The recent rumour reported by Alan Nixon that the Blades could be interested in Ashley Barnes has led to mixed reactions. Some are particularly negative.
Others point to the upsides of short-term strikers like Scott Hogan and Gary Madine who helped the Blades to Premier League promotion in 2019.
So what are the reasons for signing Barnes from Norwich City looking at the Blades’ history of strikers and Barnes himself?
Ashley Barnes
As a goalscorer, Barnes’ record speaks for itself. Barnes has scored 125 goals in 559 games across his career. A goal every 4.5 games.
Perhaps his most impressive goalscoring stat is his identical goal tally in both the Premier League and the Championship. With 42 goals in 200 Premier League games and 228 Championship games respectively.
Barnes’ best season in the Premier League in 2018/19 saw him score 12 goals in 37 matches. Importantly no Blades’ striker in United’s most recent Premier League seasons reached that tally. David McGoldrick’s eight goals in the 2020/21 season is the closest the Blades have seen.
It’s important to note that, that was six years ago. Barnes has recently turned 35 in October and his age may be a contributor to doubts over his potential signing.
But, last season in his first season with Norwich City, Barnes had a decent return. He scored 6 goals and made 5 assists in 36 Championship games.
This season however, Barnes has been unfortunate. He had dealt with a calf issue which needed an operation after the Canaries loss to Leeds in last season’s play-off semi final.
In October, Norwich’s manager admitted that Barnes was back in a protective boot and was dealing with a pre-existing Achilles issue. His time out even led him to contemplate retirement.
Barnes, speaking to Talk Norwich City about his recent injury issues, said: “There has been times where I’ve thought do I hang my boots up and say goodbye to the game. That was the hardest thing for me personally.
“Now I’m on a good path and I just want to come back and help.”
Barnes returned to playing on 26th November 2024 playing 7 minutes against Plymouth Argyle. The subsequent four matches have seen Barnes make three appearances from the bench and start against Portsmouth playing 68 minutes in his only start of this season.
Clearly from his mental resilience to continue playing, if he can get fully fit Barnes may be a decent option for the Blades or Norwich to have off the bench.
Gary Madine and Scott Hogan
This season so far has seen many comparisons to the promotion side of 2018/19. With Michael Cooper’s form for the Blades this season leading to comparisons with Dean Henderson. The links to Ashley Barnes in the January window has seen him be compared to the striker signings of January 2019, Gary Madine and Scott Hogan.
Gary Madine
Madine and Barnes situations up until January of their respective seasons are quite similar. Madine joined the Blades on loan from Premiership club Cardiff City. Whilst, the divisions were different Madine had also only played five times for his club before joining the Blades and had yet to get on the scoresheet. His signing therefore, was a bit of a risk.
At the time of his signing, Chris Wilder told club media: “Gary gives us a physicality at the top of the pitch, tactically he gives us something different, which we’ll need in the second part of the season.”
If Ashley Barnes is known for anything it is being the physical striker, in Sean Dyche’s tough Burnley sides. Another parallel between the two strikers.
By the end of his loan spell, Madine reached 3 goals and made 2 assists in just 16 appearances. Most importantly his brace against Reading in February helped the Blades cruise to a 4-0 win. His only other goal helped a 10-man Blades team beat Millwall at Bramall Lane in April.
Given the tension between the Blades and Leeds during that period his goals proved essential in carrying the Blades into the automatic spots.
Scott Hogan
Another loanee from a Premier League club, Hogan joined the Blades from Aston Villa. Hogan had made a similarly low 6 appearances for his parent club.
Hogan made 8 appearances for Sheffield United but he made them count. He scored 2 goals and made 1 assist as a Blade.
Hogan’s crowning achievement and perhaps the biggest evidence when arguing for striker reinforcements in January was his goal against Ipswich Town which all but sealed the Blades’ promotion to the Premier League with a game to go.
While he’ll never win an appearance honour for the club, Hogan’s goal on 27th April 2019 will see him live long in the memories of many Blades.
Therefore, the lesson to be learnt from both Hogan and Madine is that if Barnes can be brought in for the right price. It doesn’t matter how many games he plays, more what he does with the minutes he may get. Even one or two goals from him may make the difference in the Blades’ promotion chances.
The Blades’ Current Strikers
Hogan and Madine were both important in how their signings allowed the Blades to have different options from their previously available strikers. The difference this season is a player like Barnes could be essential for depth purposes and injury cover.
All three of the Blades’ senior strikers Moore, Brewster and Campbell have all dealt with and nursed injuries this season. Leaving young striker, Ryan Oné, the only option for their recovery time.
An important aspect of bringing in an experienced player like Barnes is that he simply adds another striker to the rotation. This may allow for Campbell’s recent issues to be dealt with without rushing him back. Whilst, returning players like Moore and Brewster aren’t pressured into playing full matches if they aren’t ready to.
Furthermore, Barnes’ promotion experience with Burnley in 2015/16 and 2022/23 can only be of assistance when getting to the business end of the season. Whilst, Moore and Brewster have experienced promotion to the Premier League at the top end of the pitch. Much of the Blades former players who had gained promotion have been replaced with players yet to achieve the feat. A striker with Barnes’ knowledge of what it takes can only be beneficial for the Blades’ very youthful squad.
Additionally returning to Oné and other young striker Louie Marsh, Barnes’ arrival could be useful for them. Instead of sitting on the bench or being held to cover any potential injuries. One or both could look to get a loan that could increase their playing time.
Takeaways
Firstly, when it comes to signing strikers that some may have written off, it’s hard to challenge Chris Wilder’s decision-making. Whether it is McGoldrick, Madine, Hogan, or even this season with Tyrese Campbell, most of them have come good. So, if Chris Wilder does want Barnes, his judgement should be trusted.
Secondly, if Barnes was to come in and play the Hogan and Madine role of selflessly helping the Blades gain promotion at key moments. Promotion could pay for the cost of bringing him in for a few months. Plus, if he comes in a supporting role. Barnes’ recent injury issues may be less of a concern. As the Blades could balance playing him by need on the pitch and the amount of time he is able to without aggravating anything physically.
Furthermore, Barnes could either be a great mentor for the young strikers like Oné and Marsh. Or, allow them to head out on valuable loans. As well as being an experienced figure in a squad of young players.
Ultimately, if Barnes does sign, I hope the move goes well for him and us. His prolific form whilst at Burnley shows how good he could be. If he can emulate Madine and Hogan’s contributions that will do. If he can do anymore than that, we could have a new cult hero on our hands. But after all it is currently just a rumour, so we’ll see.
