2002-03 Squad

By Paul Holland
August 11 2002

A brilliant review of the squad (created during pre season) by bladesfc.co.uk, it gives you some information about all the players who play for The Blades during 2002-03 season. BLADES LINE

BLADES LINE-UP 2002/03
Manager
Neil Warnock:
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.
Goalkeepers
Simon Tracey:
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.
Wilko De Vogt:
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.
Paddy Kenny
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.
Defenders
Robert Kozluk:
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.
Ben Doane:
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.
Shaun Murphy:
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.
Robert Page:
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.
Colin Cryan:
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.
Steve Yates:
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.
Robert Ullathorne:
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.

 
Midfielders
Nick Montgomery:
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.
Michael Brown:
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. 
Michael Tonge:
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.
Jean-Philip Javary:
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%.
Stuart McCall:
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.
Phil Jagielka:
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.
Peter Ndlovu:
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.
Attackers
Carl Asaba:
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.
Paul Peschisolido:
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.
Tyrone Thompson:
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.
Iffy Onoura:
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.

  

Laurens Ten Heuvel:
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.
Wayne Allison:
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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