Just for a bit of fun in pre-season I thought I would write an article that is at the end of the day my opinion!
The 2009/10 Coca-Cola Championship campaign didn't go the way that most Blades fans would have dreamed for; twelve month on from the horror show that was the Play-Off Final and United finished a respectable 8th in the table and yet only five points adrift of the top six which would have given them a shot at promotion.
The season was full of mixed emotions, injuries and bad performances by a Blades side which in reality was capable of a top six finish.
Looking back at the season there probably wasn't one single player on the clubs' books who didn't miss a game due to either injury or suspension. Personally I felt that the whole side lack depth in defence and the side struggled when injuries occurred.
Therefore I shall be starting at the rear of the team and work my way into the forward positions;
This summer the Blades are expected to lose a number of players whom are out of contract and are deemed surplus to requirements - these players are; James Harper, Jonathan Fortune, Derek Geary, Henri Camara, Ian Bennett, Glen Little, Liban Abdi and Sam Wedgebury.
Of course other clubs up and down the Country will be allowing players to leave on free transfers and whilst Sheffield United have started that they plan to make between ten to fourteen new signings it is in the 'freebie' market where I would expect most of these new signings to be generated.
In total, I plan to generate a squad total of 27 professional players; bringing in eleven new signings this summer - the majority at a low cost price. Unfortunately I feel that this summer the club will be more in a position to sell to buy rather than seeing a healthy transfer budget.
Shot stoppers
Present squad; Paddy Kenny, Mihkel Aksalu.
Paddy Kenny spent the vast majority of last season suspended - he featured in the final two games against Swansea City and Ipswich
Town, keeping an 100% clean sheet record whilst Estonian international keeper Mihkel Aksalu was drafted in as 'one of the future' in February.
For most of the season the Blades relied on loan players and the fans saw three other keepers wear the green jersey; Mark Bunn (Blackburn), Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and Steve Simonsen (Stoke) were all sent to the Lane on loan.
Taking this into account it's important that a recognised number one is put in place; Paddy Kenny is one of the best shot stoppers outside of the Premier League and would be my undoubted first choice. However with Aksalu not quite ready yet I would opt to bring in another keeper as cover!
Welsh U-21 international keeper Owain Fón Williams (aged 23) has been tipped for great things and due to Stockport County's unfortunate relegation into League Two it's unlikely that the Blades would struggle to acquire his services. Meanwhile Alex Smithies, 20 (Huddersfield Town) is also a promising young player.
Back Four
Present Squad; Chris Morgan, Ryan France, Andy Taylor, Jordan Stewart, Matthew Lowton, Phil Roe, Kingsley James.
Last season it was felt that the defence wasn't as strong of that which guided the Blades to the Play-Off final in 2008/09. That season the back four conceded just 39 goals, the least amount of goals conceded in the league all season whilst last season the opposition put 55 goals past them; a huge difference in two seasons.
At the heart of the defence is captain Chris Morgan who will be a keen member of the defence and it's important that other players around him are strong enough to cope with the opposition which will be on show next season.
Kyle Bartley played fourteen games last season whilst on loan from Arsenal; he looked a promising player although raw at times but neither the less a seasons long loan would suit both the player and United.
Cover is also key, at the centre-half's position and Dutch defender Marcel Seip (Plymouth Argyle) is out of contract in the summer - he too spent time on loan at the Lane and impressed in his 8 appearances for the club.
American international Jay DeMerit (Watford) is to be released in the summer as the Hornets can't afford to renew his contract - the defender who is surely to be at the FIFA World Cup would be an excellent addition to the squad.
Failing the capture of the American I would make a bid for newly promoted Leeds United centre-half Patrick Kisnorbo who may cost the Blades £450,000 should the Whites allow the Australian to leave Elland Road.
Matthew Lowton (centre-half) is another promising young player on the Blades books; he played the majority of the fixture on the final day of the season at Ipswich Town (won 3-0) and I would be looking to take him out on loan next term in order to gain full experience; he has however already spent time on loan in Hungary with Ferencvaros.
At Right Full-Back position the club are very limited on what current players they can play at that position and will need to bring in two new players; Paul Connolly, 27 (Derby County) is another ex-loanee that I would return to the squad as a permanent transfer.
Dutch defender Gianni Zuiverloon (West Bromwich Albion) is another player which has impressed me; the 23 year old has mainly played second fiddle to Jonas Olsson since his 2008 move from Heerenveen and following their successful promotion back into the Premier League may mean the Baggies bolster their defence with new blood.
On the left hand side it is important that the club renew the contract of Scottish international Gary Naysmith; the former Everton is out of contract this summer but is believed that United are doing their upmost to keep hold of him.
Meanwhile Andy Taylor is a decent back-up at the left-back position having signed twelve months ago from Tranmere Rovers; he featured 30 times last season for the Blades.
I would also be looking to moving two players on; Ryan France and Jordan Stewart are two players which for me failed to whet my appetite and believe they may find enjoyment elsewhere.
Engine Room
Present Squad; Mark Yeates, Lee Williamson, Stephen Quinn, Kyel Reid
Finding the right balance in midfield is highly important, not only do they need to keep the defence in check they need to be able to find that ability to feed the strikers who then become goal scoring machines - well, that's the idea anyway!
Nick Montgomery has proved to be an excellent stopper and as a defensive midfielder it's highly important that his contract be renewed and not allows his services to go elsewhere in the summer. Should he leave the club then Hugo Colace (Barnsley) is likely to leave the Tykes as he too is out of contract and would make a good replacement.
When fit Lee Williamson has proved to be a great asset to the Blades team; not only can he defend but has found the ability to push forward and has nipped in with an handful of goals - however he is currently injured and likely to return around November time.
Stephen Quinn has had his critics in the past but on his day the ginger haired centre-midfielder is not one to be messed with; he was the catalysed in the Blades 1-1 draw at Hillsborough towards
the end of the season and in signing a new contract last March shows his intentions to stay with the Bramall Lane club.
Another Hillsborough Hero who I would draft into the side would be Darren Ambrose (Crystal Palace); the midfielder netted the crucial goal as the Eagles drew 2-2 with Sheffield Wednesday; his goal was enough to keep Palace in the Championship and thus dooming the Owls to League One football.
On the left side of midfielder the Blades do have different avenues that can turn to; they already have Mark Yeates who signed from Middlesbrough during the middle of the 2009/10 season and will be to be an asset in the Red and White Wizards side.
If needed Stephen Quinn can also be placed in that role; however I would look to Reading's Mali winger Jimmy Kebe who made a huge impression in last season's Championship; scoring 12 goals - he can also play as a striker.
On the right hand side; Kyel Reid has had a successful loan spell at Charlton Athletic and has shown in games for the Blades that he has pace but maybe hasn't been given the opportunities to shine.
Richard Cresswell and Jamie Ward can both also operate at right-midfield, but to complete the selection of midfielders then I would also sign Peter Halmosi (Hull City). It would however be nice to be placed in a position where the Blades could re-sign Greg Halford (Wolverhampton Wanderers), however despite lacking appearances at Molineux his wage demands and maybe transfer fee would be out of the Blades reach.
Attack, Attack, Attack!!!
Present Squad; Darius Henderson, Ched Evans, Richard Cresswell, Jamie Ward, Nathan Foster, Billy Sharp.
Between the selections of strikers 39 goals were scored, that figure however doesn't include the four notched by Henri Camara or the 15 found by Billy Sharp whilst on loan at Doncaster Rovers. Taking those figures into account I feel it's fair to say that the strikers on offer are well equip to take be a driving force in next seasons Championship.
I personally wouldn't take any players away from our front two forwards and a good midfield will help them find goals; in youngster Nathan Foster who has yet to make a first team appearance I would send him out on loan to gain experience.
The Blades should sign one new striker; I would bring in Daniel Bogdanovic (Barnsley) who is out of contract in the summer - the Maltese international netted 14 goals during the course of the 2009/10 season.
If I was to look at bringing in a promising young striker then I would look at Adam Le Fondre (Rotherham United) who has had a successful season in League Two; however he is likely to join South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley.
My final Squad
01 Paddy Kenny
02 Gary Naysmith
03 Kyle Bartley
04 Chris Morgan (c)
05 Nick Montgomery
06 Lee Williamson
07 Richard Cresswell
08 Stephen Quinn
09 Ched Evans
10 Darius Henderson
11 Mark Yeates
12 Daniel Bogdanovic
13 Owain Fón Williams
14 Darren Ambrose
15 Jimmy Kebe
16 Gianni Zuiverloon
17 Peter Halmosi
18 Jamie Ward
19 Andy Taylor
20 Jay DeMerit
21 Marcel Seip
22 Paul Connolly
23 Mihkel Aksalu
24 Billy Sharp
25 Nathan Foster
26 Matthew Lowton
27 Kyel Reid
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