The ex-Tigers boss says he will not be feeling sorry for himself over transfer struggles
Ruben Selles’ start to life at Sheffield United has not gone well(Image: Ed Sykes/Getty Images)
Former Hull City head coach Ruben Selles has launched a remarkable critique of Sheffield United’s summer transfer business, admitting it hasn’t been good enough.
United, who were thumped 4-1 at home by Bristol City in their opening game of the season at Bramall Lane last Saturday before delivering a tepid away performance to lose 1-0 at Birmingham City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, have found the transfer market difficult this summer.
The Blades had been eyeing City defender Charlie Hughes, but the East Yorkshire club made it clear that United could not afford the sums it would take to even consider having a conversation, and have walked away after being given short shrift.
Selles did manage to snap up Louie Barry after his move to the MKM Stadium collapsed, while Tyler Bindon has joined on loan from Nottingham Forest, and Djibril Soumare arrived earlier in the window.
Aside from that, the club’s artificial intelligence-led recruitment policy has seen them bring in Ehije Ukaki, who made his debut at St Andrew’s, and Mihail Polendakov has been working with the Under-21s. They’ve also seen Anel Ahmedhodzic and Kieffer Moore both leave the club, with the Blades recouping around £10m for the pair.
“I think our process has not been good enough (so far), I think that is obvious,” Selles told reporters. “At the beginning of the market, we talked about reinforcement with three players. Now with Anel (Ahmedhodzic) and Kieffer (Moore) gone, it’s five players.
“We have not been able to bring anybody else for (because of) different circumstances, and on that, everyone has a part of it, and I will accept my part of it.
“We are not going to make excuses, but focus on what we can do. We know the players who can go on Saturday and make a difference. There’s not going to be any signings for the weekend, tomorrow 12 o’clock is the deadline, and there’s nobody who just needs a medical so that is what it is. I have a task to do and have been in situations worse than this one. I won’t be feeling sorry for myself; it is what it is.”
“I just feel that I have a task to do. I’ve been in situations worse than this one and I and my team needs to be brilliant to try and be competitive in 48 hours.
“That’s my feeling, I don’t want to think about anything else. I’d be wasting my time feeling sorry for myself. I just need my team to be fully supported on Saturday by the fans and everyone on that pitch to be competitive as I’m sure they will be.
“When the difficult times come, we will be there in front of everyone just trying to fight for every single inch. I really need not to feel sorry for myself.”
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