Billy Sharp Again

by pkt_drfc Thu 17 Jun - 21:22:44

Hope this does not turn out to be true

BURNLEY are expected to complete the signing of striker Billy Sharp from Sheffield United next week.

The Clarets, who have already added former Hull midfielder Dean Marney and ex-Wolves striker Chris Iwelumo to their squad, are preparing to step up their recruitment drive after the weekend, when manager Brian Laws returns from holiday.

And being reunited with Sharp, who he worked with at Scunthorpe United, is top of the Burnley boss’s ‘to do’ list as he bids to add even more firepower to their Championship assault.

Laws is understood to be ready to offer at least 10 times more than the £100,000 he originally shelled out for the Sheffield-born front man, when he signed him from then League Two side Rushden and Diamonds in 2005.

Sharp spent two seasons with the Iron, where he broke a 45-year-old club record for most goals scored in a season, finishing his final term with 32.

Such blistering form led to him returning to his first club, Sheffield United, for a fee of £2million. But, despite scoring his first hat-trick in the opening home game of the 2008/09 campaign, the goals have not been frequent enough at Bramall Lane and Sharp has struggled to establish himself.

However, a previously formidable strike rate was rekindled during a loan spell at Doncaster Rovers last season, where he averaged almost a goal every two games.

Should Sharp sign, it is likely Martin Paterson and Iwelumo will form a three-pronged attack.

by SteRaff1984 Thu 17 Jun - 21:31:10

Can see that been a bad move for him, were is this from?

by pkt_drfc Thu 17 Jun - 21:34:28

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CCwQqQIwAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk%2Fsport%2F8223991.Clarets_look_to_get_Sharp_in_the_market%2F&rct=j&q=billy+sharp&ei=JPoZTNbvIpLw0wSt8ImQCQ&usg=AFQjCNHPpseqpabOzmGkkEWEuf-oEPFBWA

by SteRaff1984 Thu 17 Jun - 21:41:30

Wait and see, plenty more strikers out there if he decides not to come. Shame but what can we do, nothing!!!

by pkt_drfc Thu 17 Jun - 23:17:51

Then again app we are still in the hunt and have put in another bid.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_6211001,00.html

Doncaster Rovers remain in the hunt for Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp, with a bid still on the table.

The 24-year-old was top scorer for Rovers last season, notching 15 during his season-long spell at the Keepmoat Stadium.

However, his goalscoring prowess has alerted a number of other clubs, with the likes of Burnley and Nottingham Forest thought to be in the race for his signature.

Doncaster assistant manager Richard O'Kelly revealed that they are still waiting to hear whether their club record offer had been accepted by the Blades or not.

Waiting
"We have made a bid for Billy and we are just waiting to hear from them now," O'Kelly told skysports.com.

"Players don't have a certain price tag around their neck, with clubs making offers in and around that mark.

"So, it all depends on how highly they rate Billy. It worked well for all parties concerned last season because Billy wanted games and we wanted someone to put the ball in the back of the net on a regular basis."

At one stage last season Doncaster were in the hunt for a top six finish, but had to settle for 12th spot after a disappointing end to the campaign and O'Kelly insists they simply lacked the rub of the green on occasions.

He added: "We were delighted to finish inside the top half of the table last season and we got to a stage where we were in touching distance of the play-off places, but losing the likes of Billy Sharp and Jason Shackell for a period of time cost us really.

"The Plymouth game was the most disappointing point of the season because everything was set up for us to make a last-ditch attempt of getting into the play-offs and we simply ran out of luck.

"When we came up against the bigger sides, that finished in the top six, often the big decisions didn't go our way and they all add up, but we were pleased with the top-half finish in the end and also how we did it too."