Roy's View... on social media, summer edition

NB: Roy’s comprehensive round-up of Sheffield United’s online life might be too long for some email apps. If this happens to you, click on "view entire message" and you'll be able to see the entire post. Don’t say we never treat you.

It’s fair to say that it wasn’t the ideal pre-season for Sheffield United. Injuries to players, frustration in the transfer market and, of course, the sale of star player Iliman Ndiaye to Marseille. Thankfully for me (and you) that transfer went through in July so I don’t have to mention it here. Even though I just have. But from now on you’ll not read the words ‘Iliman Ndiaye’ again in this feature. Apart from just then, obviously. But honestly, that’s the last time, you have my word.

Yes, it’s time to look to the future by looking to the past and the summer just gone. Let’s start with new striker Bénie Traoré, who joined the club from Swedish club BK Häcken. Manager Paul Heckingbottom might’ve been concerned that Traoré was immediately banned from attending The Lane for standing on the Kop:

The news that Traoré’s visa had finally been approved was a welcome relief to a United squad looking well short of numbers. Then, in a seemingly unhinged move, the Blades hierarchy decided to weaken the squad further by selling Norwegian international Sander Berge to Burnley. This was fast turning into a disastrous summer for the Blades:

United were now three days from the first game of the season without their two biggest assets and no replacements in the building. Even for United, this was quite something:

The Berge sale ruined manager Paul Heckingbottom’s plans, the mood around the club and even people’s holidays:

The expectation for the upcoming season was now at an all-time low and rumours of signings did little to appease furious fans. When linked with Coventry City midfield maestro Gustavo Hamer, few supporters believed United would get the deal over the line:

Amazingly though, Hamer did arrive at Bramall Lane. In the first truly positive news since promotion back in April, the 26-year-old signed in a £15m deal. The fury and confusion about Berge’s departure gave way to a belief that United had actually played a blinder and had ended up with a better player than the one they lost:

Unfortunately, Hamer wasn’t signed in time for the first game against Crystal Palace at Bramall Lane and Ben from the Shoreham View was all of us when the team sheets were revealed.

From the hope when seeing that the team news was out:

To the confusion that Basham and Osborn were in midfield: