Howard Now Confirmed

[(.)Boobies(.)]

Actually, with Howard now signed, what is our midfield trio going to be?
It's almost as if Karacan and Sigurdsson are undroppable for the moment, but Gunnarsson has that level head that we so desperately need.
Then we have Tabb, who is effective in midfield, and Davies who can also play in attack. Matejovsky, too...
Lots of competition. Too much, perhaps?

More to the point, we're looking very strong in that area once again. If the defence clicks, and we can keep Hunt fit, this could be a decent side in 12 months time.

[Still Hate Futcher!]

Great signing. Not sure about Rodgers shirt though !?!?

I think he's wearing our late 80's TV interference kit.

[CMRoyal]

He's even shorter than Rodgers!

That was the first thing I noticed too. Will it matter? How tall is Rodgers?

About 5'8", I reckon.

I first noticed Howard was so small when he scored against us last season. I needed to get the opera glasses out to discern which little fecker was celebrating the Blades' goal in front of his fans.

[Sarah Star]

Does that mean we'd be at a disadvantage if him and Tabb played together? Is this likely?

[Thomas L'Heureux]

Actually, with Howard now signed, what is our midfield trio going to be?
It's almost as if Karacan and Sigurdsson are undroppable for the moment, but Gunnarsson has that level head that we so desperately need.
Then we have Tabb, who is effective in midfield, and Davies who can also play in attack. Matejovsky, too...
Lots of competition. Too much, perhaps?

Poor Cisse...

[brendywendy]

we have two very good midfields now!!!


shame we cant field 1 brilliant striker

[wickedwhispers]

Another ex Chelsea player in the ranks.

[CMRoyal]

Another ex Chelsea player in the ranks.

He's not that good.

[Hoop Blah]

Actually, with Howard now signed, what is our midfield trio going to be?
It's almost as if Karacan and Sigurdsson are undroppable for the moment, but Gunnarsson has that level head that we so desperately need.
Then we have Tabb, who is effective in midfield, and Davies who can also play in attack. Matejovsky, too...
Lots of competition. Too much, perhaps?

More to the point, we're looking very strong in that area once again. If the defence clicks, and we can keep Hunt fit, this could be a decent side in 12 months time.

We've only swapped Harper for Howard!

I really don't see that as changing anything, and personally, I'd rather have had a motivated and 'loved' Harper than Howard.

I've never really been that impressed by Howard to be honest, but we'll see how he gets on.

[FiNeRaIn]

On the SUFC site.

Howard has signed for Championship rivals Reading for an undisclosed fee with United recouping the money paid to Barnsley in January.

LOL I love that. Undisclosed but won't worry fans we recouped the money.

[ZacNaloen]

Whatever the reason Howard failed to settle at Sheffield, we can only hope he plays for us like he played for Barnsley.

I can only assume it came down to an issue of tactics and a poor buy on Sheffield Utd's part (like the Fae buy for us), rather than the players quality considering what he should be capable of.

[papereyes]

Great signing. Not sure about Rodgers shirt though !?!?

1990-91 home strip, iirc. He's gone retro.

[Sun Tzu]

Does that mean we'd be at a disadvantage if him and Tabb played together? Is this likely?

Karacan and Marek are hardly giants either !

I'd rather pick the best players than worry too much about height, but of course if the whole team was 5'8'' it would be an issue at set pieces.!

Did you not notice a few games ago Tabb actually won everything in the air (when he was playing left back with a very large centre forward up against him). His jump is Stevie Richardsonesque !!

[(.)Boobies(.)]

Another ex Chelsea player in the ranks.

Not according to Wikipedia. He started at Southampton as a kid. Never been near Chelsea, unless you can prove different.

[Archie's penalty]

I have no idea what the midfield will be now.

Maybe Kebe Left forward Mcanuff right forward.

And then Howard (MLC) Gunnar/Tabb (MC) and Sigurdsson/Karacan (MRC)?

Is it going to Rasiak up front then from now on?

[Sarah Star]

Does that mean we'd be at a disadvantage if him and Tabb played together? Is this likely?

Karacan and Marek are hardly giants either !

I'd rather pick the best players than worry too much about height, but of course if the whole team was 5'8'' it would be an issue at set pieces.!

Did you not notice a few games ago Tabb actually won everything in the air (when he was playing left back with a very large centre forward up against him). His jump is Stevie Richardsonesque !!

Yes, I remember that jump. I was quite surprised to see he could get that high, wondered if he'd used a bit of leverage.

It's true what you say about Karacan and Marek as well, but the whole physical size of the team does worry me since watching them getting bullied off the ball by Newcastle. I'm sure there are ways of playing round this, I just don't know if we'll be able to do it. I'll wait and see.

[CMRoyal]

I have no idea what the midfield will be now.

It's not just the midfield - I'm clueless throughout the team. Especially as O'Dea is here for match experience not just to sit on the bench. Three at the back with two wing-backs and Rasiak and Hunty up front? Leaves, what? Howard, Gylfi, Gunnar in midfield? But we need some bite from a Kara or Cisse or Tabb, and what about the man who assisted all three goals against Barnsley?

Can't wait to see some of the choices on the Team v Doncaster thread next wek.

[11.30 from paddington]

Does that mean we'd be at a disadvantage if him and Tabb played together? Is this likely?

Karacan and Marek are hardly giants either !

I'd rather pick the best players than worry too much about height, but of course if the whole team was 5'8'' it would be an issue at set pieces.!

Did you not notice a few games ago Tabb actually won everything in the air (when he was playing left back with a very large centre forward up against him). His jump is Stevie Richardsonesque !!

Yes, I remember that jump. I was quite surprised to see he could get that high, wondered if he'd used a bit of leverage.

It's true what you say about Karacan and Marek as well, but the whole physical size of the team does worry me since watching them getting bullied off the ball by Newcastle. I'm sure there are ways of playing round this, I just don't know if we'll be able to do it. I'll wait and see.

Now, I'm by no means putting our midfielders anywhere near their class, but -
Xavi and Iniesta aren't exactly giants and they seem to do alright.

Tabb and Karacan are both capable of putting their foot in. If our midfield can move the ball well when we have possession and harrass the opposition when we don't, I'm not duly concerned about the lack of a Vinny Jones.

[Hoop Blah]

Now, I'm by no means putting our midfielders anywhere near their class, but -
Xavi and Iniesta aren't exactly giants and they seem to do alright.

I'm not overly bothered by the height thing because between them Karacan, Gunnarson, Cisse and Tabb are decent enough in the air for the middle of the park, but in Xavi and Iniesta's case they play in a totally different league to the hurly burly of the Championship.

That certainly helps them a bit!

[Who Moved The Goalposts?]

There's something strange going on and I doubt we'll ever know the full story.

Not really. I think it's pretty straightforward. JM told BR that he needed to offload the very highest earners,with NH's remit to get as much as he can for them. I wouldn't be surprised if our wage bill - which was JM's biggest worry - is now firmly in the "average for this division" instead of one of the highest.