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Published: Tuesday 02 Sep 2008
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Blades fans deliver their verdict on Stoke's new signing

Tonge in action for Sheffield United at the Britannia Stadium in May, 2006

by Dave Knapper
dave.knapper@thesentinel.co.uk

MICHAEL Tonge bid farewell to Sheffield United on Monday after eight years loyal service in South Yorkshire - and leaves with Blades fans divided on him.

The 25-year-old was signed by former Sheffield boss Steve Bruce as a 16-year-old following his release from home town club Manchester United.

He burst onto the scene during the 2001/2002 season and his performances for United lead to a call up to the England youth team.

Blades fans regard his next season as his most impressive campaign where he formed a devastating partnership in midfield with Michael Brown.

Since his early days at United he has been moved from the left-hand side of midfield to a central role.

He won the hearts of supporters and captured the attention of pundits nationwide after his two goals sunk helped United to a famous 2-1 first leg League Cup semi-final win over

Liverpool at Bramall Lane in January 2003.

But fans say his form has never been as good as those early days and believe a move to Stoke could give his career the kick-start it needs.

Blades fan Sam Hill, aged 25, a trainee financial adviser from Sheffield, said: “Tonge was at his best in 2003 when he was a young and raw talent playing on the left hand side of midfield.

“He has since been converted into a central midfielder where he has struggled to make the same impact, due to the different requirements for that position. 

“I am of the opinion that this move could be good for Michael in that it will give him the chance of a fresh start as he had started to get a little stagnant.  When we were in the Premier League ourselves he didn't look particularly out of place in some games, and was given more time on the ball to pick a pass out.

“His weaknesses are that he is a confidence player and once he makes a mistake and the crowd gets on his back his head drops. Also he is not the strongest tackler in the world. 

“But all in all I think Stoke have got themselves a very good player.”

Fourty-two-year-old Blades fan Nigel Sanderson, of the Chilterns, believes a move to the
Potteries could help Tonge rediscover his form.

He said: “Looked a world beater as a kid when he played wide left. Had a lot of the top clubs watching him, especially following his 2 goals v Liverpool in the semi of the Carling Cup. However, in my opinion his complete lack of pace is what stopped a top club taking a chance on him.

“Since then he's stagnated at Bramall Lane. He's now playing in the middle but its hard to see what he'll offer at Premiership level. He's inconsistent, slow, hardly ever scores, isn't a box to box player and is easily shrugged off the ball.

“He threads the occasional good ball through and is comfortable in possession but he's not a patch on the lad you signed from Wolves and if you've paid £2 million for him that’s a good deal for us.

“He definitely needs a change of scenery and maybe this move will ignite his season but I doubt he'll be any more than a bit part player for you lot.

“I personally think left midfield is his best position but he's got no pace so can't beat a full back. He'll put a good ball in the box though for your big lads to get on the end of and he's two footed.”

Lance Webster, a 42-year-old IT worker from Sheffield, believes Tonge’s career had ground to a halt in South Yorkshire.

He said: “For the past two years he’s been playing like an England player.

“You can tell that he’s got talent, a good player, but he seems to be smothered in pressure.

“He often looks like he’s going through the motions and he always tends to chose the easy pass, every time, because he doesn’t want to make a mistake. Also he never attempts to take on an opponent, like he used to do four years ago.

“Like the England players, there seems to be something mentally wrong with Michael and he needed a change of scenary.

“He’s been very ordinary for three years now but when Blackwell initially took charge Tonge had a revival in form for a few matches.

“Blackwell said he knows Michael really well and sometimes you have to put your arm around him and tell him how talented he is and convince him to be more positive. This suggests he is a confidence type of player.

“His best season was about 4 years ago. He was a left winger that used to come infield every now and then.

“He wasn’t particularly fast but has great dribbling ability and was good passer with great awareness, scored the odd goal too.

“He has a look of the Michael Laudrup about him, our fans were sure that a top Premier League would come in for him with a massive offer.

“He was getting very stale at Sheffield United and maybe he’ll show some urgency and re-discover his form at Stoke City.”

Matt Hume, aged 31, from Sheffield, is another Blades fan who believes Tonge was in desperate need of fresh surroundings and is a player who needs to feel appreciated.

He said: “As I'm sure you've heard he is all about confidence. I have honestly seen him play five to six games back to back and said to a friend with a straight face, 'In this form Tongey could play for England' but then it can be followed by half a season of head-down, low energy performances than frustrate the hell out of you!

“He is where he needs to be now and I wish him every success at Stoke.

“At best you have an intelligent footballer who has a good engine, good passes in him, a wicked eye for goal and great at set pieces.

“At his worst you have a player who can go missing, struggles to tackle and can be very inconsistent.

"The secret of getting the best out of him is love him as much as possible. Crowds chanting his name and egging him on are what Spinach is to Popeye.

"We will miss him and god knows we have little else in centre midfield.

“Good luck Tongey.”

United supporter Alex Brearley, added: “Barring the back end of last season he hasn't put a consistent run of performances together for three years.

“I think he needs a fresh start and a confidence boost and hopefully his move to Stoke will do the trick.

“Personally, I think we got a good deal out of it but I might be eating my words in a few months....”

It seems City supporters should think of a few songs for the Stoke new boy to help him feel right at home in the Potteries and give him the hearty pat on the back he so apparently needs.