be expecting to do better. To challenge for automatic promotion.

I can't see it myself.

Regardless of where we start the 23/24 season, as above illustrates that there will be a lot of player movement.

If we think our young players have the potential to make it at this level and above, bringing in a load of players this season will block their path. We could bring in a load of loan signings but that would mean we're reliant on those young players next season.

I think, realistically, we need to spend the 22/23 season trying to balance the books. Sell one or two players and concentrate on getting the training ground and Academy sorted. Bring in a couple of loans and sign 2-3 young(er) players with an eye to the future.

I'd happily take a mid-table finish next year if I knew that there was a plan in action. I fear most won't and if we did finish say 10th then they'd want the manager sacked.

I think you overlooked one important factor. Most of the other teams in the Championship are crap. If we dont repeat the injury issue next season we should be top 6 again. We played at least half the last season with a patchwork team and kids and no fit first team striker for what 5-10 matches and we got in the play offs. Are you saying with a fully fit team we are mid table ?

Does not compute.

 

[robbiez666]

I think you overlooked one important factor. Most of the other teams in the Championship are crap. If we dont repeat the injury issue next season we should be top 6 again. We played at least half the last season with a patchwork team and kids and no fit first team striker for what 5-10 matches and we got in the play offs. Are you saying with a fully fit team we are mid table ?

Does not compute.

The same team without MGW and (likely) Berge?

Where is the creativity? Where are the goals? They scored 18 and assisted 14 between them, but they were involved in most of our chances.

MGW alone scored or assisted on 22 goals alone. That's more than a 1/3 of our goals. He was involved in many more.

I'm not saying we won't make the play-offs, but I am saying it's unlikely we'll do better than this season and we could do a fair bit worse.

And yes, most of the teams in the Championship are crap but it's not like we easily beat most of them this season. And yes, we'll have less injuries next season but that doesn't mean we won't have injuries. There were fine margins in a lot of our games and something from MGW or Berge was often the difference.

 

[Varkanoid]

The same team without MGW and (likely) Berge?

Where is the creativity? Where are the goals? They scored 18 and assisted 14 between them, but they were involved in most of our chances.

MGW alone scored or assisted on 22 goals alone. That's more than a 1/3 of our goals. He was involved in many more.

I'm not saying we won't make the play-offs, but I am saying it's unlikely we'll do better than this season and we could do a fair bit worse.

And yes, most of the teams in the Championship are crap but it's not like we easily beat most of them this season. And yes, we'll have less injuries next season but that doesn't mean we won't have injuries. There were fine margins in a lot of our games and something from MGW or Berge was often the difference.

I hear what you are saying but I am more optimistic than you especially when a ball hasn't been kicked yet and we don't know what players Hecky will have at beginning of the season. Who knows Ndiaye might come back from International duty with greater experience and be the one to take up MGW role. Mane might teach him a thing or two. Oh and Berge is still a SUFC player at the moment.

 

[knowsnowt]

Balls to consolidating. If you're in it you should aim to win it.

 

[Snowflake]

The same team without MGW and (likely) Berge?

Where is the creativity? Where are the goals? They scored 18 and assisted 14 between them, but they were involved in most of our chances.

MGW alone scored or assisted on 22 goals alone. That's more than a 1/3 of our goals. He was involved in many more.

I'm not saying we won't make the play-offs, but I am saying it's unlikely we'll do better than this season and we could do a fair bit worse.

And yes, most of the teams in the Championship are crap but it's not like we easily beat most of them this season. And yes, we'll have less injuries next season but that doesn't mean we won't have injuries. There were fine margins in a lot of our games and something from MGW or Berge was often the difference.

You are judging replacements for MGW and Berge before you know who they are.
Why can we not get another MGW type and, if he goes, use the money for Berge in acquiring creativity.

 

[Harry's Game]

Before last season I said we were capable of finished anywhere from 1st to 10th..

Next season I think we will be capable of finishing anywhere from 4th to 14th.

Hopefully we replace MGW with a couple of good quality loans,

 

[Sean Thornton]

Transition !

Shudder……

 

[BigBed]

Well, I dont know about you lot, but I'm now 50/50, whether to go into blind panic, or, wait to see what happens........ oh God, decisions decisions.

 

[Old Programme seller]

I didn’t know about MGW before he came here so I’m guessing that there’ll be a few players sat in premiership clubs that would come plus we have players that should be coming of age there’s also that guy over in Belgium who is supposed to be good will we see him in a blades shirt?

 

[Bucksblade]

Having just watched that borefest from Wembley where neither side looked deserving of premier league football, blades have a decent shot of pushing top six. United are not premier league ready so blood in the youngsters, buy a couple of up and coming midfielders and go for it. Forest will be back down next season, their owner will have eaten all the pies from all matches and died of heart attack and hopefully Prince will sell to a deserving new owner.

 

[LewishamBlade]

We don’t usually do transitions very well

 

[CPB]

MGW will be a loss. He was a driver in this team and obv had that quality to turn a game or win a game too.

We did however still cope without him for 4 weeks although we were of course better when he was in the side!

At the same time we had a striker shortage too. Could Berge or N'diaye step up to fill the void left by MGW? Possibly to a point.
Lets not forget that Sharp's link up play is good nowadays and Brewster was starting to settle.

It's hard to guess whilst we are still in May for next season.
Have to see how the recruitment goes this summer I wouldn't be overly confident in it given our recent windows but equally too negative either there are always some gems to be found whilst your in the Championship I feel.

 

[RecordBreakers]

The same team without MGW and (likely) Berge?

Where is the creativity? Where are the goals? They scored 18 and assisted 14 between them, but they were involved in most of our chances.

MGW alone scored or assisted on 22 goals alone. That's more than a 1/3 of our goals. He was involved in many more.

I'm not saying we won't make the play-offs, but I am saying it's unlikely we'll do better than this season and we could do a fair bit worse.

And yes, most of the teams in the Championship are crap but it's not like we easily beat most of them this season. And yes, we'll have less injuries next season but that doesn't mean we won't have injuries. There were fine margins in a lot of our games and something from MGW or Berge was often the difference.

Brewster sharp should get goals nobody is saying berges leaving, plus we will bring players in I'd be disappointed if we wasn't top 6

 

[CaptainMorgans]

MGW was the difference all year. Without him we're an average Championship side. Without him & Berge we're even worse.

Fail to replace them and we'll be nowhere near it next season.

 

[robbiez666]

You are judging replacements for MGW and Berge before you know who they are.
Why can we not get another MGW type and, if he goes, use the money for Berge in acquiring creativity.

I seriously doubt we'll have the money we paid Wolves to bring someone anywhere near MGW in .

 

[Keen Blade]

Teams are in constant transition , but you can't aim for midtable or you'll get relegated.

 

[robbiez666]

Teams are in constant transition , but you can't aim for midtable or you'll get relegated.

No one aims for mid-table. I'm just saying that if we end up there, but things are moving in the right direction, not the end of the world.

 

[blades78]

Majority of the teams in the championship will be in transition. Most will lose their best players whether its due to them being sold or loans have ended.

 

[Paisley Blade]

I think you overlooked one important factor. Most of the other teams in the Championship are crap. If we dont repeat the injury issue next season we should be top 6 again. We played at least half the last season with a patchwork team and kids and no fit first team striker for what 5-10 matches and we got in the play offs. Are you saying with a fully fit team we are mid table ?

Does not compute.

Bookies tend to agree with you. Blades are clear 4th favourite next season behind Watford ,Norwich and WBA ( no price on Udders yet).

 

[blade too long]

Bookies tend to agree with you. Blades are clear 4th favourite next season behind Watford ,Norwich and WBA ( no price on Udders yet).

Think Norwich wont be as strong this time and Watford are terrible at the back and lets be homest WBA started well last season but fell apart and didnt impress
cant see how they are more fancied than us only 4 teams did better than us last season and only huddersfield remain of those

 

[Snowflake]

I seriously doubt we'll have the money we paid Wolves to bring someone anywhere near MGW in .

We may not need a lot of money.
Where was Brooks in his development before pre season ?
There are exciting players out there who are not on Premiirrship’s books.

 

[JJBlade]

You are judging replacements for MGW and Berge before you know who they are.
Why can we not get another MGW type and, if he goes, use the money for Berge in acquiring creativity.

Because we won't
We broke tradition when we hired Jokanovic, a manager known for a more skilful approach to the game which was never going to work here, and that's why we ended up with MGW.

Heckys a good motivator, which might work here, but the likes of MGW or players like him, we won't be getting

 

[adiosmiamigo]

Before last season I said we were capable of finished anywhere from 1st to 10th..

Next season I think we will be capable of finishing anywhere from 4th to 14th.

Hopefully we replace MGW with a couple of good quality loans,

One or two with pace especially midfield is a priority.A few time last season opposition overran our sometimes pedestrian midfield not allowing time on the ball.

 

[Snowflake]

Because we won't
We broke tradition when we hired Jokanovic, a manager known for a more skilful approach to the game which was never going to work here, and that's why we ended up with MGW.

Heckys a good motivator, which might work here, but the likes of MGW or players like him, we won't be getting

Revisit at mid August and we will see who guessed right !!

 

[DifferentClass]

Opened this expecting a Sam Hashimi takeover bid...

 

[St Albans Blade]

Truer to say we're a club in transition. That'll take significantly longer to establish.

 

[adiosmiamigo]

We've been a "team in transition" ever since I can remember except when Wilder came in and took the club by the scruff of the neck, promotions and then relegation,now probably settled into the "Blades way"

 

[JJBlade]

Revisit at mid August and we will see who guessed right !!

Hope you're right SF
But I think Wolves will have plans for him to join one of the promoted three, or one of the Premier League strugglers to see how he handles Premier League football

Any money for Berge will just be swallowed up by running costs

 

[Davalon]

Thought this was the location of our pre-season tour.

Sounded like a US town/city.

I was all ready to order body armour online and a MAGA cap.