Veteran King offered opportunity to revive career at struggling Blades

David Weir is hoping veteran striker Marlon King can help solve Sheffield United’s goalscoring problems.
Marlon KingMarlon King
Marlon King

The Blades – many pundits’ tips for promotion this season under the astute leadership of Weir – have netted just five goals in seven games this campaign and currently sit third from bottom in League One.

They have not won a game since beating 10-man Notts County on the opening day of the season prompting Weir to bring in the experienced King, 33, who is a free agent after leaving Birmingham City last month.

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“He’s obviously a talented goalscorer and fits the criteria in regards to what we want,” said Weir.

“Obviously, the transfer window has ended and he was available.

“He’s a goalscorer, has great experience, been there and done it. He has scored at a very high level and has all the attributes that we need which can add to the younger players we have.

“He looks fit, he has played internationals recently (for Jamaica) in the last international break, so he’s had some football. He’s not been playing week-in, week-out, there will be a gap there, but he’s a fit man and looks after himself. We will try and get himself in condition, so he can contribute for us.

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“As a team we have not scored enough goals, you cannot get away from that.

“He has got attributes that will help that.

“He fits the criteria: he is available, scores goals, is vastly experienced, and he ticks all the boxes in many respects.”

King could make his debut in Saturday’s game at Bramall Lane against Preston North End, and Weir is also hoping to bring another loan signing in this month.

“We are working on doing something else, as well,” he said. “Obviously, I can’t comment on individuals, but we are trying to strengthen and make us better.

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“It changes all the time so I wouldn’t like to put a time-frame on it,” said Weir, when asked if new faces could come in before Saturday.

King has signed a contract until the end of the season, with United becoming the striker’s 11th club in English football.

Starting out at Barnet, he then plied his trade at Gillingham, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Watford, Wigan, Hull City, Middlesbrough, Coventry City and Birmingham City. In total, King is approaching 500 professional senior appearances and has scored over 150 goals in all competitions.

“Marlon is vastly experienced and has scored goals throughout his career, many of which have come in the Championship,” said Weir.

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“We have been lacking someone with his experience and knowhow and his presence will take the pressure off the younger lads, while giving everyone a lift.

“Although he hasn’t played at club level this season we will be looking to introduce him as quickly as possible.”

United will also be bolstered by the return of nippy winger Febian Brandy on Saturday, after he completed his three-match suspension for his red card against MK Dons.

And while Weir is loathe to put too much onus on one individual, he feels Brandy’s electric pace is something United have sorely missed in recent weeks with back-to-back league defeats against Rotherham United and Carlisle United.

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“We have really missed him (Brandy), for three games, he brings something different to the team – pace and power,” said Weir.

“Teams play are five or 10 yards deeper because they know what he is capable of. It’s great to have him back.

“One player shouldn’t make too much difference, but Febian Brandy is different to most players, because his attributes are different to what we have got.

“We have missed him, it’s not an excuse for losing the games we have lost, but it’s definitely been a contributing factor.

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“It was a disappointing result at Carlisle. I thought we put a lot of things into it but obviously couldn’t score.

“If you don’t score – and I mean that as a team, not individuals – then it’s going to be a problem. That seems to be the case,” he added.

Saturday sees a return to Yorkshire for former Leeds United manager Simon Grayson, who is now in charge at Preston.

And with the visitors having enjoyed a fine start to the season, picking up 13 points from seven games to sit fifth in the table, Weir knows North End will be full of confidence.

“They are very good, very well organised,” he said.

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“They have had a couple of good results recently, strong and physical, good manager who knows the division and has been successful so will be a really good test for us.

“They will be full of confidence, coming here expecting to win.

“We are obviously not winning so it’s difficult for us, and I am sure they will be confident of getting a result here.”

He added: “It’s up to us to respond to that.

“They are in good form. We have watched them a couple of times and have seen that with our own eyes.”