Wilder an alternative view

[stringer]

The threat for me, would be a big side struggling at the lower end of the Championship who still have a pile of money, but haven’t a clue how to use it at this level.

And we know there’s no chance he will go THERE

 

[Razor1967]

If the ownership is finally resolved in May I think he may well stay.

If, as is likely, whoever loses launches an appeal which would drag it on another 9 to 12 months I would not be surprised to see him quit in frustration.

I wouldn’t blame him either.

I don’t think he will be here in May....

 

[8lade]

If we get a decent fee for him GLTTL he's not the only good manager in the world.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Rather than attempt a dissection of Wilder, I think the issue at United is decent to excellent coaching with players who, in the main, aren't equipped to respond as well as Wilder had hoped. Don't get me wrong, I think we have several decent players, but currently it might help if we drafted in some Premiership experience. The teams above us seem to have Premiership players that know how to manage games, and it's this lack of experience that may be our undoing. I hope not, but it's a thought I keep returning to.

 

[Stretch]

You can tell that managing us means the world to him and I do think his love for the club will keep him on board in the face of a lot of frustration, but that will be finite. He is ambitious and wants a crack at the top flight, I think most of us would agree that he could certainly give it a go up there and I am sure his preference would always be to do it with us.

However, it must gaul with him that so many clubs who continually sail close to the wind financially just keep giving their managers decent size budgets regardless, where as he has had to sell his young starlet in order to strengthen in key positions, and even then without being given most of the money back. Nobody [including him] I am sure would ever sanction over spending and getting into a porcine style mess but if we can't even muster up say a top half budget for him then I think it is only a matter of time before someone like Forest or Stoke says come on then Chris, we'll give you 1M a year in salary and a 10M transfer pot.

As said by others above, I think we can count on him staying until the end of this season regardless and then it is all down to how Abbott & Costello get on in court. If we somehow get promoted then a lot of that becomes irrelevant because he will have a kings ransom to spend, otherwise it is a future defining summer ahead for this football club.

 

[Silent Blade]

Well yeah, neither has Frank Lampard or Dennis Smith.. bit tricky to prove yourself at any level until you have managed there.

Dennis Smith who managed York, Sunderland, Bristol City and WBA?

 

[Muttley]

The owners of both Sheffield clubs could well fuck up football in the City for years to come.

 

[Bartleby]

E) Wilder has far from proved he's above Championship level.

No but he hadn't proved he was above League Two until he came here. Took him all of one season to do that. Then one more to prove himself at the next level. And so on.

 

[snootyfenooty]

As things are set up with the owners and funding (or lack of it) the most likely prospect we have is mid table Championship for the foreseeable future. In this instance Wilder would stagnate and so would the club and the fans. Collectively this would not be acceptable so Wilder would be off and so would half of the fans. This is the reality folks unless the JTW indicates otherwise.

 

[SwissBlade]

There isn’t a thread that goes by on here where it is repeatedly said that Wilder will leave because of the lack of ambition of the board. It’s been said that often it’s pretty much accepted as fact on here. Just a couple of points.

A) Wilder has happily signed 2 contract extensions with us, presumably knowing what budget he his working with

B) is on record as saying he’s happy with what he has to work with

C) no one has approached Mcabe/Prince for Wilders services.

D) Wilder has never indicated he’ll leave because of his bosses, yes he’s expressed he’d like the ownership issue resolved.

My opinion is that Wilder is happy with things at United, sees no reason to leave footballing wise and that he used the situation at the end of last season to negotiate himself a very nice deal. Good for him, I personally thought that his public ranting about the ownership were unnecessary. But that's his nature, he's not a politician. He's able to manipulate a situation to has advantage.


Wilder is smart, he knows that he will only be able to take United so far with the resources he has.

He does have ambition however, so there are pitfalls which could see Wilder leave.

I think Wilder is very loyal to individuals, rather than the club per se, i get the impression that he's loyal to McCabe rather than the Prince.

I don't see him as someone to jump ship, but his head could get turned if the ambition is not at the club to progress, McCabe and the Prince both have ambition, if not the funds.

On the pitch, Wilder himself has to keep his eye on the ball, if he doesn't find that Striker he needs by the time Leon, Billy and McG have done, what then? We're probably talking 2 years away but if he doesn't manage to keep freshening the squad up then we may not be able to punch above our weight.

Selling his best players might be an issue. I'm not talking about young prospects like Brooks, he sees the business sense, but if we have to sell key players in his side, like JOC, Fleck or Norwood then he may not be happy.

I'm not concerned at the moment.

 

[itsinyerblood]

My opinion is that Wilder is happy with things at United, sees no reason to leave footballing wise and that he used the situation at the end of last season to negotiate himself a very nice deal. Good for him, I personally thought that his public ranting about the ownership were unnecessary. But that's his nature, he's not a politician. He's able to manipulate a situation to has advantage.


Wilder is smart, he knows that he will only be able to take United so far with the resources he has.

He does have ambition however, so there are pitfalls which could see Wilder leave.

I think Wilder is very loyal to individuals, rather than the club per se, i get the impression that he's loyal to McCabe rather than the Prince.

I don't see him as someone to jump ship, but his head could get turned if the ambition is not at the club to progress, McCabe and the Prince both have ambition, if not the funds.

On the pitch, Wilder himself has to keep his eye on the ball, if he doesn't find that Striker he needs by the time Leon, Billy and McG have done, what then? We're probably talking 2 years away but if he doesn't manage to keep freshening the squad up then we may not be able to punch above our weight.

Selling his best players might be an issue. I'm not talking about young prospects like Brooks, he sees the business sense, but if we have to sell key players in his side, like JOC, Fleck or Norwood then he may not be happy.

I'm not concerned at the moment.

Don't ask for rational explanations Swiss, but my feeling about the Prince is that his methodology has been to invest as little as possible in the hope that what's returned will greatly exceed his investment. It may be at the root of why this court case has come to fruition, the case itself will reveal far more than we've been aware of, but it does suggest a worrying few months (that assumes that there's no abrupt ending). Time will tell, but I can't help wonder what the Prince joined the Board for if not to play a significant part in pushing the Blades forward?

 

[cc1]

I think he's currently looking like the Championship may be his limit, regardless of budget or whatever. .

Ha!

Says who, you? Utterly groundless.
Keep it up... i'm sure someone will agree

 

[Ricky]

Ha!

Says who, you? Utterly groundless.
Keep it up... i'm sure someone will agree

I'll make sure I don't post such scary opinions ever again.

I'll also remember that the sole purpose on here is to get people to agree with you...

 

[Benny and the Blades]

I absolutely adore chocolate pudding but I can never enjoy it, because I'm always worrying about finishing it........

 

[LJBlade]

You can tell that managing us means the world to him and I do think his love for the club will keep him on board in the face of a lot of frustration, but that will be finite. He is ambitious and wants a crack at the top flight, I think most of us would agree that he could certainly give it a go up there and I am sure his preference would always be to do it with us.

However, it must gaul with him that so many clubs who continually sail close to the wind financially just keep giving their managers decent size budgets regardless, where as he has had to sell his young starlet in order to strengthen in key positions, and even then without being given most of the money back. Nobody [including him] I am sure would ever sanction over spending and getting into a porcine style mess but if we can't even muster up say a top half budget for him then I think it is only a matter of time before someone like Forest or Stoke says come on then Chris, we'll give you 1M a year in salary and a 10M transfer pot.

As said by others above, I think we can count on him staying until the end of this season regardless and then it is all down to how Abbott & Costello get on in court. If we somehow get promoted then a lot of that becomes irrelevant because he will have a kings ransom to spend, otherwise it is a future defining summer ahead for this football club.

Where’s the frustration coming from though? We’re the same club we were when he first joined and we’re the same club we were when he wangled himself a new contract at the end of last season.

People talk about the budgets available at other clubs in my opinion that’s fairly irrelevant. When he joined he knew we had two owners who couldn’t afford to throw loads of money at it and despite being at a crossroads themselves they’ve continued to support him and even gave him a much improved budget this season, one he seemed happy with. It’s not like he’s been promised loads of money and not been given it.

I’d be happy to accept it if he left because he’d been given a better opportunity but I wouldn’t be happy if he used being frustrated at United as the excuse.

 

[Stretch]

Where’s the frustration coming from though? We’re the same club we were when he first joined and we’re the same club we were when he wangled himself a new contract at the end of last season.

People talk about the budgets available at other clubs in my opinion that’s fairly irrelevant. When he joined he knew we had two owners who couldn’t afford to throw loads of money at it and despite being at a crossroads themselves they’ve continued to support him and even gave him a much improved budget this season, one he seemed happy with. It’s not like he’s been promised loads of money and not been given it.

I’d be happy to accept it if he left because he’d been given a better opportunity but I wouldn’t be happy if he used being frustrated at United as the excuse.

I take your points but I also think that things change. Chris has stated that he has been happy thus far with what he has been given, no arguments there. But at some point I think his ambition to kick on and consistently challenge the top 2 may, may overcome his loyalty/love for us, however you want to describe it. So on that basis other club's budgets are relevant, because at some point he is bound to have his head turned, regardless of how he feels right now or has felt in the last couple of seasons. If our owners sort their shit out and some kind of fresh investment comes on board then great, because I don't think he wants to go and just a half decent shot in the arm financially could be enough to convince him to stay long term.

 

[georgebernardshaw]

Here we are, 5th in the Championship, and our forum experts are speculating about alternative employment for our manager.

Amazing, absolutely amazing

 

[Mumbo]

Chill out blades,the pigs are in the shit and we could go 3rd today,Wilder loves this club he’s focussed on promotion.

 

[SwissBlade]

Don't ask for rational explanations Swiss, but my feeling about the Prince is that his methodology has been to invest as little as possible in the hope that what's returned will greatly exceed his investment. It may be at the root of why this court case has come to fruition, the case itself will reveal far more than we've been aware of, but it does suggest a worrying few months (that assumes that there's no abrupt ending). Time will tell, but I can't help wonder what the Prince joined the Board for if not to play a significant part in pushing the Blades forward?

My opinion of the prince differs or perhaps remains indifferent. I like that he is often very quiet.

The Prince has most certainly put money in, just like McCabe has. I gave up defending our owner and their capital investments many years ago, as its pointless, people are set with their opinions and don't look at the facts available, but we also don't know many facts either, so there is too much reading between the lines which causes arguments. I have remained fairly objective with my opinion on the Prince v McCabe court case.

However, what I will say is that the Prince came on board in Sept 2013. We remained in League one until May 2017, we've had 18 months in the Championship. In that time, we've needed additional finances other than League money, TV Money, Sponsorship, Merchandising and Ticket sales to keep the club running day to day (Staff, Ground and Academy). We've paid off Wilson (just before Prince), Weir, Clough and Adkins, we've paid up contracts of certain players, we've lost money on some.

We've received some relatively large transfer fees in this time, but we've also needed additional cash for player wages and transfer fees, notably Brayford, Billy, Stearman, Egan and Norwood.

On a different subjetc, I spent an hour or so looking at the finances of the pigs the other day as it has intrigued me as to how Chancer reached the £100 Million valuation which he threw out there in the Snorter forum.

Looking at what he's spent, how he's spent it and the end results, it's quite staggering. One of Chancers comments when he was justifying himself to the forum was that IF they'd won in the play offs (they had two goes at it), then he'd be a hero rather than the villain he currently is. It amused me, because he didn't realised how stupid his comment was. Basically he's made a really stupid investment risk and failed miserably (to date) and potentially risked the future of the club. Its a big 'IF' and i wonder whether it is an 'IF' that we want for our club? I certainly don't

So whilst spending £100 Million over three years is not a small amount of money, its £33 Million per year. Theoretically and without FFP, with that spending level, if they go up next season, he would still be in the black. However, when you look at the details and what he has to show for it, the mismanagement at the club have left them with little chance of going up last season, this season and potentially next. His next move is crucial.

Return back to the lane, the Prince and McCabe. We can't compare financially, risking Chancer levels of spending in League one would be suicidal. But we haven't got close to that in 18 months in the Championship either. Is that a bad thing? I hear people talk about "if Wilder had Chancers money he'd have got us up". I think that's obvious.

However, stop the ride now and Wednesday are in the shit, FFP or not, the business model there is not sustainable. One bad season for any club can ruin them, look at Sunderland, Birmingham, Bolton, Pompey, Bradford.

We can argue all day about players sales, but rightly or wrongly we've got a very successful Academy, we've invested in younger players, we've invested in experience, we've done it on the cheap, but we've managed to consistently be placed higher than £100m Chancer's boys in the last two seasons.

So your perception of the Prince (whether you are right or wrong), investing little, for a big pay day, is it a bad business model so far? I don't have an answer.

 

[itsinyerblood]

My opinion of the prince differs or perhaps remains indifferent. I like that he is often very quiet.

The Prince has most certainly put money in, just like McCabe has. I gave up defending our owner and their capital investments many years ago, as its pointless, people are set with their opinions and don't look at the facts available, but we also don't know many facts either, so there is too much reading between the lines which causes arguments. I have remained fairly objective with my opinion on the Prince v McCabe court case.

However, what I will say is that the Prince came on board in Sept 2013. We remained in League one until May 2017, we've had 18 months in the Championship. In that time, we've needed additional finances other than League money, TV Money, Sponsorship, Merchandising and Ticket sales to keep the club running day to day (Staff, Ground and Academy). We've paid off Wilson (just before Prince), Weir, Clough and Adkins, we've paid up contracts of certain players, we've lost money on some.

We've received some relatively large transfer fees in this time, but we've also needed additional cash for player wages and transfer fees, notably Brayford, Billy, Stearman, Egan and Norwood.

On a different subjetc, I spent an hour or so looking at the finances of the pigs the other day as it has intrigued me as to how Chancer reached the £100 Million valuation which he threw out there in the Snorter forum.

Looking at what he's spent, how he's spent it and the end results, it's quite staggering. One of Chancers comments when he was justifying himself to the forum was that IF they'd won in the play offs (they had two goes at it), then he'd be a hero rather than the villain he currently is. It amused me, because he didn't realised how stupid his comment was. Basically he's made a really stupid investment risk and failed miserably (to date) and potentially risked the future of the club. Its a big 'IF' and i wonder whether it is an 'IF' that we want for our club? I certainly don't

So whilst spending £100 Million over three years is not a small amount of money, its £33 Million per year. Theoretically and without FFP, with that spending level, if they go up next season, he would still be in the black. However, when you look at the details and what he has to show for it, the mismanagement at the club have left them with little chance of going up last season, this season and potentially next. His next move is crucial.

Return back to the lane, the Prince and McCabe. We can't compare financially, risking Chancer levels of spending in League one would be suicidal. But we haven't got close to that in 18 months in the Championship either. Is that a bad thing? I hear people talk about "if Wilder had Chancers money he'd have got us up". I think that's obvious.

However, stop the ride now and Wednesday are in the shit, FFP or not, the business model there is not sustainable. One bad season for any club can ruin them, look at Sunderland, Birmingham, Bolton, Pompey, Bradford.

We can argue all day about players sales, but rightly or wrongly we've got a very successful Academy, we've invested in younger players, we've invested in experience, we've done it on the cheap, but we've managed to consistently be placed higher than £100m Chancer's boys in the last two seasons.

So your perception of the Prince (whether you are right or wrong), investing little, for a big pay day, is it a bad business model so far? I don't have an answer.

There's a great deal in what you wrote that I agree with. Of course it's complicated, and for a large part it's supposition rather than being in possession of facts.

Yes, the fact that our outgoings have been relatively small have ensured that we haven't endangered the club's existence. As for the Prince's introduction to the club, it's the $64 thousand dollar question whether he's canny, cash strapped, or not quite the figure we seem to think he is. Apparently he has other sporting investments, so whether it's a step too far by being involved with the Blades, or whether the length of time it took for the club to achieve promotion made him re-evaluate his commitment, who can tell.

One worrying thing that's crossed my mind, should the Prince end up as sole owner, would he bring in his own manager? I say this as he seems unconvinced by Wilder's appointment. The previous appointment of his own man to 'assist' Wilder was met head on and this lasted just a few months. It was a misjudgement on the Prince's part, but should he take control he may feel it's time to return to his previous attempt at a different management structure, time will tell. In all of this I've done my best not to be dazzled by the success we've had under Wilder, but I think he has a talent for management that few possess. To do as well as we have, well you pays your money and takes your choice. For me, Chris is an above average manager, and although possessed of faults, these are outweighed by his eye for making the right choice. We'd regret losing him, but that's just my opinion.

The big question is money and how it's employed to improve the team. You mentioned Chansiri, for my money here's a man who has succeeded in other lines of business, but like Ashley at Newcastle, the complexities of football have been beyond his, and Chancer's, talents. There was an article a few weeks ago in the Financial Times that focused on Watford and their business model. It made an awful lot of sense, and would be far more suitable to a club like United than to imagine we can compete with the Premiership's big hitters. Whatever we appear to be following, I feel that at some point we may hit a brick wall if somehow a little more ambition isn't introduced if we're to cross that line and become serious contenders for promotion. I don't suggest that we should ride blinkered into a rush to gain promotion, but something akin to a calculated risk may be the path that brings it's own rewards.

There, more questions than answers, and I'm enjoying the Wilder lead march to what may be a promotion season. There are few definites, and I'm not one for suggesting that we deserve anything, but given that at times we've not been impressive, we're doing ok, and to be in the top 6 of the Championship around xmas time is pretty good going.

 

[SwissBlade]

There's a great deal in what you wrote that I agree with. Of course it's complicated, and for a large part it's supposition rather than being in possession of facts.

Yes, the fact that our outgoings have been relatively small have ensured that we haven't endangered the club's existence. As for the Prince's introduction to the club, it's the $64 thousand dollar question whether he's canny, cash strapped, or not quite the figure we seem to think he is. Apparently he has other sporting investments, so whether it's a step too far by being involved with the Blades, or whether the length of time it took for the club to achieve promotion made him re-evaluate his commitment, who can tell.

One worrying thing that's crossed my mind, should the Prince end up as sole owner, would he bring in his own manager? I say this as he seems unconvinced by Wilder's appointment. The previous appointment of his own man to 'assist' Wilder was met head on and this lasted just a few months. It was a misjudgement on the Prince's part, but should he take control he may feel it's time to return to his previous attempt at a different management structure, time will tell. In all of this I've done my best not to be dazzled by the success we've had under Wilder, but I think he has a talent for management that few possess. To do as well as we have, well you pays your money and takes your choice. For me, Chris is an above average manager, and although possessed of faults, these are outweighed by his eye for making the right choice. We'd regret losing him, but that's just my opinion.

The big question is money and how it's employed to improve the team. You mentioned Chansiri, for my money here's a man who has succeeded in other lines of business, but like Ashley at Newcastle, the complexities of football have been beyond his, and Chancer's, talents. There was an article a few weeks ago in the Financial Times that focused on Watford and their business model. It made an awful lot of sense, and would be far more suitable to a club like United than to imagine we can compete with the Premiership's big hitters. Whatever we appear to be following, I feel that at some point we may hit a brick wall if somehow a little more ambition isn't introduced if we're to cross that line and become serious contenders for promotion. I don't suggest that we should ride blinkered into a rush to gain promotion, but something akin to a calculated risk may be the path that brings it's own rewards.

There, more questions than answers, and I'm enjoying the Wilder lead march to what may be a promotion season. There are few definites, and I'm not one for suggesting that we deserve anything, but given that at times we've not been impressive, we're doing ok, and to be in the top 6 of the Championship around xmas time is pretty good going.

I didn't see the Watford article, but will try to find it, although i think that the FT is subscription only now.

Its easy to play Championsip manager on forums, taking snippets of information to form our opinions and suggest where we could do better, but there are an awful number of cases where we know that things have gone wrong. Chancer is right, IF he'd made better business decisions, like Ashley at Newcastle and still be disliked by the fans, but he'd probably be in the black.

I have no idea on the Prince's opinion of Wilder, but i'd assume that its as high now as it was when we got promoted two seasons ago.

 

[Magic Hat]

The only way he’ll manage in the PL is if he takes a team there himself.

From an outsiders POV, he’s an excellent lower league manager (3rd tier and below) with an outstanding record down there.

Above that, he’s - so far- proving to be a “decent” Championship manager. The style we play is attracting admirers without doubt.

So; great in lower leagues; decent in the Championship; plays nice, entertaining football. All this done on a comparatively low budget. Sean O Driscolls Doncaster anyone? Nobody from the Premier League came in for him, did they? He was a dour, introverted Brummie with an accent. He didnt fit the image/fashion/glitz of the Premier League. Neither does CW- he’s not dour or introverted, but he does speak his mind, he can rub people up the wrong way and he’s also got an unfashionable accent.

I hate to say it, because WE know what a stunning job he’s done and because WE know the budget and constraints he’s done it under and remember the years before he arrived, but... its worth comparing his situation to Warnock. Again, great lower league record- again achieves on a budget. Is ahead of CW in terms of being up a level regarding Championship record and promotions from it, but CW is obviously younger and just starting that phase.

Point being, despite his successes in the Championship; promotions, rescuing teams from the edge of oblivion, etc no PL side have ever appointed him. Not one side no matter how dire their situation has ever gambled on him. He’s only managed there when he’s got sides there himself.

So who should we worry about? Current PL clubs? Nah. Relegated sides with whacking parachute transfer kitties? Possibly- but would they “gamble” on a “decent” Championship manager? They want to bounce straight back; if they can afford a proven top tier promotion winner or big name, they’ll go that route. Theres only 3 sides coming down and they’ll always be a Pulis or a Warnock available.

The threat for me, would be a big side struggling at the lower end of the Championship who still have a pile of money, but haven’t a clue how to use it at this level. Get CW in to pull them out of the mire, then see what he can do. If Southampton come down, start badly and in November, they sack whichever mercenery they appoint in the summer, THEN I’d be worried.

So we need to worry about Villa and Swansea then.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Isn’t Ricky saying ‘getting a championship job’ is his current limit? Which it is. If you ignore the outlier in Swansea going for Carloss how many PL clubs appoint a manager from the championship? The only slight possibility might be if Dyche went somewhere like Leicester.

Sorry probably didn't read it right BB, I thought he was saying Chris wouldn't be able to cut it in the Premiership.

 

[KoppedOff]

So we need to worry about Villa and Swansea then.

Villa already did it but with Dean Smith. Thats the scenario I’m suggesting. Not sure about Swansea- not what you’d call a big club and I think they’ve had some money problems (still better off than us, I agree).

 

[Silent Blade]

So we need to worry about Villa and Swansea then.

Swansea lost today! Villa have to play L**ds twice

 

[BushBlade]

Swansea lost today! Villa have to play L**ds twice

He meant one of them nicking Wilder. It’s not working out for Potter at Swansea and they have a history of left field appointments. I wouldn’t be surprised if Wilder was on their radar.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

There isn’t a thread that goes by on here where it is repeatedly said that Wilder will leave because of the lack of ambition of the board. It’s been said that often it’s pretty much accepted as fact on here. Just a couple of points.

A) Wilder has happily signed 2 contract extensions with us, presumably knowing what budget he his working with

B) is on record as saying he’s happy with what he has to work with

C) no one has approached Mcabe/Prince for Wilders services.

D) Wilder has never indicated he’ll leave because of his bosses, yes he’s expressed he’d like the ownership issue resolved.

Some good points there mate.

However, I put myself in Widers position. I’m no quitter btw. But if I’d got as far as I thought I could possibly go with the club and wasn’t getting the support I need to achieve my ambition for it, it would be painful to see it all unravel before my eyes and see the dream evaporate, due to no fault of my own. I also wouldn’t want the history books to show I’ve failed having dragged the club back from the dead and performed a near miracle.

Fans are fickle. Those chants of “he’s one of our own” could soon turn to “Wilder out” (as they did for Warnock) when things start going bad.

Think back to Micky Adams. Whatever we might think of him as a manager that bloke cared so much for the club it got in his way. He sounded like he was on the verge of a breakdown at times because he couldn’t change things to get the club performing as he would have loved. That must be the worst of agonies. I don’t know Chris but he comes across as a very decent human being and I think it would hurt him too much to continue if he felt the situation was hopeless.

I do not think for one minute that he’d jump ship for a bigger pay day if he thought he could achieve for our club. (I can’t say the same for Warnock btw).

But if he feels it’s a lost cause I do think he’d walk away and say..”I did my very best, but I can’t take it further”. And I for one, would totally respect him for that.

So I think we are vulnerable to him leaving if he isn’t backed sufficiently to allow us to push on to the next level. Let’s hope the owners see it that way too because we haven’t had a better manager in the time I’ve been watching -and I include the great John Harris in that.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

The only way he’ll manage in the PL is if he takes a team there himself.

From an outsiders POV, he’s an excellent lower league manager (3rd tier and below) with an outstanding record down there.

Above that, he’s - so far- proving to be a “decent” Championship manager. The style we play is attracting admirers without doubt.

So; great in lower leagues; decent in the Championship; plays nice, entertaining football. All this done on a comparatively low budget. Sean O Driscolls Doncaster anyone? Nobody from the Premier League came in for him, did they? He was a dour, introverted Brummie with an accent. He didnt fit the image/fashion/glitz of the Premier League. Neither does CW- he’s not dour or introverted, but he does speak his mind, he can rub people up the wrong way and he’s also got an unfashionable accent.

I hate to say it, because WE know what a stunning job he’s done and because WE know the budget and constraints he’s done it under and remember the years before he arrived, but... its worth comparing his situation to Warnock. Again, great lower league record- again achieves on a budget. Is ahead of CW in terms of being up a level regarding Championship record and promotions from it, but CW is obviously younger and just starting that phase.

Point being, despite his successes in the Championship; promotions, rescuing teams from the edge of oblivion, etc no PL side have ever appointed him. Not one side no matter how dire their situation has ever gambled on him. He’s only managed there when he’s got sides there himself.

So who should we worry about? Current PL clubs? Nah. Relegated sides with whacking parachute transfer kitties? Possibly- but would they “gamble” on a “decent” Championship manager? They want to bounce straight back; if they can afford a proven top tier promotion winner or big name, they’ll go that route. Theres only 3 sides coming down and they’ll always be a Pulis or a Warnock available.

The threat for me, would be a big side struggling at the lower end of the Championship who still have a pile of money, but haven’t a clue how to use it at this level. Get CW in to pull them out of the mire, then see what he can do. If Southampton come down, start badly and in November, they sack whichever mercenery they appoint in the summer, THEN I’d be worried.

Personally I'd be gutted if the pigs got Sean O Driscoll.

 

[ucandomagic]

For what it’s worth, here’s my take on Tufty.

He has a very clear way that he wants his teams to play and he is completely unwilling to compromise his pass and move vision.

In League 1, by putting together a team of decent players and drilling them we were able to dominate the League and earn 100 points.

In the Championship, being pressed hard and having a first touch that is less than perfect means that we move the ball around less easily. The main difference between average and high quality players is decision making and speed of thought, so moving the ball about more slowly means that the opposition can keep their shape and make it more difficult for us to break through.

Tufty said give me some money and I’d be dangerous. By that I’m sure that he means that his individual style is perfect for high quality (fast thinking) players. At present the current squad is not good enough to succeed consistently at this level playing this way.

As long as he feels that he can progress the squad to play Tuftyball better and better he will stay at “his” club. If we have stalled and somebody offers him better tools, then he will want to move and improve his product.

I believe that in many games when we have dominated, and in many cases demoralised the opposition, being less puritanical about our style of play and driving forward in wave after wave like Manure of old would probably have led to their capitulation. However, we refuse to compromise our principles, and so we need to continually improve our touch and speed of thought if we are to progress. We stick to our knitting to use the old business consultant mantra.

Tufty is 51, he firmly believes that his methods can win at any level given the right players with the right attitude. He is ambitious but not desperately impatient.

As long as he feels we are moving forwards, however slowly, he will not risk promises of gold that may become the Emperor’s Clothes; but the day that he feels we have hit the ceiling he will take his ball and play with another gang!

 

[FatLadFromSheffield]

Now that's bollocks!

Athleticism's not a requirement at all. We barely have any pace in the squad. Look at our midfield.
.

Since when did athleticism just mean pace? It includes physical strength and fitness (stamina, natural fitness) too.

To say it isn't 'a requirement at all' given the way we play, is quite frankly, bollocks.