Strikers
Dave Kitson
Signed on a short term contract as he was mates with the chairman’s son (you can’t make this up) Kitson actually came in and impressed and looked to have a bit of life left in him after disappointing in recent seasons at Stoke and Pompey. He showed real experience, a good touch and held the ball up. He also weighed in with a few goals. He seemed out of shape and had no kind of pace (did he ever have any?) nor mobility but he still showed he could hold the ball up and bring others into play. He ended up playing 30 games as others departed (Blackman, Cofie, Cresswell, Porter temporarily) or got injured (Miller) and became our main man up front. He scored 11 goals and made a few too. As the season reached the climax Kitson was seen as our main goal scoring hope/threat which says a lot about the dearth of options we had. I felt though for the most part he proved a good signing and most fans were concerned when it was unsure if he would remain till the end of the season. He re-signed around Xmas but despite still getting the odd goal I felt that his overall form started to dip and he looked tired and desperate often resorting to Dick Dastardly tactics, trying to win free kicks or arguing with the referee. Indeed for a lot of the final games he looked poor and other than the two headers he scored in Morgan’s first game did not look as much of a threat goal scoring wise. Hated by most of the other teams fans; you could on one hand take that as a compliment that he was a threat but then on the other you could see why as he was a nasty so and so who could really stick the boot in at times. By the end of the season he went from being a player who was supposed to be part of a promotion side and a Blades hero to one that you probably would be glad to see the back of. He is about done at Football League level. Maybe he can spin a season out in a poor league overseas (MLS) but I actually think he will even struggle at that level. Spoke as eloquently as any footballer I have heard but often acted totally differently on the pitch. Another one of the experienced players that when it came to the crunch failed to deliver and doubt we will see him again.
Grade C
Richard Cresswell
Cresswell was expected to be part of the cull in the summer with the new wage rulings meaning h would be too expensive to retain but he had another year on his contract and thus after not featuring due to disagreements over wage/his status, he has his contract re-negotiated. He became a player coach and was to help out the u21’s and Academy. He actually came on and scored a goal versus Bournemouth and started v Doncaster and Yeovil but then was mostly a sub and mostly unused. He was never really seen again and despite us losing front men left, right and centre (quite literally!) he was allowed to go on loan to York to help them in their fight against relegation. It seemed odd that a ‘coach’ would go on loan but then nothing about our club surprises me! He scored a few goals and helped them retain their league status but due to injuries etc he was brought back when Morgan came in but did not feature and spent the final games up in the stands doing his ‘coaching’ duties once again. I am not totally sure if he was given another year as a coach or that he is now out of contract. I believe his contract was just re-negotiated till the end of the season and thus with a new managerial team coming in anyway (you would think) I expect him to leave. Maybe he will have one final year at York before going into coaching full time. His legs are shot and he is done as a Football League player. He has been involved with SUFC as they have gone for average (Blackwell last full season to relegation to failing to go up x 2) and has probably pulled in a fair wage for these 4 seasons contributing very little in return (that sounds harsh and I am sure he has always given his all but another that has been part of a losing culture for too long without being jettisoned).
Grade F
Chris Porter
Porter was one of those out of contract at the end of last season but I felt he would not be missed. By default he ended up as one of our few strikers left and scored the vital winner v Stevenage last season in the playoffs but oddly was dropped for Cresswell in the final (he should have started). Porter was given a new contract offer; on reduced terms and realised it would probably still more than he would command anywhere else and so signed a new 2 year contract. He began the season v Burton but then was not really involved in the early months. Then he was given a rare chance v Nott’s County in the JPT and did well linking with Shaun Miller. Indeed when Kitson was injured; he paired with Miller to great effect in a series of games and this was probably our best pairing as odd as it sounds as they played well together as a partnership. He then was left out in favour of Kitson again and as Miller got injured too and Blackman left, United went with Kitson up front often on his own supplanted by loan players, Poleon or Forte or Robson just behind.
Porter went on loan at Shrewsbury and did ok early on scoring at Tranmere but then he lost his place there and was brought back. He came off the bench to score at Walsall and also scored versus Swindon. He remained in the team but his performances with little service were mixed. He put himself about but his touch and composure remained awful even if he did try and always bring others into play. He scored a pitiful 3 goals in the league but then I suppose only played 13 games/further 8 as sub. A very ordinary striker who is painfully immobile but more than that does not look like scoring or doing the basic nuances a footballer needs, touch, control, pass, shoot etc. He will remain as he is still under contract but another that whilst tries his best is a very ordinary player at best that would not be a regular in a successful side going for promotion for me. Sadly there are a number like him.
Grade D+
Nick Blackman
Blackman had bounced around the English Leagues on loan and also the Scottish League’s without ever making himself at home as Blackburn profited from numerous loan fees but still did not find a player in their opinion that was any closer to a first team player at Ewood Park. He was allowed to move on and Dearden and Wilson felt they had unearthed a gem for a relatively small fee. Blackman began looking very confident and clearly liked a shot (often too much). Blessed with good pace, good control and a range of skills, he seemed someone who had real potential but still very raw and looked like someone who was not a team player. However he made and scored a number of goals early on through his approach, took a cool; if slightly unusual penalty and quickly emerged despite his frustrations as one of our key players. He did not sulk when moved to the wide right and actually played as well, if not better, out there. He showed some sublime close control, quick feet and ability to make defenders look very silly. He was direct and also made things happen. He was very selfish and did not get his head up enough and I was one of his biggest critics early on but gradually I realised he was one of few players who made things happen. My ‘don’t shoot from there!’ at Orient was followed by him scoring a wonder goal and whilst 6 of his 11 goals came from penalties, he won a fair few and you never thought he would miss any of them.
I actually thought teams in a higher division may take an interest as he clearly had something, the ‘X factor’ and with the right coaching could clearly play Championship at the least. I was surprised a Premier League team came for him as I felt he was not quite ready for that (still only 23) and as I thought he did not appear much for Reading. He will play more next season I am sure. His best position still is wide for me as he can cause the most problems from here and unsure if he will ever quite ‘get it’ to be a top player but has the ability to do alright for himself in the game. A lot of people said we would not miss him but we clearly did as he made us a threat. He scored the most goals and made a lot of goals. We badly missed him for all his weaknesses. Would we have gone up if he stayed? Don’t know but it is fair to say from an attacking point of view (remember Miller only played 7 games – see below) from what he did from August to January. We scored 39 goals up to when he left and only 18 after he left from January to May.
Grade B
John Cofie
Cofie was seen as a prospect even though he had experienced a mixed time at Antwerp on loan from Manchester United. Whilst other teams seem to get exciting and solid prospects from Man Utd; we seem to cop for the few that are clearly not good enough. Whilst not quite Michael Twiss; Cofie was not far off and had a similar lack of heart and desire. He began with a cracking goal at the New York Stadium and we thought, ‘hang on, what have we got here!’ A few months later and we knew. A lazy, weak and selfish player who managed to play games without getting his kit dirty. The guy had some skill ( goal and efforts v Bournemouth, goal at Colchester too) but he was another that was very selfish often shooting from way out or trying ridiculous pirouettes or shuffles when a simple pass would suffice. His combination with Blackman saw two quick and direct players but they would not pass to each other nor get close enough. He quickly dropped out of the team after the early part of the season and was mostly a sub for a long period only having one start v Oldham which he was poor and then a few months later at Coventry in the JPT where he was replaced by De Girolamo who apparently did more in 10 minutes than Cofie for the rest of the game. This was the sign for his loan to mercifully end. The simple fact is he was no better than any of the players we already had and our own young talent. He went back to Old Trafford and then re-appeared on loan at Nott’s County but guess what he scored another good goal and then was quickly left out and ended up back at Old Trafford. A player that has ability but oddly it is like he has never been coached in his life (sure he has but seems not to listen and just do his own things). When he is playing in the Northern Premier in a few years he will maybe realise what he has thrown away but he is someone who does not have the drive/heart not discipline to be a professional footballer and I would be astonished if he makes it at any kind of league level.
Grade E-
Shaun Miller
Signed from Crewe where he was seen as surplus to requirements, it seemed an odd signing but for a cheap fee and a low risk, high reward type signing (like Blackman). He had a few useful cameos as sub early on and made a goal at Coventry and seemed desperate for a start. He got one at Nott’s County in the JPT and scored two corkers and was excellent. He had to wait for his chance in the league (not sure why) for a few more weeks but was excellent against Stevenage, Crewe and Port Vale and scored a quick fire 5 goals. He remained in the side and was effective as we got to the top of the league and scored another versus Scunthorpe. Sadly he picked up a serious injury and just like that he was gone for the rest of the campaign. A huge loss no doubt and he was the ‘fox in the box’ and the clever player we never have seemed to have (Kevin Phillips type) but also a good footballer who read others well and linked well even with others outside of the box. Some said Miller was more of a loss than Blackman. It is worth stating that Miller only played 7 games in the League and thus his loss cannot be seen as a huge blow in the sense that we were near the top before he got into the team and got back towards the top even with form awful home after he got injured. He was still a major miss of course and you feel he and Porter had the best combination of the lot in a weird sort of way and he should have been involved more before he was. There is no doubt if he had not got injured we would have got more goals and maybe pinched a few 1-0 wins at home. I think the combination of losing him and Blackwell consigned us to so many awful home draws and defeats. Keep one of these (fit/not sold) and we win 2 or 3 more of those home games for me. We lost them and replaced them awfully (wages on Forte, Poleon etc). Hope he can come back soon into the new season (they say 8-9 months so looking at Sept/Oct time all being well).
Grade B-
Jonathan Forte
Forte was a promising player in his first spell at the Lane but his pace and direct running were often undone by lack of composure, poor finishing and general ability/awareness. He moved on and was often signed by Nigel Adkins who clearly saw qualities. He did ok at Scunny and then ended up at Southampton and a Premier League player, albeit someone who barely played. He ended up on loan quite a bit with a few goals at Nott’s County and then another loan spell where he barely start, as he moved at Crawley this season. He was signed back for United as they looked for a late season spark but other than a decent goal at Bury his spell was largely forgettable. That is being kind. He was simply dreadful and often cheered off when he was substituted. You kind of felt sorry for him but then he was given a chance at his home town club again and he simply did not take the chances. It was not even just about the numerous sitters he missed but he actually did not even work that hard or really chase lost causes. It was odd as he actually looked disinterested. A poor touch, no idea of how to link with others or where to run. He looked worse than he did as an 18 year old. Somehow has another year at a Premier League Club on his contract but I expect more poor lower league loan spells before he will probably sign for someone like Chesterfield; at best. At worst he is another that you would not be surprised to see at Sheffield FC/Worksop Town within 2 or 3 years.
Grade F
Joe Ironside
Ironside was a player that partnered Jordan Slew in the Youth Cup side but he did not really press forward like Slew and seemed the workhorse of the partnership with no real stand out qualities. He did not score many goals and was not fast or particularly strong in the air. He was in the reserves/u21s for the last few seasons and scored a few goals but was never loaned out and was always in and around the first team squad. He came on in the League Cup and JPT and then played briefly at Carlisle and Crawley and impressed putting himself about and holding the ball up well. After this he featured more from the bench and came off the bench all told, 11 times. He had a big impact at Donny winning a penalty and causing havoc. Most games he did come on he showed good strength, aggression and generally looked interested and showed a real zest for the game. It was still unclear if would ever score goals or if he was given longer how much impact he would make. He made his first start v Preston and did alright but then was poor at Yeovil in the second leg and actually looked out of his depth. He is a player that I am unsure about as for a striker he has no real clear quality other than effort and putting himself about. As he settled down he has to be able to either make or score goals and I am not sure he is someone who will be more than a bit part player at the moment. He is not someone who you feel will get you goals or contribute enough over 90 minutes. He needs a spell on loan lower down (if you can get lower) for me before we can see if he will ever cut it at this level. He is one that I will still say is a wait and see and needs to press on this next campaign.
Grade C-
Dominic Poleon
Poleon had been on loan at Bury and done quite well and was rated as a prospect at Leeds when he arrived at the Lane. He began as sub for the first few games. He showed pace but looked less than convincing in terms of touch and awareness. Between him and Forte we barely had a player (that could make a real difference!). He did start at Oldham and made the first goal before a poor show v MK Dons. He returned to the bench and was only used sparingly before he was recalled by Leeds. If he had not he would probably have been sent back. He actually scored in the final game at Watford but I saw little to suggest he would make it at any kind of decent level in the limited games I saw.
Grade F
Daniel Philliskirk
Philliskirk came in when we went down and had a few games but he disappeared without trace for the next campaign and went out on loan but did not make much of an impact at Oxford. He continued for the reserves/under 21’s but even here in the game I witnessed he hardly looked someone capable of making the step up. I was astonished he was given another contract and this season he was not involved again. He made 1 start in 2 seasons for United and was finally released by mutual consent. He went to Coventry but he did not really feature here and was released at the end of the season. His future remains very uncertain (in terms of making it as a league player) and will probably reflect the move to Chelsea came too early and did not actually help his development.
Diego De Girolamo
De Girolamo came through the various age groups very quickly and was soon in the u21’s even at 16/17. He impressed watchers with his fear for someone so young. His close control, vision and ball skills and showed little fear. He was apparently watched by Premier League clubs and also was the centre of a supposed tug of war between Italy and England with Italy winning the battle. He immediately scored and made a name for himself for the Italy youth team he represented and was suddenly in and around the United first team squad. He came on at Coventry and did well in limited time and many forums pressed for his inclusion but he was mainly on the bench until he came on and assisted in a goal v Colchester. He came on versus MK Dons too but disaster struck just as he was primed for a potential start he got a bad injury whilst playing for the young Italian side. He was to be out well into next season and potentially until Xmas next year if rumours were to be believed. Hopefully he can come back strong and the new manager will perhaps pitch him in earlier than maybe Wilson who with the lack of creativity probably waited too long.
Next season
Whilst for League One the defence is serviceable and the midfield has some potential to be ok for that level (McDonald, Murphy, Flynn, McFadzean and another central midfielder and pacy winger and it would be decent – for this level); the attack is a mess. Kitson will go; ditto for Cresswell. Miller is out until probably the Autumn, De Girolamo even longer and Ironside still is to convince me of his qualities as a centre forward. Porter is still here but if he plays more than 15-20 games then we are in trouble again as he is very limited.
It is clear we lack pace, goals, strength and that fear factor. Look at the likes of Donaldson at Brentford and it shows you can get players and for cheap with a good scouting network (we did it with Miller and Blackman) but Brian Deane’s and Tony Agana’s are now as unknown as they were then and you still have to pay decent money even for lower league players. We have been awful at borrowing loan players (Cofie, Poleon, Forte this year; Hoskins and O’Halloran last year) and still have yet to found that aforementioned combination of pace and power. It is vitally important we recruit well in this area. As much as you criticise the defence and midfield (even more) you put Blackman or Miller and Donaldson in our side last year and we turn 4 or 5 of those 0-0’s into wins. Even for the lack of creativity, poor possession and crosses, I still expect my front two to be a nuisance; lead the line and get defences turning the other way even by sheer effort alone. We did not have much of that at all. We were easy to play again post Xmas (after Blackman and Miller were not in the side and Kitson regressed) and so many games you felt our strikers did not even look dangerous let alone scoring.
Player / Position Years remaining (contract expires)
Forwards
Dave Kitson Out of contract (2013)
Richard Cresswell Out of contract (2013)
Chris Porter 1 year (2014) + 1 year option
Shaun Miller 1 year (2014)
Joe Ironside 2 years (2015)
Diego De Girolamo 3 years (2016)
The fans
Last year the fans support home and away was incredible. The average dropped this season as expected but maybe not as much as I thought (see last season’s end of season review) and the fact we still got nearly 19,000 average (Pompey at 12 and Coventry at 10 were only ones close) was remarkable support. It was even more remarkable when you consider the dross being served up (so many dire draws and so many without chances or goals). Maybe at times there were groans and displeasure but I would say most fans were quiet patient and was annoyed when Wilson and players made little digs about how hard it could be to play at home with the pressure. It was as if they would prefer to play in front of small crowds with no expectation? The crowd remained relatively with the team and even after poor games they went next time with a clean slate and tried to rally again. They were so many poor starts and nothing for the fans to latch onto. They wanted to but could not and ended up just sitting there like zombies as the games were so poor in terms of entertainment, performances and results. Fair play to the crowd in terms of the management and board (never were there cries for Wilson to go or the board to be removed – some may say there should have been and fans were too kind – that is certainly one perspective but most knew if Wilson went it may even get worse and they could not remove the board or at least the only one that mattered, the owner as if he went, we could be then gone as a club, as bad as he has been and his fault for the mess! I thought fans kept trying to be patient and yes of course there were some scapegoats (likes of Doyle, Flynn and Forte etc) but for me to say it was the worst team I have ever seen the fact nearly 19,000 went (was under 10,000 in 80’s for a higher league – crowds were down generally compared to today but I do remember 6,000ish for a game with Palace around 1986/87?). Away from home the novelty may have worn off for some, we took only 1,000 to Bury (albeit re-arranged night match compared to 5,000 last year) but the crowds were still good and only 5 games did less than 1,000 go away (Carlisle, Colchester, Hartlepool, Swindon and Yeovil – league; most of these were around 900 or so). We took 4,000+ to Donny, over 3,000 to Nott’s County, over 2,000 to Preston, Tranmere, and Scunthorpe and nearly 2,000 to Brentford, Crewe, MK Dons and Portsmouth. I have set that I expect another drop off away. How many who have been once or even twice will go back to such grounds. Myself due to finances and the familiarity factor (along with the fact we are crap!) will mean I may only got to a few next year and will seek out a few I have not done (problem is many of these are a distance away). I think many will just leave it next year and if are going will just go to the home games as that is enough of an expense but depends what manager comes in, how things change and how we do. If we struggle then I believe crowds could be down at home to around 13-14,000 (if we sell 10,000 season tickets I would be surprised) if the recent play off is an indicator but if we do well then it could increase to 16-18,000 again. Sadly many will have to see something radical to return and match day prices mean you aren’t likely to go to more than the odd offer games (as for League One and the entertainment served up they are very pricey and ours are some of cheapest). I think season tickets for most are good value but if I did not get a season ticket I would pick and choose odd games and feel judging by many near us that there will be a bigger drop off this year than last season when it did not tail off as much as I felt.
Many now need to see vast changes in terms of the owner, board, management strategy and personnel on the field to return and this could be a missed opportunity. We got crowds up to 25,000+ when we went up and kept many even in the Championship but now we may have lost many of these as quickly as we gained them. Again only one man to blame for the mismanagement of everything and the patronising marketing we get every year to renew irritates the hell out of me. They may as well send brochures saying ‘Renew….surely you have nothing better to do/it’s better than shopping at Meadowhall!’ It would be honest.
Grade B
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Have a good summer. See you all next season. Well those that are left/still bothering – no criticism to those that have simply had enough (for now)! It is getting harder and harder but I will still be there and keep going whilst finance allows and maybe you never know I may be reporting on something more positive. It will happen one day!
Up the Blades
Twitter - @Deadbat_DB