Sheaf to Wrexham (2 Viewers)

[biggymania]

Sheaf's form has definitely dropped really since that cup run. I felt that summer was the time to sell him - with 2 years left on his deal and a lot of really positive performances and exposure. At that point though it felt really regrettable and disruptive but fitted the model we needed to follow. I felt we'd could get 15M or more, even.

Now though - his form dropped, a year older - more miles on the clock, more injuries - any decent offer we would be crazy not to take it.

Sheaf is an excellent CDM at Championship level - always available for the ball, head on a swivel - great awareness but unable to really progress the attack beyond just shifting the ball on to someone else. Now we're expected to be on the front foot in games and typically play against teams that sit deep, Sheaf can really struggle. And teams are happy to let him have the ball around the edge of the box because his shooting is really, really poor. You can probably count on one hand the number of shots he's had from those positions that trouble the keeper.

He's been a huge player for us over the years and was an absolute bargain. I'll be sad to see him go, he seems like a great professional, a nice guy who deserves more from his body to match his talent and application. Without a Hamer by his side, we needed more than he could give us. This would be a good deal for all parties if the price is right.

 

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[Speedie's Head]

Sheaf is an excellent CDM at Championship level - always available for the ball, head on a swivel - great awareness but unable to really progress the attack beyond just shifting the ball on to someone else.

It's almost certainly the way he was taught in the Arsenal ranks I would imagine.

 

[biggymania]

It's almost certainly the way he was taught in the Arsenal ranks I would imagine.

Watching Arsenal yesterday struggle to do anything vs Liverpool it very much felt like watching Cov at our worst over the last few seasons. We lapse into that tick tock, safe play against a team sitting deep and it becomes so easy to play against.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Watching Arsenal yesterday struggle to do anything vs Liverpool it very much felt like watching Cov at our worst over the last few seasons. We lapse into that tick tock, safe play against a team sitting deep and it becomes so easy to play against.

Both very strong physical teams

 

[SBT]

Yeah crazy to think he was by consensus our best player as recently as the season before last. Even with the injuries he’s been an excellent servant and incredible value for money.

 

[Speedie's Head]

Watching Arsenal yesterday struggle to do anything vs Liverpool it very much felt like watching Cov at our worst over the last few seasons. We lapse into that tick tock, safe play against a team sitting deep and it becomes so easy to play against.

Did you notice the forwards (except Vik) all hogging the ball? Too many looking for glory in that side instead of looking for the killer pass I reckon.

 

[Skyblue Bangkok]

Both very strong physical teams

Arsenal had little ambition, felt for Vik , very isolated .

 

[biggymania]

I don't think Vik is fully fit, nor are the team playing to his strengths at this point. There was a painful opportunity in the first half where Vik was holding his run and Martinelli completely ignored it. Exactly the sort of chance he converts.

I don't watch much Premiership football and I'm very much uninterested in Arsenal but I want to see Vik test himself at the top level - it was a painful watch and I can see now why so many Arsenal fans are frustrated with Arteta.

 

[Otis]

Don't you just know he's going to score an absolute screamer against us when we next play Wrexham.

Guaranteed.

Love the bloke, but his shooting was the weakest part of his game. 9 times out of 10 his shots would balloon over the bar.

We are going to be the 1 in 10 aren't we.

 

[GC1976]

I bet Sheaf is wondering how did that happen.. I was captain , heading for the premier league, top 5 midfielders in the championship used to play for Arsenal don’t you know….. now I’m off to Wrexham!

 

[Otis]

I bet Sheaf is wondering how did that happen.. I was captain , heading for the premier league, top 5 midfielders in the championship now I’m off to Wrexham

Yeah, but if you just change one little word, it does make all the difference.

"I was captain , heading for the premier league, top 5 midfielders in the championship now I’m off to Little Hollywood."

 

[SkyBlueCharlie9]

Sheaf is exactly what Wrecsam need (similar CDM to Grimesy). Matty (fatty) James is currently playing that role for them

 

[Boicey]

Don't you just know he's going to score an absolute screamer against us when we next play Wrexham.

Guaranteed.

Love the bloke, but his shooting was the weakest part of his game. 9 times out of 10 his shots would balloon over the bar.

We are going to be the 1 in 10 aren't we.

You just know he'll have few full injury free seasons as well...
Although I wouldn't bet on it

 

[dadgad]

Watching Arsenal yesterday struggle to do anything vs Liverpool it very much felt like watching Cov at our worst over the last few seasons. We lapse into that tick tock, safe play against a team sitting deep and it becomes so easy to play against.

Why would anyone willingly watch that?

 

[SomersetSB]

I just found him to be to negative a bit like Clingan, always looking to go sideways or back never forward so I’m happy for the deal.

 

[HuckerbyDublinWhelan]

The disrespect shown to our player of the season 2 years ago is mad. Granted he's no longer ahead of Grimes, On his day he's one of the best midfielders in the league.

 

[Speedies_Chips]

Don't you just know he's going to score an absolute screamer against us when we next play Wrexham.

Guaranteed.

Love the bloke, but his shooting was the weakest part of his game. 9 times out of 10 his shots would balloon over the bar.

We are going to be the 1 in 10 aren't we.

And we're all going to cheer when it goes in

 

[biggymania]

The disrespect shown to our player of the season 2 years ago is mad. Granted he's no longer ahead of Grimes, On his day he's one of the best midfielders in the league.

Agree and a really incredible signing for any team in the division who needs him. Right now with Grimes, he's something of a luxury for us - and unfortunately we need to deploy that money in other areas.

 

[AOM]

 

[Londonccfcfan]

He will bring down the average age of their squad to 30.

 

[eastwoodsdustman]

He was solid enough for us but definitely slowed our play down. Like others have said, 2 years ago, more specifically the games against wolves and Man Utd he was fantastic, Dribbling with the ball, beating players and winning tackles all over the pitch. We didn't really see that regularly outside of those two games though. Had he put those performances in week in week out then he would have moved to the premier league. Instead, injury record is patchy at best and we can't build a promotion chasing team around a captain that is missing 25% of the time so its a good move for all parties.
He may well go on to do very well for them or may play 1/2 of their games due to injury. We aren't in a position to take a chance if we want to seriously go up.

 

[Potbellypig]

It was the end for Sheaf as soon as Grimes came in. It feels a bit like that school football team where you're the starting player in your position and then someone moves from another school in your position, he's better than you and takes your position. Sheaf has shrunk into his shell at not coped with it.

I'm still having therapy...

 

[Domo]

all done apparently.

 

[Jim]

Money from this help to get the hughes deal over the line perhaps…?

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

all done apparently.

View attachment 45712

Medical passed then
Wonder if his niggles will cease to be an issue

 

[Porkchophill]

Stagnated with us for a while now , injuries took there toll . Had some great games for us , bossed it at wolves good servant of the club .. good luck to him (except against us )

 

[Potbellypig]

I suppose the biggest question is, are we allowed to clap him if he takes a corner?

 

[stupot07]

I suppose the biggest question is, are we allowed to clap him if he takes a corner?

No, he's not Kasey Palmer, he should be boo'd at every opportunity.

 

[mrfr]

I suppose the biggest question is, are we allowed to clap him if he takes a corner?

TBF we always clap away players when they get stretchered off.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

And what level of Torp cover can we realistically hope for?
We all hope for the top players for each position scenario but for most Championship clubs, including us, it's not realistic.

Pragmatically, it’s unlikely we get anyone else in before the deadline.

Thinking ahead to Jan, someone with a similar profile. Often when people talk about ‘cover’ in the sense that someone could play there rather than who actually makes an impact. Actually, if you want continuity in the team and style of play, you need players with similar profiles who can come in.

This is why we struggle to change games at times because there isn’t attacking-minded players who can mix things up.

Overall, I’m happy with the squad and whilst people obsess over strikers… we only play 1 and like on Saturday, Haji was playing v well - why take him off?

Torp, Rudoni, Sakamoto, EMC are all players in the starting 11 now have unique roles that don’t have credible cover. Eccles is a player inbetween Grimes and Torp imo. BTA has carved out a niche role but he isn’t a natural winger.

To summarise, in the next window or 2, we just need to refine the squad so it’s not so top heavy in areas.

 

[Great_Expectations]

I’m a big, big Sheaf fan and I’m sad to see him go. On his day he’s a top Championship player.

Unfortunately those days were lessening due to his consistent injuries taking a toll and I don’t see how him and Grimes work together.

Plus, £6.5m is a big number in the Championship.

Some of the disrespect shown to him is poor. He was a key player in our “journey” and was the ultimate professional.

 

[Briles]

Farewell Ben, you were a Dabo penalty away from greatness. Thank you for your contributions over the years.

 

[Domo]

I’m a big, big Shead fan and I’m sad to see him go. On his day he’s a top Championship player.

Unfortunately those days were lessening due to his consistent injuries taking a toll and I don’t see how him and Grimes work together.

Plus, £6.5m is a big number in the Championship.

Some of the disrespect shown to him is poor. He was a key player in our “journey” and was the ultimate professional.

agreed, not every player hit their prime in the 27+ years, some slightly before and they tail off quicker than others. hes a model professional, and huge asset on his day.

 

[Liquid Gold]

Quite sad that his time here has just petered out. Was definitely time for him to go though and we've made good money on him.

 

[mark82]

Quite sad that his time here has just petered out. Was definitely time for him to go though and we've made good money on him.

If you'd have said 18 months ago that we'd be selling Sheaf to Wrexham for £6.5m I'd have laughed (for multiple different reasons). It probably is the right time and the right move though. Important we use the sale to reinforce though. Young midfielder is fine, but distribute funds to add another attacking option.