Sheffield United player encouraged to seek January transfer exit - "I don’t think he’s good enough" | OneFootball

FLW’s Sheffield United fan pundit has commented on what Adam Davies’ future looks like at Bramall Lane.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Sheffield United will be aiming to bounce back following their shock FA Cup defeat at the hands of Mansfield Town.

Chris Wilder’s men lost a remarkable cup tie to third-tier opposition 4-3 at Bramall Lane, with the Blades faithful bitterly disappointed the club won’t be going on a cup run this campaign.

Now, full attention turns back to the Championship, and the Steel City outfit will be aiming to make it three consecutive victories in the second-tier after recently beating both Stoke City and Leicester City.

Sitting 16th in the Championship standings, an extended run of positive form could see Sheffield United leapfrog up the table and begin challenging for a play-off place, as the Yorkshire club are only nine points off the top six with a game in hand after their fixture at Oxford United on the 4th January was postponed.

Meanwhile, the opening of the January transfer window could be a pivotal time for Chris Wilder to add more depth and quality to areas of the squad that need it most.

And while incomings will be the priority, some outgoings may have to be sanctioned to players who aren’t getting the game-time that they desire.

One of those is shot-stopper Adam Davies, who for much of his stint at Bramall Lane, has been the number two goalkeeper, and currently sits behind Michael Cooper in the pecking order.

The 33-year-old’s contract runs down in the summer, so it raises the question whether Sheffield United should be looking to sell him during this window, to at least get some funds, or allow him to run it down and lose him for nothing.

With this in mind, FLW’s Sheffield United fan pundit has issued his thoughts on what Davies’ future looks like at Bramall Lane.

Adam Davies expected to see out his Sheffield United contract

Speaking to Football League World, Sheffield United fan pundit Jimmy (AKA Blades Ramble) believes Adam Davies will remain at the club for the remainder of the season and part ways with the club for free in the summer, but wouldn’t be against the idea of selling him this month should the club source a suitable replacement.

Jimmy told FLW: “I’d be surprised to see Adam Davies leave the club in January. I think it will be his last six months, and I don’t think he’ll be renewed in the summer.

“I don’t think he’s good enough to push number one Michael Cooper.

"He’s been a safe number two for quite a while, and what I mean by that is he’s not kicked up a fuss, he’s been happy to be our back-up goalkeeper, but unfortunately, I don’t think he’s made his mark when he’s come into the first-team, whether that be cup games or Cooper has been unavailable for whatever reason.

“So, I don’t think he’s quite up to Championship level, but we’re pushing to try to be a top Championship side, and I certainly don’t think he’s anywhere near that level at the moment.

“I don’t think he’ll leave this window, but I wouldn’t be upset if he did, if it meant we got a credible replacement in.”

Adam Davies’ short-term Sheffield United future depends on his ambitions

As long as Michael Cooper is fit and available, Adam Davies will be playing second fiddle, as Cooper has established himself as one of the top shot-stoppers in the division.

Davies has also shown that he is happy with his back-up role in the Steel City, featuring just 19 times across five seasons in all competitions.

Regarded now as a journeyman keeper, it looks like his stay at Sheffield United will be coming to an end either this month or in the summer, so his next move will depend on what ambitions he holds for the remainder of his career.

He could drop down into League One and play for a side where he would be first-choice and earn the bulk of the minutes available, or he could link up with another Championship side with a similar stature to Sheffield United and be a number two option there.

From the Blades’ perspective, it makes sense to keep Davies for the remainder of the term and seek a replacement in the summer. If the club did sanction a sale now, then they would be scrambling to find a good enough replacement, and that’s not the wisest idea when there is just over two weeks until the deadline.

If Cooper did get injured between now and May, then at least Davies has the experience and familiarity to jump in and be a reliable figure, whereas a fresh signing would be under massive pressure to perform and prove that he could fill the big boots left by a Cooper absence.

But next season, if Sheffield United are to push on to bigger and better things, then they have to upgrade the goalkeeping department and keep all players in different positions on their toes with healthy competition.