Porterfield/Bassett/Wilder - Back to Backs

[Blend-it-like-Harris]

Only two managers have achieved back-to-back Championship Titles - Ian Porterfield and now Chris Wilder. Porterfield took us from the old 4th Division back to the 2nd (2 promotions in 3 seasons). Bassett gave us back-to-back promotions from 3rd tier to top tier, but before achieving that he took us down from Div 2 to Div 3. You could argue that he inherited a doomed squad in January of that year of course.
However, having supported the Blades through all those years, I think Wilder's approach has been measurably superior to both Porterfield and Bassett. This is a more talented squad, playing great football and somewhat younger than Porterfield's and more talented overall than Bassett's. I pause to put on my tin hat now.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Only two managers have achieved back-to-back Championship Titles - Ian Porterfield and now Chris Wilder. Porterfield took us from the old 4th Division back to the 2nd (3 promotions in 4 seasons). Bassett gave us back-to-back promotions from 3rd tier to top tier, but before achieving that he took us down from Div 2 to Div 3. You could argue that he inherited a doomed squad in January of that year of course.
However, having supported the Blades through all those years, I think Wilder's approach has been measurably superior to both Porterfield and Bassett. This is a more talented squad, playing great football and somewhat younger than Porterfield's and more talented overall than Bassett's. I pause to put on my tin hat now.

Deane, Agana, Tracey, Bryson would be all in Wilder's team without a shadow.

 

[Blend-it-like-Harris]

Deane, Agana, Tracey, Bryson would be all in Wilder's team without a shadow.

For sure - in mine too!

 

[derryblade]

Agree with Porterfield, if CW gains promotion to Premiership and keeps us there longer than Bassett he will deserve that accolade, let's hope he can.

 

[KingKeith]

Deane, Agana, Tracey, Bryson would be all in Wilder's team without a shadow.

I think Edwards, Morris and Stan the man too.
Right strike force to choose from Agana, Deane, Edwards and Sharp!

 

[DifferentClass]

I know Porterfield often gets shat on but he took us from the Fourth Division to the top half of what is now the Championship in only a few years. Wasn't around to see him as a manager but I think that's a pretty decent achievement.

That and THAT goal against L**ds!

 

[Davalon]

My very earliest memory is from the season we went down to the 4th. I still remember my Panini sticker book from 80/81 with our team photo with Haslam on it.

It was great to witness my first season proper attending matches as a wide eyed kid winning the league but until my teens I believed we were just a bigger lower league club.

Bassett changed that and that era from 88 to 94 still remains the best period in my time.

That said I can honestly say this season has undoubtedly been one of the best and more enjoyable in some ways than our promotion to the Prem as daft as that may sound.

I don't think we should be piling too much expectation on Wilder's shoulders for next season as it's a big step up compared to Bassett's time. That said I really feel with patience and realism this manager can get us back to our natural level minimum.

 

[Bladesway]

I know Porterfield often gets shat on but he took us from the Fourth Division to the top half of what is now the Championship in only a few years. Wasn't around to see him as a manager but I think that's a pretty decent achievement.

That and THAT goal against L**ds!

Think Porterfields achievements don't get the credit they deserve. Brought one of our best ever goal scorers back after we let him go, built an excellent team and got us up 2 divisions. It was only when he got to the Old second division he hit the wall buying old men. He unearthed some very good players did Porterfield.

 

[DronnieBlade]

It's a fair kop. But comparing generations is always a tricky business.

For example,what price the consistently brilliant delivery of a Bryson ?

What price a Deane n Agana front pairing (that actually works really well as a front pairing ?).

What price the reliability of a Simon Tracey (Not a dig at Moore as he's mostly untested due to our superiority, not exactly his fault !).

These players would walk into the current side (IMHO) and there are others as well.

But we also have much to look forward to with the current crop as well, who have romped the Division at a canter.

UTB

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Only two managers have achieved back-to-back Championship Titles - Ian Porterfield and now Chris Wilder. Porterfield took us from the old 4th Division back to the 2nd (2 promotions in 3 seasons). Bassett gave us back-to-back promotions from 3rd tier to top tier, but before achieving that he took us down from Div 2 to Div 3. You could argue that he inherited a doomed squad in January of that year of course.
However, having supported the Blades through all those years, I think Wilder's approach has been measurably superior to both Porterfield and Bassett. This is a more talented squad, playing great football and somewhat younger than Porterfield's and more talented overall than Bassett's. I pause to put on my tin hat now.

Agree with Porterfield, if CW gains promotion to Premiership and keeps us there longer than Bassett he will deserve that accolade, let's hope he can.

I know Porterfield often gets shat on but he took us from the Fourth Division to the top half of what is now the Championship in only a few years. Wasn't around to see him as a manager but I think that's a pretty decent achievement.

That and THAT goal against L**ds!

Think Porterfields achievements don't get the credit they deserve. Brought one of our best ever goal scorers back after we let him go, built an excellent team and got us up 2 divisions. It was only when he got to the Old second division he hit the wall buying old men. He unearthed some very good players did Porterfield.

Porterfield actually got 3 promotions in 4 years if you count the 3rd division one with Rotherham before he joined us. We were at our lowest ever ebb when he took over, got well backed but did it first time. Lost his way at the end, but did a lot to get us back to a level of respectability.

 

[northsomersetblade]

Porterfield saved us from disaster - don't forget Glenn Cockerill, he would get in any team as well

 

[SteveBlade]

I keep imagining double promotions and a Southampton esque top flight run where the likes of O'Connell, Fleck, Coutts, Freeman etc show that they're absolutely class top flight players.

Then I punch myself really hard in the head. It's not natural for a Blade to think like this.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

Deane, Agana, Tracey, Bryson would be all in Wilder's team without a shadow.

I'd say Stan the Man would have been a shoe in too, Webbo was brilliant in 88/89 before his broken leg and Toddy had a very good season too.

 

[dynoblade]

Glen Cockerill ! No.8 a curly mop, signed from Southampton (I think). He was great !

As for that era - Keith Waugh, we've always had decent keepers.

 

[TJB.]

We can have a drink and discuss our dreams, but the ones with their feet firmly on the ground will be messrs Wilder and Knill.

The only problem is, knowing that just makes us dream more.

Que sera, sera. But we've got our club back in style, and the future is certainly bright.

UTB.

 

[BushBlade]

Glen Cockerill ! No.8 a curly mop, signed from Southampton (I think). He was great !

As for that era - Keith Waugh, we've always had decent keepers.

Signed from Lincoln, sold to Southampton.

 

[baulko]

I had the pleasure of watching Deane and Agana, pure excitement. Also Bourne and Butlin... best forgotten. However, taking advantage of my years will nominate Woodward, Addison and Reece as the best forward line I witnessed. One or two other heros in that early 70s team too.

 

[baulko]

Oops. Now I realise last post was something off topic to the thread title. Must be getting carried away.

 

[baulko]

Has any manager made three successive promotions? I really don't see any reason why Wilder can't. Assuming he's still the manager of t'Blades next season. That would be noteworthy indeed.

 

[boo radley]

Wow! with all the names to choose from on here we'd have a right squad.