Post by deadbat on May 27, 2022 17:42:31 GMT
2021/22 SUFC SEASON REVIEW / SCHOOL REPORT
Rest of week will be posted as below
Part 6 Midfield
Part 7 Attack
Part 8 Final Awards / Conclusions
Defenders
Chris Basham Seems to have been part of the furniture around here and now played in well over 300 games for the club since he signed in 2014 and the longest serving player (Sharp is 2nd). 34 this summer, Bash is out of contract but there is clauses where another year can be activated. He for the first time in his United career was not a regular as he was out of the team early on as we went with four at the back and then towards the end got a bad injury. We still looked a better side when he played and whilst we maybe do not see as many of the lung bursting runs we used to, he still carries it forward and still is a real threat attacking as well as being mostly solid defensively. Despite the recent injury, still seems very fit and seems logical to keep him around. Such a fan favourite and the embodiment of everything good about our rise up the leagues.
This season he was on the bench to start with but then had some poor games in some early defeats and lost his place again. We had Davies and Egan playing in a 4 and he only got back in just before Jokanovic got sacked but recall him being the one shining light in a hammering at Blackburn. He remained in the side and got a long run either side of the managerial change as we went back to the ‘old’ formation he started to be a key man as we rose up the league. He played 16 straight games and we only lost 3 in this run. He then got an injury in the closing stages with probably on reflection an unnecessary tackle as we were 4-0 up against Swansea but that is Bash and how he plays. There were rumours he was out for the season but whilst he missed 2 months, he got back involved for the run in. He looked rusty in a few games and made mistakes at Bristol City/QPR but still showed what he can offer as a threat going forward. For me his whole ability to get forward and really drive and carry the ball is what makes him so unique. He is a solid defender who can get across and cover, making tackles and still for his age is remarkably quick over short distances. Maybe he was not fully fit or a bit rusty as he showed against Forest but the commitment was still there.
Still to me a contributor and a stand out at this level. He rarely has bad games and his commitment, no nonsense and ability to drive us forward has been a feature of almost a decade now. Will go down in history as one of many fans all time favourite players.
Hecky said on him (and Sharp) that he ‘100%’ wanted them to stay and be part of our future and it was great news when he not only triggered an extra year but agreed an additional year meaning he will stay at the Lane till at least 2024. 10 years for one player at a single club just does not seem to happen anymore. He is an absolute club legend and I am not sure it is a stretch to say one of the most important players in our history. Yes we have had more talented players in terms of outright skill/goals/magic moments but he offers that unique skillset and work ethic that makes him just so important and so valued.
Grade B- (Last season C)
John Egan Been a very consistent defender for United whilst he has been here. A key figure in the promotion season and he played well in that first season until a few iffy showings in the covid, locked down football (but did score versus Burnley and Wolves) as we did not quite finish as we had hoped but he/the club still had fantastic seasons. Last year he lost O’Connell and felt he was never the same and we shipped lots of goals all season as the players around him contributed to him being wobbly and starting to make mistakes he has not before with red cards/penalties conceded too. We conceded loads from set plays.
No-one came for him after we went down although West Ham had been linked this season but he has remained. He started this season but with issues still alongside him and him being back in a two, it was not great and we shipped goals again with set plays/through balls and a variety of different ways leading to us conceding cheaply. We had one of poorest defensive records in the league. He had some decent games but I thought the whole team were patchy and a few games he got pulled apart by quicker and stronger players.
After Heckingbottom came in, he and many others were more comfortable in a three and we were much stronger and harder to beat. The keeper change helped and we started to keep clean sheet after clean sheet. Robinson improved his play and we just looked a solid defence that was organised and resolute for the first time for a few seasons. Thought he played well for a run of games and we were a much tougher nut to crack. Started to come out with it more and anticipate it and win more battles.
Does struggle with pace but also saw with Miller (Forest) and Gyokeres (Coventry) he can get pulled apart too easily. His annoying tactic of going too deep means we can have big gaps at times. He also does not score enough goals (two in one game v Hull) and seems to time his headers terribly and get his body/head in the wrong shape completely! I recall though at QPR him winning everything and causing havoc but still not able to score. However, he also can have games where he wins a lot, comes onto it and shows he can bring it out. Recall him being superb in a few games post Slav (Boro stood out as did both games v Fulham where he was superb against Mitrovic. Against Forest we saw the best and worst of him as he struggled with pace and made mistakes in the first leg but then was solid in the second leg.
A huge quality in comparison to some others, is he seems never to be injured and plays every game and that is a feature that cannot be underestimated. He is reliable in that sense.
Seems to always play quite well for Ireland and was named their senior men’s player of the year in 2021. Sadly, they have little talent around him and seem set to struggle to qualify or compete with the better nations. He clearly takes a great deal of pride playing for his country though.
He is 30 this year and you sense with two years left of his deal, he is one of the players that will remain for the short term and be a starter. He has had a drop off from a few years ago but is still a relatively solid centre back at this level. I expect us to recruit a few players around him and maybe he still needs a decent back up/competition (we have never had one – Goode was a disaster, Lopata, the young lad is the only one who plays like him – although maybe Uremovic if he remains could do this).
Grade B- (Last season D+)
George Baldock The previous season his performance levels had not been anywhere near that we expected and as the season went on, we saw more and more of Bogle. I was not sure what Slav would do as Bogle offered the attacking side where as Baldock was better defensively. The former was younger and at some point, you sensed we would move more in that direction. I expected Baldock may get some interest but other than a bit of rumours about Celtic it never happened. Also, as Slav preferred a back four, Baldock was preferred to begin with. He and the rest of the team struggled to adapt despite the lower level but Bogle was not great in the two league cup games either. He stayed in more by default but the whole defence was shipping goals and creating little too the other way the new formation did not seem to suit a number of players.
He was a regular for most of the games until Bogle got a run around November and then stayed in and Heckingbottom changed the formation and we saw Bogle have a huge impact. For a spell he was one of our best players but then he got injured, about the same Baldock did a job at left back for a few games and Baldock got back in. He improved his performances, like many did under Hecky, when he returned and scored a wonder goal against Swansea but he too got injured and missed a few and we struggled in this area. We went from having multiple players who could play there to young lads and Osborn playing on the wrong side. Thankfully he was not too badly injured and was back in the side after the break. He continued to show real energy and be an outlet down the right but he also frustrated with poor service and decisions. He then got injured again and we went with Osborn for the run in as he only got back again right at the end and used against Forest where he did not have much impact as a sub in the first leg but then in the second he was fantastic and was like the Baldock of old with a tremendous effort filled performance and a superb assist.
Defensively he was mostly ok but the fact fans said how much we were missing Bogle in terms of the impact he had been having, showed that actually we had maybe gone down the route of preferring the latter for the first real time. Made some bewildering decisions at time and did regress badly I feel in terms of play, particularly attacking wise until that late salvo at the City Ground.
Next season I actually would expect Bogle to start such was his improvements and ability he showed going forward. I expect we will still have the same formation and should still have a lot of ball and attack a fair bit so Bogle is the better option. Where does that leave Baldock – a superb servant, competitor and team player? Not sure. He is allegedly close to now being involved for Greece and at 29 needs to be playing. I think the club would love him to be around but his wages and the fact he is a senior player means he/club may struggle to have him being here just as cover? I would not be shocked with 2 years left if he actually moved this summer but we will see. A year ago I would have been gutted but not with Bogle’s development, maybe not so much even though I love his attitude and enthusiasm.
Grade C (Last season C-)
Enda Stevens His form had completely dropped off a cliff after covid and he never seemed to get back even close to the excellent level of the previous 3 seasons. Whilst we saw glimpses of Norwood and Egan, he continued in this rut. We saw him and Lowe alternated and even Osborn played there. Norrington Davies came back and it all seemed a bit crowded before Lowe went out on loan. Stevens knew if his poor form continued, albeit at this lower level, he would not be a regular anymore with this additional competition particularly from RND. He was still injured to start the season and Osborn started in this position at first, then Robinson and then Norrington Davies.
We did not see him till Southampton in the cup, mid-September when he scored and looked ok. He got back into the team at Middlesbrough but cannot say he was any better than the average Norrington Davies and recall him being terrible in a few games and still almost having the ‘yips.’ It was like he could not even do basic passes or pieces of control still. It was odd. I wondered whether he was still injured. We did see a smattering of good play and as Hecky came in he started a run of games as we started winning again. He got another injury through and then was out for a period of time and Norrington Davies started a run of game and improved. Stevens finally got back fit after a while out and played after the break at home to QPR and remained in the side.
We saw some of the old Stevens with a few of those swashbuckling runs and drives/crosses and a goal v Fulham. We also saw better moments defensively in the run in. He was a long way from perfect and still some odd things he did but we also saw some of the cut and thrust and intelligent play from years ago. There were still some odd moments and he lacked the consistency and not sure we saw much improvement from Norrington Davies really but then against Forest Stevens had a real struggle in the home game at the Lane and they targeted his lack of pace – he picked up an injury and Norrington Davies ended returning and having a great game.
He has a year left and has indicated he would like to stay longer. I am not sure he will – he would be 33 next summer. The hope is he may play some games but that Norrington Davies is the natural successor here. I will be honest I think both are inconsistent both defensively and attacking wise and in an ideal world we would upgrade over both but the reality is with money tight that will not happen – I expect them to both play next season and like with the Bogle/Baldock will depend who is fit/in form. Stevens has been a fantastic servant for the club but like with a few others you feel the clock is now winding down on him. Hopefully he can still contribute next season but is not the player he was for me.
Grade D+ (Last season F+)
Rhys Norrington Davies Born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as Norrington Davies’ Dad was in the army, he spent his formative years in a number of places including Kenya! He was actually educated in Croydon but then the family returned back to their roots in Aberystwyth and the Welsh defender began his career at Swansea. It seemed he was going to be released by the then Premier League side and the Blades picked him up for their u23 squad in July 2017. He was loaned to Barrow for the 18-19 season and then loaned out to Rochdale in League One for the 19-20 season and did similarly well at a higher level – he showed he could play left wing back, left back and also left sided centre back in a 3 and a 2.
Norrington Davies then went to Luton and continued to show he was competent and could cope at another step up. Luton fans also enthused about his play. He set up a few goals and played 22 games and was a regular as Luton made a good start and were higher than many thoughts. He signed a new contract with the Blades but then surprisingly as his loan was up, was allowed to go to Stoke instead of returning to Luton. He continued to do pretty well at his next club (one red card apart) and showed not only was he decent at crossing and getting forward, he also had a feisty/physical side too. He seemed to be a regular for a Stoke side that finished mid table. He ended up also making his full Wales debut and has continued to be part of their senior squad.
I thought he would come back and with Stevens’ form and injuries a concern and Lowe not convincing (and then going out on loan) thought he would be given a chance under Jokanovic. He played in the league cup games but Osborn and then Robinson played here as we went with a back 4 making it harder to see where he fitted in? He got his first start against Luton in the league and did quite well and played 5 straight league games. He did ok but the whole team were struggling somewhat although had at least won some games around this September spell. He was then out of the side with an injury and did not get back in, till the Wolves cup game but after this he was near enough a regular for a run of games until another knock saw him miss a few but he got back in. I have to say he made some improvements in his game and his tenacity, energy and some of his tackling was good. He got forward but often struggled with the final ball and never seemed to past his man and lacked confidence when he got in good positions. He did have a penchant for giving fouls away though and several led to free kicks/penalties. He dived in a bit too much at times. Overall, it was a bit of mixed bag. Fans summed this up. Some thought he was improving and doing well, whilst others thought he was rash and offered nothing attacking wise. The reality was probably somewhere in the middle. He would often have a really good game followed by a bad one and lacked consistency but he did seem to be slowly improving but Stevens was preferred for the final few games and he was taken out – maybe a bit harshly but you saw we got a bit more from Enda when he attacked and Hecky went with the senior man until he got in for the return leg and had a storming game,
Stevens still has another year but expect Lowe (if Forest want him) to move on, so he will still be in a straight fight with Stevens. Neither have been fit or in form at the same time so hopefully they can push each other. I am still to be convinced Norrington Davies a player that is better than mid table Championship at best but he could get better of course and was great at Forest in a big game. Technically and ability wise he lacks a bit for me and I thought we would see much more of him going forward. Defensively he needs to be more disciplined. Clearly enthusiastic and does not shirk tackles and he is still learning the game but I am not sure I see him being a regular in a side going for promotion. Not yet at least but he is still young.
Grade C- (Last season NA)
Ben Davies Davies was really highly rated at Deepdale and won numerous player of the year awards for a series of seasons. He been linked with us for a while at Preston but when the bigger clubs came calling then of course it was not going to be a contest. Still, it seemed a bit of a shock when Liverpool paid over a million pounds for him but they had a defensive crisis around 18 months ago so needed to get in some cover. He never took to the field for Liverpool and then at the start of this season was allowed to go out on loan. Odd one as it was Wilder and the previous regime that had pursued him so wondered how much Slav actually wanted him? We desperately needed a left sided defender regardless of what formation and with Jack Robinson struggling, he was pitched straight in at home to Huddersfield after watching our defence get pulled apart at West Brom the previous week. Thought he looked tidy, used the ball well and read the game but then lacked physicality in his debut and this has kind of been the story for much of his loan. He let the player outmuscled him for the Huddersfield winner and this was an issue as strikers would push him about too much and he did not win enough headers. I thought that was odd as he had played down here for Preston but maybe they had more physical defenders alongside him? He was a regular for a spell of games and was ok but I did expect someone more stand out. Decent on the ball of course but he did also always have a mistake in him. He was always seemingly in and out but was better when we went to a 5 at the back which we did permanently under Heckingbottom.
He would play 5 or 6 games and then be out for a number. There was talk of some personal stuff with his family as it rarely seemed to be an injury till later on in the season but there was no explanation given why he would not even be on the bench some weeks. He came on and scored the vital goal against Blackburn and also had to play on the right side of the three. He was preferred for a spell after the international break to Robinson in his more natural left sided position but made another mistake positionally at Stoke and then at fault for both goals v Reading and was taken out and Robinson improved the defence again.
I was never totally convinced by him. The team did improve as did many individuals (Norwood, Robinson, Foderingham) when the managerial change but thought he remained the same throughout the season – that is just quitter ordinary. I am not sure I would be beating down Liverpool’s door to sign him permanently at all. He apparently signed a long-term deal at Anfield (till 2025) but I expect they will make their money back and then some by constantly loaning him out to clubs at this level for sizeable loan fees. I would not be surprised to see him Preston, Blackpool or Blackburn next season as he is closer to Liverpool where they can watch him but I think United for the money he cost in loan fee/wages should maybe look elsewhere. I actually felt Robinson was the better player in that position in terms of overall performances (granted Robinson had a terrible start) and that is pretty damning against Davies. I hope we look elsewhere personally in this area.
Grade D+ (Last season NA)
Jayden Bogle Last year I wrote the following when describing Bogle, ‘A player that I think with further coaching and working on his defending has real potential. Whether we keep both him and Baldock I am not sure. I do not see any Premier League club taking either really and so ideally both could alternate. I think Bogle offers more attacking wide but Baldock is a better defender. Ideally you would merge both. At the lower level maybe, Bogle might be more useful so be interesting to see who the new manager goes with. I do think both should be fine at the lower level, we should be ok really in the short term and maybe even long term if Bogle can keep improving.’ For once my words seem quite prophetic and once again, we have rotated them but the situation reminds me a bit of Kelly/Tracey in the 90’s – it seemed like one would always be injured and the other than played. I am not sure either have been fit at the same time for a sustained amount of time? Baldock started the season and played the opening 11 league games. Bogle only played in the cup and recall him being shocking against his former club Derby but a bit better against Southampton. He played a few games (Stoke/Millwall) when Baldock was out but recall him getting a knock and missing a few as Baldock got back in but then from Forest onwards, Bogle took the short and played a run of 15 straight games.
Gradually he got better and better and like with a few others, his improvement in form came around the time of the managerial change. He scored the winner at Reading and got another few goals at Preston and a brilliant individual goal at Birmingham to win that game. He became a real focal point of our attacks and some of his skills and creative moments were a joy to watch. His defending was better than it had been but as he was in attack mode, that is where we saw his qualities. He started to cause opponents all sorts of problems and he showed some fantastic individual skills. He was central to our good run and one of the stand out players. Suddenly he looked the player we thought we had bought. He linked with Gibbs White, Brewster, McGoldrick, Berge etc as we showed real dynamism down the right. It was a real blow when he got injured and we did not see him again after Huddersfield and he had to have an operation and was ruled out for the season. I am excited to see him moving forward. It may be still that one of the two may have to move on and at the moment Bogle seems to be the player for the future and maybe even the present, as much as I love Baldock. It is the first time that if pushed who I would have to play, I think most fans would agree with me now and choose Bogle, such was his resurgence and threat he offered. Still only 21 and you hope he will be a big part of next season and can come back fit and carry on the form he showed. His grade would be higher if he played more but missed a large chunk of games.
Grade B (Last season D+)
Jack Robinson A player that was massively out of his depth in the Premier League and struggled. He seemed an odd signing and was then thrust forward due to O’Connell’s injury. He continued to stand out for his mistakes and decision making but then now and again he would have a strangely really good game. Still, you would have thought we would have signed better than a Forest squad player for the top level and the signings of him and Rodwell were bewildering from Wilder. To sign him for 2 and a half years was also a really bizarre strategy.
I hoped we could move him on and at the very worst he would only play in emergencies but as we started the season Slav felt he was more of a natural defender in two centre halves than Basham. He was awful at West Brom and the start he had was not great. We signed Davies but Robinson still was involved a fair bit as we had injuries and he played left back and left centre back. Recall a few dreadful errors where every time he made a mistake it was normally one where he kicked it straight to an opponent to score. Preston at home was a game where he was particularly bad. Eventually he was taken out and we did not see him for a period but then after a series of injuries, he played and was superb at Fulham. This seemed to be the catalyst and he went on a brilliant run where he was almost man of the match or close to it for a series of wins. He scored two goals too coming up from the back for set plays and his confidence rose. He started to win tackles and the crowd finally started to turn (a crunching tackle at home to West Brom stood out) and he became an unlikely favourite. Credit to him for plugging away and putting in consistent and mistake free games. Even the games when we looked a bit flat as fatigue set in, he continued to be excellent (Huddersfield, Blackburn and Millwall). Had a mare at Coventry as they all did and then Hecky opted to put Davies back in as we got bodies back. I felt this was harsh and actually felt more at ease with him in the backline personally but for the next run of games he went back to the bench. He was brought back in as Davies struggled and we improved again. Was a colossal at QPR and what a header to help win us the game! The whole Forest team exploited the lack of pace and mobility in the playoffs at times but then he came back strong in the second game and got involved in the aggro and showed his commitment to the cause.
Really had a great 2nd half of the season – he was poor to start and then out of the side but for around 15-20 games he was maybe our best player with Wes and those two unlikely heroes as we made a real surge for the playoffs. He got forward as well as did the basics defensively and his long throw continued to be an asset – one we maybe did not use enough?
He was out of contract this summer but had his deal triggered by an extra deal. I have no issues with him getting this extra year. Still only 28, so he is entering his peak too. He is not the joke he once was and has become an ‘ok-decent’ defender at this level. Ideally I still am not sure I would want him as a regular every week for a side right at the top but he is now a handy lad to have around and has been fairly consistent and may even start at left centre back next season after his improvements.
Grade B- (Last season D)
Charlie Goode Up there in the category ‘limited impact as a Blade.’ He had been a journeyman in the lower leagues until he did well at Northampton and Brentford signed him for over a million but he had only been on the fringes there although made 6 appearances this season which surprised me when I looked at his stats (albeit some off the bench). He seemed a sensible signing though - a big lad who could cover for Egan and Basham and gave us physicality (and another long throw). Sadly, it did not work out at all. He was on the bench for a few games but then did quite well in his debut when he came on against Swansea and looked fine albeit in a game that was over. He stated the next game against Blackburn and continued to look fine although he clearly did like a tackle and after one, he won early in the second half, he then charged into another and completely took his man, high and late. A certain red card and one that put us in a pickle that game and for future games. He then somehow got injured when not playing and the concerns over his injury record was discussed. That was it. We never saw him again as he went back to Brentford for treatment. We brough in Uremovic. Not sure he endeared himself to the club with the ridiculous sending off and his inability to be fit. A waste of time really and more funds squandered assuming we had to cover all his loan spell and pay a fee for having him till the end of the season. Not sure what his future holds at Brentford and expect he may end up back on loan in the Championship maybe next season, if he can stay fit. Doubt it will be with us!
Grade F (Last season NA)
Kyron Gordon A player that seems to have been around for ages but is only 19. Had come through the ranks and impressed at all age levels. He is the half-brother of Tyler Smith who has now left United. Gordon was scouted allegedly by some bigger clubs and Everton have been linked more than once. I had seen him at the various levels and he always looked quick, decent on the ball and read the game well but maybe lacked physicality. Was interested to see if he could step up but maybe the last season or so he could have been given games on loan but it never happened. He started playing in two league cup games though due to the lack of options we probably had but showed enough promise. He was back with the u23’s and a regular before he was given a loan at Boston United (a team we use often to deploy players!). I thought he could have had a loan higher up and he only played 3 times there before he was recalled.
He was on the bench for a few games and then after Covid hit he was given his chance against Wolves in the Cup. Felt he did ok albeit versus good Premier League players. He got in the side maybe surprisingly as with all the injuries, Hecky wanted a right sided player to operate at right centre back. He did alright at Millwall but then was really poor at Coventry as the whole team were. He was better at Blackpool and then got man of the match against Barnsley (maybe this was a push). He had done ok without being someone you felt was ready to be a regular at this stage. Ironically just as he was maybe settling down, we ended up with some players back a new signing. If we had been mid table, you could have maybe persisted with him and we may have seen Lopata too but we were in the thick of a playoff race, so right to go with the experience. He needs a season long loan for me in League 1 or 2 next season. He has his contract option taken up so will remain at the Lane but needs league experience.
Grade C (Last season NA)
Femi Seriki came to us from Bury after they were expelled from the league (had a few sub appearances for the League One side) and was given his bow briefly at St James Park in the Premier League last season. He really impressed with his high energy, goalscoring and link play for the u23’s where he was a regular. I think I said last season when I wrote this, he needed a loan at League 2/1. In the end United chose to send him to Beerschot where the club felt it would benefit both parties. Seemed a good move and to get him a different kind of experience. It did not work and he only played one game despite his club struggling. He ended up coming back around Christmas time and then after he played for the u23’s, we got a few injuries and he ended up on the bench and then started against Forest. I thought this game was a bit of a struggle but you forget he is just 18 and never played senior football. The pace and physicality all seemed a bit much. We had no choice due to the players unavailable but think Hecky realised that it was a step too far at this time and he was brought off for a left footed Osborn who shored it up down that side. After this he was quickly sent on loan but I thought it was a level too low (Boston in National League North). He did well on his debut there but I would hope this was just to get him some competitive men’s football and that they could not find another club at this stage. You would hope next season he can get a full loan at an EFL club or National League proper. One that the club think a lot of but probably a bit away yet.
Grade E (Last season NA)
Kacper Lopata Now Poland’s under 20 captain, Lopata came from Brighton a few years ago and has steadily worked through the u18/u23’s teams and as we did not really recruit defensively after the departures of Jagielka, Rodwell and Bryan, he ended up in and around the first team squad and seemed to impress Jokanovic. A no nonsense defender who is sizeable and strong for his age (just 20). He played and did ok in league cup games against Carlisle and Derby. It was questionable if Jokanovic would risk him in the first team and a loan seemed to suit all parties.
He went on loan to Southend and according to their fans (via Roy!) they were really impressed with him and he can become a mainstay in the side that improved after he (and Brunt) went there. Became a real cult hero seemingly down there and played every week. He was drawing rave reviews but in March due to an injury crisis which seemed to be a real blow for Southend. He was on the bench against Coventry, Blackpool and Barnsley but Gordon had done ok and then Uremovic came back with Basham also back in the mix. It was right to bring him back, like with Jebbison even though ideally for them they would have carried on playing and doing well where they would. Like with Gordon needs a good solid season loan at a football league club next time out to see if he can step up from National League level.
Grade C (Last season NA)
Filip Uremovic Rare for United’s transfer ‘team’ to be creative and exploit a loophole but they did just that in signing the 25 year old Croat. He had been a big money signing for the Russian Premier League side Rubin Kazan in 2018 and been involved in the Croatian national side too. However, on 13 March 2022, Uremović's contract with Rubin was suspended until 30 June 2022, according to the new FIFA regulations related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Those regulations allow foreign players in Russia to suspend their contract and sign with a club outside of Russia temporarily until 3 June 2022. United stepped in and signed him in March with the spate of injuries and had him on a short-term deal until the end of the season. He spoked good English in his press conference and then made his debut at home to QPR after being on the bench at Stoke. I thought his debut was ok with some nervy moments as he struggled to get used to the pace but no big errors but was excellent the next game against Bournemouth. Stood up the physical side, got stuck in and was not intimidated by bigger players and the crowd loved his no nonsense approach. Should have capped it with a winner as he fired badly over with the chance to be a hero as he dabbed his bloody nose after the miss!
After that Basham came back in after he struggled against Reading and we did not really see him again. Interesting to see what happens. There was talk he would go back to Russia but then oddly we announced that we had released him? I did not even think he was our player so this was strange but his days at the Lane seem numbered.
Grade C (Last season NA)
The rest
Joe Starbuck After Grimsby went down, he was given the chance to move on after activating a clause in his contract. We signed the 19-year-old and he quickly became a regular in the u23’s as a right back. He seemed to do quite well and he assisted and scored for the successful team he was part of, that seemed to win every game they played! Clearly impressed as even though we had injuries, he got on the bench for games at Wolves and Millwall. Went back to the u23’s to finish the season. Hopefully can get some loan experience next season.
Niksoen Gomis French centre back (has dual nationality actually – France and Senegal) who plays left side I believe but can play either role and also wing back. Big lad who likes to come out from the back. We signed him from Evreux Jugend in 2018 and he has progressed up through the young sides. He had a loan spell at Bradford Park Avenue this season but then he came back and was on the bench at Blackpool as we ran out of defenders! He scored a great goal in the u23 game at QPR and is another that seems quick, athletic and mobile – that we seem to possess at that level. Just turned 20, he is a bit older than a few of the others so will need to kick on next season with another year left of his contract.
Jack O’Connell I have included him in here as he is of course still contracted to the club. A sad story and you wonder if the inevitable will be confirmed soon. He has another year on his deal so will remain part of things but after a number of operations and setbacks seemingly, it has gone really quiet. There has been no timeframes put on things – not even seen him running or doing anything football related – seems to be just occasional gym work. With the developments in medicine and sports science, I cannot recall a player being out for over 2 years and ever coming back even at a lower level. I’d love to see him return and even just play again for someone (sad if it is not for us) but the clock is ticking now and the lack of any clarity just seems to suggest it is not going to happen. Incredibly hard to know that he was at the peak of his game and on the fringe of the England squad I felt when he got injured.
To basically be at the top of your game at an age where he could get better (you look at White, Coady, Mings etc and he was good or had the potential to be even better I think most fans really believe that). Hope for something unexpected to happen but if we do not see him even involved in any kind of proper running/football work or training for the club by the start of next year, you would think the inevitable announcement will come. He will get an insurance pay off of course and may even be more to come if rumours are believed if there is unhappiness how the club treated him (I always wonder why he is never at Shirecliffe- it seems he is still employed by the club but is never at work at his employer? – surely the club should be doing his rehab?). We will see but I am not hopeful I will be writing anything about him this time next year only as a footnote to say he retired from football. Love to be wrong on this as the guy was fantastic and part of our rise and journey but has to look after himself and family for the rest of his life too in terms of his physical condition/financial side too.
Max Lowe Came almost as make weight in the Bogle deal but rumours over the fee and his alleged wages were somewhat concerning, especially as in his appearances in the top flight, he looked completely out of his depth and I cannot recall many good performances. Granted the whole team struggled but he was not great defensively or attacking wise and that was with the poor form of Stevens ahead of him. He was even worse I thought. He did only play 8 times but that was as much down to how little he impressed. Physically weak and maybe not as quick as I thought he would be, he also technically had limitations and offered little as an attacking threat. Seemed to be a player that was not up the top level (as many more weren’t either).
With Norrington Davies, Stevens and Osborn around, we clearly had too many (average!) left backs/left wing backs and something had to give at a lower level especially with cut backs needed. Jokanovic clearly fancied the others more and he was allowed to move on loan to Forest. He became a regular and did ok even if the side struggled but then after Cooper came in, they surged up the league and he was a regular until a few injuries. Forest raved about him and Spence down the sides and wanted to sign both permanently. Some fans suggested we got him back but the terms of the loan did not allow that. I saw him a few times and was not as impressed as thought I may be considering the reviews he was getting. Lowe talked about how he loved it at Forest and the atmosphere of the City Ground being the best he had played in front of! He was certainly angling for a move. He has another 2 years on his contract and despite some saying we should give him a go, I think if he has done well at Forest and we can get a fee for him, the phrase ‘sell high’ comes into effect. I am not convinced he is good enough to be a regular with us now or even in the future, even if he has done ok at Forest.
I am not sure Norrington Davies is the answer and Stevens is on the downside you feel with only a year left of his deal. Osborn also is out of contract. However, bringing a player back just because we have concerns about the others in his position is not really the right move especially when I am not sure Lowe is much better either. So, if we can do a deal here then I definitely would as we have to trim the squad and interest has been minimal in most of our players that even with cuts are probably all on decent wages at this level.
Next season
With Egan, Bash and Robinson all still under contract and Bogle/Baldock and Norrington Davies/Stevens around, you sense the defence is well set at the Championship level but we do need cover and competition down the left side particularly. I do believe Bogle will get the nod at the right-hand side but neither on the left have been quite consistent enough. Maybe Stevens in a contract year will find more consistent form – not sure yet whether RND is quite good enough but is still young. Despite Robinson’s improvements, I would still be targeting a left sided defender personally as your starter and have Robinson as a utility man who can fill in a bit in a number of areas if we need him. We will also need cover for Bash who has started to pick up injuries. You wonder if some of the younger lads like Lopata and Gordon will go out on loan to league clubs this year. Lowe, I expect will move on if Forest want him. The fact I have not mentioned O’Connell suggest we know it is unlikely we will ever see him in a Blades shirt again and expect if we have heard nothing more by Christmas that we will hear an announcement. The defensive area at this level probably needs little tweaking and cover rather than wholesale changes.
Player / Position Years remaining (contract expires) Red this year – Orange next year - Green longer contract –
Defenders
Jack Robinson 1 year (as now given extension) 2023
Jack O’Connell 1 year (2023)
Enda Stevens 1 year (2023)
Chris Basham 2 years (2024)
John Egan 2 years (2024)
George Baldock 2 years (2024)
Max Lowe 2 years (2024)
Jayden Bogle 2 years (2024)
R Norrington Davies 2 years (2024)
Youngsters involved in 1st team last season or loans out (contracts unknown if not stated)
Kyron Gordon 1 year (2023)
Femi Seriki 1 year (2023)
Harry Boyes 1 year (2023)
Kacper Lopata 1 year (2023)
Niksoen Gomis 2 years (2024)
Joe Starbuck 2 years (2024)
Return to loan club:
Ben Davies to Liverpool
Filip Uremovic to Ruben Kazan
Charlie Goode to Brentford
Rest of week will be posted as below
Part 6 Midfield
Part 7 Attack
Part 8 Final Awards / Conclusions
Defenders
Chris Basham Seems to have been part of the furniture around here and now played in well over 300 games for the club since he signed in 2014 and the longest serving player (Sharp is 2nd). 34 this summer, Bash is out of contract but there is clauses where another year can be activated. He for the first time in his United career was not a regular as he was out of the team early on as we went with four at the back and then towards the end got a bad injury. We still looked a better side when he played and whilst we maybe do not see as many of the lung bursting runs we used to, he still carries it forward and still is a real threat attacking as well as being mostly solid defensively. Despite the recent injury, still seems very fit and seems logical to keep him around. Such a fan favourite and the embodiment of everything good about our rise up the leagues.
This season he was on the bench to start with but then had some poor games in some early defeats and lost his place again. We had Davies and Egan playing in a 4 and he only got back in just before Jokanovic got sacked but recall him being the one shining light in a hammering at Blackburn. He remained in the side and got a long run either side of the managerial change as we went back to the ‘old’ formation he started to be a key man as we rose up the league. He played 16 straight games and we only lost 3 in this run. He then got an injury in the closing stages with probably on reflection an unnecessary tackle as we were 4-0 up against Swansea but that is Bash and how he plays. There were rumours he was out for the season but whilst he missed 2 months, he got back involved for the run in. He looked rusty in a few games and made mistakes at Bristol City/QPR but still showed what he can offer as a threat going forward. For me his whole ability to get forward and really drive and carry the ball is what makes him so unique. He is a solid defender who can get across and cover, making tackles and still for his age is remarkably quick over short distances. Maybe he was not fully fit or a bit rusty as he showed against Forest but the commitment was still there.
Still to me a contributor and a stand out at this level. He rarely has bad games and his commitment, no nonsense and ability to drive us forward has been a feature of almost a decade now. Will go down in history as one of many fans all time favourite players.
Hecky said on him (and Sharp) that he ‘100%’ wanted them to stay and be part of our future and it was great news when he not only triggered an extra year but agreed an additional year meaning he will stay at the Lane till at least 2024. 10 years for one player at a single club just does not seem to happen anymore. He is an absolute club legend and I am not sure it is a stretch to say one of the most important players in our history. Yes we have had more talented players in terms of outright skill/goals/magic moments but he offers that unique skillset and work ethic that makes him just so important and so valued.
Grade B- (Last season C)
John Egan Been a very consistent defender for United whilst he has been here. A key figure in the promotion season and he played well in that first season until a few iffy showings in the covid, locked down football (but did score versus Burnley and Wolves) as we did not quite finish as we had hoped but he/the club still had fantastic seasons. Last year he lost O’Connell and felt he was never the same and we shipped lots of goals all season as the players around him contributed to him being wobbly and starting to make mistakes he has not before with red cards/penalties conceded too. We conceded loads from set plays.
No-one came for him after we went down although West Ham had been linked this season but he has remained. He started this season but with issues still alongside him and him being back in a two, it was not great and we shipped goals again with set plays/through balls and a variety of different ways leading to us conceding cheaply. We had one of poorest defensive records in the league. He had some decent games but I thought the whole team were patchy and a few games he got pulled apart by quicker and stronger players.
After Heckingbottom came in, he and many others were more comfortable in a three and we were much stronger and harder to beat. The keeper change helped and we started to keep clean sheet after clean sheet. Robinson improved his play and we just looked a solid defence that was organised and resolute for the first time for a few seasons. Thought he played well for a run of games and we were a much tougher nut to crack. Started to come out with it more and anticipate it and win more battles.
Does struggle with pace but also saw with Miller (Forest) and Gyokeres (Coventry) he can get pulled apart too easily. His annoying tactic of going too deep means we can have big gaps at times. He also does not score enough goals (two in one game v Hull) and seems to time his headers terribly and get his body/head in the wrong shape completely! I recall though at QPR him winning everything and causing havoc but still not able to score. However, he also can have games where he wins a lot, comes onto it and shows he can bring it out. Recall him being superb in a few games post Slav (Boro stood out as did both games v Fulham where he was superb against Mitrovic. Against Forest we saw the best and worst of him as he struggled with pace and made mistakes in the first leg but then was solid in the second leg.
A huge quality in comparison to some others, is he seems never to be injured and plays every game and that is a feature that cannot be underestimated. He is reliable in that sense.
Seems to always play quite well for Ireland and was named their senior men’s player of the year in 2021. Sadly, they have little talent around him and seem set to struggle to qualify or compete with the better nations. He clearly takes a great deal of pride playing for his country though.
He is 30 this year and you sense with two years left of his deal, he is one of the players that will remain for the short term and be a starter. He has had a drop off from a few years ago but is still a relatively solid centre back at this level. I expect us to recruit a few players around him and maybe he still needs a decent back up/competition (we have never had one – Goode was a disaster, Lopata, the young lad is the only one who plays like him – although maybe Uremovic if he remains could do this).
Grade B- (Last season D+)
George Baldock The previous season his performance levels had not been anywhere near that we expected and as the season went on, we saw more and more of Bogle. I was not sure what Slav would do as Bogle offered the attacking side where as Baldock was better defensively. The former was younger and at some point, you sensed we would move more in that direction. I expected Baldock may get some interest but other than a bit of rumours about Celtic it never happened. Also, as Slav preferred a back four, Baldock was preferred to begin with. He and the rest of the team struggled to adapt despite the lower level but Bogle was not great in the two league cup games either. He stayed in more by default but the whole defence was shipping goals and creating little too the other way the new formation did not seem to suit a number of players.
He was a regular for most of the games until Bogle got a run around November and then stayed in and Heckingbottom changed the formation and we saw Bogle have a huge impact. For a spell he was one of our best players but then he got injured, about the same Baldock did a job at left back for a few games and Baldock got back in. He improved his performances, like many did under Hecky, when he returned and scored a wonder goal against Swansea but he too got injured and missed a few and we struggled in this area. We went from having multiple players who could play there to young lads and Osborn playing on the wrong side. Thankfully he was not too badly injured and was back in the side after the break. He continued to show real energy and be an outlet down the right but he also frustrated with poor service and decisions. He then got injured again and we went with Osborn for the run in as he only got back again right at the end and used against Forest where he did not have much impact as a sub in the first leg but then in the second he was fantastic and was like the Baldock of old with a tremendous effort filled performance and a superb assist.
Defensively he was mostly ok but the fact fans said how much we were missing Bogle in terms of the impact he had been having, showed that actually we had maybe gone down the route of preferring the latter for the first real time. Made some bewildering decisions at time and did regress badly I feel in terms of play, particularly attacking wise until that late salvo at the City Ground.
Next season I actually would expect Bogle to start such was his improvements and ability he showed going forward. I expect we will still have the same formation and should still have a lot of ball and attack a fair bit so Bogle is the better option. Where does that leave Baldock – a superb servant, competitor and team player? Not sure. He is allegedly close to now being involved for Greece and at 29 needs to be playing. I think the club would love him to be around but his wages and the fact he is a senior player means he/club may struggle to have him being here just as cover? I would not be shocked with 2 years left if he actually moved this summer but we will see. A year ago I would have been gutted but not with Bogle’s development, maybe not so much even though I love his attitude and enthusiasm.
Grade C (Last season C-)
Enda Stevens His form had completely dropped off a cliff after covid and he never seemed to get back even close to the excellent level of the previous 3 seasons. Whilst we saw glimpses of Norwood and Egan, he continued in this rut. We saw him and Lowe alternated and even Osborn played there. Norrington Davies came back and it all seemed a bit crowded before Lowe went out on loan. Stevens knew if his poor form continued, albeit at this lower level, he would not be a regular anymore with this additional competition particularly from RND. He was still injured to start the season and Osborn started in this position at first, then Robinson and then Norrington Davies.
We did not see him till Southampton in the cup, mid-September when he scored and looked ok. He got back into the team at Middlesbrough but cannot say he was any better than the average Norrington Davies and recall him being terrible in a few games and still almost having the ‘yips.’ It was like he could not even do basic passes or pieces of control still. It was odd. I wondered whether he was still injured. We did see a smattering of good play and as Hecky came in he started a run of games as we started winning again. He got another injury through and then was out for a period of time and Norrington Davies started a run of game and improved. Stevens finally got back fit after a while out and played after the break at home to QPR and remained in the side.
We saw some of the old Stevens with a few of those swashbuckling runs and drives/crosses and a goal v Fulham. We also saw better moments defensively in the run in. He was a long way from perfect and still some odd things he did but we also saw some of the cut and thrust and intelligent play from years ago. There were still some odd moments and he lacked the consistency and not sure we saw much improvement from Norrington Davies really but then against Forest Stevens had a real struggle in the home game at the Lane and they targeted his lack of pace – he picked up an injury and Norrington Davies ended returning and having a great game.
He has a year left and has indicated he would like to stay longer. I am not sure he will – he would be 33 next summer. The hope is he may play some games but that Norrington Davies is the natural successor here. I will be honest I think both are inconsistent both defensively and attacking wise and in an ideal world we would upgrade over both but the reality is with money tight that will not happen – I expect them to both play next season and like with the Bogle/Baldock will depend who is fit/in form. Stevens has been a fantastic servant for the club but like with a few others you feel the clock is now winding down on him. Hopefully he can still contribute next season but is not the player he was for me.
Grade D+ (Last season F+)
Rhys Norrington Davies Born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as Norrington Davies’ Dad was in the army, he spent his formative years in a number of places including Kenya! He was actually educated in Croydon but then the family returned back to their roots in Aberystwyth and the Welsh defender began his career at Swansea. It seemed he was going to be released by the then Premier League side and the Blades picked him up for their u23 squad in July 2017. He was loaned to Barrow for the 18-19 season and then loaned out to Rochdale in League One for the 19-20 season and did similarly well at a higher level – he showed he could play left wing back, left back and also left sided centre back in a 3 and a 2.
Norrington Davies then went to Luton and continued to show he was competent and could cope at another step up. Luton fans also enthused about his play. He set up a few goals and played 22 games and was a regular as Luton made a good start and were higher than many thoughts. He signed a new contract with the Blades but then surprisingly as his loan was up, was allowed to go to Stoke instead of returning to Luton. He continued to do pretty well at his next club (one red card apart) and showed not only was he decent at crossing and getting forward, he also had a feisty/physical side too. He seemed to be a regular for a Stoke side that finished mid table. He ended up also making his full Wales debut and has continued to be part of their senior squad.
I thought he would come back and with Stevens’ form and injuries a concern and Lowe not convincing (and then going out on loan) thought he would be given a chance under Jokanovic. He played in the league cup games but Osborn and then Robinson played here as we went with a back 4 making it harder to see where he fitted in? He got his first start against Luton in the league and did quite well and played 5 straight league games. He did ok but the whole team were struggling somewhat although had at least won some games around this September spell. He was then out of the side with an injury and did not get back in, till the Wolves cup game but after this he was near enough a regular for a run of games until another knock saw him miss a few but he got back in. I have to say he made some improvements in his game and his tenacity, energy and some of his tackling was good. He got forward but often struggled with the final ball and never seemed to past his man and lacked confidence when he got in good positions. He did have a penchant for giving fouls away though and several led to free kicks/penalties. He dived in a bit too much at times. Overall, it was a bit of mixed bag. Fans summed this up. Some thought he was improving and doing well, whilst others thought he was rash and offered nothing attacking wise. The reality was probably somewhere in the middle. He would often have a really good game followed by a bad one and lacked consistency but he did seem to be slowly improving but Stevens was preferred for the final few games and he was taken out – maybe a bit harshly but you saw we got a bit more from Enda when he attacked and Hecky went with the senior man until he got in for the return leg and had a storming game,
Stevens still has another year but expect Lowe (if Forest want him) to move on, so he will still be in a straight fight with Stevens. Neither have been fit or in form at the same time so hopefully they can push each other. I am still to be convinced Norrington Davies a player that is better than mid table Championship at best but he could get better of course and was great at Forest in a big game. Technically and ability wise he lacks a bit for me and I thought we would see much more of him going forward. Defensively he needs to be more disciplined. Clearly enthusiastic and does not shirk tackles and he is still learning the game but I am not sure I see him being a regular in a side going for promotion. Not yet at least but he is still young.
Grade C- (Last season NA)
Ben Davies Davies was really highly rated at Deepdale and won numerous player of the year awards for a series of seasons. He been linked with us for a while at Preston but when the bigger clubs came calling then of course it was not going to be a contest. Still, it seemed a bit of a shock when Liverpool paid over a million pounds for him but they had a defensive crisis around 18 months ago so needed to get in some cover. He never took to the field for Liverpool and then at the start of this season was allowed to go out on loan. Odd one as it was Wilder and the previous regime that had pursued him so wondered how much Slav actually wanted him? We desperately needed a left sided defender regardless of what formation and with Jack Robinson struggling, he was pitched straight in at home to Huddersfield after watching our defence get pulled apart at West Brom the previous week. Thought he looked tidy, used the ball well and read the game but then lacked physicality in his debut and this has kind of been the story for much of his loan. He let the player outmuscled him for the Huddersfield winner and this was an issue as strikers would push him about too much and he did not win enough headers. I thought that was odd as he had played down here for Preston but maybe they had more physical defenders alongside him? He was a regular for a spell of games and was ok but I did expect someone more stand out. Decent on the ball of course but he did also always have a mistake in him. He was always seemingly in and out but was better when we went to a 5 at the back which we did permanently under Heckingbottom.
He would play 5 or 6 games and then be out for a number. There was talk of some personal stuff with his family as it rarely seemed to be an injury till later on in the season but there was no explanation given why he would not even be on the bench some weeks. He came on and scored the vital goal against Blackburn and also had to play on the right side of the three. He was preferred for a spell after the international break to Robinson in his more natural left sided position but made another mistake positionally at Stoke and then at fault for both goals v Reading and was taken out and Robinson improved the defence again.
I was never totally convinced by him. The team did improve as did many individuals (Norwood, Robinson, Foderingham) when the managerial change but thought he remained the same throughout the season – that is just quitter ordinary. I am not sure I would be beating down Liverpool’s door to sign him permanently at all. He apparently signed a long-term deal at Anfield (till 2025) but I expect they will make their money back and then some by constantly loaning him out to clubs at this level for sizeable loan fees. I would not be surprised to see him Preston, Blackpool or Blackburn next season as he is closer to Liverpool where they can watch him but I think United for the money he cost in loan fee/wages should maybe look elsewhere. I actually felt Robinson was the better player in that position in terms of overall performances (granted Robinson had a terrible start) and that is pretty damning against Davies. I hope we look elsewhere personally in this area.
Grade D+ (Last season NA)
Jayden Bogle Last year I wrote the following when describing Bogle, ‘A player that I think with further coaching and working on his defending has real potential. Whether we keep both him and Baldock I am not sure. I do not see any Premier League club taking either really and so ideally both could alternate. I think Bogle offers more attacking wide but Baldock is a better defender. Ideally you would merge both. At the lower level maybe, Bogle might be more useful so be interesting to see who the new manager goes with. I do think both should be fine at the lower level, we should be ok really in the short term and maybe even long term if Bogle can keep improving.’ For once my words seem quite prophetic and once again, we have rotated them but the situation reminds me a bit of Kelly/Tracey in the 90’s – it seemed like one would always be injured and the other than played. I am not sure either have been fit at the same time for a sustained amount of time? Baldock started the season and played the opening 11 league games. Bogle only played in the cup and recall him being shocking against his former club Derby but a bit better against Southampton. He played a few games (Stoke/Millwall) when Baldock was out but recall him getting a knock and missing a few as Baldock got back in but then from Forest onwards, Bogle took the short and played a run of 15 straight games.
Gradually he got better and better and like with a few others, his improvement in form came around the time of the managerial change. He scored the winner at Reading and got another few goals at Preston and a brilliant individual goal at Birmingham to win that game. He became a real focal point of our attacks and some of his skills and creative moments were a joy to watch. His defending was better than it had been but as he was in attack mode, that is where we saw his qualities. He started to cause opponents all sorts of problems and he showed some fantastic individual skills. He was central to our good run and one of the stand out players. Suddenly he looked the player we thought we had bought. He linked with Gibbs White, Brewster, McGoldrick, Berge etc as we showed real dynamism down the right. It was a real blow when he got injured and we did not see him again after Huddersfield and he had to have an operation and was ruled out for the season. I am excited to see him moving forward. It may be still that one of the two may have to move on and at the moment Bogle seems to be the player for the future and maybe even the present, as much as I love Baldock. It is the first time that if pushed who I would have to play, I think most fans would agree with me now and choose Bogle, such was his resurgence and threat he offered. Still only 21 and you hope he will be a big part of next season and can come back fit and carry on the form he showed. His grade would be higher if he played more but missed a large chunk of games.
Grade B (Last season D+)
Jack Robinson A player that was massively out of his depth in the Premier League and struggled. He seemed an odd signing and was then thrust forward due to O’Connell’s injury. He continued to stand out for his mistakes and decision making but then now and again he would have a strangely really good game. Still, you would have thought we would have signed better than a Forest squad player for the top level and the signings of him and Rodwell were bewildering from Wilder. To sign him for 2 and a half years was also a really bizarre strategy.
I hoped we could move him on and at the very worst he would only play in emergencies but as we started the season Slav felt he was more of a natural defender in two centre halves than Basham. He was awful at West Brom and the start he had was not great. We signed Davies but Robinson still was involved a fair bit as we had injuries and he played left back and left centre back. Recall a few dreadful errors where every time he made a mistake it was normally one where he kicked it straight to an opponent to score. Preston at home was a game where he was particularly bad. Eventually he was taken out and we did not see him for a period but then after a series of injuries, he played and was superb at Fulham. This seemed to be the catalyst and he went on a brilliant run where he was almost man of the match or close to it for a series of wins. He scored two goals too coming up from the back for set plays and his confidence rose. He started to win tackles and the crowd finally started to turn (a crunching tackle at home to West Brom stood out) and he became an unlikely favourite. Credit to him for plugging away and putting in consistent and mistake free games. Even the games when we looked a bit flat as fatigue set in, he continued to be excellent (Huddersfield, Blackburn and Millwall). Had a mare at Coventry as they all did and then Hecky opted to put Davies back in as we got bodies back. I felt this was harsh and actually felt more at ease with him in the backline personally but for the next run of games he went back to the bench. He was brought back in as Davies struggled and we improved again. Was a colossal at QPR and what a header to help win us the game! The whole Forest team exploited the lack of pace and mobility in the playoffs at times but then he came back strong in the second game and got involved in the aggro and showed his commitment to the cause.
Really had a great 2nd half of the season – he was poor to start and then out of the side but for around 15-20 games he was maybe our best player with Wes and those two unlikely heroes as we made a real surge for the playoffs. He got forward as well as did the basics defensively and his long throw continued to be an asset – one we maybe did not use enough?
He was out of contract this summer but had his deal triggered by an extra deal. I have no issues with him getting this extra year. Still only 28, so he is entering his peak too. He is not the joke he once was and has become an ‘ok-decent’ defender at this level. Ideally I still am not sure I would want him as a regular every week for a side right at the top but he is now a handy lad to have around and has been fairly consistent and may even start at left centre back next season after his improvements.
Grade B- (Last season D)
Charlie Goode Up there in the category ‘limited impact as a Blade.’ He had been a journeyman in the lower leagues until he did well at Northampton and Brentford signed him for over a million but he had only been on the fringes there although made 6 appearances this season which surprised me when I looked at his stats (albeit some off the bench). He seemed a sensible signing though - a big lad who could cover for Egan and Basham and gave us physicality (and another long throw). Sadly, it did not work out at all. He was on the bench for a few games but then did quite well in his debut when he came on against Swansea and looked fine albeit in a game that was over. He stated the next game against Blackburn and continued to look fine although he clearly did like a tackle and after one, he won early in the second half, he then charged into another and completely took his man, high and late. A certain red card and one that put us in a pickle that game and for future games. He then somehow got injured when not playing and the concerns over his injury record was discussed. That was it. We never saw him again as he went back to Brentford for treatment. We brough in Uremovic. Not sure he endeared himself to the club with the ridiculous sending off and his inability to be fit. A waste of time really and more funds squandered assuming we had to cover all his loan spell and pay a fee for having him till the end of the season. Not sure what his future holds at Brentford and expect he may end up back on loan in the Championship maybe next season, if he can stay fit. Doubt it will be with us!
Grade F (Last season NA)
Kyron Gordon A player that seems to have been around for ages but is only 19. Had come through the ranks and impressed at all age levels. He is the half-brother of Tyler Smith who has now left United. Gordon was scouted allegedly by some bigger clubs and Everton have been linked more than once. I had seen him at the various levels and he always looked quick, decent on the ball and read the game well but maybe lacked physicality. Was interested to see if he could step up but maybe the last season or so he could have been given games on loan but it never happened. He started playing in two league cup games though due to the lack of options we probably had but showed enough promise. He was back with the u23’s and a regular before he was given a loan at Boston United (a team we use often to deploy players!). I thought he could have had a loan higher up and he only played 3 times there before he was recalled.
He was on the bench for a few games and then after Covid hit he was given his chance against Wolves in the Cup. Felt he did ok albeit versus good Premier League players. He got in the side maybe surprisingly as with all the injuries, Hecky wanted a right sided player to operate at right centre back. He did alright at Millwall but then was really poor at Coventry as the whole team were. He was better at Blackpool and then got man of the match against Barnsley (maybe this was a push). He had done ok without being someone you felt was ready to be a regular at this stage. Ironically just as he was maybe settling down, we ended up with some players back a new signing. If we had been mid table, you could have maybe persisted with him and we may have seen Lopata too but we were in the thick of a playoff race, so right to go with the experience. He needs a season long loan for me in League 1 or 2 next season. He has his contract option taken up so will remain at the Lane but needs league experience.
Grade C (Last season NA)
Femi Seriki came to us from Bury after they were expelled from the league (had a few sub appearances for the League One side) and was given his bow briefly at St James Park in the Premier League last season. He really impressed with his high energy, goalscoring and link play for the u23’s where he was a regular. I think I said last season when I wrote this, he needed a loan at League 2/1. In the end United chose to send him to Beerschot where the club felt it would benefit both parties. Seemed a good move and to get him a different kind of experience. It did not work and he only played one game despite his club struggling. He ended up coming back around Christmas time and then after he played for the u23’s, we got a few injuries and he ended up on the bench and then started against Forest. I thought this game was a bit of a struggle but you forget he is just 18 and never played senior football. The pace and physicality all seemed a bit much. We had no choice due to the players unavailable but think Hecky realised that it was a step too far at this time and he was brought off for a left footed Osborn who shored it up down that side. After this he was quickly sent on loan but I thought it was a level too low (Boston in National League North). He did well on his debut there but I would hope this was just to get him some competitive men’s football and that they could not find another club at this stage. You would hope next season he can get a full loan at an EFL club or National League proper. One that the club think a lot of but probably a bit away yet.
Grade E (Last season NA)
Kacper Lopata Now Poland’s under 20 captain, Lopata came from Brighton a few years ago and has steadily worked through the u18/u23’s teams and as we did not really recruit defensively after the departures of Jagielka, Rodwell and Bryan, he ended up in and around the first team squad and seemed to impress Jokanovic. A no nonsense defender who is sizeable and strong for his age (just 20). He played and did ok in league cup games against Carlisle and Derby. It was questionable if Jokanovic would risk him in the first team and a loan seemed to suit all parties.
He went on loan to Southend and according to their fans (via Roy!) they were really impressed with him and he can become a mainstay in the side that improved after he (and Brunt) went there. Became a real cult hero seemingly down there and played every week. He was drawing rave reviews but in March due to an injury crisis which seemed to be a real blow for Southend. He was on the bench against Coventry, Blackpool and Barnsley but Gordon had done ok and then Uremovic came back with Basham also back in the mix. It was right to bring him back, like with Jebbison even though ideally for them they would have carried on playing and doing well where they would. Like with Gordon needs a good solid season loan at a football league club next time out to see if he can step up from National League level.
Grade C (Last season NA)
Filip Uremovic Rare for United’s transfer ‘team’ to be creative and exploit a loophole but they did just that in signing the 25 year old Croat. He had been a big money signing for the Russian Premier League side Rubin Kazan in 2018 and been involved in the Croatian national side too. However, on 13 March 2022, Uremović's contract with Rubin was suspended until 30 June 2022, according to the new FIFA regulations related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Those regulations allow foreign players in Russia to suspend their contract and sign with a club outside of Russia temporarily until 3 June 2022. United stepped in and signed him in March with the spate of injuries and had him on a short-term deal until the end of the season. He spoked good English in his press conference and then made his debut at home to QPR after being on the bench at Stoke. I thought his debut was ok with some nervy moments as he struggled to get used to the pace but no big errors but was excellent the next game against Bournemouth. Stood up the physical side, got stuck in and was not intimidated by bigger players and the crowd loved his no nonsense approach. Should have capped it with a winner as he fired badly over with the chance to be a hero as he dabbed his bloody nose after the miss!
After that Basham came back in after he struggled against Reading and we did not really see him again. Interesting to see what happens. There was talk he would go back to Russia but then oddly we announced that we had released him? I did not even think he was our player so this was strange but his days at the Lane seem numbered.
Grade C (Last season NA)
The rest
Joe Starbuck After Grimsby went down, he was given the chance to move on after activating a clause in his contract. We signed the 19-year-old and he quickly became a regular in the u23’s as a right back. He seemed to do quite well and he assisted and scored for the successful team he was part of, that seemed to win every game they played! Clearly impressed as even though we had injuries, he got on the bench for games at Wolves and Millwall. Went back to the u23’s to finish the season. Hopefully can get some loan experience next season.
Niksoen Gomis French centre back (has dual nationality actually – France and Senegal) who plays left side I believe but can play either role and also wing back. Big lad who likes to come out from the back. We signed him from Evreux Jugend in 2018 and he has progressed up through the young sides. He had a loan spell at Bradford Park Avenue this season but then he came back and was on the bench at Blackpool as we ran out of defenders! He scored a great goal in the u23 game at QPR and is another that seems quick, athletic and mobile – that we seem to possess at that level. Just turned 20, he is a bit older than a few of the others so will need to kick on next season with another year left of his contract.
Jack O’Connell I have included him in here as he is of course still contracted to the club. A sad story and you wonder if the inevitable will be confirmed soon. He has another year on his deal so will remain part of things but after a number of operations and setbacks seemingly, it has gone really quiet. There has been no timeframes put on things – not even seen him running or doing anything football related – seems to be just occasional gym work. With the developments in medicine and sports science, I cannot recall a player being out for over 2 years and ever coming back even at a lower level. I’d love to see him return and even just play again for someone (sad if it is not for us) but the clock is ticking now and the lack of any clarity just seems to suggest it is not going to happen. Incredibly hard to know that he was at the peak of his game and on the fringe of the England squad I felt when he got injured.
To basically be at the top of your game at an age where he could get better (you look at White, Coady, Mings etc and he was good or had the potential to be even better I think most fans really believe that). Hope for something unexpected to happen but if we do not see him even involved in any kind of proper running/football work or training for the club by the start of next year, you would think the inevitable announcement will come. He will get an insurance pay off of course and may even be more to come if rumours are believed if there is unhappiness how the club treated him (I always wonder why he is never at Shirecliffe- it seems he is still employed by the club but is never at work at his employer? – surely the club should be doing his rehab?). We will see but I am not hopeful I will be writing anything about him this time next year only as a footnote to say he retired from football. Love to be wrong on this as the guy was fantastic and part of our rise and journey but has to look after himself and family for the rest of his life too in terms of his physical condition/financial side too.
Max Lowe Came almost as make weight in the Bogle deal but rumours over the fee and his alleged wages were somewhat concerning, especially as in his appearances in the top flight, he looked completely out of his depth and I cannot recall many good performances. Granted the whole team struggled but he was not great defensively or attacking wise and that was with the poor form of Stevens ahead of him. He was even worse I thought. He did only play 8 times but that was as much down to how little he impressed. Physically weak and maybe not as quick as I thought he would be, he also technically had limitations and offered little as an attacking threat. Seemed to be a player that was not up the top level (as many more weren’t either).
With Norrington Davies, Stevens and Osborn around, we clearly had too many (average!) left backs/left wing backs and something had to give at a lower level especially with cut backs needed. Jokanovic clearly fancied the others more and he was allowed to move on loan to Forest. He became a regular and did ok even if the side struggled but then after Cooper came in, they surged up the league and he was a regular until a few injuries. Forest raved about him and Spence down the sides and wanted to sign both permanently. Some fans suggested we got him back but the terms of the loan did not allow that. I saw him a few times and was not as impressed as thought I may be considering the reviews he was getting. Lowe talked about how he loved it at Forest and the atmosphere of the City Ground being the best he had played in front of! He was certainly angling for a move. He has another 2 years on his contract and despite some saying we should give him a go, I think if he has done well at Forest and we can get a fee for him, the phrase ‘sell high’ comes into effect. I am not convinced he is good enough to be a regular with us now or even in the future, even if he has done ok at Forest.
I am not sure Norrington Davies is the answer and Stevens is on the downside you feel with only a year left of his deal. Osborn also is out of contract. However, bringing a player back just because we have concerns about the others in his position is not really the right move especially when I am not sure Lowe is much better either. So, if we can do a deal here then I definitely would as we have to trim the squad and interest has been minimal in most of our players that even with cuts are probably all on decent wages at this level.
Next season
With Egan, Bash and Robinson all still under contract and Bogle/Baldock and Norrington Davies/Stevens around, you sense the defence is well set at the Championship level but we do need cover and competition down the left side particularly. I do believe Bogle will get the nod at the right-hand side but neither on the left have been quite consistent enough. Maybe Stevens in a contract year will find more consistent form – not sure yet whether RND is quite good enough but is still young. Despite Robinson’s improvements, I would still be targeting a left sided defender personally as your starter and have Robinson as a utility man who can fill in a bit in a number of areas if we need him. We will also need cover for Bash who has started to pick up injuries. You wonder if some of the younger lads like Lopata and Gordon will go out on loan to league clubs this year. Lowe, I expect will move on if Forest want him. The fact I have not mentioned O’Connell suggest we know it is unlikely we will ever see him in a Blades shirt again and expect if we have heard nothing more by Christmas that we will hear an announcement. The defensive area at this level probably needs little tweaking and cover rather than wholesale changes.
Player / Position Years remaining (contract expires) Red this year – Orange next year - Green longer contract –
Defenders
Jack Robinson 1 year (as now given extension) 2023
Jack O’Connell 1 year (2023)
Enda Stevens 1 year (2023)
Chris Basham 2 years (2024)
John Egan 2 years (2024)
George Baldock 2 years (2024)
Max Lowe 2 years (2024)
Jayden Bogle 2 years (2024)
R Norrington Davies 2 years (2024)
Youngsters involved in 1st team last season or loans out (contracts unknown if not stated)
Kyron Gordon 1 year (2023)
Femi Seriki 1 year (2023)
Harry Boyes 1 year (2023)
Kacper Lopata 1 year (2023)
Niksoen Gomis 2 years (2024)
Joe Starbuck 2 years (2024)
Return to loan club:
Ben Davies to Liverpool
Filip Uremovic to Ruben Kazan
Charlie Goode to Brentford
