Deadbats Review of the Season/Report

[deadbat]

Midfielders

Nick Montgomery began the season after signing a new three year deal when it seemed for all the world like he would be heading for pastures new. Most Blades were happy with his pointing to his reliability and his all action box to box tackling, covering and breaking up of play but there were a number who sighed feeling his lack of calmness and ability in possession was as more of a hindrance. He began the season much like the team with a mixed bag of performances as United struggled nearer the bottom than top. He started the first 11 games but then was dropped when Speed preferred to try Ertl and Britton for a period feeling they were essentially all to similar as defensive midfielders or players who were better operating just in front of the back four. It did seem like Britton’s signing created a quandary as he was not the attacking midfielder many Blades first envisaged. He did have a few injuries and niggles but returned to the side around early November as we actually put 2 back to back wins together but to injury and suspension he did not seem to put together a consistent run of games even when Adams came in. He played a run from Doncaster at home until Millwall but then was out injured again before only returning for the run in starting with Forest with his return helping us win 4 out of 8 games.

I felt he was one of our more consistent players for much of the season but it has been a stop-start season due to injury in the main and whilst in the past he has usually been an ever present almost he did miss around a dozen games at different times. His passing at times actually showed an improvement and he had one or two decent games in possession of the ball but much of the season he was still wasteful in this area showing his lack of ability on the football. His running, covering and effort was second to none again and at times he carried the fight and embarrassed some of his teammates for their lack of effort. Of course some claim it is sometimes misguided but he can never be accused of hiding and often when we needed a block, tackle or interception in the middle of the field invariably it would be him providing it. Whether he is ever going to be more than what he is currently is debatable when he is 30 this year. However, what he is offers more positives than negatives and if United could one day surround him with the right players (or another club as it may transpire) he could me even more effective. He is a solid Championship player who if United do have to move on due to wages will command some offers; of that I am sure. I may have criticised him in reports this season but I think we have always had a better chance of winning when he had played and the stats bear this out to some degree in that he has started every game we have won (ok he has started a lot more that we have lost but this still gives an indication of his importance). If he goes then he does with my good wishes and I am sure many United fans, like me, will actually be sad to see him go. Those who criticise him may have salient points but he is the sort of player we would need to scrap out of the division below and when you look at players such as Doyle who has started for a Champ club for many years, you kind of see how underrated Monty actually is.

Grade C

Stephen Quinn had an odd season in that the early stages of the season he was not really at it and actually became a target for some of the fans (with others). He was another who had signed a new contract on better wages and many fans feel he was coasting through games earlier in the season. He was quickly dropped after Blackwell left and was on the bench for a period for Speed’s early games. He returned for a lengthy spell back in the team from early October but again his performances were inconsistent to say the least. One decent game would be followed by a poor performance as he moved invariably between left hand side and central midfield. He continued his annoying habit of flicking the ball first time to no one in particular and was often on the floor too many times for no reason in particular.

Many United fans also became annoyed with his body language and habits, such as continually holding his head when something went awry! He got sent off at Norwich for a daft incident (maybe a little harsh but daft all the same to put your head towards someone) but after he came back into the team when Adams had took over his form gradually improved and he began to become one of our most consistent players. He had a run of excellent games and was suddenly one of our most committed, positive and creative threats. Indeed in many of the home games in the run in he was the player we looked to in making things happen. He suddenly passed the ball more consistently, looked to get on the ball and became more of a 90 minute player (often tired out by the hour in previous seasons). He had turned the opinion of the fans around after a poor start to the season to the extent where many now will be very disappointed if he leaves. Maybe he was playing for a move and knew he had to pick his form up but if he can play like he did in the final 2-3 months then he can be an asset for most clubs at this level and sadly it maybe he is another that may invite offers and have to be sacrificed.

Whatever happens he has to be more consistent and show his undoubted ability (actually a very intelligent footballer at times) and get more assists/goals (only 1 this season which is really poor for a fairly attacking midfielder) than he has achieved so far in his career. He could be a solid Championship player at the very least for the next 5-8 years (still only 25) if he can maintain his form latterly.

Grade C+

Leon Britton signing was a real surprise and was a seen as a bit of a coup when we secured him on a bosman from Swansea beating off supposed competition from Wigan and Middlesboro amongst others. Many felt he would be the creative piece we had been missing and felt he could prove the link that previous signings Harper and Howard had not. He created a goal at QPR on the opening day of the season and then was very good in some of the early home games such as Preston and Portsmouth. However, it was clear he was not the sort of player we had envisaged and after beginning the season in an attacking role was put back to the holding position that had made him a success at Swansea. Here he could pick up the ball and allow us to play whilst helping protect the backline too. He was in affect the link between midfield and defence. It worked for a while and in some games he did well. Still as the season progressed his form deteriorated at the same time as the Blades’ form and he actually struggled to get involved with matches sometimes passing him by in the same way it had for Howard and Harper previously. Maybe it was the coaching or maybe he was not as good as we had been promised? Whatever reason he bent off the boil after early promise and his actual ball retention was not as good as it should be for a supposed ‘ball’ player.

He was dropped for the Watford game but returned the next game for a run but watching Doncaster’s midfield completely dominate and out pass and out play him (and our other midfielders) was eye opening. He remained in the team but this was probably due to the fact we had little else to call upon and his performances were very up and down. I don’t think he hid but I don’t think he contributed enough either and the struggles the team had affected him as much as anyone. He played in Adams first game at Burnley but along with a few others (Lowton, Calve, Wright, Nosworthy) could not have impressed and was taken out of the team immediately. He played against Villa and then came on at Coventry but then on the eve of the transfer deadline it was still a shock when he moved back to Swansea. It seemed an odd episode all round as whilst he had not started his United career as well as he would have hoped, it had been a difficult season for many, not just him. He had signed a three year contract and whilst his start was disappointing he was a decent footballer who I thought with the right system and tactics could improve.

Sadly he had only shown smatterings of ability and often played the ball sideways or backwards and I cannot remember many goals he created and he did not score one goal (granted that was is not his strength) or have many efforts on goal. When he moved it was stated it had been a mistake and that the move had not worked out which was true to some degree but it did seem (like with Bartley, Ward, Calve etc) that Adams made his mind up very quickly and did not exactly fight hard to keep Britton (he was under contract after all) stating if he was not happy he could move on (once again this only came out after Adams came and then dropped him). I am not saying he was the answer but again like with Bartley we did not replace him with an improved player (Doyle) and whilst he had probably been a disappointment
we may have fared better by retaining him. All conjecture and we would never know but overall the move and what happened was all another move that for one reason or other simply did not work out. He has been in and out of the team at Swansea and will now take part in the end of season playoffs.

Grade D

Andy Reid was the type of loan signing that Gary Speed clearly wanted to sign but due to financial restraints and players not being available it was a struggle until he finally got someone in of real quality who could make a difference. Reid clearly was a proven performer who maybe had lost his way; at least in a Premiership sense; but surely would stand out at this level and so it proved. He instantly made an impact against Coventry when he came on and showed his passing and shooting ability. He then was influential in away games at Leicester and Millwall with a winning goal in the second game; superbly executed. In games to come he showed his creativity and whilst his less than maintained physique (some would say fat!) did not allow him to move around the pitch much he did not need to as he rarely wasted a ball and could pass short and long. At times he probably shot too much and sometimes always wanted to play the killer ball but when it came off it usually led to a chance or even a goal. The defence splitting pass against Swansea to Evans a casing point. He scored at Norwich with an excellent free kick but was then suspended for head butting an opponent (again stupid ill discipline from an experienced player) and we never saw him again as he returned to Sunderland. He eventually went to Blackpool permanently but he has not been a regular there and it seems he might not have the energy levels or consistency to be effective at the highest level. This is a shame as his ability is clearly there for all to see and shows why he has earned big money moves previously. Maybe he may end up back in the Championship with the Tangerines or another side next season but it is clear that for a brief period he offered us something we did not have for much of the season; vision, touch, passing and goal scoring ability from midfield.

Grade B-

Michael Doyle was a signing from Coventry after they released him allowing him to join up with former manager Adams once again. He was a player I barely remembered from previous games which was not a good sign! He was seen as a defensive midfielder that was not easy on the eye but workmanlike and who did a solid enough job for his previous side without being spectacular. It was an odd signing considering we already had Montgomery, Ertl etc in the squad. He began playing in midfield with Montgomery against Leicester and actually had a few shots on goal which surprised some fans that were not used to that! However, the subsequent games he played saw some unremarkable performances where our central midfield often got outplayed and outworked. He started 15 in a row up to the Preston defeat which was bizarre as he seemed to get worse and we kept losing but he like Collins (and a few others to be fair) kept starting. Doyle seemed to offer little in terms of tackling (not that mobile or fast) and rarely got on the ball. When he did pass it; his ability to keep it was mixed. In short it seemed like we had signed a poor man’s Montgomery! Some fans said he was being harshly treated and that he had done ok but ok was not enough when we needed goals and wins. With us conceding them by the bucket load at the other end it was difficult to see what he was offering in that sense. He did play well against Leeds as we dominated the midfield but this was a rare good outing and eventually probably too late he was taken out of the team as Adams shuffled his pack playing some youngsters and fringe players. We then saw some goals from McAllister and Williamson and definite improvements with more balance in this area of the pitch. He is here for another 2 years which means with Monty and Quinn probably going he will be involved next season but he has to improve and offer more than we have seen. If he can replicate the Leeds display on a consistent level he could be an asset but at the moment he seems another I would rather we move on but we will probably have to keep him due to no one wanting the likes of him and Collins!

Grade E

[deadbat]

Lee Williamson season was a bit of a write off once again. To be fair he had been seriously injured to the point of nearly losing his life the previous summer and he only came back around Christmas time. However, his form was patchy when he did return as he alternated between central midfield and left side. He was substituted in the games he did start or was on the bench for many of Adam’s early games. He then got sent off stupidly for dissent at Ipswich when the game was already lost and then he was booked in a further two games when he returned before getting sent off at Watford, again for a daft challenge. Williamson then got back on the team and actually finally showed some consistent form with three consecutive goals in games against Bristol City, Reading and Barnsley. Williamson was able to get ahead of strikers and into the box and also showed his ability to take the ball forward and take shots. Williamson on his day can be an excellent midfielder who can support the attack, cover a lot of ground and has a nice range of passing. However these days have been few and far between due to inconsistent form in some cases but mostly due to injuries and suspensions. I think he will remain due to these reasons putting off any potential suitors and next season is a big one. He should stand out at League One and easily should score 10 goals+ and be a key part of our team with his set play delivery (inconsistent too but at times very effective) and his engine. The main thing is he needs to play a full season with few games missed through injury/suspension.

Grade D

Mark Yeates is another player that was woefully inconsistent. He was a substitute for the opening 8 league games before only getting a start against Notts Forest. He managed to keep his place for a spell and was actually excellent in games against Burnley and Forest, scoring 2 excellent goals and being our most creative player. He also scored 2 goals at Leicester in the draw and it seemed Speed saw him as someone who could change games and impact on us positively. He was still frustrating at times with some excellent crosses mixed with some wasteful balls. His penchant for avoiding physical contact was a feature of his game and defenders realised that if they tackled him hard and early it would affect the rest of his performance. Still he was one of the few players who would take a shot and would also sometimes go at his man and try and make things happen. When Adams came in he scored at Burnley to give us the lead but then not long after found himself out of the team and back on the bench. He started a couple of home games against Millwall and Reading but was poor in both of these and never started again making a few more cameos as substitute until disappearing completely from the squad for the final 6 games. Rumours of a bust up with the manager and even worse alleged breaches of discipline were sighted as the alleged reasons for his removal from the squad. It seems he is one that Adams would like to move on and it might be best for all parties if he does leave. At times he has been promising but all too often he has failed to deliver and rarely put a spell of effective games together. His career seems to be drifting away and he will become a journeyman at best if he does not show some determination and consistency to match some of the talent he does possess.

Grade D

Bjorn Arne Riise came in from Fulham on loan and after coming on and impressing as a substitute against Reading; he started 4 straight games from Palace to Pompey, in 4 defeats. In many of these games he was our best player as he showed creativity, quick feet, crossing ability and generally a touch of class on the football. He was certainly one of the few bright spots as United’s season was suddenly going south fast. He got an injury that kept him out of games but he came on as a substitute and scored a neat goal against Leeds. He was then one of our better players against Middlesboro and Cardiff in two defeats before he missed an absolute sitter when the game was scoreless at Deepdale. This moment basically turned his game and it was a defeat that pretty much sealed relegation. He featured in some of the remaining games but his performances trailed off as he was probably thinking of his next career move as he returned to Craven Cottage. Overall despite a few quiet games and that miss; he was one of our standout players in the run in and always seemed to make time on the ball. Like Andy Reid, you could see why he had earned a move to the top flight but like Reid you could see the inconsistency and lack of fitness/mobility that has stopped him being a regular there.

Grade C

David McAllister was brought in from Irish football; alongside compatriot Seamus Connelly. McAllister was used straight away in the cup game against Villa due to a plethora of injuries but then he played most of the remainder of the season in the reserves. He finally got a first team call up right at the end of the season when he started against Bristol City. He was most impressive with a superb long range goal and he could have easily registered a hat trick with his willingness to shoot and accuracy from range. He looked neat and tidy and whilst he struggled with the pace of the game by the latter stages of the second half; he showed enough promise to suggest even at 22 that he could be a player that features strongly next season. He got an injury that meant he only had one further substitute appearance in the final three games but is one that may be pushing for the first team at the start of the next campaign with doubts lingering over the futures of Quinn and Montgomery.

Grade C

The rest

Kingsley James (18 years of age) and Jordan Chapell (19 years of age) both played at Hartlepool in the league cup and were regulars in reserve football for much of the season. Perhaps neither have quite pushed on as much as they would have liked and with others from the Academy/Development Squad such as McAllister, Harriott, Tonne and Whitehouse probably looking more likely of the first team it is hard to see them breaking through but maybe they might get a chance with senior players leaving.

Matt Harriott (18 years of age) was impressive the couple of Academy games I saw after arriving from Luton’s set up and stood out for his range of passing and composure on the ball. Harriott’s physical appearance and game reminded me of a young Curtis Woodhouse and he certainly would always look to get on the ball and make things happen. Harriott came on a late substitute in the derby draw at home to Doncaster and at Swansea. He was a substitute on a couple of other occasions. He has continued to shine in the juniors Youth Cup run and looks one for the future.

4 young players arrived (Warren mentioned already) from overseas in February as part of the newly termed development squad. Erik Tonne (19 years of age) is a Norwegian player who has been drawing rave reviews for his performances in the reserves as an attacking midfielder. He has even managed to force his way onto the bench and had a few cameo appearances at the end of games towards the end of the season. Andras Gardos (20 years of age) came from Ferencvaros and has featured for the reserves alongside Kristoffer Lokberg (19 years of age) who is another Norwegian that signed after a trial and has recently featured for the Norwegian under 19 squad.

Ryan France was a player that did not play a game with injury after injury keeping him out. Latest reports suggest he may struggle to play football again but we have heard nothing from the club. He is out of contract at the end of the season and if he does play league football it will not be with us. He was signed from under the noses of local rivals Wednesday by Kevin Blackwell but other than a smattering of games before Xmas in the 2009/10 season he has been another poor signing that has seen him spent most of his contract on the treatment table.

[deadbat]

Next season

Player / Position Years remaining (contract expires)

Midfielders

Nick Montgomery 2 years (2013)
Stephen Quinn 2 years (2013)
Mark Yeates 1 year (2012)
Lee Williamson 1 year (2012)
Michael Doyle 2 years (2013)
David McAllister 1 year (2012)
Matt Harriott (contract unknown)
Jordan Chapell 1 year (2012)
Andras Gardos 1 year (2012)
Kristoffer Lokberg 1 year (2012)
Erik Tonne (contract unknown)

The midfield area is one that like much of the rest of the team has so many questions with mainstays like Montgomery and Quinn real doubts over whether they will return. Certainly if we receive bids for either they will move on and I would be surprised if they are back at the Lane next season. Both can still be creditable Championship players. Yeates is another that will be moved on or a contract settlement made I would expect. Williamson is one that I think will remain due to his history of injuries and I am afraid Doyle will be around too. The rest are all younger players with McAllister and Tonne maybe the two who may be thrust into the first team squad on a regular basis. The others may play a larger role depending on how they move develop and who does actually leave. We may have to bring in some experience in this area but hopefully if Adams is around then the signings will have more of an impact than Doyle. One things is clear as well is that we need some wide players as whilst the likes of Quinn and then Williamson did ok in these areas at times; if the former moves along with Yeates we effectively have no wide men in the squad that I am aware of.

[fred emney]

Please please no more monty, not signed by blackwell but a typical blackwell player, all huff & puff with no end product, silly fouls, weak passes or thumps into the kop.


Time for skill on display, with midfielders with the ability to trap a ball, sense where the play is & make the pass/shot/tackle that is desired. settling for the likes of monty is settling for mediocrity & look where that`s got us.

My sort of middle men don`t tackle their own forward (evans) run head down & blast the ball into the terrace 50 yard away .

apart from that well done again DB!

[deadbat]

Strikers

Ched Evans had a disappointing first season on the whole after a big money move from Manchester City. Debate still rages what he actually cost with figures going from £750,000 to 3 million. Whatever it was it is certain the wages that Evans was given were certainly fairly hefty and the total outlay was to borrow a phrase from Mr McCabe when describing the sum spent to acquire him was ‘significant.’ He began his season well but only finished with a measly 4 goals and often flattered to deceive as his football brain and positional sense was sadly lacking. Evans knew this season was a big one and he definitely had an improved campaign if still displaying certain inconsistencies in his game. He began with a goal at Cardiff and looked sharp in the early games. He registered a vital free kick against Portsmouth to win a game but the goals dried up again and he had spells out through injury and also loss of form. He did not score again until a purple patch of 5 goals in 7 games around Christmas including a winner against Swansea and a well taken brace against Hull. He had showed strong running, got into better areas and generally perhaps more than anything had put in some real shifts for the team showing effort and desire missing the previous season. For the final few months of the season his form dropped off as he suffered numerous injuries again that made things rather stop-start. Whenever he came back he picked up another knock and only scored one goal in the final 4 months of the season in the defeat at Scunthorpe. It was a disappointing end to the season when for long spells he had been maybe our best player and one of the few to come out of the season with any credit. The critics will say 9 goals is still not enough and that he still does not quite do enough for the side to justify whatever money has been parlayed on him. He is one player that has improved and looks more like the player we thought we had signed but overall maybe he has been a touch disappointing over the 2 seasons we have had him. He will almost certainly move on due to financial needs and I expect him to remain with a club in the Championship. It will be interesting to see if he can take his undoubted potential (still only 22) on and be more far more consistent over the course of a season at his new club.

]Grade C

Richard Cresswell like Nosworthy and Simonsen had done very well in his temporary spells at the club and actually had been signed on a permanent deal before the end of the previous season. He had scored 14 goals in a relatively short amount of time and after doubts over his signing initially turned United fans’ opinions around with his work rate and ability to get in the box and get goals. However it still raised eyebrows when he signed a three year contract especially when he had already turned 33 years of age in the summer. Maybe a one year or two year deal as a reward for his performances but three?! Cresswell then went on and has had an awful season in the main. He only scored 5 goals (significantly down on last season) and generally looked slow, immobile and past his best. He looked a player that’s best days were behind him. He tried hard and did not hide but games often passed him by due to his lack of pace and stamina (often seemed shattered by the hour mark). He did not win as many headers as he did the previous seasons and whether he played wide left (for the most part) or up front (as he asked to be played) he was equally disappointing. He remained in the team under Speed despite a run of poor games throughout his tenure and seemed to be ‘undroppable’ despite offering little to the team. He remained in the team when Adams came in but then was finally dropped for the run in of games and his disappearance (along with others such as Collins/Doyle) resulted in some improved results and performances. With another 2 years on decent wages combined with a really poor season; he is one that will not invite offers and will be around next season. I feel with hungrier and even younger players at the lower level he may struggle even more and it is no good having experience if your legs have completely gone, as seems to be the case with Cresswell. I hope he can somehow lift himself to at least be a contributor next season but like some of the others mentioned, Yeats, Collins, Doyle, Bogdanovic it would be ideal if he could somehow be moved on.

Grade E

Darius Henderson injury was expected to keep him out for a few months but this quickly turned into most of the season and despite his critics it was clear we missed the big target man. He had always offered goals; hold up play and a nuisance factor despite his poor disciplinary record and inconsistency. He was supposed to come back just after Christmas, then it seemed like he would never return but finally he made a surprise return at Watford in mid March. His impact was instant; a red card after barely half an hour! You could argue the decisions but he put himself in bad positions and makes himself an easy target for referees. It was an awful return and had many of his detractors reaching for their keyboards/phones to complain in various forums. He came back at QPR but was poor and then missed a hatful of chances against Middlesboro including a shocking miss at the Kop end with the game at 1-1. He then finally hit the net against Bristol City and Reading with three goals contributing to three wins. His performances were certainly mixed but the goals and threat he possesses showed that if we had a fit Henderson all season we would have been in a stronger position I feel. He has missed some shocking chances and his annoying tendency to always want to wrestle with his opponent means he often does not get his share of decisions. Once again despite the criticism he receives he is a solid Championship striker who will always score goals (probably always get a few red cards every season too!) and be the sort of players most clubs at this level would like to have. His honesty on twitter has at least confirmed he does care about the club and realises his shortcomings but he will probably move on too and I do not think we will have any problems offloading him due to the reasons mentioned. If we could somehow keep him he would score 20+ goals at league one and be a focal point for our attack (we played less long ball when he was in the team than before he did return in my opinion) and cause real havoc.

Grade D

Daniel Bogdanovic was a signing that was rumoured all summer with the Maltese link up and after he was linked with a few other clubs he finally was confirmed as a Blades player on a 2 year contract. He certainly had moved about quite a bit playing in his homeland, Italy, Bulgaria and seemingly never staying at a club for than a couple of seasons. Also, at 31 could not be necessarily seen as one for the future. It did seem the sponsorship with Malta did have something to do with it and he did not seem a Blackwell type player at all. He began the season on the bench and even when he came on did not exactly ‘bust a gut’ to win a starting spot. He finally got a start against Forest at the end of September and then scored in a draw with Burnley and showed some lovely touches and intelligent football brain. He lacked pace and he seemed immune to any kind of physical contact which was bizarre for such a tall guy. His heading ability also was poor and it was clear he could not hold the ball up nor run onto balls. He needed the ball played to his feet/chest to be effective and his languid style earned him the name of the poor man’s Berbatov amongst some United fans! Despite him never totally convincing for much of the season; he still showed some offensive talent that the Blades lacked; namely that he could put the ball in the net and win and score penalties. He won and scored three kicks against Palace, Millwall and Reading to help us earn rare points but seemed more effective when he came off the bench. His ability to induce challenges and win free kicks and penalties was one of our better tactics down the stretch run of the season. However, he lost his place again and was in and out of the team for the final months until he disappeared completely and it seemed he was another that fell out of favour in the last few weeks. He rarely played more than a couple of games as a starter and his record of playing 12 games with 20 as substitute; featuring 5 goals was not an impressive return considering his exploits at Barnsley the previous season. More damning was the fact there was only one league game that I believe that he actually started and finished (played full 90 minutes) the whole season. I do not see him being part of Adams’ plans if the manager remains and he will be probably have to move on (maybe back overseas where his style may be better suited). I cannot see how he can be much of a factor amidst the hurly/burly physical nature of League One. He should have the class and touch to stand out at either league but he does not seem to have the desire or consistency to be able to do this other than for fleeting spells which is simply not enough for any team.

Grade D

[deadbat]

Jamie Ward was another player that seemed to have lost his way and after a superb start to his United career and start to the 2009/10 season he got a bad injury against Wednesday and seemed to never get back to fitness nor form after this for the remainder of the season. Ward began the season on the right hand side of midfield and played most of the opening games but was very inconsistent seeming to lack that pace/zip that had made him such a threat when he first signed. He then was in and out of the side from October to Xmas with a stupid red card at Leeds, few more niggling injuries and poor form seeing him never really a regular again. Under Adams he played the first 4 games and scored a penalty in the cup against Villa. He then allegedly had a disagreement with the new management team and it seemed from Adams’ comments that Ward had not been putting in the effort or showing the professionalism required. Soon after he was loaned to Derby and it seems almost certain he will move there permanently this summer. He has done ok at Derby but got sent off again and also missed quite a few chances amongst a few goals too. A player that looked really promising when he joined but now at 25 he really needs to push on if he wants to be a decent player in the top two divisions and avoid dropping back down the leagues; probably for good. I do think he has lost elements of the pace that made him such a threat and that he is more effective up front than wide right but he is another who seems to think he is better than he is. Whilst we can argue he could have been a factor in the run in and that players that came in (such as Bent) were even worse; he had not shown enough this season to suggest that he would have scored or made many goals.

Grade E

Marcus Bentreturned to the club 10 years after he left it and with a huge number of clubs on his CV. Bent was currently contracted at Birmingham until the summer but Adams felt Bent’s experience could be invaluable in the run in. Sadly, despite a decent performance against Norwich in his debut, Bent was withdrawn in the next 3 games and any further appearances were on the bench. He looked disinterested, lazy and his touch was pretty awful. Overall he looked another player that is basically ‘done’ and despite stating he wanted to earn a contract at the Lane he did nothing to suggest he warranted any kind of deal barely registering an effort of note on goal and unable to really contribute anything of note. The fact he was jeered on/off the pitch in his later performances said it all. His disastrous loan was mercifully ended by the club before the end of the season. I am unsure if he even has the desire to go and play lower league football next season as that will be the best he can really achieve and I think he may pack up altogether being now 33.

Grade F

Sam Vokes played 4 league games for the club and after a so-so debut against Reading he picked up an injury and did not return until a few substitute appearances against Derby and Portsmouth. He had a couple of decent games in the home wins against Forest and Leeds with a neat finish in Adams’ first win and then a committed, hard working effort against Leeds. However just as he seemed to be settling in he was ‘allowed’ to return to Wolves who clearly had the chances to loan him to a better side, Norwich where he would get a better experience of football. He actually barely played for the Canaries before Wolves have recalled him for their own run in and has been on the bench for Wanderers. He is a very well built forward who despite not actually being that great in the air for his size, has a decent touch and works hard for the team. He is only 21 and has plenty of time to develop his game. Whether that is at Wolves will probably depend if they go down or not. If they stay up he may have to go out on loan to the Championship again next season to get games and more experience.

Grade C-

Jordan Slew had shown promise in the Academy scoring a lot of goals earlier in the season. I had seen him a few times for the youth team and reserves and felt he was miles off the first team lacking the strength, physique and know how. Clearly he a great deal of pace and also had good movement and an eye for a finish. He had a few sub appearances at Doncaster and in the Cup game against Villa before after impressing further in the Youth Cup run he was given his bow against Preston and marked his first full start with a nearly taken goal. He impressed in the next game against Bristol City with his enthusiasm, movement and then his superb winner past former England keeper David James. There was actually signs of some sort of partnership with Darius Henderson and it show the likes of myself were probably wrong and that maybe he was ready to play for the first team. I still maintain he has a lot of work to do and is probably a bit off being a regular first team starter. He needs to get much, much stronger over the summer months (shame we cannot send him on a building site – worked for Tony Currie!) and work on his first touch/decision making but his rare pace and finishing means we may have something to work with. At only 18 he has plenty of time to progress and develop. I am sure he will be in and around the first team squad next season but hope we don’t put too much pressure on him and can bring him along slowly.

Grade C

Daniel Philliskirk has also featured after he came in on loan from Chelsea and has signed a contract for next season. He played wide at Preston and then came on up front at Swansea but unsure whether he is a striker or wide man. He went from Oldham to Chelsea for significant money for a teenager but has probably found it hard to get any kind of opening at Stamford Bridge and it is inevitable he would move on. Hopefully he can be a factor next season.

Next season

Player / Position Years remaining (contract expires)

Forwards

Richard Cresswell 2 years (2013)
Ched Evans 1 year (2012)
Darius Henderson 1 year (2012)
Daniel Bogdanovic 1 year (2012)
Jordan Slew 1 year (2012)
Daniel Philliskirk (contract unknown)

All the strikers are under contract for next season but I think Evans and Henderson will move on. Certainly Evans is a certainty with only his large wages and his recent ankle injury being stumbling blocks to his inevitable transfer. Henderson also will probably leave due to his wage and hopefully both can bring in ‘some’ funds in terms of fees no matter how small (clubs will know we are desperate to move them on so won’t offer much). That leaves us with Bogdanovic who seems out of favour and another I think United would like to move on realising it was another poor signing. Then we have two strikers at both ends of the spectrum in Cresswell who seems to be finished pretty much and then Slew who is a talented youngster but not ready to be a regular starter yet in my opinion. Philliskirk is one player who we know little about but may contend immediately due to the players that will move on. If 3 or 4 move on (including Ward and Bogdanovic) ; then like the other areas of the team we will need some newcomers and some experienced players who can score goals and held to develop and supplement the youngsters.

The fans

They have backed the club in large numbers yet again and for us to average almost 21,000 fans (granted down on the previous seasons) in an utterly awful campaign is a testament to the loyalty of our supporters. Granted away crowds have been down and at times maybe the noise levels have not quite what they were but that is understandable considering what has been happening on the pitch. Some may say fans have had their boo boys at different points in the season with Nosworthy, Cresswell, Bent, Henderson, Collins, Simonsen and even Quinn earlier in the season drawing jeers at times even during games but for the most part considering the dross we have been served up I think the fans have been remarkably patient. As Adams said many of the players have got away scot fee and so have all the managers for the awful players, tactics, performances and results.

The fans could have really gone to town more but there has been little in the way of protests with a few ‘Sack the board!’ chants at certain games and then a few ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirts’ being about as volatile as it got. At times in the past fights would have broken out on the Kop, there would have been car park protest and maybe even a pitch invasion after the Barnsley game. Maybe United fans have mellowed, maybe they don’t care anymore and are resigned to how it will always probably be (going by the past) but for whatever reasons there seems to be an acceptance of our fate. In some ways I will be honest I wish there had been more of a fuss kicked up but then I am not sure what it would achieve? Who sacks the board? McCabe isn’t going to walk unless he gets his money back. We are stuck with what we have. We can either choose not to go (as many will now do – although around 10,000 season tickets sold shows more incredible loyalty and a lot more sold than I thought there would be) or keep going and support whatever we have cobbled together in front of us.

I will probably choose the latter. I am probably mad and maybe should find something else to do every other Saturday but when you love the club whatever mess it is in and whatever the future may hold; it is hard to walk away. I now see it for what it is; I go and meet people, have a beer, watch the game and have a laugh. If we win great, but if we don’t I am not the same now as I was years ago and I have become less agitated and emotionally affected. Do I care less? No but I think I have stepped away a bit and realised I cannot do anything. United will probably never change. We may head back up the leagues again in a few years and then will probably come back down them. This will probably continue for the rest of my lifetime. Will it ever change? I don’t think so. Is this good enough for a club of United’s stature, size and potential? Well yes and no.

We have never done anything to prove we are a big club really and never really achieved anything over the last 35 years. We are probably a second tier club at best who may have the odd season in the top flight here and there and the odd season at the level we are at next season. My Dad, his Dad and many other relatives of all are fans that go were right. United will always be a selling club, they will always let you down and the phrase ‘typical United’ will continue to be uttered from generation to generation but they are my club; they are your club. You cannot choose to walk away from that whether you opt to attend next season or not. It’s cliché but mostly you are born a Blade and this season more than most has revealed that the best thing about the club is not the people who run it, manage it or play for it, but the supporters. We have quite a few who see things overly through red and white spectacles and some fans I actually despair at as all clubs do, but the reaction at the end of the Barnsley game when most of the crowds stayed to applaud and sing; ‘We love United we do!’ was a real testament to the fans we have.


Grade B+


-----------


Have a good summer. See you all next season! Onwards and upwards (can’t go much lower- can we?!?!).
Up the Blades.

[pommpey]

Thanks Deadbat. An excellent dissertation on a rather disappointing nine months for us all. Brilliant reading for us select few on here. You'd be best getting that published on the main site for all, including the staff at BDTBL, to read and inwardly digest.

Have a good summer yourself, and thanks once again for your reports and words mate.

UP THE BLADES

pommpey

[Bladenz]

Agree with pommpey, Deadbat - this is an excellent report. You have said why we support the Blades - it's in our blood now, and we wouldn't change. The club will continue to delight and disappoint us - we will congratulate and despair in equal parts because that's United! But it is part of us now, a part that we wouldn't let go for anything. I look forward to a better season next year - and to your continuing reports.

[muttley]

Bladenz...please enlighten me on when they last "delighted"us? My memory is a bit dodgy these days!

[fred emney]

Adding to pommpey`s comment, deadbats detailed description of our useless failures should be given to any new manager. No way do i want him to give any of our list of hackers/failures/puddings & empty heads a chance to show what they`ve got.

they`ve got nowt we want.

[Bladenz]

Muttley, Muttley, Muttley!!! Surely they have given you a lot of pleasure as well as pain in the past? The sheer delight of watching Tony Currie's first game at the Lane when we beat Spurs, the seven goals we put past Ipswich. Watching Currie & Birchenall kiss on the ground after a tackle (?), Alan Kelly in goal, reaching the Semi-Final (even tho' we lost it to the Pigs, the run up was great).I'm sure that Fred could give you many more instances, 'cos he's got an encyclopaedic memory. I used to get excited when I caught the bus from Woodseats to the Lane, in sheer anticipation. Sure, they let us down from time to time, but you don't just switch off from being a supporter, do you?

[fred emney]

I'm sure that Fred could give you many more instances, 'cos he's got an encyclopaedic memory

Not sure about that, but i`ve kept a detailed list of me Blades memories , so when i cop it & get to the pearly gates & old Saint Peter asks, Now then fred mate, what`s tha done to deserve entry here?".... and I`ll smile & i`ll hand him me Blades supporting dossier & i`ll say " there y`are youth have a dekko thru that lot & weep, stress & suffering i`ve done the bloody lot, Paddy Buckley, alan warboys, Billy Mcewen the evil blackwell, chuffin` `ell Pete there` d better be more than 70 vestal virgins on other side of that gate waiting for us lad or i`ll be wanting to see gaffer like""

[DoyleDo1]

There are two instances, both very much alike that dont half rile me when I think about them. The first how when we got relegated in 93/94 more was not made of how we were fiddled out of the League. 44 points we went down on! The Sun even filmed Grobbelaaar taking a back hander - and dont even get me started on Hans f**kin Segers! Barry Horne shooting from Millhouses and it finding the top corner, then when he dived over the ball!

Just as I finally put that to bed, we win promotion a healthy 13 years later and low and behold, we get flucked over again!!!

This isnt anything to do with football. In the 20 years the Premiership has been going, we have only played in 2 of them, and in those two we have been cheated TWICE!! out of our spot!

Now I am not one for sour grapes. This season we have been a shambles...the refs havent helped though have they? Half of me feels some of the matches have been revenge for McCabes antics. But if we are poor, we deserve to go down. In the two seasons mentioned above, there were far worst teams than us that relied on other 'methods' of retaining there positions.

I dont know what we have done to deserve the above.

Did anyone see the Fulham - Liverpool match the other night? 5-2 Liverpool? They couldnt have done that 4 feckin years ago could they!!

Does anyone know how many times Fulham have beaten Liverpool or West Spam won at Old Trafford? For that to happen simultaniously in the space of a week makes my blood boil. That was the immediate thing that went through my mind upon full time at Craven Gottage.


b*****ds

[fred emney]

In the 20 years the Premiership has been going, we have only played in 2 of them

Don`t deny us our recent glory GS!... it were 3 year not 2!! :-)

I`m afraid dodgy decisions & unfairness are a pre requisite of being a Blade. Refs have it instilled in `em by the media & the FA, that i`m afraid, we are just one of the leper clubs, not a handsome darling, just summat to give the occasional rancid morsel to, a pat on the back, followed by a kick back into the gutters.

Only a takeover by a multi billionaire & an appointment of sir alex or trevor brooking as footballing ambassador will solve that problem. think we are stuck wi` it!.

......................

Thanks again Deadbat for all you`ve done on this thread & your efforts throughout the season. Looking forward to next seasons efforts

Fred

[hagan]

This isnt anything to do with football. In the 20 years the Premiership has been going, we have only played in 2 of them, and in those two we have been cheated TWICE!! out of our spot!

We could simply have won more games to avoid relegation, blaming others for lack of winning, don't think so.