Would you believe ?

[beightonblade]

ate: 11 August 2008
By James Shield
SHEFFIELD United will accelerate their search for a new midfielder following Saturday's heart-breaking defeat by Birmingham City.
Kevin Blackwell confirmed that signing a player capable of injecting a fresh dose of creativity into his squad is now the club's top priority after watching Kevin Phillips' late goal deny them a deserved draw from the Championship curtain-raiser at St Andrews.

Identifying such a talent marks the first real test of the United manager's recently-revamped scouting system and The Star understands that Blackwell's spies have already started monitoring potential targets in Holland and Scandinavia.

"I'm looking for a certain type of player to do a certain type of job," he said.

"But there's not a named individual.

"There is, however, a role we are looking for within the club.

"And until we can find the right player then we will not speculate on the money."

Blackwell was in defiant mood during the post-match press conference and praised his team's efforts against the bookmakers' favourites for the title.

Paddy Kenny had not had a shot to save until Phillips pounced in the 92nd minute, controlling Garry O'Connor's header and shielding the ball from Chris Morgan before sneaking it past the foot of the post.

United, who entertain Port Vale in the Carling Cup first round on Wednesday, forged the better chances during a fractious match and saw substitute Jon Stead hit the woodwork with a cross-cum-shot immediately after the restart.

The Blades should be encouraged by the way they nullified the threat posed by the most formidable strikeforce in the division, with Blackwell's counterpart, Alex McLeish, forced to make three attacking changes before Phillips' intervention.

Blackwell added: "You've got to give Kevin all the praise, and quite rightly.

"I thought Morgan was close enough but he's bent the ball just outside of his reach

 

[Come from away]

So who is out there? Reckon for now we will rotate between Tonge - Spring - Monty - Hendrie in the hope that some one will have a good run. If we have 2-3 million pounds it puts a limit on what we can do, and we need more than one choice as there are no guarantees. Are there players likely to be let go by Premiership teams or young kids on loan? I'm too far distant but do you see a list of choices?

 

[jodman]

I have heard this kind of story so many times over the past five or six seasons that i will take it with a pinch of salt.

I have no doubt that KB would like to add some creativity in midfield but we were unable to attract a ball playing central midfielder when we were in the prem so i would say that the odds of getting one now are slim.

 

[Kev Gee]

The answer is pretty Obvious. We need to look abroad.

 

[metalblade]

Or more obviously McCabe needs to back the manager with a little cash, something he has'nt done for a few years.

 

[silverfox]

Or more obviously McCabe needs to back the manager with a little cash, something he has'nt done for a few years.

mmmmm.......Beattie??

 

[metalblade]

mmmmm Jags ?

 

[silverfox]

I'm sure overall (including wages) investment, in the playing squad, is at the highest level we have had.

There may be an argument that it could have/should be used better.

I also agree that we'd all like to see more but I think it's unfair to say McCabe is not investing enough.

 

[metalblade]

I also agree that we'd all like to see more but I think it's unfair to say McCabe is not investing enough.

Fair enough, but we made a good profit on transfers last season, this season we are probably about evens. I'd go as far as say we are not a great deal better than when we won promotion. We were told the players would take a drop in wages if we were relegated did that not happen ?
If the increased revenue from our season in the premiership, the parachute payments and the monies from two years of record season ticket sales have all gone on wages then we are getting a very poor return on our investment.

 

[silverfox]

I think the investment plus income v return is the real debate.

Then again how many clubs will say the same.

 

[beightonblade]

This players wages excuse is a load of bollox, a smokescreen propoganda released by McCabes spin doctors. If sum of em are on half the wages banded about its shamefull take away Killa & BT and for me the rest of em can go without to much pain.

QUALITY not QUANTITY :cry2:

BLADES WAY bollox

 

[Linz]

So we ought to sign quality players but pay them peanuts?

Yeah, they're really going to want to come to us

 

[rachyblade]

I'd rather have players who want to play and do well for the team, not turn up to pick up their wages.

 

[metalblade]

So we ought to sign quality players but pay them peanuts?

Yeah, they're really going to want to come to us

Better than paying quality wages to players not worth a bag of peanuts eg. Ehiogu, Hendrie, Carney and to a certain extent Speed.

 

[beightonblade]

Why was Henderson bought ?

 

[butchaboy]

Why was Henderson bought ?

to play football i would imagine

 

[beightonblade]

Our Gert would have been cheaper and she can play better.

 

[Sensiblade]

This players wages excuse is a load of bollox,

You pay them then

Just cos we lost a Birmingham it isn't the end of the world.
The players we have are good enough and will perform this season, I have confidence in them.

 

[Foxy]

This players wages excuse is a load of bollox

Did you not at one stage claim to get and digest the Blades financial reports?

By the way, did your gert score double figures in the championship last season? if so, lets draw her a tash on and stick her on the bench on saturday!

 

[beightonblade]

Did you not at one stage claim to get and digest the Blades financial reports?

By the way, did your gert score double figures in the championship last season? if so, lets draw her a tash on and stick her on the bench on saturday!

OK hands up Foxy....you've caught mi.
The figures seem to speak for themselves, mind yer i've heard of creative accounting ?????


by the way our Gerts already got a tash :easy:

 

[Linz]

by the way our Gerts already got a tash :easy:

I can see you getting a smack in the chops if she ever finds that one :lol:

 

[Bladesman]

So we ought to sign quality players but pay them peanuts?

Yeah, they're really going to want to come to us

If we are only prepared to pay peanuts why dont we just sign a elephant. That would scare the other team shitless.

 

[Foxy]

mind yer i've heard of creative accounting ?????

Yeah, your right, its not as if the accounts have to be scrutinised or owt like that

Infact i've always thought that noisey programme seller was a fake ("how much!")!

I'll bet he's on the payroll listed under "players wages", gets 99% of our annual outlay, takes his cut and then pays the rest back to Kev in used £5 notes

 

[beightonblade]

Foxy

A GOOD accountant is worth his weight in gold !
and i believe McCabe has the best.

Take from that what you want.

 

[Foxy]

Foxy

A GOOD accountant is worth his weight in gold !
and i believe McCabe has the best.

Take from that what you want.

Yup...

Good accountant = Lying about actually having to pay players money and committing fraud

 

[beightonblade]

Your entitled to YOUR opinion.

 

[keenzy]

If we are only prepared to pay peanuts why dont we just sign a elephant. That would scare the other team shitless.

Thats morgans job

 

[BexleyBlade]

I'd rather have players who want to play and do well for the team, not turn up to pick up their wages.

I dont think there is a footballer out there who doesnt walk out onto that pitch to do their best for whatever team they play for. Whether it appears they are trying hard or not they are not simply playing because its the only team that would give them their wage demans.

 

[RaWW]

Back to the original topic, this is the same statement that's been going around for years now. Why has it taken KB until now to realise this. Fact is Tonge is past it now and we really don't have any other options that can take us forward.

To me a creative MF player should have been the most important signing of the summer, and last January and last summer and the January before that......etc...

 

[Foxy]

To me a creative MF player should have been the most important signing of the summer, and last January and last summer and the January before that......etc...

Think it always has been to be honest, it's just when asked by the press its trotted out as a statement like you say.

Problem with getting a creative midfielder, as always, is that there isn't many about that are good enough and everybody and their dog want one.

Just hope we can finally address it sometime soon!