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The wonder of Will
Good attitude: Striker Will Hoskins also knows where the net is
AS someone who prefers to spend his time working with players rather than politicking, Danny Wilson finds transfer deadline day excruciating agony.
Given the Sheffield United manager’s distaste for the whispers, rumours and hysteria which dominate this period of the footballing calendar, a satisfied smile will have spread across his face when the 11pm deadline passed last night.
Having allayed fears that a squad well equipped to challenge for promotion would be systematically dismantled, Wilson was instead left to reflect on a positive 24 hours’ worth of business, with one of the region’s most respected figures endorsing his decision to bring Will Hoskins to Bramall Lane from Brighton.
Ronnie Moore, who handed Hoskins his professional debut as a
youngster at Rotherham nine years ago, told The Star his arrival has enhanced United’s Championship credentials.
“Will is the type of player who is capable of getting you out of that division,” Moore said. “And I mean out of the front door rather than the back.
“He’s got that extra half a yard of pace which makes him difficult to mark and enables him to work off the shoulder of defenders. But that doesn’t mean to say Will only thrives on a ball over the top. He’s technically very sound too and he makes things happen for those around him.”
Hoskins, who has initially moved to United on loan, left Millmoor for Watford as part of the £1.2 million deal which also spirited his new teammate, Lee Williamson, to Vicarage Road in 2007. Following brief spells with Millwall and Nottingham Forest, he joined Bristol Rovers on the eve of the 2010/11 campaign before transferring to the American Express Community Stadium eight months ago.
“Will looked as if he was going to go all the way to the very top of the game when he came through the ranks,” Moore said. “But I wouldn’t say he’s under-achieved because if he hadn’t have got a few injuries then he’d probably be there now.
“If United can keep him out on the park then he’ll be a real asset for them. He’s got a good attitude and, in terms of his ability, there’s no question.”
Speaking earlier this month, Wilson went on record to claim that, with barely a cigarette paper between those teams chasing leaders Charlton Athletic, goals would emerge as the most valuable currency in the scramble for Championship football. Hoskins, whose predatory instincts saw him score 20 goals in 47 appearances for Rovers, adds competition for places
and an in-depth knowledge of what it takes to prosper at League One level.
“Will knows
where the back of the net is,” Moore said. “He’s excellent in and around the area and knows the right positions to take-up.
“Because of that, he makes it easy for others to create chances and opportunities. Having seen the way that Danny likes his teams to play, I think it’s fair to say he should fit in really well.
“He’s also got the right personality to handle being on a big stage. He’ll enjoy it at Bramall Lane.”
Brighton turned down an undisclosed offer - believed to be in the region of £500,000 - from Bournemouth for Hoskins last week. Unbeknown to United, that decision effected their own recruitment plans, with officials at the Seward Stadium instead opting for Crawley Town’s Matt Tubbs. Steve Evans, the Town manager, promptly used that money to fund the capture of Blackpool’s Billy Clarke, beating off competition from United and an unnamed Championship club in the process.
“I’ve joined a very progressive team,” Clarke said.
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Comments
There are 22 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
silverblade
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 09:04 PMCalm down diesel or i'll send you back to Blackpool :-)... look your lot kept rambling on about "wait till january you'l have no player's left and the club will fold with the debt youv'e got" well it aint happened, so you can't blame us for having a dig back hey.....
doggtheveryspecialdeputy
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 08:29 PMIts funny how the blades always complain that Owls pay attention to their team but when we dont care they start to get all ars3y, 'seething' siver.. yeah I am sat here pulling my hair out. Its quite amusing that you couldnt offload the overpaid leeches you have.
silverblade
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 06:39 PMOne in the eye for wendies this, tell you what they are seething, massive fire sale they were telling us, all this debt and "tick tock" your'e going down again hmm well we are still going and promotion now is in our own hands, good signing "Bob" onward & upwards UTB....
manorblade
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 05:10 PMov0 comes close ,scb
SteelC1tyBlue
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 04:59 PMIs there a bigger stinking scrubber of an ex Gleadless Valley scum chav on here than me steelcityblue? No i dont think so! Stroll on.
keekee
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 03:55 PMI too am very relieved and surprised the squad is intact. Does this mean M is prepared to take the hit financially to get us back in the Championship? Don't know much about Hoskins, but pace is certainly something we need up front, and he adds competition for places. I still think we're just off the pace against the better teams, but should pick up enough points from middle and lower teams to make play offs at least. I don't think Charlton are a shoe-in for automatic - they did not impress me a lot in the two games we had, even thought we lost. And Mk , Wendies and Huddersfield all stumble at times - and watch out for Stevenage - are they the proverbial dark horse that gets to the playoffs with a late burst?
DannyBlade
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 03:07 PM@15 so no-one wants our best players? all queuing up for yours were they then? No, thought not, another deluded Snort Beast from Swillsborough who has been brainwashed by the Ginger Chimp Gay Ron Smeg. Now keep quiet or make a sensible comment little man, bye, bye.
(0v0)
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 02:34 PMThe only reason the pigs did not sell their best players. Is no one wants them
(0v0)
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 02:31 PMD ovo D the pigs pay the wages of a prem club for some of their dross and would still have one of highest wage bills in the Championship.
doggtheveryspecialdeputy
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 12:34 PM@9 what i am saying is both teams have a handfull of players who are good at this level but, we pay the wages of good Lg1 players.
lanzarote owl
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 12:33 PMNo interest.....So no sales.No one wanted them, its not like Mcpig would have turned down any bids is it? TICK TOCK
Blade 1889
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 12:29 PMWhere have all the Wendy posters gone... what was all that about a fire sale?! delighted that the squad's still in tact and we've added some pace up front. The team's grown in confidence as the season's progressed and it would have been a shame to lose anyone. we can crack on now, no distractions. Hopefully that's the pigs chances of automatic gone. It's between us and Hudders now. UTB
Mancblade
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 12:25 PMIll take that as a big compliemnt fron you Diesel. As i said well to your shower winning at Scunny, consider us even!
Donny Blades
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 11:42 AMMediocre players! doesnt say much about your lot does it diesel...... Doesnt look like our finances are as bad as the pigs keep claiming too!
doggtheveryspecialdeputy
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 11:30 AMWell I will be the first Owl to say well done.... I never thought for one second you would keep paying those rediculous wages for mediocre players. (Its kind of a compliment ok, its the best I can do).
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