Colin Kazim-Richard`s was Sheffield United`s only new signing as the transfer window slammed shut yesterday.
Rather like his players on the pitch, manager Neil Warnock huffed and puffed but his efforts were ultimately in vain. Kazim-Richard`s, labelled as “one for the future”, joined for an initial fee of £150,000 which could rise depending on appearances and United`s success. Earlier in the day the rumour mill suggested that Warnock could have shelled out in the region of the £750,000 for the wayward youngster.
Greg Halford almost became Warnock`s second capture only for Colchester to change their mind and reject United`s offer, believed to be in the region of 1.25 million. The manager then turned his attention to wide player Karim Saidi, who appeared for United in their pre-season tour of Holland, only to fail to secure a work permit for the Tunisian. And to cap a miserable day, United drew a blank in bringing in an unnamed forward from Poland, capable of playing on either flank or through the middle.
As a result, captain Warnock will now have to steer United through the next 18 league games with a midfield largely devoid of creative talent until the transfer window re-opens in January. Time will tell if the manager`s decision to stock up on defensive and holding midfield reinforcements was an error of judgement.
Of United`s other reported Summer targets, Liam Miller joined Roy Keane`s revolution up at Sunderland and Olivier Bernard, released by Glasgow Rangers, re-joined former club Newcastle on a free. Vital Football`s suggested players, Jason Euell and Inigo Idiakez, joined Middlesbrough and Southampton respectively for a combined fee of just £600,000.
United`s failure to draft in first team reinforcements begs the question is Warnock building a team capable of remaining in the Premiership, or a squad capable of winning promotion back from the Championship next season?
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