Leeds Blog 16 Why Billy Sharp should be in the starting 11.
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Why Billy Sharp should be in the starting 11.
"Leeds United" can be seen written in the same sentence as a "circus" or heard in the same context of a "Soap drama", but would things go smoother if a little common sense was used at the Club? I could speak all day about what we see from the outside or what we see on the pitch or is a legitimate footballing man running the Club, but that is for another day.
"Billy Sharp" is often a name used in the same sentence as a "striker" or a "goal poacher", or it was known in the past that he was mentioned in the same sentence as the match winner (more recently against Middlesbrough), albeit his name is sometimes mentioned in the same sentence as the "medical room".
Billy Sharp has spent most of his footballing career in Yorkshire, going through the youth ranks at Rotherham before heading to Sheffield United where he spent two periods there notching up 53 appearances and 8 goals. In between his Sheffield spells he had a good spell at Rushden and Diamonds on loan making 16 appearances, scoring 9 times. He then had 2 excellent years at Scunthorpe where he scored 53 goals in 82 games. This prompted Sheffield United to re-sign him, but unfortunately it didn't work out again. This was good news for Doncaster as they were able to sign him initially on loan and then on a permanent transfer where he scored 40 goals in 82 games. This lead to a big move down south in 2012 to Southampton where games were limited and although Billy only played in 17 games, he still managed to score 9 goals. Loan spells followed to Nottingham Forest, Reading and back to Doncaster where he was still amongst the goals. 10 in 39 for Forest, 2 in 10 for Reading and finally 4 in 12 for Doncaster.
Billy has played the majority of his football in the Championship, although he has played and scored in each division from league two upwards, except he didn't have much of a chance to score his first Premier league goal with Southampton, making only 2 premier league appearances. This was good news for Leeds as it meant Billy wanted and needed first team football and although it seemed that Massimo Cellino's policy was to bring cheaper overseas players in, the fans were a little suprised, but happy to see a proven goalscorer in Billy playing his football at Elland Road in the this season (Or so they thought he would!)
Billy Sharp is a proven goalscorer in most of the English leagues, but more so in the Championship, yet under four head coaches this season at Leeds United he hasn't had much of a look in! We don't know what is going on behind the scenes, but a player of Billy's quality in the Championship must surely be getting frustrated on the bench. After the injury time winner against Middlesbrough, he, like most fans, must have thought that this was the start of a new goalscoring era.
Leeds United have had a roller-coaster season and the fans are unsure where the next win will come from. A win against the top of the league spreads confidence throughout the team and fans, only to go and lose the following week. There is one thing that is common with these ups and downs and that is the strike force between Antenucci and Doukara (Obviously there are other common factors within the team) I am very impressed with Antennuci, his work rate, his speed, touch and his eye for goal (although he requires more work on the offside rule) Doukara on the other hand seems to have a the reliability of the Leeds win rate when it comes to his performances week in, week out. I feel he blows hot and cold from one game to the next and at this stage of the season we should know what we are getting and understand who we can rely on. I feel Doukara would work well coming off of the bench and using his pace against tired defenders, rather than playing for 90 minutes with little end product. Which leads me nicely onto his replacement, Billy Sharp! I feel the time is right for Billy to get a run in the team with Antenucci. The players around him will benefit from his experience whilst the likes of Mowatt and Adryan will create chances for him.
Neil Redfearn has spoken this week about experienced Championship players, well Neil, you have one in your team already that is raring to go. His record speaks for itself and a start against his Ex-Club Forest would give him a much needed boost and may see a goal or two.
Onwards and Upwards
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