No news is good news for Sheffield United
Alan Biggs on a quiet early start to the close season at Sheffield United
Nothing happening - though nothing unusual at this time of year - can be a source of anxiety for football fans.
For supporters of Sheffield United, it should be a source of comfort.
When I suggested recently to someone close to the club that a settled summer beckoned, there was a nod of agreement … followed by the caveat “but this is Sheffield United.”
Indeed. And this club is not alone in needing some “down” time. Not a relegation, heaven forbid, but a calm and considered approach to the way ahead.
Which doesn’t mean complacency or a lack of action below the surface.
I’m betting any genuine targets that filter through into speculation will have been earmarked months ago.
There’s no panic, nor should there be. The window doesn’t open for a couple of weeks.
That said, there’s a very good reason to go into overdrive at that time.
The earlier the business, the greater the chance of gelling a successful squad together, even though the new season starts slightly later this year.
Where United are hampered is in not knowing whether, and by how much, their budget will scale up if acceptable bids are tabled for the likes of Gus Hamer.
The bigger the transfer, the likelier a prolonged game of brinkmanship.
And it’s not clear how big a transfer surplus the Blades will need in order to ride the loss of their parachute payment. The expectation is that they will have to more than cover their expenditure.
But for now … no news is good news.