Random 'view from' Southampton

[JohnDenver]

Any chairman worth his salt knows that Gianfranco Zola is a better manager than Chris "hoofy" Wilder. Not even a question.

 

[Rodders]

Totally agree.
It could be a Paulo Di Canio scenario when he had a player revolt at Sunderland, all over again.

Get the impression Wilder won't entertain ego's. Team ethic is everything.
The problem is that the PL is full of millionaire ego's.

So how does any team in the PL achieve anything then? I certainly don't buy that every PL player is an un-manageable prima-donna.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Any chairman worth his salt knows that Gianfranco Zola is a better manager than Chris "hoofy" Wilder. Not even a question.

That's so funny because it's true.
Maybe Chris needs to change his name by deed poll to Christophe Wilderino.

 

[Sheffsteel]

So how does any team in the PL achieve anything then? I certainly don't buy that every PL player is an un-manageable prima-donna.

Not every PL player has an ego but a sizeable number do.

Most managers put up with, work with and accept the egos

BUT Chris Wilder is still an "old school" type and would struggle to massage a players ego just because he's talented. Think he'd rather get shut and have a team mainly consisting of soldiers he knows can battle in trenches.

Surround Wilder with PL players and I really think he'd be tempted to go down the Di Caneo route
He wouldn't accept passengers and probably would be too honest for his own good. Knill would have to work extra hard to be the "good cop" to counter Wilders "bad cop" routine.

 

[Rodders]

Not every PL player has an ego but a sizeable number do.

Most managers put up with, work with and accept the egos

BUT Chris Wilder is still an "old school" type and would struggle to massage a players ego just because he's talented. Think he'd rather get shut and have a team mainly consisting of soldiers he knows can battle in trenches.

Surround Wilder with PL players and I really think he'd be tempted to go down the Di Caneo route
He wouldn't accept passengers and probably would be too honest for his own good. Knill would have to work extra hard to be the "good cop" to counter Wilders "bad cop" routine.

IF (big if) that were the case, and going off on a tangent now, would it not be up to Wilder to change then, if his approach wouldn't be able to get the most out of his players?

 

[FlamingLip]

Don't even think Wilder was even an overwhelming popular candidate amongst his own bladey kind despite his similar record in a lower league.

Should he get off to a flyer with us in the champ, then 'bigger boys' may send out feelers. Til then, no chance.

It's my opinion, and hopefully his own, that his own career development is perfectly aligned where he is for now. Symbiotic rship.

 

[tyke1889]

Inspired by Roygbiv. Includes at least one incorrect spelling of BDTBL.

"I don't think there are many supporters who are now that optimistic about Puel. I didn't expect to pick up any points today and therefore am not too critical. I didn't catch much of the commentary as I was watching the match at Totton. I don't think Puel will get the bullet unless we totally blow the two cup ties in the next week and the league matches culminate in some underwhelming results against lowly opposition. It is difficult to see Puel being retained in May and there seems to be a consensus that he is totally out of his depth - a bit like Jan Portliveet, One name being mentioned as a possible replacement by two football coaches sitting in the stand at today's match was Chris Wilder - not a name I am familiar with but singled out as an English coach with a very bright future."

"Chris Wilder is Sheffield Utd's manager (I assume it's the right one)."

"Chris Wilder - shows my ignorance but who???????"

"He is currently the boss of Sheffield Utd (where he replace Nigel Adkins) but was originally on Southampton's books as a youngster although never got to play for the first team. Not someone I was aware of either , to be honest. His name was mentioned as someone that Saints would need to have on their radar. Both gentlemen were involved with the game / Southampton FC."

"He seems a great prospect. Got Oxford United into League 2 challenge; got Northampton promoted and now got Sheffield United to top of the league. Both Sheff United and Cobblers have had ridiculously long unbeaten runs under Wilder. However, I'm quite sure that if Saints had gone or do go for someone like this who has only ever managed in lower leagues, there would be a revolt. Several years ago (when we were in league One) I championed Eddie Howe and was dismissed as ludicrous."

"I feel Sheffield United will be the next club to get back to back promotions and as they are a similar sized club to Southampton, I do not think Chris Wilder will want to leave the Blades at the moment as you sense there is a lovely momentum building at Bramhall Lane."

"As mentioned by FLT before, IF saints were to get rid of Puel, or Puel were to resign etc, the board would be incredibly ballsy to go for a lower league manager, no matter how well they are doing."

Maybe Chris was purely looking at possible purchases/loans?

 

[Iffy Onuora's Shiny Head]

Simple explanation. Check Wilders cv.

Since 2001.

He's spent
1 year at non league Alfreton
Won a few trophies tho.

6 years at non league Halifax

6 years at non league Oxford
Won a play-off final to get back into league 2

2 years at league 2 Northampton
Won league 2

Achieved nothing so far at Sheff Utd.

His cv shows 1 title and 1 promotion in 15 years. He's a total novice even at league 1 level and has no experience working with highly paid players.

However his cv shows he's excellent at doing a good job with no money. He has no experience working at Championship level so it would take a desperate club willing to take the risk (a Rotherham or Burton type of club).

I can't see him leaving us to join a desperate relegation threatened Championship club.

Very good point, however look at those Ex-prem stars that given the reigns with zero experience in management. Shearer, Southgate, Giggs etc.

Surely he is less of a gamble than these?

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Seriously despite what some of our fans think, it would be crazy for a premier League club to take a chance on a manager who has never managed above third tier. And any manager who thought he could jump to that level and be a success is off his/her head. I agree wholeheartedly that a Championship team may come knocking but hopefully that'll be where we'll be with a known set of players next season, so again it would be daft for a manger to take that step. Not that I think there would be any club who could tempt Wilder away except for crazy money.

I doubt money is his motivation. He's a different character to that and let's face it, he's probably earning more now than he ever dreamed was possible.

I think he will be United longest serving manager post-war. I know that's a big statement but why not? As long as he's fairly treated and remunerated I think he's in it for the long haul - to our benefit!

 

[Bayingblade]

More like "World class Sheffield Wednesday manager Carvalhal in line for Southampton Job"

Small print at the bottom of the article: "Chris Wilder is also thought to be on Southampton's shortlist."

More like "Carlos Snubs Saints"
Carlos Carvalhal today rebuffed an approach from Premier league Southampton. In a brief but to the point statement, the owls manager said "why would I leave the most massive club in history for a tinpot outfit like Southampton"

The Star Editorial:
While Carlos Carvalhal has refused to speak to Southampton, The Star understands the south coast club may approach former Halifax Town manager Chris Wilder for a job in the Saints Superstore. The Star believes Wilder would jump at the chance to join such an illustrious club as Saints.

In other sports news, the intergalactic owls meet for next Tuesday has been moved to Jupiter as Mars just isn't big enough to accommodate the masses.

 

[I should coco]

I think he will be United longest serving manager post-war.

That sounds like a big statement but in reality there are only Harris, Porterfield, Warnock and Basset who lasted any time.

Sadly however modern football has changed. Forums like this don't tend to help stability with the pressure being piled on after two or three defeats. Imagine the shitstorm KM will face if he hangs onto him after say, a relegation?

I'd love him to be here many years but sadly I think those days are long gone. Wenger is truly an exception and you can guarantee the next Arsenal manager will be just like any other.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Very good point, however look at those Ex-prem stars that given the reigns with zero experience in management. Shearer, Southgate, Giggs etc.

Surely he is less of a gamble than these?

I think marketing and sexiness is a massive deal at PL level.

Clubs will appoint a world star due to their influence and ability to attract players
and then then have someone with the "real knowledge" as their assistant.

Wilder isn't a world star and doesn't have any ties as a big crowd favourite with any clubs.
It might not seem fair but apart from actual ability he's not bringing much to the table. If a PL club was on the stock market their share price would immediately plummet after appointing Wilder.

As already pointed out above even our fans were underwhelmed with the Chris Wilder appointment.
Yes he was fantastic last season but he's no experience managing a club with the size and expectation of SU.
So it was a big risk by McCabe and he probably appointed Wilder based on intuition and a feeling during the interview. It's ironic that Wilder has one of the most irrelevant cvs of all our recent management appointments. We've appointed a relative novice with a massive passion for the club.

Ambitious clubs with money in the PL or Championship don't need to take any risks based on intuition.
They appoint the tried and tested who've "seen it, done it and worn the T shirt".

 

[The Crab]

Bramhall????

That sounds like a big statement but in reality there are only Harris, Porterfield, Warnock and Basset who lasted any time.

Sadly however modern football has changed. Forums like this don't tend to help stability with the pressure being piled on after two or three defeats. Imagine the shitstorm KM will face if he hangs onto him after say, a relegation?

I'd love him to be here many years but sadly I think those days are long gone. Wenger is truly an exception and you can guarantee the next Arsenal manager will be just like any other.

I'd have to agree. At some point we will hit a bump in the road which may well be followed by a knee jerk reaction.

 

[I should coco]

As already pointed out above even our fans were underwhelmed with the Chris Wilder appointment.
Yes he was fantastic last season but he's no experience managing a club with the size and expectation of SU.
So it was a big risk by McCabe and he probably appointed Wilder based on intuition and a feeling during the interview. It's ironic that Wilder has one of the most irrelevant cvs of all our recent management appointments. We've appointed a relative novice with a massive passion for the club.

Of our recent managers, Adkins had the best CV yet managed to take us backwards nearly as far as Weir and Robson.

You can do all kinds of psycometric testing, take up references and consult the applicant's dog, but in the end there is a large chunk of luck involved too.

At the moment CW is doing very nicely thank you. The fact he is a Blade (of the 'hoof it' era), puts cream on the icing, but we should remember plenty of people wanted a 'name'.

More power to Chris and let's allow him to get on with it rather than questioning his every selection. The only current member of the team who I haven't really seen anything negative about is Moore and perhaps EEL. Everyone else has one poor game and all of a sudden the sky falls in.

We are a right fickle set of bastards.

 

[FleaPitBlade]

I expect Chris Wilder already has his sights set on managing in the Premier League.

All together now....

 

[Sheffsteel]

Thinking about it....there is ONE realistic scenario where we might lose Chris.

There are similarities between Eddie Howe and Wilder.

If a club like Everton choose Eddie Howe after sacking Kooman.
Then a club like Bournmouth would require a new man.
As they are a small club they don't have this need for a big sexy name.

They have plenty of money and an appointment like Chris Wilder could well be accepted by their fans because
he would be seen as a like for like replacement and another young talented up and coming English manager, just like Eddie Howe.

Bournmouth is a beautiful part of the country to live and Wilder knows the area having played for Southampton. They could easily triple his wages and probably sell the club about the long term plan playing good football and how they are loyal to managers. You would expect him to be very tempted.

 

[I should coco]

There are similarities between Eddie Howe and Wilder.

Both have an 'e' and a 'w' in their surnames?

Hang on to my prize and I'll collect it later.

 

[Boxer Blade]

no disrespect to CW, but how exactly would a Wilder/Knill team talk go down with a squad full of multi-national millionaire footballing mercenaries?

Well for a start they wouldn't understand him! Would possibly get SBT in as translator?

 

[Sheffsteel]

Both have an 'e' and a 'w' in their surnames?

Hang on to my prize and I'll collect it later.

Don't you think it's weird how Eddie Howe NEVER gets a mention for bigger jobs?

It's because he's not fashionable and isn't "sexy"
Fortunately for us, Wilder and (particular) Knill are in the same boat.
With a face and a name like "nil" he's going to find it tough.

They both have to work extra hard to get any recognition
And fortunately for us bigger clubs than us wouldn't touch them with a barge pole until he starts pitting his wits and beating the likes of Man U, Man C, Arsenal, Chelsea etc.

 

[BushBlade]

Don't you think it's weird how Eddie Howe NEVER gets a mention for bigger jobs?

It's because he's not fashionable and isn't "sexy"
Fortunately for us, Wilder and (particular) Knill are in the same boat.
With a face and a name like "nil" he's going to find it tough.

They both have to work extra hard to get any recognition
And fortunately for us bigger clubs than us wouldn't touch them with a barge pole until he starts pitting his wits and beating the likes of Man U, Man C, Arsenal, Chelsea etc.

Eddie Howe has been linked with Arsenal as a potential successor to Wenger. But that's because he's taken Bournemouth into the PL and kept them there, not because he got promotion from L2. Which is all Wilder has done so far.

 

[Bladesman]

Don't you think it's weird how Eddie Howe NEVER gets a mention for bigger jobs?

It's because he's not fashionable and isn't "sexy"
Fortunately for us, Wilder and (particular) Knill are in the same boat.
With a face and a name like "nil" he's going to find it tough.

They both have to work extra hard to get any recognition
And fortunately for us bigger clubs than us wouldn't touch them with a barge pole until he starts pitting his wits and beating the likes of Man U, Man C, Arsenal, Chelsea etc.

I think his experience at Burnley has dampened interest in him for some reason. He looks like a one club wonder which is unfair on him I think.

I reckon he should have got the England job.

 

[TBW57]

If Southampton were looking for a new manager they'd only have to nip along the South coast to fetch Chris Hughton. He's not doing a bad job with Brighton, is he?

 

[SB_90]

Bladesman for me he is the next england manager after Southgate. As i cant think of better English manager at moment. Far too early for him in 2016 after Hodgson & Allardyce. Because he doing far too well at Bournemouth but qatar 2022 (or 2021 or 2023 due to fifa balls up) will be under Howe

 

[1889]

Wilder lives in Sheffield and commuted to Northampton, he is obviously very fond of the place, I don't know if he's got any children and if so how old they are, but being settled and happy is worth a great deal of money.

I don't suppose he's exactly reliant on the food bank on the salary Utd pay him, which you'd expect to increase in line with his success. He seems an honest and principled character to me and I wouldn't expect him to go chasing the money, on that basis the board should cherish him and ensure his ambitions for the club are supported and that he and Knill properly remunerated for their efforts.

 

[DifferentClass]

Thinking about it....there is ONE realistic scenario where we might lose Chris.

There are similarities between Eddie Howe and Wilder.

If a club like Everton choose Eddie Howe after sacking Kooman.
Then a club like Bournmouth would require a new man.
As they are a small club they don't have this need for a big sexy name.

They have plenty of money and an appointment like Chris Wilder could well be accepted by their fans because
he would be seen as a like for like replacement and another young talented up and coming English manager, just like Eddie Howe.

Bournmouth is a beautiful part of the country to live and Wilder knows the area having played for Southampton. They could easily triple his wages and probably sell the club about the long term plan playing good football and how they are loyal to managers. You would expect him to be very tempted.

Think they'll probably go in for Redknapp. Lived in area since 70s, a Cherries legend, grandson on books and probably wanting one last payday before retirement.

 

[I should coco]

Think they'll probably go in for Redknapp. Lived in area since 70s, a Cherries legend, grandson on books and probably wanting one last payday before retirement.

But he's not very good with money, is he?

He'd probably do something really daft with the money like opening a Swiss bank account in his dog's name.

Poor old 'Arry, what wiv im being a lovable Cockernee rogue and all that.

 

[CopenhagenBlade]

Not only is Wilder a Blade in a dream situation for himself at the minute with such authority at the club, but I'm sure he also has real self belief. That should ensure that he won't leave us to make a quick buck. He'll back himself to get to the top without having to sacrifice the job he's doing here.

It irritates me when fans of clubs like Southampton will say things like 'who's Chris Wilder' - they were in L1 themselves barely 5 years ago and Wilder's been the best manager in L1 and L2 for the past year. So many fans of PL clubs are totally ignorant.

Why would Southampton fans know who Chris Wilder is and who the manager of Sheffield United is? Hardly say it is ignorant. I have no idea who the managers of about80% of clubs are.

 

[YES Blade]

Why would Southampton fans know who Chris Wilder is and who the manager of Sheffield United is? Hardly say it is ignorant. I have no idea who the managers of about80% of clubs are.

Exactly, I bet most on here wouldn't be able to name many more than half of the managers in League One and Two.

The fact that most don't last very long in their jobs these days doesn't help!

 

[northsomersetblade]

We are getting noticed for the right reasons! It's been a while.

Yes there is no mileage in CW leaving just now for a bigger team on the wane, but keep it up and someone will tempt him. If he gets us reight first then fair play, the way things are going I can see him taking on England one day

 

[CopenhagenBlade]

I think his experience at Burnley has dampened interest in him for some reason. He looks like a one club wonder which is unfair on him I think.

I reckon he should have got the England job.

Why would any young manager want the England job? 8 games a year, where you work with the players for a total of about 4 weeks, the rest of the time is spent watching games...sounds great but not that inspiring for a young ambitious manager.
England manager should be for a senior guy.