| BLADES
LINE-UP 2002/03 |
| Manager |
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Neil Warnock: |
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Neil Warnock was
appointed manager of Sheffield United in November 1999, at
that time The Blades were almost bottom of Division 1 and it
looked as if Division 2 football would be played the following
season. He saved United from relegated by finishing 16th in
table.
Since then Warnock has built up a strong team and brought in
good promising Youth players, these players will be vital if
United are to gain promoted to the Premier League once again.
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| Goalkeepers |
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Simon Tracey: |
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Tracey was Dave
Bassetts very first signing for United in 1988 from Wimbledon.
Simon was The Blades first choice goalkeeper until Republic of
Ireland international Alan Kelly joined. Kelly was sold to
Blackburn in 1999 and this let Tracey regain the number 1 shirt
at United.
In the past Tracey has been known to make a few errors which in
turn has cost United valuable goals, if The Blades are to gain
promotion then Tracey will have to play his best in order to do
so.
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Wilko De Vogt: |
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The Blades were left
in a goalkeeper crisis after Frank Talia left United in summer
of 2001, Warnock brought in Dutch keeper Wilko De Vogt and has
been outstanding in the few games that he played for United last
season.
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Paddy Kenny
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The Blades have signed
goalkeeper Paddy Kenny initially on loan from Bury for three
months but Neil Warnock has already agreed with Shakers about a
price for the Halifax born keeper.
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| Defenders |
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Robert Kozluk: |
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Unfortunately Robert
only featured in Neil's team for a short period of time, this
was due to Danny Tiato as he broke his leg in a away
fixture at Maine Road at the beginning of the 2001/02 season.
Kozluk started his playing career at Derby County before moving
to Bramall Lane as part of a transfer deal with Vassilis
Borbokis. In 1999/00 Kozzie went to Huddersfield Town on loan
where he made a big impression, United brought him back and he
played like he never had done before.
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Ben Doane: |
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Ben Doane signed for
Sheffield United in 1997 and made his debut in 1999-00
season in a away game at Shrewsbury Town in League Cup, not long
after that he joined non-league side Kettering Town on loan
where he played 4 games. He has played 17 games (2 on sub bench)
and scored his only goal for United in last seasons game at
Crewe away on 30 March.
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Shaun Murphy: |
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Murphy has already
played under Neil Warnock at Nott's County, but it was Adrian
Heath who brought in the Australian International from West Brom
on a free in summer of 1999.
Shaun thought he was out of the door when Neil took over because
he didn't do too well at Nott's County, but Neil gave him a
chance and he is now one of, if not thee best defender
United have at Bramall Lane.
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Robert Page: |
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Welsh International
Robert Page was snapped up from Watford for £350,000 in
September 2001, when Hornets boss Gianluca Viali made it
clear that he would not feature in his squad.
During 2002/03 season Page will gain captaincy to the squad now
that Keith Curle has left. the squad, Page started his career at
Watford in 1995 and was part of the squad that won promotion to
the Premier League in 1999.
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Colin Cryan: |
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Cryan is more of a
Utility player but his main position is centre defense. He has
played for Republic of Ireland at Schoolboy level but maybe in
the future football fans will be seeing him play for his country
at full international level.
Cryan came through Blades Youth Training System but has only
managed to play four games after coming off the bench, we might
see him a few times this season I hope.
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Steve Yates: |
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Steve Yates became
Neil Warnock's first summer signing of 2002 when he got him on a
free transfer on 1 July 2002 from Tranmere Rovers.
He started his career at Bristol Rovers in 1988 and moved to QPR
in 1993 before joining Tranmere in 1999, throughout his career
so far (not including 2002/03 season) Steve has made 485 appearances
while scoring 16 goals.
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Robert Ullathorne: |
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This is Ulla's second
spell at United after firstly joining Blades on non-contract
basis in 2000 from then Premier League side Leicester City,
during 2001-02 season Ullathorne agreed to sign a fulltime
contract.
In all this is his fourth club, he started his career with
Norwich City in 1990 before moving to Spanish side Osasuna in
1996, a year later he joined Leicester City. Before Blades
2002-03 season Robert has played 30 games while failing to
score.
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| Midfielders |
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Nick Montgomery: |
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Nick is
mainly a centre midfielderer, but can play anywhere in the
midfield. Last season Montgomery played down right hand side
after Paul Devlin refused to play.
Blades boss Neil Warnock will continue to find a right sided
player after Kevin Twaddle turned down a move in summer.
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Michael Brown: |
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Rated at
£4,000,000 Michael Brown has to be the star player of the
squad. He was bought for £500k off Manchester City in November
1999 and scored the winner against his old club in January as
United beat the Blues 1-0 at Bramall Lane.
Michaels star qualities is, his long range shooting that has caught
out a number of goalkeepers. Last season Brown aimed to
score 10 goals but unfortunately could only manage 6 after he
was injured near end of 2001/02 season.
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Michael Tonge: |
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Tonge made a huge
impact to the Sheffield United squad when Neil brought Michael
from youth team last season. He only managed to score two goals
last season but his performances has had Premier League teams
such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Charlton Athletic
showing a interest in this young mans talent.
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Jean-Philip Javary: |
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Blades fans must feel
sorry for this young man, in last 3 years he has played in
England, Scotland and France without being given a contract.
After Javary had been on trial at second division outfit
Brentford, The Blades tried him out, after a few appearances he was
given a contract in March 2002.
Last season he played around 5 games whilst netting a goal in a
away game at Watford, next season he might find it difficult to
get into squad wehen Brown and Tonge are around, but Blades fans
will know that when he does play he will give 100%.
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Stuart McCall: |
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Ex-Scotland
international was Neil Warnock's second summer signing on 2
July. The 38 has joined United for one year as player-coach.
Now that reserve manager coach Keith Curle has left, United will
be looking at McCall to take his place.
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Phil Jagielka: |
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Jagielka
has been on United's books since 1999/00 season when he broke
into Blades first team from reserves and youth, since then he
has scored three goals in 21 games (stats are correct before
2002-03 season) but has found it hard to get into team with
likes of Brown and Tonge being first choice.
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Peter Ndlovu: |
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Nuddy
started his English career at then Premier League team Coventry
City in 1991 after they bought him from Highlanders for just
£10,000. Ndlovu spent six years at Highfield Road, making 148
apperances and netting 43 goals.
In 1996 he was snapped up for £1.6 million by Birmingham City,
he later went on loan to Huddersfield Town during 2000/01 season
and he moved to United on a free months later.
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| Attackers |
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Carl Asaba: |
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Sarbs was bought from
Gillingham for £92,500 in February 2001 just after a deal with
Carl's boyhood team Palace fell through. Asaba immediately
became the hero at Bramall Lane when he headed in Blades
second goal at Hillsbough to win 2-1 in April 2001,
Laurent D'Jaffo got on the score sheet that day.
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Paul Peschisolido: |
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Peschisolido first
played for United during 2000/01 season on loan from Fulham and
after a loan spell at Nowrich City, United bought him in summer
for £150,000.
He has never made a huge name for himself (unlike Asaba) but the
Canadian International did score a memorial goal against
Barnsley at Bramall Lane last season to tie the game 1-1.
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Tyrone Thompson: |
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Thompson never made a appearance
for United last season but made 3 during 2000-01 season (Lincoln
City (twice) and Crewe) but so far has not scored.
Next season I hope that Blades fans will see him in first team
as he is supposed to he highly rated.
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Iffy Onoura: |
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Scottish born, Iffy
became Neil's 3rd signing in four days when United got him from
Gillingham on a free at the beginning of July 2002.
Oronua started his professional playing career with Huddersfield
Town in 1989, where he was under manager Neil Warnock for a
period of time. In 1994 Iffy was sold to Mansfield Town on a
free before joining Gillingham in 1996, two years later he
joined Swindon and then back to Gills in 2000.
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Laurens Ten Heuvel: |
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Ten Heuvel has got a
lot to prove to the Unitedites after moving from Dutch side
Telstar for a six figure sum. Last season he notched up 20 goals
in Dutch Division 2 and United had to bet top sides Roda JC and
William II to get the attacker.
This is not Ten Heuvel's first go at English football as some
fans may remember he played a part in Barnsley's promotion
season of 1996/97 and also had a brief spell with Northampton
Town.
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Wayne Allison: |
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The Huddersfield born
attacker came from Mersyside outfit Tranmere Rovers on a free
transfer at end of July 2002. The 34 year old will find it tough
to break into the United side when Asaba and Onoura will be favorites
to appear in Blades starting eleven.
Allison has been around
a few times to different teams which include Halifax Town,
Watford, Bristol City, Swindon Town, Huddersfield Town and
Tranmere Rovers.
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