Why Slew MUST stay

[Bladesway]

No matter what the offer, no matter how big the potential suitor we have to hang on to him. Not for financial reasons but we have to put up the shutters on our youth players. I don't care what his agent says and I don't care about anything else. If Slew goes then its open season on anyone else. The kids have only had a shred of publicity recently and the Premiership Vultures are circling.

By shutting the door to Fulham or anyone else it sends out a clear message to the Manager and everyone else that we aren't going to just fold like a pack of cards and he will have something to build with. Henderson, Evans and the rest are most likely on their bikes and in many senses good riddence to bad rubbish and the old way of doing things. I don't like the way things have been mis-managed but this is what we are left with. If we sell the kids off then we may as well plan for a trip to Burton Albion the season after next.

Slew is the young talisman behind which we should drive the younger players forwards. So they know that if they are good enough they will get a crack at first team football. None of this, sell em to Fulham and loan him back for a year, because thats short termism that has cost us dearly. Loanees don't give a stuff as they get to swan off back from whence they came. We MUST keep our own players in our team.

Next season is a chance to build from the bottom up. I don't believe we have selected wisely in Wilson but lets see what he can do. After all, SuperBlade says we don't understand so perhaps he knows something we don't for a change.

These kids have really achieved something this year. They have taken themselves to the final of a cup competition that is littered with Premier League Academys and even gave Man United a run for their money. Now the press are saying that this is Fergies next golden generation, yes that may be bollocks but if they are anything like, and our boys gave them a run it says great things about our coaching at this level and the players we have.

3-4 of them given a real start in the first team next season along with people like Morgan, Quinn, Cresswell (who I think will be at his level if played up top rather than out wide) along with a couple of astute signings and perhaps we have the start of something.

A lot of ifs & ands but at least there is the possibility of some light. I have thought we have lacked pace for some time (since we lost Cotts & Dyer) and for even longer up front. Its those sorts of basics we need to get back to if we are going to bounce back. I'm not sure that we will make it back to the Championship at the first attempt but getting rid of the dead wood (and theres lots of it) can only be a positive starting point.

I'll be very interested how Wilson deals with the squad he has currently because that will shape everything. Cut deep into the wastage and we have a hope. Keep them (even as reserves) and you are pissing precious money down the pan.

As an aside I assume most have read this?

http://www.sufc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10418~2369208,00.html

Superblade wants the youngsters to stay as we have "perhaps" wasted them in the past. I wonder exactly what he means by that? Does he think we sold the two Kyles too quickly? I can't think of any other circumstance where we may have let players go from the Academy and wasted them? Mellis we had no choice with. Anyone?

 

[BerksBlade]

I don't think we "wasted" the Kyles. A Premiership club made an offer we couldn't refuse - we accepted.
Is he referring to players like Nicky Law who were let go without a decent crack at the first team? Can't think of many though? Travis? Wedgbury? Annerson?

 

[Toronto Blade]

Does young Slew even want to stay at the club with the bright lights of Fulham and cash turning his head.

 

[Bladesway]

Does young Slew even want to stay at the club with the bright lights of Fulham and cash turning his head.

He's under contract so what he wants isn't important here.

 

[puppet]

As an aside I assume most have read this?

http://www.sufc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10418~2369208,00.html

Superblade wants the youngsters to stay as we have "perhaps" wasted them in the past. I wonder exactly what he means by that? Does he think we sold the two Kyles too quickly? I can't think of any other circumstance where we may have let players go from the Academy and wasted them? Mellis we had no choice with. Anyone?

McCabe was refering to Horwood and Forte on RS, so don't get your hopes up. He also said the Academy was there to bring players through to SELL as early as 2001.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

He's under contract so what he wants isn't important here.

Firstly that's naive to think he doesn't have an effect on this, and secondly there is debate as to how long his contract is.

There is also the third point that you raised about Evans, Hendo etc. What if no one does come in for these players? How do you balance the books then?

 

[puppet]

There is also the third point that you raised about Evans, Hendo etc. What if no one does come in for these players? How do you balance the books then?

Give them frees if need be, someone would take them.

 

[Kenilworth]

I reckon you can add Sharp to that list - even though he came back.
He has undoubted quality but Utd could never get a way of playing that suited his strengths.
Always too isolated upfield befire he got any kind of support.
Showed us what for at the Keepmoat though

 

[Darren]

Give them frees if need be, someone would take them.

Aren't they under contract? If so, we have to continue paying their wages unless they agree to be paid off.

 

[Rodders]

Are there many of our ex-juniors in League 1 already? Thinking of Forte, Hurst(?) - I imagine Superblade is spitting feathers at the thought of having to shell out for players when we've got some of our home-grown ones already in this league.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Are there many of our ex-juniors in League 1 already? Thinking of Forte, Hurst(?) - I imagine Superblade is spitting feathers at the thought of having to shell out for players when we've got some of our home-grown ones already in this league.

As I've mentioned before here (http://www.s24su.com/showthread.php...e-kids&p=337476&highlight=Thompson#post337476), this is a total red-herring from McCabe.
The players he's talking about are in their mid-20's and played no higher than the Third Division.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Give them frees if need be, someone would take them.

And if that doesn't work, hire a hitman.

 

[puppet]

And if that doesn't work, hire a hitman.

just dont hire henderson it'll take him ten attempts to hit the target

 

[Sean the Blade]

The simple, and, I have to say, the most obvious reason for keping Slew, is that we need someone who CAN score fucking goals!!!!!

Our current crop of forwards have been embarrassingly appalling all season and don't deserve a first team start. Give Slew the chance to prove himself, gain a massive (there's the Wednesday influence starting already!) price tag THEN sell him at a knock down price.

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

Slew will go - theres no doubt about that. 1.5 mil increasing to 3.0 mil with appearances.
The financiers are just sparring right now to meet the middle ground.
We used to briefly be a buying club, we're now a selling club and even puissant little chickensh*t clubs like Fulham can outbid us now.

 

[Zinedine]

Fulham, that team owned by a very gentleman who reached a major European final last season and are Premier League (the richest league in the world) main stays? Yes, how on earth could they outbid us, a rather poor League 1 team.

Hope Slew stays, a real talent who's shown us he can score (unlike a named player currently residing the wrong side of Rotherham could for us) and create. But if a £3,000,000+ offer comes in for a virtually green player then how can we say no? £3,000,000 is almost the hopeful target for the wage bill!

UTB

 

[Bladesway]

Fulham, that team owned by a very gentleman who reached a major European final last season and are Premier League (the richest league in the world) main stays? Yes, how on earth could they outbid us, a rather poor League 1 team.

Hope Slew stays, a real talent who's shown us he can score (unlike a named player currently residing the wrong side of Rotherham could for us) and create. But if a £3,000,000+ offer comes in for a virtually green player then how can we say no? £3,000,000 is almost the hopeful target for the wage bill!

UTB

Because it won't go back into the team and hence its a nett loss.

 

[raul]

The only reason people were in the car park after Wilson and not Superblade was the Youth Cup run. Superblade, being the master politician he is, is all over the story, it being the only one in which the club can be painted in a good light and is making all the right noises about them being the future of the club. Bid in, rejected firmly, good job well done.

So, it's all text book so far.

Stand by, over the next few days, for some stories from club plants/pesky agents leaking out on message boards about "Bad attitude/can't wait to get away/called Pembo a wanker" and watch public opinion change to "fuck him then,who does he think he is/another good deal by the club/what if he gets injured next season (my personal favourite)"

Club sells, mininmal protest - and what there is discounted as the usual whingers - and the monies disappear as we "couldn't find anyone better than what we have at such short notice" and all is conveniently forgotten come the following transfer window.

Isn't this what always happens?

 

[blade too long]

Love Slew to stay , but if his agent , Im sure hell have one says Fulham will give you 15k a week , well hes only human

Money rules football , investors of all shapes and sizes , the more generous the better you get
Man City won the fa cup and got a cl spot and its only cost them 360 million so far

If anyone in heres got 360 million to put in we can look forward to a good season and keeping players
that apart well have to struggle on

 

[Tuns]

Love Slew to stay , but if his agent , Im sure hell have one says Fulham will give you 15k a week , well hes only human

Money rules football , investors of all shapes and sizes , the more generous the better you get
Man City won the fa cup and got a cl spot and its only cost them 360 million so far

If anyone in heres got 360 million to put in we can look forward to a good season and keeping players
that apart well have to struggle on

This acceptance that you have to let contracted players leave cos it's only natural to want to be stinking rich ASAP is one of the reasons I've fallen out of love with football.

We are talking about a kid who is probably already earning more money than the lads he grew up with and - if he loves playing football - can look forward to playing for one of the greatest clubs in England (yes I actually think we still are top half prem club in potential and even in history if we go back far enough!) - and who I am sure will be amply rewarded by United in the coming months with an improved deal.

Beyond that, in a year or two depending on how things work out, he looks to move on then fine.

If we start accepting that all contracted players have a right to move and in United's case at the drop of a hat before we have even had chance to really enjoy seeing them play - then what is the point?

What is the point of the academy if the ethos is that good players leave as quick as we can get a decent offer and the rubbish ones get to stay?

In fact I am starting to wonder what the point of SUFC is these days.

The magic, the dreams, the passion, the soul, the enjoyment has been sold out to greed and I am not sure what we are being left with.

Maybe if you are 15 you grew up with it this way so it's not so bad but I just can't recognise football to 25 years ago - may as well be a different sport at times.

 

[Bladesway]

As Raul says there will be politics at play. Whatever happened to the "young lad just wants to play football at first team level". Its up to us to keep him, not his agent to force our hand. Theres more than just Slew riding on it. Our very opportunity to push back upwards for the foreseeable future could rest in the hands of one deal. Slew goes and we may as well fold every time an offer is tabled (as we usually do). Fulham will be back and if not, someone else. Its up to McCabe for once to stand firm. If he believes in the future of youth then you don't sell it.

 

[shorehamview]

......I actually think we still are top half prem club in potential.........

Potentially I have the chance to win the Euromillions, and who is willing to bet on Sheffield United being a top half Premier League club in the next five years? Anyone?

It's also interesting to note that people who want us to go and cherry-pick players from lesser clubs than ours get their knickers in a twist when a higher placed club does it to us.

If the money is right for McCabe and Slew is happy with the bigger wages he will be off. I am fairly resigned to that. McCabe's eyes will get all starry at any halfway decent offer, and he'll sell, with no regard for future potential and no regard for what Slew can do on the pitch for us.

Do I like it? No. But it's got bugger all to do with me.

 

[Bladesway]

Do I like it? No. But it's got bugger all to do with me.

So based on that, whats the point of the forum because that just about covers anything and everything to do with the club.

Close everything down Linz because SV doesn't see the point.

 

[shorehamview]

So based on that, whats the point of the forum because that just about covers anything and everything to do with the club.

Close everything down Linz because SV doesn't see the point.

No. I can moan like hell, and often do. But Kevin McCabe is going to take no notice of me. Or you. Or any of us. Based on current evidence McCabe will do whatever he likes and won't listen to any of us fans about it, because as he said, what do we know?

And Slew staying or going has got bugger all to do with me. If I had any influence on the matter I'd have him tied down to a long contract and I'd be telling those who want to sign him to either cough up a lot of money or fuck off, but I haven't, and I haven't.

I get your point about no point, but I genuinely don't think that I can influence the day to day running of Sheffield United, unless I am very much mistaken, which I'm not. Sure, we have, or at least had, a Fans Liaison chap in the shape of Richard Batho, and he's answered the email I sent to him rather quickly, but as far as team matter what any of us say will not influence Kevin McCabe. It certainly hasn't so far.

 

[Pinchy]

I think the weight of opinion assisted in the removal of the former semi-pro reserve goalie and also the commitment to a change in style of play.

We at RAPFA expect to be consulted on all major policy decisions.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

He's under contract so what he wants isn't important here.

The most naive comment on here for a while. Contracts mean bugger all if a player/agent decides he's moving on, whatever the age. As I understand things, Slew is stalling on signing a new contract and is demanding better terms, given that there is an offer from Fulham on the table can't say I really blame the lad. 'They've offered me X, you're only offering Y. I don't mind staying but you need to make a better offer than Y.'

Given we all know the current financial situation at Bramall Lane, what do you suggest? Offer £10k a week whilst in division 3 to a young lad with not yet a handful of first team games ? Yes we can offer sound advice and suggest that another season or two playing regular 1st team football in the 3rd div. is better than several years floating around the reserve team/loaned out at a PL club, but I guess Pembo has already done all that. In the end he'll be like most others and simply look at it from a salary point of view and opt for who pays most.

 

[Micalijo]

No. I can moan like hell, and often do. But Kevin McCabe is going to take no notice of me. Or you. Or any of us. Based on current evidence McCabe will do whatever he likes and won't listen to any of us fans about it, because as he said, what do we know?

And Slew staying or going has got bugger all to do with me. If I had any influence on the matter I'd have him tied down to a long contract and I'd be telling those who want to sign him to either cough up a lot of money or fuck off, but I haven't, and I haven't.

I get your point about no point, but I genuinely don't think that I can influence the day to day running of Sheffield United, unless I am very much mistaken, which I'm not. Sure, we have, or at least had, a Fans Liaison chap in the shape of Richard Batho, and he's answered the email I sent to him rather quickly, but as far as team matter what any of us say will not influence Kevin McCabe. It certainly hasn't so far.

What was your e-mail to Batho about? Or was it private and of no interest to anybody else? Who gives a stuff if he replies quickly to personal e-mails - that is (or was) the problem with the whole thing - which as the great Len said, was a total joke all along.

 

[Grecian2000]

The most naive comment on here for a while. Contracts mean bugger all if a player/agent decides he's moving on, whatever the age.

and here's where we'll have to disagree.

To me the naivety belongs to those who listen to McCabe and his tales of woe about greedy players and pesky agents.

Did Leeds cave in when Beckford wanted away and refused to sign a contract? No, he saw out his contract in League 1 scoring enough goals to get them promoted.
Did Charlie Adam up and leave Blackpool just because he felt like it? No, he saw out his contract scoring as many as anyone at the club and very nearly preserving their status.

Contracts are what YOU want them to be and ARE enforcable should you have the gonads to do so. The fact McCabe plays this card every time he wants to sell a player (and the real giveaway is when he even uses the same excuses when we don't SIGN a player) is a smokescreen so shallow he must piss himself every time he says it.

 

[Bergen Blade]

and here's where we'll have to disagree.

To me the naivety belongs to those who listen to McCabe and his tales of woe about greedy players and pesky agents.

Did Leeds cave in when Beckford wanted away and refused to sign a contract? No, he saw out his contract in League 1 scoring enough goals to get them promoted.
Did Charlie Adam up and leave Blackpool just because he felt like it? No, he saw out his contract scoring as many as anyone at the club and very nearly preserving their status.

Contracts are what YOU want them to be and ARE enforcable should you have the gonads to do so. The fact McCabe plays this card every time he wants to sell a player (and the real giveaway is when he even uses the same excuses when we don't SIGN a player) is a smokescreen so shallow he must piss himself every time he says it.

Shirecliffe, first training in July:
DW: Allright lads, we'll have to figure out who wants to stay and who wants to leave. Raise your hands those of you who'd prefer to play for a better club for more money?
(All senior and youth players raise their hands.)
DW: Well, that's it. You're all off. We'll just have to see how much we'll get for you, there's nothing more we can do.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

and here's where we'll have to disagree.

To me the naivety belongs to those who listen to McCabe and his tales of woe about greedy players and pesky agents.

Did Leeds cave in when Beckford wanted away and refused to sign a contract? No, he saw out his contract in League 1 scoring enough goals to get them promoted.
Did Charlie Adam up and leave Blackpool just because he felt like it? No, he saw out his contract scoring as many as anyone at the club and very nearly preserving their status.

Contracts are what YOU want them to be and ARE enforcable should you have the gonads to do so. The fact McCabe plays this card every time he wants to sell a player (and the real giveaway is when he even uses the same excuses when we don't SIGN a player) is a smokescreen so shallow he must piss himself every time he says it.

...and for every Beckford and Adams there are 20 Francis Jeffers types, just idling away time and refusing to put a decent shift in until the contract expires and they get the move they wanted in the 1st place. Nothing to do with McCabe and what he says or not....and if you think Charlie Adam stayed at Blackpool out of any sense of loyalty or fear of what Blackpool might do because of his contract, then you're naive as well. 'Charlie, just hang-on until the end of the season and see what happens. We'll make it worth your while.' And no doubt a similar scenario with Beckford. Slew is nowt like either, with a big difference in that they were established players with the viable option (financially and career-wise) to hang on for a few months and see what happens.

By all means use any impending sale of Slew to bash McCabe if you want, he deserves a bashing in some form or another, but a player contract by and large is worth sod all in terms of keeping a player for the club. Now getting rid of total dross is a different kettle of fish