It was very frustrating to read that there are already injury concerns for Luke O’Nien, Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin and Leo Hjelde, and I think the fan — and certainly my own initial perception — was “How can they already be injured before they’ve kicked a ball in anger?’
It’s easier to accept an injury to a player when it happens in the full ‘blood and sweat’ situation of a match.
We all see the bad tackle or hear “He fell awkwardly on his ankle”, and we’ve all been party to the injury and understand what’s happened. But to be told that four players are already out and will miss the first three games is initially annoying to say the least.
Sheffield United v Sunderland - Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Then, on reflection, you start to realise that as players start to ramp up the pressure and exertion on their bodies after a summer break, of course this is a prime time for injuries to be picked up.
There is however a sort of silver lining in these setbacks.
I think we all knew the squad needed strengthening — both in the quality of the first eleven, and also in the depth and quality of support in every position.
So far, the work undertaken to do this has been very impressive and very uplifting, but the key words there were ‘so far’ and as I’ve intimated in previous weeks, if the season started today, we’re quite far from where we’d like to be.
So, as frustrating as it is to be told that certain players won’t be ready until September, it’s an early warning that the squad rebuild has some way to go.
Sheffield United v Sunderland - Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
There were players involved in the South Shields game that perhaps we hope will not be in the first team picture in the Premier League.
I for one was starting to feel more and more confident about our chances of not just surviving this season, but fighting our corner and holding our own, but when a group of injuries like these come along, it’s a reality check that more incomings are needed.
It’s certainly reaffirmed the need for a centre back, possibly another defender elsewhere, and an attacker. The early business so far has been excellent, but the push to raise standards and depth has to continue.
Onwards and upwards. Haway the lads!