Post by deadbat on May 28, 2024 11:32:29 GMT
2023/24 SUFC SEASON REVIEW / SCHOOL REPORT
Strikers
Cameron Archer Been prolific for Preston and Middlesbrough in loan spells at Championship level and we saw first hand at the Lane, his pace and finishing power. He never really got much of an opportunity at Villa Park as they were now pushing at the higher end of the Premier League. He was in and around their squad though to start this season and came on in the victory over Everton. However, Villa had issues around balancing books related to profit and sustainability and seemed like they were keen to find a deal for him to go back out on loan or even sell him if the price was right. He was linked with a few Championship clubs, including Leeds and many United social media sites clamoured for him to sign. The Blades had been linked with his former teammate Chuka Akpom but he went to Ajax and eventually after a prolonged chase, Archer came in. The deal was an odd one but could be seen as clever for all parties as Archer came in for a reported £18 million but that Villa would get him back for a similar fee, if United went down. If the Blades stayed up, then United would complete the permanent deal. It seemed a unique way for everyone to get what they wanted. I was concerned that it effectively seemed a loan deal and if we struggled, how much would he bust a gut towards the end of the season. The other side, is we would not be stuck with a player if he struggled a la Brewster and at least we had financial backstops if we did struggle and go down.
He started his first game against Everton and was excellent scoring one and contributing hugely to the other. Showed his pace, finishing and ability to run behind. This superb start was not build upon as United struggled and he did not have much impact in many of the subsequent games. He still showed some good bits of play but we rarely created many chances and with other strikers injured, he not really forge a partnership after that promise he showed with McBurnie on debut. He was rotated a bit for a period but did score a superb goal against Wolves at the Lane.
When Wilder came in, thought he had best spell for us and weirdly this came when he operated more in a wide position. Whilst he is better down the middle, what he did show in the spell was hard work, some good upper body strength, hold up play and superb work rate. I felt in the game prior to Wilder coming in, that he was not working hard enough without the ball and thus his contributions (with us not having the ball) were insufficient. This period either side of Xmas saw him put in some man of the match performances and he scored a former club Villa. After the Christmas period, his form and the initial improvements under Wilder generally, tailed off. Brereton Diaz came in and did well and Archer picked up a few knocks and then after scoring a good finish v Luton, ended up out for a few months with a calf injury. I did wonder whether we would see him again as with us as good as down and needed to think about the future. However, he did come back in the game against Chelsea and assisted in the late McBurnie goal.
He got back into the side for some games in the run in but was anonymous at Old Trafford and then whilst more of a threat at St James Park, he missed two good chances. Against Forest he missed three very good opportunities and looked a bit disinterested and stopped chasing in the second half. Similarly v Everton seemed to be selfish and quite lazy and missed chances again. This was repeated v Spurs and was so slow to take chances offered.
Overall, his ‘loan’ has been a disappointment. He has at times shown his goalscoring ability but did only get 4 goals and was never a regular in the side due to injury and form. When he did not play, I am not sure I ever thought that him missing was the difference as when he had played, he had not quite had the impact maybe we would have hoped. However, like with the other loanee, McAtee, the lack of possession and opportunities going forward probably was frustrating for me. Both players I wanted to work harder out of possession though and at times I felt he sauntered about too much and needed to press/harry more. He was not quite as quick as I had remember but clearly when given chances he showed he was a decent finisher but did not have that many. He was messed around a bit, in terms of position but then we were not always going to play with a two at this level and he would not be used as a lone striker much you would not think? He had an ok season but maybe as one of our big signings, we would have expected more and had fitness and consistency issues even if he did at times look one of our better attacking threats. When we signed him, if you said he would only score 4 goals (and only start 16 games) then you would be concerned at how much influence we would have had. The reports we actually paid a loan fee of 4 million (on top of the fee we paid that comes back to us) then that is another deal where a player has not done anywhere near enough really in his brief time at the Lane.
He is another that you do wonder if he is quite Premier League – that may seem harsh but he has had a season now at this level and struggled really to convince Villa he would be anywhere near their first team even occasionally? If he went back on loan, like with McAtee, it would be a promoted team/struggler at best and he would face similar issues he has experienced this season. I think he will probably go back on loan to the Championship – maybe we might try and sign him again on loan but I would not say he is someone that I would be gutted about if he does not return. I realise I might be in the minority and that his record in the second tier, suggests he would score a lot of goals but I just think he needed to show more for us in terms of effort and work rate. I have a feeling Wilder felt the same as he was in and out under him and believe he may end up with a rival at the level below. Villa will do this a few more times (assuming he agreed a longer-term contract in the eventuality he returned, before we signed him – he had signed a 5-year deal in 2022- before he signed a 4-year deal with us effectively taking over his Villa deal?) to make some money until his contract nears the end and then probably see what money they can make on him before his contract ends in 2 years. If they sold him now though, they would struggle to get half of the money we paid last summer – in my opinion – that kind of sums up that he has not really gone on and quite had the impact we/Villa and himself would have hoped. I would not be that bothered if he did not come back and rather us go in a different direction. We need to build a team that if we did go up, they can play at a higher level – he has shown he probably can’t.
Grade E+ (Last season NA)
Ben Brereton Diaz When we signed him, I was a bit non plussed to be honest. I always thought that despite scoring a fair few goals for Blackburn in a 12–18-month purple patch, that he had not really pushed on from his early promise at Forest. The Chile connection had of course got him a lot of press but I was not shocked when he went to Spain and made little impact. I always thought he was a decent footballer but lacked aggression and pace to really make it at the top level.
When he came in and we heard it was only a short-term deal and he would in all likelihood be going back to Villareal, then I could not understand it? I was not certain he would give us that instant impact and then if we were not going to keep him, could not see the point.
However, he came in and scored on his league debut against West Ham and looked impressive, as he played in the inside left position but showed good feet, a clever football brain and gave us an outlet in terms of runs with and without the ball. I must admit, he looked a better player than I thought and showed he was intelligent in his link play. Worked hard too. He scored again at Palace with a lovely strike and thought he looked one of our stand out players for a significant period, despite the losses. He continued to be work hard despite having little service. Scored two more v Fulham and remained in the side and formed a decent partnership with Oli McBurnie.
His form dropped off a bit and he looked tired as we finally went down. He had shown to be a good finisher (another at Man Utd) but then missed a fair few chances in games that you would expect him to take at Newcastle and against Forest. I would like it if we could keep him as he would be a real stand out at the level below but fear he has firmly put himself in the shop window, even for a lower Prem team or given another chance back in Spain. Seems a decent lad and one of the few who contributed positively in a season full of misery.
Grade B- (Last season NA)
Oli McBurnie Another season where he simply was not available enough. When he played he did ok and had some really good games mixed with some quieter ones and some poor ones (Burnley away with the stupid red card). 15 starts out of 38 games (a further 8 from the bench) is simply not enough and is less than 40% of the games we have played. He has only played 90 minutes on 8 occasions. That is woefully inadequate and he cannot stay fit or gets suspended too much. He has scored 6 goals which is the flip side as that is effectively 1 in 3. Pretty good for a struggling side! He also has played quite well in many of those games he has featured – especially as we have lost so many games and then not had the ball much in the attacking third.
He was not fit to start the season but then when he linked with Archer v Everton, we finally looked a threat up front. However he then gets sent off at Spurs and is out for a while and it was stop start for a period. He scores against Man Utd and Bournemouth in defeats but then we have the ridiculous elbow at Burnley when he was almost asking to be dismissed. He is out again but comes back and scores against Luton and at home to West Ham with a cool last ditch penalty. He continued to be in and out with a series of niggle injuries but did play well when linked with Brereton Diaz and excellent against Fulham and Chelsea, where he gets another couple of goals. Looked like one of the few who could keep the ball, occupy the defenders and of course even in our box would be better than many of our own defenders at clearing the ball aerially! It just that he was never able to get a consistent run and even when he played he struggled to finish games. However, one of the few that looked ok at this level and he is a good footballer and better when played to his feet rather than lumped into the air. He can link play even if his style is lumbering. There were some games he would work hard and close down and press but then others looked well off it and out of energy meaning defenders could come out or were not occupied. Even when he was playing, he never looked fit.
As we limped to relegation, he was not really in the games against Brentford and then Burnley and then picked up another serious injury that was revealed to be a torn abductor (groin) and that was him out again and done for the season until a late sub appearance. We saw various posts on social media, with some suggesting that means he is going and some saying he is staying. Rumours were we had made an offer but on reduced terms which is not really a surprise.
So, does he remain? I have seen a real mixed bag of opinions. I don’t mind him as a character and think despite some stupid decisions in his past, he does give his all when he is fit and think he is one of those that seems to really care. However, he has not really contributed anywhere near enough in his five-year spell here in terms of games and goals for the amount we paid for him and his hefty wages you would assume.
I am torn on it. I think I agree that if he goes, we have to spend a fair bit to replace him (money we do not have) but then the counter argument is he just is not available enough. When he plays, he tends to offer more positives than negatives but he simply does not play enough games and is constantly injured. If he was not given a new deal, then I would not criticise the club as if the policy is we can only sign/re-sign players who actually have or will play a certain number of games. In an ideal world, he gets a deal on less wages than he has been paid but that is heavily incentivised with how many games he plays but he probably does not sign that? I think that if he does not come back, he get a contract either Champ level of for Glasgow Rangers (as rumoured) and many probably say we should have kept him! I do think if we had more striking depth and talent, then we’d move on from him but with only injury prone Brewster and a young raw Osula left, we may have to keep him to have some experience and goals up there.
Grade C- (Last season B) – grade given due to lack of availability
Rhian Brewster Another end of season summary where I am writing essentially the same things about Brewster. Largely that he is always injured, mostly ineffective when he plays and looks sadly a complete and utter waste of money. He has been here for 4 seasons now. FOUR seasons. He has started 30 league games and only scored 4 goals. That is the equivalent of 7-8 games a season (out of 38-46 depending on the league) and 1 goal a season. That is to be frank pathetic for any striker and even worse considering he was our record signing. I get the sympathy for him in that he seems a nice lad and has had terrible luck but we are a club that cannot see such a big transfer fee yield such little results. Even the times he has been fit (rare) then he has shown nothing to ever suggest he will make it as a top player and looks like he is still a young lad finding his way in the game. He is now 24 and should be hitting his peak. He seems to play the odd game and then his hamstring goes and he is out for a while and then this happens again. We have had four seasons of this. It is clear he has issues with his body and particularly his hamstrings. He is no even that explosive or quick so no idea unless he has underlying issues with his muscles.
Last season we did not see him after October and he only scored 1 goal in 19 (total) appearances and so many false starts of possible returns were mooted but he never came back. His main contribution seemed to be running on in his kit after the West Brom win and making rude comments about our city rivals on the top of the town hall at the promotion parade.
This summer there was talk of a return to fitness but as pre-season rolled around he was nowhere to be seen. He did not come back till the West Ham away game in September and we saw a few sub appearances. He played at Arsenal but it was a tough afternoon for the whole side and then started at home to Wolves but picked up another injury and was out again. He was mostly on the bench but even when he played he seemed to pick up a knock and miss the next game. He almost never seemed to be available for a consistent run of games. He came on at West Ham and seemed too keen to impress and put in a ridiculous tackle which saw a straight red card. He stormed down the tunnel but it was another awful contribution in a United shirt. After he came back from suspension, he was on the bench for a few games but then played well at Wolves – his best performance for a long time but guess what – he got injured again – doing his hamstring in training the following week. We did not see him again for a while until he was on the bench for the Forest game and came on at Everton.
Once again, in a dreadful season he contributed very little. He has still not scored a single Premier League goal for the club (in 2 seasons at this level) and when he has played still looks like a young lad figuring out the game (maybe that is the issue – he simply has not played enough to improve his game). He is another that seems to struggle what he needs to do to help the team. I can cope without the goals, if he holds it up, runs the channels, is a nuisance but often he sort of jogs around and does not even occupy defences.
His future at the club, in the short term, is secure in the sense that he has a year left of a lucrative contract. With no sign of him really improving or significantly contributing mixed in with his dreadful fitness record and I cannot see anything but him playing out his final year and then ending up in the lower leagues. I do think it would suit all parties if we could find a Championship or League One side to take him and him somehow get a run of goals and find his confidence back but that spell at Swansea now seems be an aberration in a career where he showed promise as a young player but looks miles off being good enough at the top professional level. I recall the lad Jordan Ibe going for a lot of money some time ago to Bournemouth from Liverpool and he is now struggling to even start for Ebbsfleet in the National League. I worry that Brewster’s career may head in the same direction or worse still he may have to pack up as his body cannot cope with the demands of the professional game. As with Davies, I think United have them on their books but probably accept privately anything they get from these two next seasons will be an unexpected bonus.
Grade F- (Last season E)
William Osula After showing some promise in 2021-22 and making 5 sub appearances as United made the end of season playoffs, Osula spent some time on loan at Derby in 2022-23. There is a notion he played a fair bit there and scored a number of goals but he actually did not and only started 5 league games, scoring twice. He scored a few more in the FA Cup but Osula mainly came off the bench as Warne preferred the experienced duo of McGoldrick and Collins. He came back to United after a suspension and a facial injury but only made two brief appearances at Burnley and then in the final game at Birmingham – where he looked quite explosive but missed a fair few chances and was quite selfish when he could have passed to more experienced teammates!
Osula clearly had some raw ability with pace, size and a real athlete. He was able to make good runs and was an outlet for the ball over the top. Despite his decision making, that Birmingham game strangely excited me as he looked a really powerful player who could cause problems. The summer came and you felt he would benefit from another loan and one where he might play more games at League One level – he had not really done enough at Derby to suggest he would get a move to the Championship. He was linked with a few sides but remained and as we lost Ndiaye and failed to bring in any experienced strikers, coupled with more injuries to the likes of Brewster and McBurnie, we ended up with only him and Traore being fit to start the season.
He started the first three games and worked hard but with so little of the ball he was staved of chances and as McBurnie got fit and Archer came in, he was mostly on the bench with cameos. He always tried hard but did not seem to quite ‘get the game’ and looked incredibly raw. Wilder came in and he did start against Liverpool and Brentford and did ok in terms of stretching the defence and keeping them honest. I cannot recall him ever looking like scoring or having many chances and when he did have opportunities, he sort of snatched at them. Thought he had a pretty decent game at Man City actually and then finally scored (two!) with decent finishes at Gillingham. He followed this up with another goal at home to Brighton, again in the FA Cup.
He started in the games against Brighton and Villa in the league but was taken off as we were just getting destroyed and he saw so little of the ball. He did struggle to hold it up and his naivety and inexperience was clear. He went back to the bench as Brereton Diaz came in and Archer also came back. We saw glimpses from him off the bench but he became used less and less as the season went on.
He has still to score a league goal for United and frankly has not really looked like achieving that feat, as harsh as that sounds. He has some attributes with good pace, size and running but another that does not quite seem to understand the nuances of the game yet. He seems to not quite get where to run, how to link with others and the importance of protecting possession. Just needs game time lower down the leagues and the fact he started 12 (30 overall with subs) games at the top level is more damning on United’s situation than perhaps a critique of him – he is just nowhere near this level. I have seen some say he may start next season or be a big contributor in the Championship but I have seen nothing really to suggest he will be a regular or a big contributor in terms of goals? He stands out at u21 level but the jump up from that football to league football is huge (even lower leagues).
He needs to go out, learn the game and then hopefully in a season might be closer to where we need him to be. We have him tied down on a longer deal for another three years so we have time for him to hopefully push on and he is only 20. Conversely, not sure I have seen enough to see which trajectory his career will go in but United rightly will wait and see if he can develop.
Grade E (Last season NA)
Benie Traore It says something that I forgot to even include him when I started listing the players for this season review. I genuinely forgot we still had him! He of course has been out on loan but is still contracted to us and his future remains rather unclear. Traore started out in his homeland, the Ivory Coast, before moving to Sweden and BK Hacken. He made 27 appearances and scored 3 times in 2021-22 but then got a bad injury and did not play the following season. In 2022-23, he returned mid-way through the season and scored 12 times as his club won the title and made his debut for the Ivory Coast too.
He had been playing over the summer due to how the Swedish League worked, but was being linked with both Rangers and Celtic due to his form. United became interested and a deal was quickly struck but again it was unclear how much we had actually paid? Some reports said around £3.5 million but again, as with Slimane and Souza, others closer to the club have said it was a lot less. I recall seeing Traore being excited when he was unveiled and met up with Iliman Ndiaye in Portugal and talked about playing with him. Ndiaye was sold a few days later of course and as Berge left, he probably wondered what he had come into!
I remember the game against Stuttgart and thinking how tiny he was – he is listed as 5’8’’ but that seems generous. He looked to have a bit of pace and trickery but the ball came off him too easily and looked very weak with his small frame (height and build) meaning that he seemed to get bullied out of it. He started against Palace but he and Osula struggled to make much of an impact but then showed a few glimpses at Forest but missed a big chance at 1-1 and United went onto lose the game. He played against Lincoln but was telling he really struggled even against League One players and missed weak penalty. He remained in the side v City but United were starved of the ball and he was just a passenger in most of the game and finally Archer came in and with McBurnie back, he was taken out of the side. He came on against Newcastle and Burnley but we got worse in both games as he could not hold the ball up nor did he look any kind of threat. The physical side and pace seemed too much for him and when he had the ball he often lost it. I barely remember him having any chances or moments in games and just seemed to get hustled out of it when the ball came near him. Wilder came in and he did play against Liverpool but this was another brief cameo where he just made no impact.
He seems too slight for the English leagues and not even sure he is that quick – saw a few times in a one on one that he lost out. Technically the ball does not stick and he does not offer a powerful shot or really look a threat with the ball over the top. He did try and work hard but just seemed to run around with no idea of what to do, with or without the ball and just looked hopelessly out of his depth. I think both Heckingbottom (granted he signed him but surely that is as much down to the scouts as him?) and Wilder saw that he was not really up to it and the latter shipped him out – on loan to Nantes. This was a surprise and his agent did well to get him another top league European club. The move was a loan with an option and agreement to buy that would allegedly get our money back (potentially even make some). His debut was a disaster as he got sent off and then he got subbed in his second game. He has played
? games and not completed 90 minutes and been a sub almost exclusively as his team, like United, fought relegation.
I was hoping he may do ok, or well enough for Nantes to sign him but he has done little to nothing to suggest why they would make it permanent and expect him to come back. I do not see a future for him here, despite the shortage of strikers on our books and think we will try and move him on regardless – talk he had been listed. I have seen some say he may do ok at the lower level but I have seen nothing to suggest he can make it and two spells at struggling sides in two leagues with not a single goal and not even really having a ‘good’ game suggests he would have been better staying in Sweden or making the move to the Scottish League (which is on par with League One in my opinion outside of Rangers and Celtic). He is still young, only 21, but as I have said with others I have not seen anything to suggest that he is worth keeping, even as development player and think we could have picked up a better prospect from the lower leagues/National League which is another failure of the recruitment team.
Grade F (Last season NA)
Daniel Jebbison Having not made a single appearance, it is hard to know what to say about Jebbison in another lost season. Granted he has seemingly had some serious medical issues (Bettis alluded to it being a blood clot) and after being involved in training pre-season, he was then not seen for a while and the club said he was out with a ‘health issue.’ This led to a great deal of speculation and think whilst club must show a degree of privacy the lack of information did not help the sympathy for him or the club. Last season he had shown flashes of form and scored a winner against Hull. He also played well in the game at Sunderland and in the final home game against Preston, where he turned the game. There has been other games where he had been ineffective (poor in the semi-final at Wembley and conceded a penalty after his surprise selection) and not sure he had quite pushed on after that promise he had shown a few years ago and a valuable loan spell at Burton where he scored a few goals.
He also suffered with a variety of injuries and only started 9 games (10 more from the bench). There were still a lot of rumours linking him with other teams (Everton the one that seemed to be mentioned but bizarrely some top European teams were linked too?). There was talk about his attitude not being the best but that is conjecture. Hecky seemed less convinced he would stay and as he remained out injured – it seemed he would just run out his contract and move on. Wilder came in and talked him up and said they were close to a new deal, which came out of the blue and talked about positive discussions with his family but then it went quiet again. We kept hearing we would hear news shortly and 24 -72 hours was mentioned a few times! He did then appear for the u21’s at the end of the season which was a surprise. He looked a bit rusty but showed flashes of the running/athletic ability we have seen before.
He has only played 24 times in 4 seasons and another that seems to be almost never fit for any length of time. I also am not sure he has shown enough when he has played for him to be seriously considering leaving and going elsewhere. He must have a good agent if a bigger side does sign him? I can see why some teams may have an interest as he is quick, athletic, rangy, and mobile. He has the build of those modern-day centre forwards that teams crave but his actual ability, finishing and link play to me is still incredibly raw. I have not seen enough (with him or Osula) to suggest they will definitely go on and be top players. A team that signs him will be gambling on potential and inevitably he would then go out on loan again but at some point he has to put a run of games together and realise that potential. Maybe he (and/or Osula) will go on and be top players but equally would not shock me if they lower league players/out of the professional game too! Just can’t really see enough to properly assess which way they will go. Look at Calvert Lewis and Slew – two players who went in very different directions but actually the former showed much less at the Lane I would argue!
I would not be devastated if he moved on. The big issue is he is a young talent that could have netted us a decent fee (clubs pay daft money for these sorts of players these days) but we failed to tie him down and now if he leaves we get a compensation fee due to his age but it will not be much. If we do keep him, I am not sure I have seen anywhere near enough to suggest he could be a regular, let alone someone who will score a lot of goals, even at Championship level. Only a season ago, he struggled to really make much of an impact and has been out injured for over a year so it will take time for him to build up to even playing consistent minutes whatever club he is at.
Grade U (Last season C+)
Ryan One Like Curtis, someone we had been linked with for a while and another that we supposedly beat competition to sign. His Dad was Armand One, who was a much travelled forward in the UK who I recall flashing up on Soccer Saturday when he scored due to his unusual name! His son was playing for Hamilton Academical first team at just 16 and his physique, skillset and form saw him almost leave for Brighton last summer but he remained and United moved in to sign him. He has alternated between the u18 and u21’s – mainly playing for the latter and scored for both these sides on his debuts. He ended up on the bench v Man Utd and came on at Arsenal, albeit in a chastening defeat. Looks a big lad for his age (17) and quite mobile but very raw.
I watched him for the u21’s a few times near the end of the season and he looked powerful and quick, albeit not always making the right decisions but scored a fair few goals and worried defences. Will need time to develop but like with Curtis and a few others we have picked up; we hope we may have found a gem. He plays regularly for Scotland u19’s and seems to be well thought of in their international set up.
Louie Marsh Marsh is a player that had come through the academy and impressed with his goalscoring, quick feet and clever play. Some of his goals at u18 and u21 level were sublime and he certainly had a touch of ‘David Brooks’ about him maybe from what I had seen? Heckingbottom and the senior coaching staff clearly saw real potential and was in and around the first team even this pre-season as players moved on and finances were tight. He played at Chesterfield and then also in the game against Lincoln, although struggled a bit in that game and missed a penalty. United got him signed to a long-term deal and then he was allowed to go to Doncaster – as a number of clubs were wanting to sign him. He struggled initially here and then got a bad injury and only played 6 games. He came back to the u22’s and eventually started to play again and showed some of the impressive form we had previously seen with some lovely runs and goals. Probably still a way off the first team and maybe needs a more successful loan where he can play more next season? Clearly a talent though and one United have high hopes for.
Antwoine Hackford Seems an age since he made his debut under Wilder at Crystal Palace as a 16-year-old. He lost his way for a few years after that with a couple of really bad injuries and wondered if he would remain at the club but battled back and the end of last season and start of this, he cemented a place in the u21 side and scored a number of goals. He seemed to be gradually improving his all-around play and finally showing the promise of a few years ago again. Wilder clearly remembered this and he too was rewarded with a new deal and then went to Burton, which is a good level loan for him. They will have hoped he would have a similar impact to another former loanee they had, Daniel Jebbison. Obviously Hackford was not at that level yet but he was in and around the first team there – mostly used a sub. Still only 20 and one United will hope can develop further but hard to see what we do next if he could not get games lower down the leagues showing the challenge in stepping up from u21 to first team level.
Billy Blacker Prolific striker at u16 and then u18 level – he progressed up the u21’s and has been scoring regularly at this level. Ended up on the bench for the 1st team this past season at home to Brighton, partly due to injuries but also due his own promise. He ended up playing more in the central midfield area for the u21’s but looked nice and composed and a good footballer. Still only 17 – big things are expected of him and we have a plethora of young strikers with him, One, Marsh, Hackford and Osula (Jebbison too still maybe?) so maybe he will now play in the midfield position?
Next season
The area we really need to upgrade and strengthen simply because we may have hardly anybody left here. Archer will go back as will Brereton Diaz and McBurnie and Jebbison could move on too. That leaves the perennially injured Brewster and a raw (and probably not ready) Osula and possibly Traore but he may well move on if reports are to be believe and would not be a great less. We have several youngsters’ underneath these but these seem a long way off Championship level yet even in terms of regular minutes. We therefore probably need to sign at least 2 or 3 strikers in the summer that give us the chance to score enough goals and experience in terms of holding the ball up and/or creating. At the moment the squad we have left, not sure where the goals are coming from at all in any area of the side (Hamer apart?).
Player / Position Years remaining (contract expires) Red this year – Orange next year - Green longer contract –
Forwards
Will Osula 3 years (2027)
Benie Traore 3 years (2027)
Rhian Brewster 1 year (2025)
Oli McBurnie Out of contract (2024)
Daniel Jebbison Out of contract (2024)
Youngsters involved in 1st team last season or loans out (contracts unknown if not stated)
Louie Marsh 2 years (2026)
Antwoine Hackford 2 years (2026)
Ryan One 1 year (2025)
Billy Blacker 2nd year scholar
Strikers
Cameron Archer Been prolific for Preston and Middlesbrough in loan spells at Championship level and we saw first hand at the Lane, his pace and finishing power. He never really got much of an opportunity at Villa Park as they were now pushing at the higher end of the Premier League. He was in and around their squad though to start this season and came on in the victory over Everton. However, Villa had issues around balancing books related to profit and sustainability and seemed like they were keen to find a deal for him to go back out on loan or even sell him if the price was right. He was linked with a few Championship clubs, including Leeds and many United social media sites clamoured for him to sign. The Blades had been linked with his former teammate Chuka Akpom but he went to Ajax and eventually after a prolonged chase, Archer came in. The deal was an odd one but could be seen as clever for all parties as Archer came in for a reported £18 million but that Villa would get him back for a similar fee, if United went down. If the Blades stayed up, then United would complete the permanent deal. It seemed a unique way for everyone to get what they wanted. I was concerned that it effectively seemed a loan deal and if we struggled, how much would he bust a gut towards the end of the season. The other side, is we would not be stuck with a player if he struggled a la Brewster and at least we had financial backstops if we did struggle and go down.
He started his first game against Everton and was excellent scoring one and contributing hugely to the other. Showed his pace, finishing and ability to run behind. This superb start was not build upon as United struggled and he did not have much impact in many of the subsequent games. He still showed some good bits of play but we rarely created many chances and with other strikers injured, he not really forge a partnership after that promise he showed with McBurnie on debut. He was rotated a bit for a period but did score a superb goal against Wolves at the Lane.
When Wilder came in, thought he had best spell for us and weirdly this came when he operated more in a wide position. Whilst he is better down the middle, what he did show in the spell was hard work, some good upper body strength, hold up play and superb work rate. I felt in the game prior to Wilder coming in, that he was not working hard enough without the ball and thus his contributions (with us not having the ball) were insufficient. This period either side of Xmas saw him put in some man of the match performances and he scored a former club Villa. After the Christmas period, his form and the initial improvements under Wilder generally, tailed off. Brereton Diaz came in and did well and Archer picked up a few knocks and then after scoring a good finish v Luton, ended up out for a few months with a calf injury. I did wonder whether we would see him again as with us as good as down and needed to think about the future. However, he did come back in the game against Chelsea and assisted in the late McBurnie goal.
He got back into the side for some games in the run in but was anonymous at Old Trafford and then whilst more of a threat at St James Park, he missed two good chances. Against Forest he missed three very good opportunities and looked a bit disinterested and stopped chasing in the second half. Similarly v Everton seemed to be selfish and quite lazy and missed chances again. This was repeated v Spurs and was so slow to take chances offered.
Overall, his ‘loan’ has been a disappointment. He has at times shown his goalscoring ability but did only get 4 goals and was never a regular in the side due to injury and form. When he did not play, I am not sure I ever thought that him missing was the difference as when he had played, he had not quite had the impact maybe we would have hoped. However, like with the other loanee, McAtee, the lack of possession and opportunities going forward probably was frustrating for me. Both players I wanted to work harder out of possession though and at times I felt he sauntered about too much and needed to press/harry more. He was not quite as quick as I had remember but clearly when given chances he showed he was a decent finisher but did not have that many. He was messed around a bit, in terms of position but then we were not always going to play with a two at this level and he would not be used as a lone striker much you would not think? He had an ok season but maybe as one of our big signings, we would have expected more and had fitness and consistency issues even if he did at times look one of our better attacking threats. When we signed him, if you said he would only score 4 goals (and only start 16 games) then you would be concerned at how much influence we would have had. The reports we actually paid a loan fee of 4 million (on top of the fee we paid that comes back to us) then that is another deal where a player has not done anywhere near enough really in his brief time at the Lane.
He is another that you do wonder if he is quite Premier League – that may seem harsh but he has had a season now at this level and struggled really to convince Villa he would be anywhere near their first team even occasionally? If he went back on loan, like with McAtee, it would be a promoted team/struggler at best and he would face similar issues he has experienced this season. I think he will probably go back on loan to the Championship – maybe we might try and sign him again on loan but I would not say he is someone that I would be gutted about if he does not return. I realise I might be in the minority and that his record in the second tier, suggests he would score a lot of goals but I just think he needed to show more for us in terms of effort and work rate. I have a feeling Wilder felt the same as he was in and out under him and believe he may end up with a rival at the level below. Villa will do this a few more times (assuming he agreed a longer-term contract in the eventuality he returned, before we signed him – he had signed a 5-year deal in 2022- before he signed a 4-year deal with us effectively taking over his Villa deal?) to make some money until his contract nears the end and then probably see what money they can make on him before his contract ends in 2 years. If they sold him now though, they would struggle to get half of the money we paid last summer – in my opinion – that kind of sums up that he has not really gone on and quite had the impact we/Villa and himself would have hoped. I would not be that bothered if he did not come back and rather us go in a different direction. We need to build a team that if we did go up, they can play at a higher level – he has shown he probably can’t.
Grade E+ (Last season NA)
Ben Brereton Diaz When we signed him, I was a bit non plussed to be honest. I always thought that despite scoring a fair few goals for Blackburn in a 12–18-month purple patch, that he had not really pushed on from his early promise at Forest. The Chile connection had of course got him a lot of press but I was not shocked when he went to Spain and made little impact. I always thought he was a decent footballer but lacked aggression and pace to really make it at the top level.
When he came in and we heard it was only a short-term deal and he would in all likelihood be going back to Villareal, then I could not understand it? I was not certain he would give us that instant impact and then if we were not going to keep him, could not see the point.
However, he came in and scored on his league debut against West Ham and looked impressive, as he played in the inside left position but showed good feet, a clever football brain and gave us an outlet in terms of runs with and without the ball. I must admit, he looked a better player than I thought and showed he was intelligent in his link play. Worked hard too. He scored again at Palace with a lovely strike and thought he looked one of our stand out players for a significant period, despite the losses. He continued to be work hard despite having little service. Scored two more v Fulham and remained in the side and formed a decent partnership with Oli McBurnie.
His form dropped off a bit and he looked tired as we finally went down. He had shown to be a good finisher (another at Man Utd) but then missed a fair few chances in games that you would expect him to take at Newcastle and against Forest. I would like it if we could keep him as he would be a real stand out at the level below but fear he has firmly put himself in the shop window, even for a lower Prem team or given another chance back in Spain. Seems a decent lad and one of the few who contributed positively in a season full of misery.
Grade B- (Last season NA)
Oli McBurnie Another season where he simply was not available enough. When he played he did ok and had some really good games mixed with some quieter ones and some poor ones (Burnley away with the stupid red card). 15 starts out of 38 games (a further 8 from the bench) is simply not enough and is less than 40% of the games we have played. He has only played 90 minutes on 8 occasions. That is woefully inadequate and he cannot stay fit or gets suspended too much. He has scored 6 goals which is the flip side as that is effectively 1 in 3. Pretty good for a struggling side! He also has played quite well in many of those games he has featured – especially as we have lost so many games and then not had the ball much in the attacking third.
He was not fit to start the season but then when he linked with Archer v Everton, we finally looked a threat up front. However he then gets sent off at Spurs and is out for a while and it was stop start for a period. He scores against Man Utd and Bournemouth in defeats but then we have the ridiculous elbow at Burnley when he was almost asking to be dismissed. He is out again but comes back and scores against Luton and at home to West Ham with a cool last ditch penalty. He continued to be in and out with a series of niggle injuries but did play well when linked with Brereton Diaz and excellent against Fulham and Chelsea, where he gets another couple of goals. Looked like one of the few who could keep the ball, occupy the defenders and of course even in our box would be better than many of our own defenders at clearing the ball aerially! It just that he was never able to get a consistent run and even when he played he struggled to finish games. However, one of the few that looked ok at this level and he is a good footballer and better when played to his feet rather than lumped into the air. He can link play even if his style is lumbering. There were some games he would work hard and close down and press but then others looked well off it and out of energy meaning defenders could come out or were not occupied. Even when he was playing, he never looked fit.
As we limped to relegation, he was not really in the games against Brentford and then Burnley and then picked up another serious injury that was revealed to be a torn abductor (groin) and that was him out again and done for the season until a late sub appearance. We saw various posts on social media, with some suggesting that means he is going and some saying he is staying. Rumours were we had made an offer but on reduced terms which is not really a surprise.
So, does he remain? I have seen a real mixed bag of opinions. I don’t mind him as a character and think despite some stupid decisions in his past, he does give his all when he is fit and think he is one of those that seems to really care. However, he has not really contributed anywhere near enough in his five-year spell here in terms of games and goals for the amount we paid for him and his hefty wages you would assume.
I am torn on it. I think I agree that if he goes, we have to spend a fair bit to replace him (money we do not have) but then the counter argument is he just is not available enough. When he plays, he tends to offer more positives than negatives but he simply does not play enough games and is constantly injured. If he was not given a new deal, then I would not criticise the club as if the policy is we can only sign/re-sign players who actually have or will play a certain number of games. In an ideal world, he gets a deal on less wages than he has been paid but that is heavily incentivised with how many games he plays but he probably does not sign that? I think that if he does not come back, he get a contract either Champ level of for Glasgow Rangers (as rumoured) and many probably say we should have kept him! I do think if we had more striking depth and talent, then we’d move on from him but with only injury prone Brewster and a young raw Osula left, we may have to keep him to have some experience and goals up there.
Grade C- (Last season B) – grade given due to lack of availability
Rhian Brewster Another end of season summary where I am writing essentially the same things about Brewster. Largely that he is always injured, mostly ineffective when he plays and looks sadly a complete and utter waste of money. He has been here for 4 seasons now. FOUR seasons. He has started 30 league games and only scored 4 goals. That is the equivalent of 7-8 games a season (out of 38-46 depending on the league) and 1 goal a season. That is to be frank pathetic for any striker and even worse considering he was our record signing. I get the sympathy for him in that he seems a nice lad and has had terrible luck but we are a club that cannot see such a big transfer fee yield such little results. Even the times he has been fit (rare) then he has shown nothing to ever suggest he will make it as a top player and looks like he is still a young lad finding his way in the game. He is now 24 and should be hitting his peak. He seems to play the odd game and then his hamstring goes and he is out for a while and then this happens again. We have had four seasons of this. It is clear he has issues with his body and particularly his hamstrings. He is no even that explosive or quick so no idea unless he has underlying issues with his muscles.
Last season we did not see him after October and he only scored 1 goal in 19 (total) appearances and so many false starts of possible returns were mooted but he never came back. His main contribution seemed to be running on in his kit after the West Brom win and making rude comments about our city rivals on the top of the town hall at the promotion parade.
This summer there was talk of a return to fitness but as pre-season rolled around he was nowhere to be seen. He did not come back till the West Ham away game in September and we saw a few sub appearances. He played at Arsenal but it was a tough afternoon for the whole side and then started at home to Wolves but picked up another injury and was out again. He was mostly on the bench but even when he played he seemed to pick up a knock and miss the next game. He almost never seemed to be available for a consistent run of games. He came on at West Ham and seemed too keen to impress and put in a ridiculous tackle which saw a straight red card. He stormed down the tunnel but it was another awful contribution in a United shirt. After he came back from suspension, he was on the bench for a few games but then played well at Wolves – his best performance for a long time but guess what – he got injured again – doing his hamstring in training the following week. We did not see him again for a while until he was on the bench for the Forest game and came on at Everton.
Once again, in a dreadful season he contributed very little. He has still not scored a single Premier League goal for the club (in 2 seasons at this level) and when he has played still looks like a young lad figuring out the game (maybe that is the issue – he simply has not played enough to improve his game). He is another that seems to struggle what he needs to do to help the team. I can cope without the goals, if he holds it up, runs the channels, is a nuisance but often he sort of jogs around and does not even occupy defences.
His future at the club, in the short term, is secure in the sense that he has a year left of a lucrative contract. With no sign of him really improving or significantly contributing mixed in with his dreadful fitness record and I cannot see anything but him playing out his final year and then ending up in the lower leagues. I do think it would suit all parties if we could find a Championship or League One side to take him and him somehow get a run of goals and find his confidence back but that spell at Swansea now seems be an aberration in a career where he showed promise as a young player but looks miles off being good enough at the top professional level. I recall the lad Jordan Ibe going for a lot of money some time ago to Bournemouth from Liverpool and he is now struggling to even start for Ebbsfleet in the National League. I worry that Brewster’s career may head in the same direction or worse still he may have to pack up as his body cannot cope with the demands of the professional game. As with Davies, I think United have them on their books but probably accept privately anything they get from these two next seasons will be an unexpected bonus.
Grade F- (Last season E)
William Osula After showing some promise in 2021-22 and making 5 sub appearances as United made the end of season playoffs, Osula spent some time on loan at Derby in 2022-23. There is a notion he played a fair bit there and scored a number of goals but he actually did not and only started 5 league games, scoring twice. He scored a few more in the FA Cup but Osula mainly came off the bench as Warne preferred the experienced duo of McGoldrick and Collins. He came back to United after a suspension and a facial injury but only made two brief appearances at Burnley and then in the final game at Birmingham – where he looked quite explosive but missed a fair few chances and was quite selfish when he could have passed to more experienced teammates!
Osula clearly had some raw ability with pace, size and a real athlete. He was able to make good runs and was an outlet for the ball over the top. Despite his decision making, that Birmingham game strangely excited me as he looked a really powerful player who could cause problems. The summer came and you felt he would benefit from another loan and one where he might play more games at League One level – he had not really done enough at Derby to suggest he would get a move to the Championship. He was linked with a few sides but remained and as we lost Ndiaye and failed to bring in any experienced strikers, coupled with more injuries to the likes of Brewster and McBurnie, we ended up with only him and Traore being fit to start the season.
He started the first three games and worked hard but with so little of the ball he was staved of chances and as McBurnie got fit and Archer came in, he was mostly on the bench with cameos. He always tried hard but did not seem to quite ‘get the game’ and looked incredibly raw. Wilder came in and he did start against Liverpool and Brentford and did ok in terms of stretching the defence and keeping them honest. I cannot recall him ever looking like scoring or having many chances and when he did have opportunities, he sort of snatched at them. Thought he had a pretty decent game at Man City actually and then finally scored (two!) with decent finishes at Gillingham. He followed this up with another goal at home to Brighton, again in the FA Cup.
He started in the games against Brighton and Villa in the league but was taken off as we were just getting destroyed and he saw so little of the ball. He did struggle to hold it up and his naivety and inexperience was clear. He went back to the bench as Brereton Diaz came in and Archer also came back. We saw glimpses from him off the bench but he became used less and less as the season went on.
He has still to score a league goal for United and frankly has not really looked like achieving that feat, as harsh as that sounds. He has some attributes with good pace, size and running but another that does not quite seem to understand the nuances of the game yet. He seems to not quite get where to run, how to link with others and the importance of protecting possession. Just needs game time lower down the leagues and the fact he started 12 (30 overall with subs) games at the top level is more damning on United’s situation than perhaps a critique of him – he is just nowhere near this level. I have seen some say he may start next season or be a big contributor in the Championship but I have seen nothing really to suggest he will be a regular or a big contributor in terms of goals? He stands out at u21 level but the jump up from that football to league football is huge (even lower leagues).
He needs to go out, learn the game and then hopefully in a season might be closer to where we need him to be. We have him tied down on a longer deal for another three years so we have time for him to hopefully push on and he is only 20. Conversely, not sure I have seen enough to see which trajectory his career will go in but United rightly will wait and see if he can develop.
Grade E (Last season NA)
Benie Traore It says something that I forgot to even include him when I started listing the players for this season review. I genuinely forgot we still had him! He of course has been out on loan but is still contracted to us and his future remains rather unclear. Traore started out in his homeland, the Ivory Coast, before moving to Sweden and BK Hacken. He made 27 appearances and scored 3 times in 2021-22 but then got a bad injury and did not play the following season. In 2022-23, he returned mid-way through the season and scored 12 times as his club won the title and made his debut for the Ivory Coast too.
He had been playing over the summer due to how the Swedish League worked, but was being linked with both Rangers and Celtic due to his form. United became interested and a deal was quickly struck but again it was unclear how much we had actually paid? Some reports said around £3.5 million but again, as with Slimane and Souza, others closer to the club have said it was a lot less. I recall seeing Traore being excited when he was unveiled and met up with Iliman Ndiaye in Portugal and talked about playing with him. Ndiaye was sold a few days later of course and as Berge left, he probably wondered what he had come into!
I remember the game against Stuttgart and thinking how tiny he was – he is listed as 5’8’’ but that seems generous. He looked to have a bit of pace and trickery but the ball came off him too easily and looked very weak with his small frame (height and build) meaning that he seemed to get bullied out of it. He started against Palace but he and Osula struggled to make much of an impact but then showed a few glimpses at Forest but missed a big chance at 1-1 and United went onto lose the game. He played against Lincoln but was telling he really struggled even against League One players and missed weak penalty. He remained in the side v City but United were starved of the ball and he was just a passenger in most of the game and finally Archer came in and with McBurnie back, he was taken out of the side. He came on against Newcastle and Burnley but we got worse in both games as he could not hold the ball up nor did he look any kind of threat. The physical side and pace seemed too much for him and when he had the ball he often lost it. I barely remember him having any chances or moments in games and just seemed to get hustled out of it when the ball came near him. Wilder came in and he did play against Liverpool but this was another brief cameo where he just made no impact.
He seems too slight for the English leagues and not even sure he is that quick – saw a few times in a one on one that he lost out. Technically the ball does not stick and he does not offer a powerful shot or really look a threat with the ball over the top. He did try and work hard but just seemed to run around with no idea of what to do, with or without the ball and just looked hopelessly out of his depth. I think both Heckingbottom (granted he signed him but surely that is as much down to the scouts as him?) and Wilder saw that he was not really up to it and the latter shipped him out – on loan to Nantes. This was a surprise and his agent did well to get him another top league European club. The move was a loan with an option and agreement to buy that would allegedly get our money back (potentially even make some). His debut was a disaster as he got sent off and then he got subbed in his second game. He has played
? games and not completed 90 minutes and been a sub almost exclusively as his team, like United, fought relegation. I was hoping he may do ok, or well enough for Nantes to sign him but he has done little to nothing to suggest why they would make it permanent and expect him to come back. I do not see a future for him here, despite the shortage of strikers on our books and think we will try and move him on regardless – talk he had been listed. I have seen some say he may do ok at the lower level but I have seen nothing to suggest he can make it and two spells at struggling sides in two leagues with not a single goal and not even really having a ‘good’ game suggests he would have been better staying in Sweden or making the move to the Scottish League (which is on par with League One in my opinion outside of Rangers and Celtic). He is still young, only 21, but as I have said with others I have not seen anything to suggest that he is worth keeping, even as development player and think we could have picked up a better prospect from the lower leagues/National League which is another failure of the recruitment team.
Grade F (Last season NA)
Daniel Jebbison Having not made a single appearance, it is hard to know what to say about Jebbison in another lost season. Granted he has seemingly had some serious medical issues (Bettis alluded to it being a blood clot) and after being involved in training pre-season, he was then not seen for a while and the club said he was out with a ‘health issue.’ This led to a great deal of speculation and think whilst club must show a degree of privacy the lack of information did not help the sympathy for him or the club. Last season he had shown flashes of form and scored a winner against Hull. He also played well in the game at Sunderland and in the final home game against Preston, where he turned the game. There has been other games where he had been ineffective (poor in the semi-final at Wembley and conceded a penalty after his surprise selection) and not sure he had quite pushed on after that promise he had shown a few years ago and a valuable loan spell at Burton where he scored a few goals.
He also suffered with a variety of injuries and only started 9 games (10 more from the bench). There were still a lot of rumours linking him with other teams (Everton the one that seemed to be mentioned but bizarrely some top European teams were linked too?). There was talk about his attitude not being the best but that is conjecture. Hecky seemed less convinced he would stay and as he remained out injured – it seemed he would just run out his contract and move on. Wilder came in and talked him up and said they were close to a new deal, which came out of the blue and talked about positive discussions with his family but then it went quiet again. We kept hearing we would hear news shortly and 24 -72 hours was mentioned a few times! He did then appear for the u21’s at the end of the season which was a surprise. He looked a bit rusty but showed flashes of the running/athletic ability we have seen before.
He has only played 24 times in 4 seasons and another that seems to be almost never fit for any length of time. I also am not sure he has shown enough when he has played for him to be seriously considering leaving and going elsewhere. He must have a good agent if a bigger side does sign him? I can see why some teams may have an interest as he is quick, athletic, rangy, and mobile. He has the build of those modern-day centre forwards that teams crave but his actual ability, finishing and link play to me is still incredibly raw. I have not seen enough (with him or Osula) to suggest they will definitely go on and be top players. A team that signs him will be gambling on potential and inevitably he would then go out on loan again but at some point he has to put a run of games together and realise that potential. Maybe he (and/or Osula) will go on and be top players but equally would not shock me if they lower league players/out of the professional game too! Just can’t really see enough to properly assess which way they will go. Look at Calvert Lewis and Slew – two players who went in very different directions but actually the former showed much less at the Lane I would argue!
I would not be devastated if he moved on. The big issue is he is a young talent that could have netted us a decent fee (clubs pay daft money for these sorts of players these days) but we failed to tie him down and now if he leaves we get a compensation fee due to his age but it will not be much. If we do keep him, I am not sure I have seen anywhere near enough to suggest he could be a regular, let alone someone who will score a lot of goals, even at Championship level. Only a season ago, he struggled to really make much of an impact and has been out injured for over a year so it will take time for him to build up to even playing consistent minutes whatever club he is at.
Grade U (Last season C+)
Ryan One Like Curtis, someone we had been linked with for a while and another that we supposedly beat competition to sign. His Dad was Armand One, who was a much travelled forward in the UK who I recall flashing up on Soccer Saturday when he scored due to his unusual name! His son was playing for Hamilton Academical first team at just 16 and his physique, skillset and form saw him almost leave for Brighton last summer but he remained and United moved in to sign him. He has alternated between the u18 and u21’s – mainly playing for the latter and scored for both these sides on his debuts. He ended up on the bench v Man Utd and came on at Arsenal, albeit in a chastening defeat. Looks a big lad for his age (17) and quite mobile but very raw.
I watched him for the u21’s a few times near the end of the season and he looked powerful and quick, albeit not always making the right decisions but scored a fair few goals and worried defences. Will need time to develop but like with Curtis and a few others we have picked up; we hope we may have found a gem. He plays regularly for Scotland u19’s and seems to be well thought of in their international set up.
Louie Marsh Marsh is a player that had come through the academy and impressed with his goalscoring, quick feet and clever play. Some of his goals at u18 and u21 level were sublime and he certainly had a touch of ‘David Brooks’ about him maybe from what I had seen? Heckingbottom and the senior coaching staff clearly saw real potential and was in and around the first team even this pre-season as players moved on and finances were tight. He played at Chesterfield and then also in the game against Lincoln, although struggled a bit in that game and missed a penalty. United got him signed to a long-term deal and then he was allowed to go to Doncaster – as a number of clubs were wanting to sign him. He struggled initially here and then got a bad injury and only played 6 games. He came back to the u22’s and eventually started to play again and showed some of the impressive form we had previously seen with some lovely runs and goals. Probably still a way off the first team and maybe needs a more successful loan where he can play more next season? Clearly a talent though and one United have high hopes for.
Antwoine Hackford Seems an age since he made his debut under Wilder at Crystal Palace as a 16-year-old. He lost his way for a few years after that with a couple of really bad injuries and wondered if he would remain at the club but battled back and the end of last season and start of this, he cemented a place in the u21 side and scored a number of goals. He seemed to be gradually improving his all-around play and finally showing the promise of a few years ago again. Wilder clearly remembered this and he too was rewarded with a new deal and then went to Burton, which is a good level loan for him. They will have hoped he would have a similar impact to another former loanee they had, Daniel Jebbison. Obviously Hackford was not at that level yet but he was in and around the first team there – mostly used a sub. Still only 20 and one United will hope can develop further but hard to see what we do next if he could not get games lower down the leagues showing the challenge in stepping up from u21 to first team level.
Billy Blacker Prolific striker at u16 and then u18 level – he progressed up the u21’s and has been scoring regularly at this level. Ended up on the bench for the 1st team this past season at home to Brighton, partly due to injuries but also due his own promise. He ended up playing more in the central midfield area for the u21’s but looked nice and composed and a good footballer. Still only 17 – big things are expected of him and we have a plethora of young strikers with him, One, Marsh, Hackford and Osula (Jebbison too still maybe?) so maybe he will now play in the midfield position?
Next season
The area we really need to upgrade and strengthen simply because we may have hardly anybody left here. Archer will go back as will Brereton Diaz and McBurnie and Jebbison could move on too. That leaves the perennially injured Brewster and a raw (and probably not ready) Osula and possibly Traore but he may well move on if reports are to be believe and would not be a great less. We have several youngsters’ underneath these but these seem a long way off Championship level yet even in terms of regular minutes. We therefore probably need to sign at least 2 or 3 strikers in the summer that give us the chance to score enough goals and experience in terms of holding the ball up and/or creating. At the moment the squad we have left, not sure where the goals are coming from at all in any area of the side (Hamer apart?).
Player / Position Years remaining (contract expires) Red this year – Orange next year - Green longer contract –
Forwards
Will Osula 3 years (2027)
Benie Traore 3 years (2027)
Rhian Brewster 1 year (2025)
Oli McBurnie Out of contract (2024)
Daniel Jebbison Out of contract (2024)
Youngsters involved in 1st team last season or loans out (contracts unknown if not stated)
Louie Marsh 2 years (2026)
Antwoine Hackford 2 years (2026)
Ryan One 1 year (2025)
Billy Blacker 2nd year scholar
