We expect to win every game

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Last night was our toughest test yet, on paper. Remarkable.

 

[sheepbridge]

Norwich just used Fleetwood tactics and parked the bus and it didn’t help that we had no strikers up top.

They did, and I hated everything they did, but that was probably the first sign that opposing teams are taking notice of us and adapting to play us rather than just thinking "never heard of Coutts, Stevens etc. This should be easy."

Some teams and fans still don't get it, especially across the city. Long may it continue, but many neutrals were impressed after Sunday, and last night, even against 10 men, will have reinforced this.
Anyone who says yeah but still 10 men. It was 10 men for a reason. Our attacking play drawing a last ditch foul. Not 2 yellow cards for niggling fouls etc.

 

[Ricky]

The intensity of the team is incredible I remember one moment in the second half where the ball came to a wolves midfielder and 4 players charging at him pressing .

I was thinking the same at the game. Whenever Wolves got the ball we were all over them, snapping away at them and making it very uncomfortable. They didn't like it. We didn't ease off just because they had 10 men. We were always well covered defensively without losing the attacking platform that was seeing us dominate the game.

The intensity and work rate is key but so is the formation. We have 3 players in central positions in both defence and midfield. There is so often a spare man who can go towards the ball (with adequate cover behind him) and make challenges and interceptions, which there wouldn't be in a 4-4-2 for example. The RCB and LCB do this time and time again, and when they do they don't stop there, they build our attacks and often double up as wing backs. It really helps us stay on the front foot.

It's a very good system that we play, and we play it superbly well, with players in positions that suit them perfectly. And more often than not they win their individual battles.

 

[GodricBlade]

Attitude not aptitude determines altitude.

The attitude Mr Wilder has instilled clearly is allowing the aptitude of the players to shine through & it's getting the results he so richly deserves. Long may that continue.

It's good 'ere in't it!

 

[Rollerball]

I have been thinking very similar as the OP, and I'd add like last season the players play full throttle till the final whistle, last night and like so many before, 2-0 or 4-2 up, 2 minutes to go, we are cruising, keep the ball get it in the corners, NO move it forward fast try to score again, lose the ball, do we sit back and let them have the ball for the last couple of minutes, again NO, we hunt them and harass them, it's fantastic what a transformation mr wilder and mr knill have made to this team, it's almost like Keith Edwards always says confidence and almost arrogance, never expect to lose, go for more always.
Long may it continue
UTB

 

[SE9 Blade]

Who would have said 2 years ago that Paul Coutts would be part of "our best midfield in 40 years"?
He has been at the very heart of how we now set up and I certainly can't remember a midfielder showing for the ball more than him.

 

[BushBlade]

Agree with almost everything said in this thread, but I noticed a couple of things last night to add:

1. How well drilled the players are. Everyone knows exactly what their role is and what is expected of them, and although we’ve heard the management talk about this, I hadn’t really noticed it as clearly before last night. Part way through the first half I noticed some of the movement when we have possession, CCV would sprint down the touch line as soon as the ball went to Baldock, Bash would come over to support, JOC and Fleck mirroring this on the left when the ball went over to Stevens. And wherever the ball was on the pitch, Coutts would be available for a pass. At times it looked almost rehearsed, but we keep the ball and we keep moving; it’s a joy to watch.

2. How quickly we won the ball back. Beyond the obvious quick press, it was how sharp we were to nick the ball off someone’s toe, how we got in good positions to pick up loose balls if it wasn’t a clean tackle. If they were getting to halfway on the break, ball goes into touch and we regroup. If they’re struggling to get out of their half, ball is quickly turned over and put straight back on the attack.

We were really very very good last night. We are utterly fearless and will go out to win every game. And when the defeats come it won’t matter who or how, we’ll learn from our mistakes and get better.

It is rehearsed. We'll have worked on this on the training ground. That's why we're making it look easy; because the staff and players are working really hard behind the scenes.

We've finally managed to blend the commitment, work rate and team spirit of a Bassett side with the ability of a Harris side. It's vital that we keep CW/AK for as long as possible; so that this becomes our DNA, so that every kid that comes through the academy is immersed in it, so that every signing knows what we're about and buys into it.

 

[I should coco]

One of the most welcome is that we always 'turn up'

We've done it odd periods in the past (Warnock 2003 & 05/06) but never sustained and we always managed to fall that bit short.

We're not winning like upanatem underdogs, either. We're beating teams because we have many qualities, but one of them, for sure, is quality pass and move football.

Absolutely spot on. Team ethos, spirit and hard work goes a very long way but it can't cover up basic footballing flaws. We have good technical players making the whole, far more than the sum of the parts.

We've finally managed to blend the commitment, work rate and team spirit of a Bassett side with the ability of a Harris side. It's vital that we keep CW/AK for as long as possible; so that this becomes our DNA, so that every kid that comes through the academy is immersed in it, so that every signing knows what we're about and buys into it.

^^^ - and that ladies and gentlemen, sums up why this season is so bloody marvelous.

Enjoy the journey Blades!

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

We are like this "Monster" from the film Forbidden Planet,it grew stronger on negative thoughts,but our Monster is growing more powerfull on positive thoughts.

 

[More Bladier than thou]

All wilder does is promotion. Would any of us be that surprised if we did it again? I wouldn’t. Tactical mastermind.

 

[Grappler]

I know that they were down to 10 men but I was gob smacked how we made such a good side spend so much time simply putting everyone behind the ball.

We are a far better side than I ever realised to be honest. I'm not saying we are going to get top 6 but I'm starting to think there could be a chance which is incredible

If we carry on with this form, this style of play and this attitude, we will go top of the table in the next few weeks. I am not for one minute saying we will stay there, but if we get there even just for one week, that would be really something.

 

[Pinchy]

We are like this "Monster" from the film Forbidden Planet,it grew stronger on negative thoughts,but our Monster is growing more powerfull on positive thoughts.
View attachment 31569

Meanwhile, at S6:

 

[Davalon]

But I hope our fans don't start expecting too much. I'd like to keep this underdog mentality, it works for us.

Agree with every word but the bit above is paramount for me.

Enjoy it to the max but let's stay grounded from the team to the fans. Who knows where we might end up. My predictions are being revised each passing week but I won't get carried away, just lime you know Wilder won't.

 

[Shalalalafenoughty]

The truly remarkable transformation has so many features. One of the most welcome is that we always 'turn up'. This is unique in my time. Under no other manager, including the great John Harris, could you say with confidence that we'd perform from one week to the next. This lot invariably play to a very high baseline and then crank it even higher when it really matters.

Paragraph of the week/month/season.

I remember the John Harris days too and I've always said that the 1971 promotion side was my all-time favourite but there's no doubt that they were capable of real inconsistency and there were days when you'd swear they'd just been introduced to each other. That never seems to happen nowadays. Even our "lesser" performances are decent and epitomised by hard work and a high level of application. And when we do lose, we bounce back straight away. There's never any sense of a team about to embark on a "bad run". It's remarkable and unprecedented.

 

[Ricky]

One thing that might be worth mentioning is that the psychologist Steven Sylvester is still working with us. He was on the pitch at the end of the game on Sunday. I don't think he's there all the time but I knew he'd be there for that game.

Maybe he's had an impact in developing this incredible belief the squad seem to have.

 

[Pinchy]

Paragraph of the week/month/season.

I remember the John Harris days too and I've always said that the 1971 promotion side was my all-time favourite but there's no doubt that they were capable of real inconsistency and there were days when you'd swear they'd just been introduced to each other. That never seems to happen nowadays. Even our "lesser" performances are decent and epitomised by hard work and a high level of application. And when we do lose, we bounce back straight away. There's never any sense of a team about to embark on a "bad run". It's remarkable and unprecedented.

27/11/71 - Blades 7 Ipswich 0. Spectacular.

4/12/71 - Crystal Palace 5 Blades 1. Shambles.

 

[Boxer Blade]

I still cannot believe its happening, I keep thinking when is it going to end? It can't carry on, can it? Then the next game comes along and bang same again, the excited talk all the way home was constant, into the pub, same again, it doesn't feel real, some bastards going to wake me up in a minute and I'll lay there thinking, knew it, just a fuckin dream, I hate football, ah well maybe next season.

 

[Punk Blade]

It is rehearsed. We'll have worked on this on the training ground. That's why we're making it look easy; because the staff and players are working really hard behind the scenes.

Well that was my point really. It’s obvious how hard they are working in training to execute a game plan and an effective attacking style, but rather than just playing well, it was looking more choreographed and relentless at times last night.

The commitment to and trust in CW and AK’s methods (and to each other) and the 100% effort on the pitch is incredible. No wonder attitude and character is so high on Wilder’s checklist, this is a special group of players.

 

[Good Pinch Of Snuff]

I thought this after the Wednesday game and even more so when I watched it back, observing the players' and staff's general conduct and behaviour - they didn't look at all surprised.

It looked exactly the same tonight. Very assured, very confident, and that confidence is growing by the game.

I listened to the interview with Baldock on Radio Sheffield before the game, and he basically confirmed it. He said that if you offered them a point before the game on Sunday, none of them would've taken it - they expected to win.

Quite how Wilder has managed to take this squad of ours into this division and instil this mentality so quickly and so firmly is remarkable. We had the momentum from last season, but this league is a big step up and half the squad has also changed.

I know Wolves had 10 men but I'm convinced we would've beaten them with 11. And this is an expensive, fancied team who have started the season well. But it just doesn't matter who we play. Expensive, big reputation, whatever. It doesn't faze us. Wilder has drilled home the importance of being a team and how it can overcome anything. The players clearly have total belief in that and what we're seeing now is the result of this - 6 wins in 7 games is it? Who would've thought that would be possible? We have become genuine winners.

We are looking more accomplished with every passing week and it's going to be very interesting to see where this takes us. But I hope our fans don't start expecting too much. I'd like to keep this underdog mentality, it works for us.

agreed i was looking at their team breakdown here - £65M ! https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/wolverhampton-wanderers/startseite/verein/543

 

[Dnblade]

I always thought we'd go well in this division,based on what i saw last season...ok part of that thinking was tinged with bravado...But we really haven't got to fear anybody in this Division,and the players are expecting to win games some of our fans think are beyond us.
I expect us to compete with every team we come up against now...we always turn up win,lose or draw...we will get beat,but the opposition will know they've been in a game.
Another thing I like is that any player who loses their place through injury,suspension or whatever has a job getting their place back,as the lads taking their place step up and do well...so the likes of Sharp,Freeman,Moore,Stearman will have to wait for a chance to get in again...Maybe Coutts and Fleck would be an exception to that though.
What a great job CW is doing...loving every minute,enjoy the ride Blades.

 

[BusheyBlade]

agreed i was looking at their team breakdown here - £65M ! https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/wolverhampton-wanderers/startseite/verein/543

The values on that site are quite arbitrary, just look at our squad.

 

[elgoog44]

Wolves are a well assembled good side with good players, try and play the right way and don't want to knock them in anyway.

It reminded me of last season in League one just how dominant and ruthless we are. It was like watching a game from last season where we know we are in control and that we are the better side.

I didn't expect it in this division.

I don't think any of us expected us to be quite like we have, as a few have said the three early games we learnt and Barnsley came at the right time, and since then we have been a team on the front foot pushing like last year, its a beautiful time to be a blade and our beautiful club being recognised for all the right reasons Bladezz

 

[Sheffsteel]

Been going regularly since 1977 and I've not known anything like it.

We don't have any stand out players (although Brooks may be the special one) but the TEAM is so fantastic all over the pitch, we look real quality.

It's better quality than the Bassett and Warnock days and consistency is pretty incredible.

I went to the Wolves game and wasn't mentally prepared.
I was grinning before the match even started and even if we lost to Wolves would have cheered the team off the pitch. That Wolves game was almost a free game where I'd have been more than happy with a draw. I was sure the players would struggle to focus.
Wilder proves me wrong....yet again.