I love Wilder but

[Chabuddy G]

I’m not Wilder out by any stretch but there are some questions that need answering for me, and calling people names for thinking that is a bit silly.

Not one person at this club is bigger than it, I'm sure people would happily question Prince Abdullah if he made a weird decision tomorrow despite spending 130m since promotion and improving so many things about the club, why can't similar questions be asked of Chris Wilder after actually SPENDING that sort of money and somehow taking us backwards?

He seems to be very stubborn and set in his ways. Not changing ANYTHING at all with the line up, not even a tweak in the shape or style of (boring) play, the subs you can read off a sheet and it never fails, and the same tired excuses after every game. Something something money.

He's spent more than Sean Dyche has at Burnley in his whole tenure in 2 years. We are entitled to ask questions of people at our club, no matter who they are.

 

[Stannington Blade]

Totally agree that questions need to be asked (and I'm sure they are).

On the other hand due to Wilder I also can see us suddenly beating W.Brom, Leicester and Saints in consequtive games despite being off colour beforehand. Lost 3-0 to Newcastke then beat Spurs, Chelsea and Wolves.

Feel free to reply to this next week

 

[The Crab]

*sighs because I promised myself I wouldn't get involved.............

The name calling, on both sides, what the fuck? At each others throats when there are far bigger things to worry about.

I think it's fair to say we have had what can only be described as a shite start. Should CW be given a chance to put this right? Absolutely. Does he deserve gratitude (along with AK and others)? Again, absolutely.

But to look at it objectively, it's a results business, there's no getting away from that. Look at Bournemouth and Eddie Howe. A man and a club that were a perfect fit, until one day they weren't, it happens. Nothing is forever.

We can speculate all we like, but while the Prince holds the reigns, it will be his decision, a decision that will lend itself less to emotion, and much more to protecting his interests.

I love CW, love how he's lived the dream, what he brings to the club. He's one of our own. But the fact is, if things go on as they are, well............

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Madness the stick that the "Wilder Out" brigade are getting. He's a big boy, on a decent contract. He's had plenty of money to spend. We've got 1 points from 36 on offer in the last 12 games.

I'm not in agreement with sacking Wilder, but we can't just keep doing the same thing, losing every week & say "it's all fine because of his record."

All of this talk about "he'll bring us back up" - based on what? We will have to sell players to balance the stadium purchase, there'll not be much to invest & we're already worse than 2 of the sides that will be coming down with us... If we haven't won a game by Christmas he will have to go. The players will have lost all faith by then & his position will be untenable.

We've got West Brom next, I think they'll beat us. But even if we do pull off a result we've then got Southampton, Leicester & Man U.
Last season, when we were good, we only managed to get 1 point from 6 games against those sides.
Wilder no doubt doesn't think we can go "toe-to-toe" with them. So you're looking at being relegated by Christmas without a fight.

 

[Chabuddy G]

*sighs because I promised myself I wouldn't get involved.............

The name calling, on both sides, what the fuck? At each others throats when there are far bigger things to worry about.

I think it's fair to say we have had what can only be described as a shite start. Should CW be given a chance to put this right? Absolutely. Does he deserve gratitude (along with AK and others)? Again, absolutely.

But to look at it objectively, it's a results business, there's no getting away from that. Look at Bournemouth and Eddie Howe. A man and a club that were a perfect fit, until one day they weren't, it happens. Nothing is forever.

We can speculate all we like, but while the Prince holds the reigns, it will be his decision, a decision that will lend itself less to emotion, and much more to protecting his interests.

I love CW, love how he's lived the dream, what he brings to the club. He's one of our own. But the fact is, if things go on as they are, well............

If the Prince turns round tomorrow and sacks Chris then I'll say it's harsh but I truly believe he has the best interests of the club at heart and it's a decision made on a business basis rather than one ruled by the heart.

I think if we're still playing the same way come the new year and don't have a win to our name, neither us nor Chris can be surprised if he gets the boot. Having 1 point from 9 games is embarrassing, Forfar Athletic would probably have more.

Insanity is doing the same thing time and time again and expecting a different result, suffice to say insanity is how I'm viewing Chris and AK's management of the team at this precise moment.

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

Never said straightaway. I said if things haven't improved by New Year's Day then he would need to go. I stick by that.

Out of the frying pan into the fire !

 

[BigBed]

You complete Fuckwit

Chris the C#@t.

 

[Chabuddy G]

Madness the stick that the "Wilder Out" brigade are getting. He's a big boy, on a decent contract. He's had plenty of money to spend. We've got 1 points from 36 on offer in the last 12 games.

I'm not in agreement with sacking Wilder, but we can't just keep doing the same thing, losing every week & say "it's all fine because of his record."

All of this talk about "he'll bring us back up" - based on what? We will have to sell players to balance the stadium purchase, there'll not be much to invest & we're already worse than 2 of the sides that will be coming down with us... If we haven't won a game by Christmas he will have to go. The players will have lost all faith by then & his position will be untenable.

Everyone said Brighton sacking Hughton was utter madness and that every team in the FL would have him tomorrow. It's taken him a year to get a job, and Forest are hardly pulling up trees (bdumtshhh) meanwhile Brighton are looking a much better side and are playing some lovely exciting football, we could only dream of under Graham Potter.

The reasons people have for not wanting Wilder to get sacked are a bit simple for me. I'd stick for now but if nothing changes we have to twist, the manager so far this year is not the one that made me fall in love with football again 4 years ago.

 

[The Crab]

If the Prince turns round tomorrow and sacks Chris then I'll say it's harsh but I truly believe he has the best interests of the club at heart and it's a decision made on a business basis rather than one ruled by the heart.

I think if we're still playing the same way come the new year and don't have a win to our name, neither us nor Chris can be surprised if he gets the boot. Having 1 point from 9 games is embarrassing, Forfar Athletic would probably have more.

Insanity is doing the same thing time and time again and expecting a different result, suffice to say insanity is how I'm viewing Chris and AK's management of the team at this precise moment.

I wonder (bear with me here as it's a bit left field as a theory) whether the lack of crowds has in a way, helped him? Not helped the teams performance obviously, but look at the threads on here, a few battle lines being drawn. Expand that, and imagine that with a football crowd. Think it wouldn't happen? It would you know, we have previous, Warnock and Basset eras spring to mind.

Would that atmosphere have compelled Prince to act? Maybe..............

 

[hidesbehindapseudonym]

Everyone said Brighton sacking Hughton was utter madness and that every team in the FL would have him tomorrow. It's taken him a year to get a job, and Forest are hardly pulling up trees (bdumtshhh) meanwhile Brighton are looking a much better side and are playing some lovely exciting football, we could only dream of under Graham Potter.

The reasons people have for not wanting Wilder to get sacked are a bit simple for me. I'd stick for now but if nothing changes we have to twist, the manager so far this year is not the one that made me fall in love with football again 4 years ago.

Perfectly put. It's sad but Wilder could hardly be doing any worse.

 

[Chabuddy G]

I wonder (bear with me here as it's a bit left field as a theory) whether the lack of crowds has in a way, helped him? Not helped the teams performance obviously, but look at the threads on here, a few battle lines being drawn. Expand that, and imagine that with a football crowd. Think it wouldn't happen? It would you know, we have previous, Warnock and Basset eras spring to mind.

Would that atmosphere have compelled Prince to act? Maybe..............

I think if the fans were there there's no way we'd see the performances we're seeing now. If John Lundstram tried his no effort act at a packed Lane someone would run on and smack him.

 

[The Crab]

I think if the fans were there there's no way we'd see the performances we're seeing now. If John Lundstram tried his no effort act at a packed Lane someone would run on and smack him.

Quite true, my theory has more holes in it than a Crab Airlines plane

 

[Whiston Blade]

Madness the stick that the "Wilder Out" brigade are getting. He's a big boy, on a decent contract. He's had plenty of money to spend. We've got 1 points from 36 on offer in the last 12 games.

I'm not in agreement with sacking Wilder, but we can't just keep doing the same thing, losing every week & say "it's all fine because of his record."

All of this talk about "he'll bring us back up" - based on what? We will have to sell players to balance the stadium purchase, there'll not be much to invest & we're already worse than 2 of the sides that will be coming down with us... If we haven't won a game by Christmas he will have to go. The players will have lost all faith by then & his position will be untenable.

We've got West Brom next, I think they'll beat us. But even if we do pull off a result we've then got Southampton, Leicester & Man U.
Last season, when we were good, we only managed to get 1 point from 6 games against those sides.
Wilder no doubt doesn't think we can go "toe-to-toe" with them. So you're looking at being relegated by Christmas without a fight.

You'll be accused of being a pig soon enough.. It's easier than actually listening to both sides of the argument.

 

[hidesbehindapseudonym]

Madness the stick that the "Wilder Out" brigade are getting. He's a big boy, on a decent contract. He's had plenty of money to spend. We've got 1 points from 36 on offer in the last 12 games.

I'm not in agreement with sacking Wilder, but we can't just keep doing the same thing, losing every week & say "it's all fine because of his record."

All of this talk about "he'll bring us back up" - based on what? We will have to sell players to balance the stadium purchase, there'll not be much to invest & we're already worse than 2 of the sides that will be coming down with us... If we haven't won a game by Christmas he will have to go. The players will have lost all faith by then & his position will be untenable.

We've got West Brom next, I think they'll beat us. But even if we do pull off a result we've then got Southampton, Leicester & Man U.
Last season, when we were good, we only managed to get 1 point from 6 games against those sides.
Wilder no doubt doesn't think we can go "toe-to-toe" with them. So you're looking at being relegated by Christmas without a fight.

Past performance is no guarantee etc.

The results are bad enough, it's the total lack of bollocks that's getting to me.

 

[Espania blade]

A quick comment 'cause I'm busy but when CW went shopping for new recruits for the next generation of the playing staff did he think (know) that he should consider JOC, Moose, Fleck were going to be sidelined? obviously not how could he? He was shopping for the next generation of players not players that would immediately cement a place in the first team but he has had to "blood" them out of necessity
Cut the guy some slack fps!

 

[Espania blade]

A quick comment 'cause I'm busy but when CW went shopping for new recruits for the next generation of the playing staff did he think (know) that he should consider JOC, Moose, Fleck were going to be sidelined? obviously not how could he? He was shopping for the next generation of players not players that would immediately cement a place in the first team but he has had to "blood" them out of necessity
Cut the guy some slack fps!

Have to say, having read my own post, my only issue is the performances and playing style,
In the Bassett and Warnock days at first the football (football) was exciting, attack, attack, attack, but in the end it got boring and I was glad to see the back of them, CW comes in and it's the same story not hoofball but a style that was easy on the eye, now it's looking boring,
I love watching Chelsea and Brighton, I think managers like Lampard and Potter are the future of football, but could we have evolved into that style of football? should we (CW) have tried?
or is he stuck with his own ideology of how to play, if it's the latter we need to evolve the managerial position as well as harsh as that would be.
(stubborn)

 

[Champagneblade]

It's a funny situation that we find ourselves in, isn't it? The current management & squad is coming up short in the PL this season, and yet a large number of us think that a.) if we go down we'll come back up again without much difficulty & b.) that a season in the championship with its reduced finances and reduced quality will somehow make us better prepared for the PL, which will be an even more unforgiving place, by the time we return.

I think that going down wouldn't be the end of the world because the squad wouldn't need a large overhaul. We'd have parachute payments and could absorb sales of say Baldock and Berge whilst still retaining components of a promotion team with a number of proven goalscorers at that level.

You'd hope then in the season we would return (I know hyperthetical) we'd hopefully be back that we'd avoid such wretched injuries we've encountered this term paired with dreadful early decisions in matches we'd be expecting points.

The main rivals to get back would be probably Fulham and WBA, neither of which have the array of Championship top scorers we would have - McBurnie, Sharp, Brewster all 1 in 2, Mousset who has always played a level higher and McGoldrick who remains a quality player.

But while we are one of few clubs without a Billionaire benefactor it is going to be a constant struggle for us at this level.

 

[FATTYFOULKE]

Well the OP achieved his objective/agenda. Got us debating the shortcomings of Wilder and whether we should stick with him. Then disappears.

How any blade can actually think that it would be a good idea to get rid at any point this season is unbelievable.

I’d say most who say that including the OP are pigs and if they’re not they probably would be better off down at the Swill where they’d fit in with plenty more who would like nothing better than for us to make the mistake of sacking him.

Cant believe some fall for it.

 

[Chabuddy G]

Well the OP achieved his objective/agenda. Got us debating the shortcomings of Wilder and whether we should stick with him. Then disappears.

How any blade can actually think that it would be a good idea to get rid at any point this season is unbelievable.

I’d say most who say that including the OP are pigs and if they’re not they probably would be better off down at the Swill where they’d fit in with plenty more who would like nothing better than for us to make the mistake of sacking him.

Cant believe some fall for it.

“he’s got a different opinion to me, he must be a pig”

never fails

 

[YES Blade]

If the Prince turns round tomorrow and sacks Chris then I'll say it's harsh but I truly believe he has the best interests of the club at heart and it's a decision made on a business basis rather than one ruled by the heart.

I think if we're still playing the same way come the new year and don't have a win to our name, neither us nor Chris can be surprised if he gets the boot. Having 1 point from 9 games is embarrassing, Forfar Athletic would probably have more.

Insanity is doing the same thing time and time again and expecting a different result, suffice to say insanity is how I'm viewing Chris and AK's management of the team at this precise moment.

That's where I'm at right now, if Wilder were to be sacked it would be an incredibly sad way to see it end, but I wouldn't blame the Prince for doing what he thinks is best for the club. Sometimes you have to make tough decisions.

The insanity definition sums up our situation perfectly, although I fully expected the team selection on Sunday my heart still sank. I could just see a repeat of our recent performances and results coming a mile off. If as I expect, it's pretty much the same team selection at West Brom and we don't win, then Wilder isn't really helping himself and is putting the Prince into a position where he's going to have to make a tough decision.

 

[A Storm of Blades]

Because things are now verging on a cult.

A reasoned reply to the OP, not that hard was it lads and lasses.

This thread will result in loads of bans and for what? Someone suggesting Wilder might go in January if results don’t pick up? I’m struggling to see why this opinion has seen so much vile to be honest, pathetic from some so called Blades. Some really angry and childish Blades.

Very good post by the way.

Yep

 

[Vikkster]

Quick reminder of where we are at:

5 years BC (Before Chris):
League One
League One
League One
League One
League One

5 years AD (After Dean (Hammond)):
League One
Championship
Championship
Premiership
Premiership

Now we went through 5 appointments in cementing ourselves in League One. So I don't know how there would be an expectation to somehow upgrade on the bloke with the AD record. But the chances are very low.

I'm backing Chris to build a dynasty here. This is not the beginning of the end, merely the end of the beginning.

UTB

This

 

[Chris the Blade]

Chris the C#@t.

Nice

 

[Chris the Blade]

Madness the stick that the "Wilder Out" brigade are getting. He's a big boy, on a decent contract. He's had plenty of money to spend. We've got 1 points from 36 on offer in the last 12 games.

I'm not in agreement with sacking Wilder, but we can't just keep doing the same thing, losing every week & say "it's all fine because of his record."

All of this talk about "he'll bring us back up" - based on what? We will have to sell players to balance the stadium purchase, there'll not be much to invest & we're already worse than 2 of the sides that will be coming down with us... If we haven't won a game by Christmas he will have to go. The players will have lost all faith by then & his position will be untenable.

We've got West Brom next, I think they'll beat us. But even if we do pull off a result we've then got Southampton, Leicester & Man U.
Last season, when we were good, we only managed to get 1 point from 6 games against those sides.
Wilder no doubt doesn't think we can go "toe-to-toe" with them. So you're looking at being relegated by Christmas without a fight.

Common sense post. No one is bigger than this football club. At the moment we're going down with a whimper. I hope Wilder proves me wrong but you can't keep doing the same thing week in week out. Total madness

 

[Begley]

Villa fan in peace.

Reading this blog is similar to reading Villa blogs last season. There were some very extreme views on whether to keep or sack Dean Smith. In the end he was kept and I think keeping him has proven to be the right decision.

Regarding the debate here, my outsider's view is that without question CW deserves time to get things right. He has been excellent for Sheffield United and what he has achieved and proven over the last number of year is remarkable. However, this season has got off to a rocky start and 1 point form 9 is really bad. However, I wouldn't read too much into the actual points return and would focus more on the mini league which appears to have developed at the bottom of the league. There are 4 teams looking to finish top and there is only 4 points separating top and bottom with 27 games which is 81 points left to play for. So now is definitely not the time to panic or make knee jerk decisions. Beat the Baggies in the next game and everything will look so much nicer. It is not impossible to win 3 or 4 of your next 6 or 7 and suddenly you will be top half again.

The recruitment looks to be very poor as it is not delivering what you want. But the new players are young and they too have to adapt to the Premier League and the pressure and how to play with their new team mates and manager. These lads need a bit of time to show what they are capable of and give a return on their investment. I do think that Sheffield Utd made an error in not replacing JOC (Massive loss) and also a little PL experience would have helped. You don't have to break the back for this but maybe a freebie like Jeff Hendrick? I appreciate it is not aligned with the strategy of buy young, develop and sell at a profit and make the club sustainable but I think to survive in the PL requires the experience of an older head.

Some have mentioned the overall club strategy and how you are 5 years ahead of where you should be. This is great but does bring its problems. I do like the mindset of sticking with CW, even if you go down as you are building something long term and survival in the PL this season is not the holy grail, it would be preferred but it should not derail the long term approach Sheffield United is taking.

Anyway, I think you will stay up, I think come Feb next year people will look back on these posts and laugh as you will be looking good for another year in the PL with CW. Best of luck for the season and get 3 very motivational points at the weekend.

 

[Freddy Dunning-Kruger]

That's where I'm at right now, if Wilder were to be sacked it would be an incredibly sad way to see it end, but I wouldn't blame the Prince for doing what he thinks is best for the club. Sometimes you have to make tough decisions.

This.

A few years ago Southampton were 15th in January in their first year back in the Premier League following back to back promotions - and they still decided to sack their manager. Looking back, it seems they made the correct decision - although it wasn't obvious at the time (and if events had turned out differently the owner would have been blamed).

 

[Begley]

This.

A few years ago Southampton were 15th in January in their first year back in the Premier League following back to back promotions - and they still decided to sack their manager. Looking back, it seems they made the correct decision - although it wasn't obvious at the time (and if events had turned out differently the owner would have been blamed).

Freddy,

I have exactly this debate with fellow Villa fans. I think no one person is greater than the club and we should also strive to get the best we can whether that is a player, a manager or a CEO or any other position at the club. Personally, I feel Dean Smith has taken Villa just about as far as he can. I would love to see us getting a manager like Pochettino and if we could get him I would sack Smith in the morning. However, it may prove impossible for Villa to attract a Poch type manager and if that is the case then I am happy to stick with Smith. I think where Sheffield United are currently in their development, that CW is the best manager for you. If he stabilises the club as a midtable PL team then it may be time to look to get a 'better' manager. I look at the teams in the PL (outside the of big boys) that have modern, attacking style managers: Nuno (Wolves), Hasenhuttl (Saints), Potter (Brighton) and Bielsa (Leeds). These teams are all developing on the pitch and all look to be heading in the right direction. They are playing the style of football I want to see my team play. I think the other manager like Smith are able to get a bunch of players to play to a system and to punch above their weight. I don't think that Smith is in the same category as the 4 managers I mentioned. I don't think CW is either but I think CW is probably top of the pile as the best manager from all the rest.

 

[chipsncake]

Like it or not the Prince will already have started the hunt for our next manager. Not that the sacking of Wilder is imminent but from being unthinkable 3 months ago there is a distinct possibility it could happen before the years out (ask the bookies, they rarely get it wrong). Irrespective of whether or not it does happen, to not be one step ahead when considering such an important issue would be a betrayal of duty. For what it's worth I suspect Van Winckel will play a major role in this with the distinct possibility that any future manager could well come from overseas.

 

[derfblade.3]

(ask the bookies, they rarely get it wrong).

Laughable.

 

[FATTYFOULKE]

“he’s got a different opinion to me, he must be a pig”

never fails

Like I said, if he ain’t a pig he might as well be. Same as you if you think we should even think of getting rid of Chris Wilder.

So if so just fuck off and do us all a favour.