Hulse, Leigertwood, Sommeil, Nade and now Kazim-Richards and Davis have now all played at least a couple of Premiership games for Sheffield United. There seems to be no argument that Rob Hulse has made the biggest impact for the Blades since his capture from rivals Leeds. His performances in pre-season left me with serious doubts about whether he was capable of cutting it at Premiership level. However, so far he has been the one constant shining light in a stuttering Blades team that have only managed five out of their first twenty-one points. He has kept the ball superbly, brought other players into the game, and has already managed to find the net three times for a Sheffield United side that have only scored four league goals all season.
Another signing that has comfortably fitted into the team is Leigertwood. Although he is not a spectacular player to watch he has a neat touch, does the simple things well, and overall, has looked a solid defensive midfielder.
Although having only been back from injury for a couple of games, one of them against Arsenal, Davis has looked a good acquisition at the back. I think once he gets his full fitness back he will make that central defensive role his own. He is quick, powerful, good in the air, and will hopefully not only tighten the defence up but also weigh in with a few goals up front from set pieces.
For me the jury is still out on Nade, Kazim-Richards and Sommeil. Nade certainly has a hatful of skills (His beating of two players at Spurs with a neat flick showed that) and he scored a great goal against Bury in the League Cup. However, he is still a very young talent and seems to give the ball away with a misplace pass or a touch too far too often at this level. Sommeil on the other hand has looked solid at times and totally out of position at others. For an established Premiership player he is too slow and gets dragged out of position too often for my liking. Kazim-Richards has looked skilful and tricky at times and set up a great goal for Hulse against Middlesbrough. However he has also put in some awful crosses, always hitting the first defender, and looked uninterested at times against Arsenal.
So Hulse and Leigertwood have been the star performers so far, with Davis not far behind. While Nade, Sommeil and Kazim-Richards still have some way to go to prove that they can make it week in week out at the top level.
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