Sheffield United V Relegation

[ukdobby]

I think if you tell any employer you need a year to settle in you would not be offered the job.

If the manager doesn't pick him that tells me he's not good enough.

[Baron99]

Sheffield United have equalled their record number of league defeats in a single season (26 - also in 1975-76 and 2010-11), while the Blades have lost 16 Premier League games by a single goal this season, the most one-goal defeats in a single top-flight campaign since Ipswich Town in 1985-86 (also 16).  The single goal defeats just sum up the season! 

 

Let's face it, we failed to compete & get results against teams such as Newcastle, West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace & the like, in the 'mini league', outside the big 5 or 6 clubs. 

 

I wrote a few months back, I posted along the lines of no need to worry, 20 games left, the fat lady's not even warming up, let alone singing.  Well it appears she couldn't even be bothered to turn up in the end, she lacked the enthusiasm & just sent a CD of her greatest hits in. 

 

I'll now try & console myself & convince myself, that we're back in a more exciting league & that in a few months, (hopefully?), I'll be sat in my seat on the Kop at BDTBL in be sunshine.   Come August, like every football supporter, come the eternal football optimist. 

 

Remember, the highs are only high because the lows are so low.  UTB. 

Edited April 18, 2021 by Baron99

[Cyclecar]

In the summer break I guess we will all be advising the board regarding acquisitions and disposals so, to get my retaliation in early:

 

1. A strong, resourceful team manager with a decent track record of successes rather than of failures.

2. Pension off a couple of  the very old boys. 

3. Retain as many of the present squad as practical.

4. Don't sign ANY  players who arrive carrying an injury. (This used to be a Bramall Lane speciality).

5.  Don't be greedy with season ticket prices. 

 

I could go on................

[pintor]

Prince may be reluctant to spend again after Wilders blown most of it and not omproved the team, so loans and a mini clear out needed to raise funds. Hopefully McBurnie will go to wolves and Mousset can be sold/ used part exchange for a goalscorer. As for new manager, I'd go for Howe, but money might be an issue, so maybe we'll wait to get Jokanovic when his current job finishes, whatever the silly season will start soon, lets hope improvements are made

[Baron99]

16 minutes ago, pintor said:

Prince may be reluctant to spend again after Wilders blown most of it and not omproved the team, so loans and a mini clear out needed to raise funds. Hopefully McBurnie will go to wolves and Mousset can be sold/ used part exchange for a goalscorer. As for new manager, I'd go for Howe, but money might be an issue, so maybe we'll wait to get Jokanovic when his current job finishes, whatever the silly season will start soon, lets hope improvements are made

I'd like Howe but I certainly wouldn't be disappointed if we got Jokanovic instead.  He was rated by Fulham supporters.   It might be the case of spending a substantial amount on getting a decent manager & his backroom staff in place at the expense of buying players & using the manager to improve the squad we have at the start of next season & bringing on the youth academy players & the younger fringe squad members? 

 

As you say, it looks like a clear put will be on the cards, even if we wanted to keep some of the players, no doubt some will trigger contract clauses anyway.   We'll have to take a hit on some of the transfer money we paid out for the likes of McBurnie.  I read a couple of weeks back that Villa want him but will only pay in the region of £13 to £14 million.  Clearly he / his agent were already thinking of a move with this story doing the rounds with relegation impending & he won't be the only one but we'll be able to save on wages & spend the parachute payments on decent Championship players who might be hungry for a promotion fight? 

 

Also read that Berg was attracting the attention of Man City. 

Edited April 18, 2021 by Baron99

[Thirsty Relic]

As we all know, McBernie is a Swansea nut.  Swansea are in 3rd place in the Championship mas I type this, so are in with a good chance of joining the PL.  Image the coup if they re-signed him, and the supporters reaction.  I can't see Villa getting him for £13m if Swansea also wanted him.

 

For a season (possibly 2) we are in pole position to keep who we want to keep, sell for decent money a few more (should it suit us), and pay top dollar for top young, hungry  talent.

 

I hope whoever comes in keeps Heckingbottom, as he's helped bring through the youngsters who are highly prized and likely to make the breakthrough into the starting 11 next season - the likes of Gordon, Ndiaye, Brunt and Hackford.  He'd be able to help their transition into the squad, alongside returning loanees like Norrington-Davies and Ismaila Coulibaly.

[pintor]

Wolves rumoured to be interested in McBurnie,  Steve Bull saying they should sign him🤞. If we can  get rid of Lundstram, Rodwell (another waste of a wage), maybe a goalkeeper  and Ampadu goes back to his club, that should free up a little money, don't forget we've still got Freeman out on loan as well 

[NERVY-OWL]

3 hours ago, Baron99 said:

Spend the parachute payments on decent Championship players who might be hungry for a promotion fight? 

 

 

Not a dig but that comment in what you wrote is exactly why parachute payments should be scrapped or not go towards FFP at least so club's can't use it on new players. Insert 50% pay cut on relegation or something similar in the players contract if they earning a high amount.

There should be enough players of value in the United squad to cover losses without having to dip into parachute payments.

Edited April 18, 2021 by NERVY-OWL

[Baron99]

29 minutes ago, NERVY-OWL said:

Not a dig but that comment in what you wrote is exactly why parachute payments should be scrapped or not go towards FFP at least so club's can't use it on new players. Insert 50% pay cut on relegation or something similar in the players contract if they earning a high amount.

There should be enough players of value in the United squad to cover losses without having to dip into parachute payments.

To be honest, I've never agreed with parachute payments but I'm not in charge. If you look at the likes of Norwich, promoted to the Premiership for the fifth time, they must be one of the richest clubs going, despite being a yo-yo club. 

 

I agree, players should take a hit in their wages as they are ultimately the ones who are responsible for the division / the league position they find themselves in each May but I don't think the Players' Union would go for that one in a hurry? 

[NERVY-OWL]

4 minutes ago, Baron99 said:

To be honest, I've never agreed with parachute payments but I'm not in charge. If you look at the likes of Norwich, promoted to the Premiership for the fifth time, they must be one of the richest clubs going, despite being a yo-yo club. 

 

I agree, players should take a hit in their wages as they are ultimately the ones who are responsible for the division / the league position they find themselves in each May but I don't think the Players' Union would go for that one in a hurry? 

If the player agrees to it when signing they'd have to. Of course there would be greedy players that would refuse to sign for a club if they insisted on the clause in their contract so it would need club's to stay strong and stand up to them. I meant to put upto 50% though.