Calm Down and Fix the Problems

[The Bohemian]

A glance at the league table means emotions are running, understandably, high but now is not the time to panic.


Wilder’s team is deficient but not abysmal and, despite 3 defeats, is beating itself, rather than being outplayed.


Of the four league games played to date, the only defeat not self-inflicted through defensive errors was at, league leaders, Bolton – where the overall performance was good.


Wilder will be hurting but now is the time for clear thinking, not hysteria. Having changed his goalkeeper, he now needs to deal with three more problems to turn things round.


1. Central Defence


Wilder has stated his need for another central defender. Given the 4 goals in 2 games emanating from central defender errors this has become a critical priority. It’s two early to judge Wilson and O’Connell, individually or as a pairing, but with the season rapidly disintegrating, we can’t wait to find out.


Wilder, needs to bring in an experienced, proven central defender (Baptiste would do the trick) to play alongside either Wilson or McConnell.


2. The Right Partner for Fleck


Basham has many attributes but has poor positional sense (which, adds to our defensive woes) and plays with his head down.


Wilder, needs to decide, quickly, whether to employ Fleck in the deeper role he played, last season, at Coventry or pushed further up. He then needs to sign a compatible, strong, six-footer to play alongside him.


3. Stop Playing Sharpe and Clarke as a Pairing


Wilder has a huge decision to make here as everyone can see that his current strike pairing isn’t working.


If he wants to persist with 4-4-2, he needs to put some pace alongside Clarke, which is presumably the plan for Lavery. Moving Done alongside Clarke is another option within the current formation.


Alternatively, Wilder could move back to his pre-season 4-2-3-1 set-up, which might look something like:



……………………………..…….Moore


Basham……..O’Connell……………..New CB…………Hussey


…………………………..Fleck…………….New CM


…………………Sharpe………..Scougall…………….Duffy


……………………………………...Clarke



Signing players when you’re rock-bottom is obviously more difficult, which is a key reason why it becomes progressively more difficult to escape a relegation battle as a season progresses.


Wilder’s current squad is well short of promotion material, but neither should it be flirting with relegation. However, no team can consistently gift soft goals and succeed, so at a bare minimum, Wilder must sort out central defence. If he can bring in an effective partner for Fleck and find the right attacking formation, a charge for the Play-offs could yet materialise.

 

[Revolution]

You are right, but these problems need solving by spending money on good players at a time when clubs do not want to sell good players.

It's not going to happen.

 

[Jehovah]

As it stands, I think it is abysmal. We are creating virtually nothing. If this doesn't change, the season will be over after 12 games.

 

[The Bohemian]

You are right, but these problems need solving by spending money on good players at a time when clubs do not want to sell good players.

It's not going to happen.

The centre half has to happen or we're in trouble. May well be a loan though.

 

[raul]

Part of the difficulty he's going to face, sadly, is that he actually identified all of these in his first two weeks on the job and what we currently see are his solutions. Even if there are further monies available (!) is the transfer committee (!) likely to hand them over nased upon current evidence and even if they are, will there be enough time to get them over that pesky line given the penchant for low-balling to such an extent that even Daniel Levy would baulk at?

 

[INTERUNITED]

The weakness in central defence at the minute is O'Connell. Sharp either plays upfront or not at all. No point putting square pegs in round holes. Oh and it has been abysmal so far. Long hopeful balls up to Clarke with no one within 10 yards of him. A defence which can't defend, and a midfield which neither creates nor defends. This side needs 4 quality additions. It's up to the board in which direction we go from here.

 

[Bladesway]

The simple solution is that Wilder is given both funds and time to get the players he wants. Then he is given the time to sort this out.

We all know it's a shambles but if there is no action then it will go from a shambles to a relegation fight. Right now a couple of results makes things look very different.

I look at our stats and it is clear as day we aren't creating enough for our strikers and we certainly aren't having enough shots on target. If you don't do that then you simply won't score enough goals.

Wilder is a decent manager and is good enough to stabilise things but not unless he is given complete control of transfers and the players he needs. That control of monies is the concerning part.

 

[sheffielder]

We need a midfielder who can run past our strikers
A left winger
Press higher

Anything else like a CB is a bonus. If you win the ball higher up the park then your CB's suddenly aren't that big an issue

These players need a private meeting to discuss how they are going to implement this and give the gaffer a chance.

 

[The Bohemian]

As it stands, I think it is abysmal.

Oh and it has been abysmal so far.

It's probably just semantics, but whilst I agree, our situation is "abysmal", I believe the team is "deficient" and with a few adjustments would become competitive.

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

…………………Sharpe

 

[Harry's Game]

The problem is not the league position at the moment however embarrasing.

The problem is our performances HAVE been abysmal. Certainly the two home league games.

 

[Bartleby]

Wilder, needs to bring in an experienced, proven central defender (Baptiste would do the trick) to play alongside either Wilson or McConnell.

Or in the meantime why not give Wright a game on Saturday? Up against his old club he should be well up for it.

 

[Hague Blade]

WincobankBlade Agree with that. What exactly was the point of buying Wright if he's not going to be given a run when central defence has very clearly been identitied as a problem area? Either he's good enough or there was no point bringing him to the Lane. He may have come on a free and he might be on modest wages - who knows - but it's all part of the problem. It's this apparent lack of simple joined up thinking that's so frustrating.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

A glance at the league table means emotions are running, understandably, high but now is not the time to panic.


Wilder’s team is deficient but not abysmal and, despite 3 defeats, is beating itself, rather than being outplayed.


Of the four league games played to date, the only defeat not self-inflicted through defensive errors was at, league leaders, Bolton – where the overall performance was good.


Wilder will be hurting but now is the time for clear thinking, not hysteria. Having changed his goalkeeper, he now needs to deal with three more problems to turn things round.


1. Central Defence


Wilder has stated his need for another central defender. Given the 4 goals in 2 games emanating from central defender errors this has become a critical priority. It’s two early to judge Wilson and O’Connell, individually or as a pairing, but with the season rapidly disintegrating, we can’t wait to find out.


Wilder, needs to bring in an experienced, proven central defender (Baptiste would do the trick) to play alongside either Wilson or McConnell.


2. The Right Partner for Fleck


Basham has many attributes but has poor positional sense (which, adds to our defensive woes) and plays with his head down.


Wilder, needs to decide, quickly, whether to employ Fleck in the deeper role he played, last season, at Coventry or pushed further up. He then needs to sign a compatible, strong, six-footer to play alongside him.


3. Stop Playing Sharpe and Clarke as a Pairing


Wilder has a huge decision to make here as everyone can see that his current strike pairing isn’t working.


If he wants to persist with 4-4-2, he needs to put some pace alongside Clarke, which is presumably the plan for Lavery. Moving Done alongside Clarke is another option within the current formation.


Alternatively, Wilder could move back to his pre-season 4-2-3-1 set-up, which might look something like:



……………………………..…….Moore


Basham……..O’Connell……………..New CB…………Hussey


…………………………..Fleck…………….New CM


…………………Sharpe………..Scougall…………….Duffy


……………………………………...Clarke



Signing players when you’re rock-bottom is obviously more difficult, which is a key reason why it becomes progressively more difficult to escape a relegation battle as a season progresses.


Wilder’s current squad is well short of promotion material, but neither should it be flirting with relegation. However, no team can consistently gift soft goals and succeed, so at a bare minimum, Wilder must sort out central defence. If he can bring in an effective partner for Fleck and find the right attacking formation, a charge for the Play-offs could yet materialise.

That's a bit logical, sensible and free of hysteria.

I'm afraid you'll have to leave, for not contributing to the meltdown!

 

[Lane Ender]

WincobankBlade Agree with that. What exactly was the point of buying Wright if he's not going to be given a run when central defence has very clearly been identitied as a problem area? Either he's good enough or there was no point bringing him to the Lane. He may have come on a free and he might be on modest wages - who knows - but it's all part of the problem. It's this apparent lack of simple joined up thinking that's so frustrating.

Wrights not the solution he was only brought in as squad player.
We need a leader of there desperately .

 

[Come from away]

A glance at the league table means emotions are running, understandably, high but now is not the time to panic.


Wilder’s team is deficient but not abysmal and, despite 3 defeats, is beating itself, rather than being outplayed.


Of the four league games played to date, the only defeat not self-inflicted through defensive errors was at, league leaders, Bolton – where the overall performance was good.


Wilder will be hurting but now is the time for clear thinking, not hysteria. Having changed his goalkeeper, he now needs to deal with three more problems to turn things round.


1. Central Defence


Wilder has stated his need for another central defender. Given the 4 goals in 2 games emanating from central defender errors this has become a critical priority. It’s two early to judge Wilson and O’Connell, individually or as a pairing, but with the season rapidly disintegrating, we can’t wait to find out.


Wilder, needs to bring in an experienced, proven central defender (Baptiste would do the trick) to play alongside either Wilson or McConnell.


2. The Right Partner for Fleck


Basham has many attributes but has poor positional sense (which, adds to our defensive woes) and plays with his head down.


Wilder, needs to decide, quickly, whether to employ Fleck in the deeper role he played, last season, at Coventry or pushed further up. He then needs to sign a compatible, strong, six-footer to play alongside him.


3. Stop Playing Sharpe and Clarke as a Pairing


Wilder has a huge decision to make here as everyone can see that his current strike pairing isn’t working.


If he wants to persist with 4-4-2, he needs to put some pace alongside Clarke, which is presumably the plan for Lavery. Moving Done alongside Clarke is another option within the current formation.


Alternatively, Wilder could move back to his pre-season 4-2-3-1 set-up, which might look something like:



……………………………..…….Moore


Basham……..O’Connell……………..New CB…………Hussey


…………………………..Fleck…………….New CM


…………………Sharpe………..Scougall…………….Duffy


……………………………………...Clarke



Signing players when you’re rock-bottom is obviously more difficult, which is a key reason why it becomes progressively more difficult to escape a relegation battle as a season progresses.


Wilder’s current squad is well short of promotion material, but neither should it be flirting with relegation. However, no team can consistently gift soft goals and succeed, so at a bare minimum, Wilder must sort out central defence. If he can bring in an effective partner for Fleck and find the right attacking formation, a charge for the Play-offs could yet materialise.

Nice to see a bit of common sense!

 

[Sharp as a blade]

I remember first game of the season someone posted our 18 on the Facebook blades group and people were commenting on how strong it looked. When to me it looked like we were desperate for more additions. Since then we have gone on to get rid of two of our first 11 and bring in one player for the first 11.

I like Wilder and I'm not going to judge him yet. He makes logical signings. All signings are risks but at least for the first time in ages I can see why we are signing players;

Moore - needed GK and by all accounts was highly rated before becoming backup at Cardiff
Clarke - one of the best strikers in the league over previous years and we lacked a striker with physical presence.
Duffy - made team of the year in this league last season
Fleck - proven at this level. Wasn't he Coventry's player of the season?
O'Connell - young promising center back and we all know how desperate we were to sign centre backs. We had literally none.
Wilson / Wright - I firmly believe both these were brought in as backup / squad players and Wilder was hoping to have another (McFadzean?)

The sad truth is that despite all these signings we still need another 3 or 4. That's how big the rebuilding job was when we appointed Wilder.

 

[Frecheville Blade]

Great opening post, spot on in every regard.

Wilder needs to move back to the 4-2-3-1 that he knows. For that, we may well need two central midfielders - (i) an enforcer to replace Basham, to play alongside Fleck, and (ii) someone properly suited to play in the attacking midfield slot - Scougall could do this job, but I think there are concerns over whether he's up to the job.

It's clear we also need a Baptiste-style leader to play alongside either O'Connell or Wilson. If no-one comes in by the weekend then Wright needs to be given a run out, if he's fit and able. Wilder then also has to decide who to play up front - Clarke or Sharp. It's clear we can't play both and they're both players to lead the line. Get the rest right though and either will get and score chances.

Moore looks to be a right signing. I suspect we need another full back or two - maybe one on either side. Sort all that out and we should be good until January...

 

[larkymasher]

CW has had finances to wheel and deal as much as any other club in this league.

Charlton have signed 5 quality players with a full pedigree to get out of the shit and supplimented it by 3 or 4 good young players who were with their u21s.
Bolton are exactly the same.

We however have signed 7/8 untested, lower standard players to get us out the shit, and ditched the likes of Brookes and Semple who CW raved about all bloody summer and are cheap, enabling a higher spend on BETTER new players. Wright and Chapman have replaced our 2 youngsters, Wright must be CWs best mate, what a lovely deal he has got for 2 fucking years.

We are all writing about needing this that and the other, meaning whats come through the door so far are not good enough. This , that and the other should have been through the door already ! Fact.

Only one man to blame for that. If this season goes tits up we are left with a squad value of a curly wurly and can of fanta and absolutely no where to go.

These are worrying times. Not hysteria. Its all about opinions. We all want the same outcome though.

 

[Seanshoreham]

Has there ever been a club who's bottom of their league and at the same time top of the attendances at the same time? .... only at SUFC, and that includes Bradford selling cheap season tickets

We turn up, shame about the team

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

He makes logical signings.

An 18yr old Middlesbrough reserve.

Logical?

I'm open to all interpretations of this signing.

 

[Revolution]

Has there ever been a club who's bottom of their league and at the same time top of the attendances at the same time? .... only at SUFC, and that includes Bradford selling cheap season tickets

We turn up, shame about the team

Leeds Rhinos are having a go at this dubious double in Super League this year.

 

[Sharp as a blade]

An 18yr old Middlesbrough reserve.

Logical?

I'm open to all interpretations of this signing.

well the fact he's a Middlesbrough reserve means nothing as they are 2 divisions above us. We're hardly going to be signing any of their first team are we.

But yes it's still logical. He's probably on a youth loan which means no loan fee. Wages minimal / might even be fully covered by his parent club. He's come here as backup and offers us something different and something we lack (we have only one wide player). It also gives us the chance to look at a young promising player without commitment. Oh and he was on loan at Barnsley last year and so has played in this division before. So yeah I would say there is nothing illogical about the signing. It's a completely risk free one which makes it logical in itself.

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

well the fact he's a Middlesbrough reserve means nothing as they are 2 divisions above us. We're hardly going to be signing any of their first team are we.

But yes it's still logical. He's probably on a youth loan which means no loan fee. Wages minimal / might even be fully covered by his parent club. He's come here as backup and offers us something different and something we lack (we have only one wide player). It also gives us the chance to look at a young promising player without commitment. Oh and he was on loan at Barnsley last year and so has played in this division before. So yeah I would say there is nothing illogical about the signing. It's a completely risk free one which makes it logical in itself.

I'm way out of my depth.

 

[Sharp as a blade]

I'm way out of my depth.

You could attempt to explain your own point, or explain your disagreements with the points I've made. Or you could do neither like you have done. Good effort.

 

[PeteBlade]

There's clearly an issue we have with bringing players in.

Didn't he say he hoped to bring in another two before the game last Tuesday?

Why can't sleep seem to get them over the line?

 

[larkymasher]

well the fact he's a Middlesbrough reserve means nothing as they are 2 divisions above us. We're hardly going to be signing any of their first team are we.

But yes it's still logical. He's probably on a youth loan which means no loan fee. Wages minimal / might even be fully covered by his parent club. He's come here as backup and offers us something different and something we lack (we have only one wide player). It also gives us the chance to look at a young promising player without commitment. Oh and he was on loan at Barnsley last year and so has played in this division before. So yeah I would say there is nothing illogical about the signing. It's a completely risk free one which makes it logical in itself.

You are taking as if we have him for a season to look at him with a view to signing him!! Are you joking?

You are missing the point. He adds no value to the club and no value to the squad.
3 starts last season does not equate to a proven performer.

If we lacked what he offered he would be starting by now.

What is CWs criteria for the " right age " player? An 18 year old untested winger or a 30 year old conference centre back with 12 month sun tan.

It's all fucking illogical at the moment.

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

You could attempt to explain your own point, or explain your disagreements with the points I've made. Or you could do neither like you have done. Good effort.

I did.
I'm out of my depth L1AM_SUFC

 

[The Bohemian]

We however have signed 7/8 untested, lower standard players to get us out the shit,

Moore, Fleck, Clarke and Duffy are hardly "untested, lower standard" are they? All proven performers at League One or higher. Even Hussey joined us on the back of a very good season for Bury.

 

[larkymasher]

There's clearly an issue we have with bringing players in.

Didn't he say he hoped to bring in another two before the game last Tuesday?

Why can't sleep seem to get them over the line?

Because like every other manager for the last 6 years the manager tells us all what we want to hear and feeds us bullshit.
The clubs two days is our 2 months