Wilders view

[Chali 2na]

I know this was not directed at me but I’m not a fan of us playing a flat midfield three and then another midfielder to boot with just one up front.

This is not how we got success. Fleck + Coutts (or chosen deputy) plus Duffy in front and behind two strikers is how we went after teams.

If we are having one up top then at least have 2 from Duffy/Brooks/Holmes and make it 3-4-2-1.

It was almost 3-6-1.

I can appreciate as an argument to this you could say that at Hillsborough this worked but really Brooks isn’t Duffy. Brooks is as much a forward than a midfielder. Brooks brings pace as well. It’s great that Duffy scored but he isn’t a second striker like Brooks. He does his best work slightly further back prompting, directing. With today’s lineup he only had Donaldson in front of him.

I don’t see why we don’t have Brooks and Duffy on at the same time as much as we can.

Neither Evans nor Lundstram has done enough to justify keeping Brooks and Duffy out. If the former tires then take him off but have him involved to dictate the game from the start, not when the pattern of poay is already established and we’re struggling.

He's going to bloody copy and paste your answer now! Could've been fun!

 

[fuerstenberger]

It must be puzzling and worrying for CW. We have shown we are a match for all but the top two. Performances like Hull, Barnsley and Brum x2 must leave him scratching his head. I don't wash this tired argument, Fulham, Millwall etc aren't tired. I wonder if there are other things in play. The behind the scenes shenanigans can't help, whatever people say. Wondering about the future can't help a player's state of mind.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Bed time for some of the players who are all comfy-cosy with life at The Lane.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

The plug got pulled out of our bath when Coutts got injured, and the water has been emptying ever since. His injury wasn't the only reason, but it started the decline/drop off. We lost an influential player, one who we've not replaced and also the mental effect of seeing a team mates leg bent like that effects you. Off the back of that game, we got diddled against Fulham in a way which was stunning, then getting held by brum to a draw, then losing 3-1 against Millwall, then in the last minute against Brizzle and finally losing against Preston. For a brief moment against Villa I honestly thought we're going to get done 6 or 7's. And as much as we'll claim otherwise the 2nd derby was loss avoidance (on & off the pitch). Somewhere among that morass we lost belief in our freewheeling system (whether that was individually, collectively or managerially) and then coupled with what turned out to be an uninspiring JTW, we've huffed & puffed ever since. We've come up short, it's the blades way.

 

[Fraggle Blade]

It must be puzzling and worrying for CW. We have shown we are a match for all but the top two. Performances like Hull, Barnsley and Brum x2 must leave him scratching his head. I don't wash this tired argument, Fulham, Millwall etc aren't tired. I wonder if there are other things in play. The behind the scenes shenanigans can't help, whatever people say. Wondering about the future can't help a player's state of mind.[/QUOTE
I don't think the players will give two hoots about the boardroom........they have their contracts.

 

[Iceybabey]

Hope Tyler Smith gets the nod

 

[Iceybabey]

I reckon Freeman will get the nod as well

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

 

[Roygbiv]

It must be puzzling and worrying for CW. We have shown we are a match for all but the top two. Performances like Hull, Barnsley and Brum x2 must leave him scratching his head. I don't wash this tired argument, Fulham, Millwall etc aren't tired. I wonder if there are other things in play. The behind the scenes shenanigans can't help, whatever people say. Wondering about the future can't help a player's state of mind.

I think Millwall have mentality been free of any pressure in their run. Nobody, including themselves, thought they would go as far as they have. We have done it the other way. We were free mentally until it became clear we were genuine play off contenders. Fulham are just a class side and I think it's unfair to compare ourselves with them right now,

Totally agree with the confusion against the poorer sides though. Again it could come down to pressure. For instance everyone thought Wednesday would turn us over at their place aswell as a lot of our fans. When they played us at our place we were expected to win and struggled.

 

[Davalon]

Stevens has been culpable a few times of late. He has done well for a player steppng up 2 leagues but we need a new starting LWB.

As much as it pains me I tend to agree.

Started the season really well but for a good while he hasn't really created much going forward, but more pertinently he's not stopping crosses enough and he's giving the ball away in key areas.

 

[Bashar Al Asaba]

Another cull needed, not many that I'd keep really.
Wilder's reinvented us before, he has to again, provided that he's still here come August.

 

[cooperblade]

I'd be amazed (and disgusted) if Wilder put any of the youngsters in for a debut on Saturday.

Think it's very clear from how we started the game and Wilder's interview that the plan today was to be far more direct than usual. The players seemed to abandon that plan though and I think that's what's annoyed Wilder.

Not sure who was most lacking in energy today , the players or the fans. It was like a collective throwing in of the towel when they equalised. I think a point would've been OK today and would've given us a much better chance of the play-offs.

Not totally given up but looks like we'll be adding this to the list of seasons which were both hugely enjoyable but ultimately really disappointing.

 

[blade789]

Been saying the same thing for the past 2 months. Our form since Xmas is that of a bottom 6 team.

Rubbish. Since Xmas our form is 9th in the division. That's a fact.

 

[SB_90]

i think wilder summed it up very well. we've been our worst enemy as since resumption after international break. we taken lead in every game. But ended up with 1 win 3 draws & 2 defeats. You cant have that & expect to challenge. No i dont know if they have got complacent or like Klopp at Liverpool last season. They just ran out steam in april

Big season of transfers & mentality training upcoming

 

[Superblades]

Get off to bad start next season and fans will start to turn imo. I’m not one of those but we know it will happen. 2 good seasons but our form in the second half is cause for concern.

 

[Redhead]

I'd be amazed (and disgusted) if Wilder put any of the youngsters in for a debut on Saturday.

Think it's very clear from how we started the game and Wilder's interview that the plan today was to be far more direct than usual. The players seemed to abandon that plan though and I think that's what's annoyed Wilder.

Not sure who was most lacking in energy today , the players or the fans. It was like a collective throwing in of the towel when they equalised. I think a point would've been OK today and would've given us a much better chance of the play-offs.

Not totally given up but looks like we'll be adding this to the list of seasons which were both hugely enjoyable but ultimately really disappointing.

Amazed ? Fair enough

Disgusted ? Way over the top

If CW feels that now is the time to field a couple of younger players then what’s the problem with that. Like every other club if an opportunity arises to field young players then they do.
There is nothing disgusting in that.

You should be excited that maybe just maybe one or two of them are good enough to step up.
If CW thinks they are up to it then back the lads. If CW doesn’t think they are good enough then they won’t play and you can rest easy.

Very strange post

 

[oldblade]

Been saying the same thing for the past 2 months. Our form since Xmas is that of a bottom 6 team.

Our form since Christmas is 28 points from 21 games.

Not promotion form, but definitely not bottom 6 form.

 

[Roygbiv]

Our form since the New Year is mid table form. I think that's where we are at realistically with current squad

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

Rubbish. Since Xmas our form is 9th in the division. That's a fact.

I'd also argue out form in the first 60 minutes of these games is even higher.

It's the experience of closing games out that's cost us. Anyone that saw us batter Cardiff and Middlesbrough and still thinks we're poor is off their rocker.

 

[oldblade]

Get off to bad start next season and fans will start to turn imo. I’m not one of those but we know it will happen. 2 good seasons but our form in the second half is cause for concern.

Our form in the second half of the season has been nowhere near as bad as some would have us believe.

Even if we lose our remaining two games our points total for the second half of the season will be 28, which equals 56 for the season. That would see us in lower mid table and on around about the same number of points that Wednesday will get this season.

The only really poor spell of form we have had all season came in the 5 games following the injury to Coutts when we got just 1 point from 5 games. Had we got 5 from 5 (relegation form!) we would be in a very good position in terms of claiming a play off place.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Wilder talking sense - but his team selections and negative tactics are not helping.

Maybe but to deliver being on the playoffs fringe first season back isn't a poor show.

 

[cooperblade]

Amazed ? Fair enough

Disgusted ? Way over the top

If CW feels that now is the time to field a couple of younger players then what’s the problem with that. Like every other club if an opportunity arises to field young players then they do.
There is nothing disgusting in that.

You should be excited that maybe just maybe one or two of them are good enough to step up.
If CW thinks they are up to it then back the lads. If CW doesn’t think they are good enough then they won’t play and you can rest easy.

Very strange post

We still have a chance of the play-offs, albeit a smaller one than we did before yesterday's game. This isn't the time to see how one of the young players stands up to first team football.

If the play-offs are mathematically impossible when we go to Bristol then maybe stick one of them on the bench then.

There's no-one in the under 23s whose performances are showing they're better than any of the first team squad to the best of my knowledge so to play any of them v PNE would be tantamount to giving up and I'd be disgusted by that.

Moot point anyway because Wilder won't do it.

 

[Woodwardfan]

7 games to go and 4 of them against teams hoping to sneak into that 6th league position.

There were positive signs of a return to form at Brentford and the players were 'at it' again but I sense we need to really kick-on somehow.

Our strikers are not very hot at present and we are short of what you might call 'heroes' these days.

Wilder needs one or two players to get on hot streaks and that's all we need actually. I forecast we will get 14 points from the 21 remaining but do we need more? We are vying with 5 other teams for 2 places and have to finish 1st or 2nd in that mini-league within the league. None of the teams looks clear favourites to me, far from it, anything can happen.

Within the 3-5-2 'die that's cast' it's perfectly possible for Clarke and/or Sharp to get back on track. It's possible for any one of Duffy, Holmes and Brooks to get inspired and see us over the line.

My fear is that we will fall just short even though only Millwall can be said to be flying at present.

What should Wilder do?

I fear our wing-backs in the 3-5-2 are not productive enough for a big finish to the season. Does our manager select different wing-backs? Change to 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2, 4-5-1? If not from the start of games, maybe as an early 'Plan B'?

History can be in the making. Legends can be born hereon-in. If we don't step up somehow we will just miss out. Does the manager 'stick or twist'; stick and hope or twist and gamble, which is what any significant change would be, a gamble.

Options above mentioned in my o.p. 5 games ago.

Perhaps add 'play Semple and Slater and/or Tyler Smith'

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

I'd also argue out form in the first 60 minutes of these games is even higher.

It's the experience of closing games out that's cost us. Anyone that saw us batter Cardiff and Middlesbrough and still thinks we're poor is off their rocker.

We are taking about seasoned pro's in their mid 20's upwards, ILTRM. The ability to close a game out shouldn't be an issue for them in 90% of the games they play this season. We're not talking about defending a goal lead in a cup game at the Etihad, we're talking about defending hopeful long punts from Millwall.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Another cull needed, not many that I'd keep really.
Wilder's reinvented us before, he has to again, provided that he's still here come August.

How do you 'cull' players on 3 year contracts on money they've never earned before? Plus established players on recently renewed contracts?

They simply will not be prepared to move away on less money just to make space for us.

We have a strong squad which needs improvement in 4 positions at most. Carefully targeted signings from a respectable budget will make us competitive for top 6, not certs but competitive.

Bear in mind Coutts and Freeman hopefully fit by next pre-season.

I think we could and will achieve it by loan signings mainly - that's where the quality is in our situation.

Reed and Long have to be considered. Thomas has qualities in his locker.

 

[Woodwardfan]

For us we spent a lot money last January at a cost of around £3m over the last 5 months of the season, including wages.

That is money that can't be spent again this summer.

Wednesday suffered from exactly that last summer, on a bigger scale of course.

 

[YES Blade]

Our form since Christmas is 28 points from 21 games.

Not promotion form, but definitely not bottom 6 form.

It depends on the season, this season that is comfortable lower mid table form.

Last season, Blackburn were relegated on 51 points so if we start with 28 points from 21 matches next season we could easily be in the relegation mix.

 

[Robboblade1889]

Wilder talking sense - but his team selections and negative tactics are not helping.

Negative tactics what on Earth are you talking about. We didn’t win yesterday because too many players played poorly. Some of our fans make me want to pull my hair out with idiotic statements

 

[Robboblade1889]

Get off to bad start next season and fans will start to turn imo. I’m not one of those but we know it will happen. 2 good seasons but our form in the second half is cause for concern.

Well if some of our idiot fans start to turn there will be all out fighting in the stands. The majority of fans know Wilder is the best manager we have had in a generation but then we have these absolute morons who think we should be in the top 2 every season.

If I hear anyone turn on Wilder they will be getting told in no uncertain terms. I hate modern day football fans I really do.

 

[Carlton Blade]

From November to February my big concern was we looked terrible. No spark, just a run of the mill side. To be fair we've played really well a few times since then and not taken our chances/defended like idiots. I don't think how we play needs to change but it only works when the players fully buy in.

But I do think we need a GK, CB, LWB and 2 CFs at least in the summer. Also 2 quality loan signings. We can't expect to get as much out of all our current 30+ players next year