Superb summer sets Sheff Utd away on early charge - Interview

Few clubs in the Championship did recruitment business quite as impressive as Sheff Utd's over the summer, and it's paying dividends in the form of a fast start to the league season, according The Shoreham View.

Big bold start to the season made by your boys, what have you made of it so far?

In all honesty, with the players we’ve got, if they were kept fit and found any kind of form we were always going to be dangerous. What has surprised me is just how many players seem to be finding form at the same time. Some clever recruitment has definitely helped and we’ve started well. However, we always run the risk of losing one or two players and looking like a team trying to cobble a side together from left overs again. I’m just enjoying the ride for as long as it lasts.

Sheff Utd league games so far…
Watford 1-0 Sheff Utd Pedro 56
Sheff Utd 2-0 Millwall Ndiaye 7, Berge 22
Boro 2-2 Sheff Utd Akpom 14, 82 — Berge 3, Giles og 68
Sheff Utd 2-1 Sunderland Ahmedhodzic 33, Lowe 47 — Gooch 55
Sheff Utd 3-0 Blackburn Norwood 31, Ndiaye 72, 77
Luton 1-1 Sheff Utd Morris 10 — McBurnie 53
Sheff Utd 4-0 Reading McBurnie 11, Ahmedhodzic 46, 81, Ndiaye 62
Hull 0-2 Sheff Utd McBurnie 20, Berge 75
Swansea 0-1 Sheff Utd Khadra 90
Preston 0-2 Sheff Utd Ndiaye 40, McBurnie 75
Sheff Utd 1-1 Birmingham McBurnie 64 — Deeney 70

Done despite last season's star man Morgan Gibbs-White not returning, how?

I think Gibbs-White shone so much last season because so many players were either missing or under performing. With Ndiaye looking bigger stronger and more consistent I think we have a far superior player on our books, and he’s all ours… until January at least.

What have been the main improvements on last season?

Signing Anel Ahmedhodzic for £3m from Malmo was the business deal of the century, this lad is something special and we’ve essentially stolen him. He fits perfectly with our philosophy and tactics, along with finally using McBurnie properly and realising he isn’t a target man.

Opinions on Heckingbottom's performance so far?

So far he is doing 99% of things right. From the tactics to the philosophy and bond with the players. Many would class him as Chris Wilder-light so to speak but I think that’s disrespectful to a man who is a great coach and man manager. My only gripe with him is his subs are sometimes a bit negative and late in the game, but that’s being really over critical.

How did your transfer window go?

I don’t care what any other club thinks, we won this transfer window.

Ins >>> Anel Ahmedhodzic, 23, CB, Malmo, £4m >>> Tommy Doyle, 20, CM, Man City, Loan >>> Ciaran Clark, 32, DF, Newcastle, Loan >>> James McAtee, 19, AM, Man City, Loan >>> Reda Khadra, 21, AM, Brighton, Loan

Outs >>> Oli Burke, 25, AM, Werder Bremen, Free (who is this cunt’s agent?) >>> David McGoldrick, 34, CF, Derby, Free >>> Luke Freeman, 30, AM, Luton, Free >>> Michael Verrips, 25, GK, Fortuna Sittard, Undisclosed >>> Jake Eastwood, 25, GK, Ross County, Loan >>> Lys Mousset, 26, CF, VFL Bochum, Free

Stand out players and weak links in the side?

Sande Berge is a cheat code. Ahmedhodzic is a different level, although he might miss this one with injury. When McBurnie and Ndiyaye are unstoppable when in form. And when Norwood is playing well we look a side on fire.

Weaknesses… it depends which Norwood turns up and I believe that can also be said for players such as Baldock and Fleck. If they have a good game they are unplayable, if they are off it then it can really lead to us struggling.

Revised expectations for the season?

If we keep this team together and avoid injuries and selling players then any team that finishes above us is finishing first. Top if it all goes to plan. If we lose 2-3 key players it’ll be fifth-sixth again.

Links >>> Sheffield United official website >>> Bramall Lane ground guide >>> The Shoreham View — Contributor’s YouTube channel >>> S2 4SU — Message Board >>> Sheffield Star — Local Press

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Pictures — Action Images

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