Home truths.

[Deleted member 23679]

We got over promoted, when we went up in 2018-19, we did it on the back of a settled side who had few injuries, if we had a few injuries we wouldn’t have gone up as we had very little strength in depth. Therefore we needed almost an entirely new second string of players who were up to the top division as well as bolstering the starting XI. Bear in mind when we went up we did so with several players who had been playing L1 and made the jump in two seasons. Basham, JOC, Fleck, Sharp are 4 prime examples. Baldock and Stevens too. It was a big ask and we did remarkably well last season but it was also bound to catch up with us at some point.

We aren’t an attractive prospect for new signings and can’t offer the wages other clubs can. The first season after promotion we went after Neal Maupay but couldn’t match what Brighton was offering so we ended up with McBurnie. Same this season when we went for Matty Cash, Villa then nipped in with an offer that blew us out the water, same with Robinson who went to Fulham and I think we was also after Ollie Watkins, same result. That is why we ended up with Brewster, Bogle and Lowe. Same with Ramsdale, he was the best we could afford with the budget.

We’ve been hit harder by the lack of crowds than anyone else in the PL. Look back to last season and plenty of the wins came in front of packed houses at a vibrant and noisy Bramall Lane or in front of loud and raucous away ends. That undoubtedly gave the players a lift when they needed it, push tired minds and bodies through the pain barrier. Take the crowd away and if you are taking 5%-10% away from the team.

What we need to do is accept the situation for what it is. Relegation is a case of when, not if, and how much respectability we can claw back. We need to think now about next season. I think Wilder has enough credit to have a go at taking us back, because that hasn’t worked out too badly for Norwich with Farke. With the squad we have got now, it looks very well equipped to be a potent force in the League below, in terms of first team quality and the quality of back ups. Writing this season off should now be a case of taking one step back to take two steps forward.

What has become apparent is how many miracles Wilder pulled off over the last 4 years and how many rabbits he pulled out of the hat. He hasn’t become a bad manager overnight, circumstances have just caught up with him and he will be feeling it more than most, but looking at the wider picture, we are in a far better state than we was when he came in, I think we should remember what he has done for us, and he hasn’t become a bad manager over night, and when we drop he will be the ideal man to get us moving again.

 

[BorisTheBlade2]

I agree.

 

[BladeInIreland]

We got over promoted, when we went up in 2018-19, we did it on the back of a settled side who had few injuries, if we had a few injuries we wouldn’t have gone up as we had very little strength in depth. Therefore we needed almost an entirely new second string of players who were up to the top division as well as bolstering the starting XI. Bear in mind when we went up we did so with several players who had been playing L1 and made the jump in two seasons. Basham, JOC, Fleck, Sharp are 4 prime examples. Baldock and Stevens too. It was a big ask and we did remarkably well last season but it was also bound to catch up with us at some point.

We aren’t an attractive prospect for new signings and can’t offer the wages other clubs can. The first season after promotion we went after Neal Maupay but couldn’t match what Brighton was offering so we ended up with McBurnie. Same this season when we went for Matty Cash, Villa then nipped in with an offer that blew us out the water, same with Robinson who went to Fulham and I think we was also after Ollie Watkins, same result. That is why we ended up with Brewster, Bogle and Lowe. Same with Ramsdale, he was the best we could afford with the budget.

We’ve been hit harder by the lack of crowds than anyone else in the PL. Look back to last season and plenty of the wins came in front of packed houses at a vibrant and noisy Bramall Lane or in front of loud and raucous away ends. That undoubtedly gave the players a lift when they needed it, push tired minds and bodies through the pain barrier. Take the crowd away and if you are taking 5%-10% away from the team.

What we need to do is accept the situation for what it is. Relegation is a case of when, not if, and how much respectability we can claw back. We need to think now about next season. I think Wilder has enough credit to have a go at taking us back, because that hasn’t worked out too badly for Norwich with Farke. With the squad we have got now, it looks very well equipped to be a potent force in the League below, in terms of first team quality and the quality of back ups. Writing this season off should now be a case of taking one step back to take two steps forward.

What has become apparent is how many miracles Wilder pulled off over the last 4 years and how many rabbits he pulled out of the hat. He hasn’t become a bad manager overnight, circumstances have just caught up with him and he will be feeling it more than most, but looking at the wider picture, we are in a far better state than we was when he came in, I think we should remember what he has done for us, and he hasn’t become a bad manager over night, and when we drop he will be the ideal man to get us moving again.

Good post . I think how these circumstances affect us in particular is understated. You have one nearly normal season in the premier league and one where you wouldn't recognise it yet the former is the one some would have us believe is the one off and the latter is the one we should judge Wilder on.

I am still 100% behind Wilder.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

I agree with most of that.

but it doesn’t excuse 2 points from the last 19 games. It’s unacceptable - most championship clubs would put up more of a fight than this. I reckon 15 would have more points than we do. It’s beyond pitiful return for the resources spent and how we know we can play. We are an embarrassment, and when we go one down the game is over.

The squad building has been dire for the last 2 years. £120m and we are literally worse than the side that came up. Whatever happens he needs to thoroughly look at our recruiting strategy, because it’s not right for the top level. He needs to ask for help abs support because they have got it more wrong than right recently.

you give Brentford 120m and out wage structure, they establish themselves at the very highest level imo.

 

[Deleted member 23679]

I agree with most of that.

but it doesn’t excuse 2 points from the last 19 games. It’s unacceptable - most championship clubs would put up more of a fight than this. I reckon 15 would have more points than we do. It’s beyond pitiful return for the resources spent and how we know we can play. We are an embarrassment, and when we go one down the game is over.

The squad building has been dire for the last 2 years. £120m and we are literally worse than the side that came up. Whatever happens he needs to thoroughly look at our recruiting strategy, because it’s not right for the top level. He needs to ask for help abs support because they have got it more wrong than right recently.

you give Brentford 120m and out wage structure, they establish themselves at the very highest level imo.

We had two seasons in the same Division as Brentford and they paid more on transfers and wages that we did and had the bigger scouting network so why aren’t they already in the PL?

 

[CentralQuay]

Essentially everything I have said over 12 months summarised more briefly......You will get attacked less than I did as unlike yourself I wasn't 'born a blade'.


"Norwich with Farke."

Is a very interesting take, and I recall many on here last season mocking them and the plaudits they received because of their poor league position......
But the reality was, their playing squad despite finishing bottom was in a better position than this squad was at the end of last season, as I said then, and as proves to be the case now.

Norwich's promotion, with such an inexperienced squad and manager probably came at the wrong time, too early.
Blade's promotion, probably came too early in the sense that the squad was full of ageing Championship players and Wilder has been forced to buy his next cycle of youngsters whilst in the big time.


The age and potential of the playing squad is far better currently, than last season in my honest opinion.

 

[Yogi]

We got over promoted, when we went up in 2018-19, we did it on the back of a settled side who had few injuries, if we had a few injuries we wouldn’t have gone up as we had very little strength in depth. Therefore we needed almost an entirely new second string of players who were up to the top division as well as bolstering the starting XI. Bear in mind when we went up we did so with several players who had been playing L1 and made the jump in two seasons. Basham, JOC, Fleck, Sharp are 4 prime examples. Baldock and Stevens too. It was a big ask and we did remarkably well last season but it was also bound to catch up with us at some point.

We aren’t an attractive prospect for new signings and can’t offer the wages other clubs can. The first season after promotion we went after Neal Maupay but couldn’t match what Brighton was offering so we ended up with McBurnie. Same this season when we went for Matty Cash, Villa then nipped in with an offer that blew us out the water, same with Robinson who went to Fulham and I think we was also after Ollie Watkins, same result. That is why we ended up with Brewster, Bogle and Lowe. Same with Ramsdale, he was the best we could afford with the budget.

We’ve been hit harder by the lack of crowds than anyone else in the PL. Look back to last season and plenty of the wins came in front of packed houses at a vibrant and noisy Bramall Lane or in front of loud and raucous away ends. That undoubtedly gave the players a lift when they needed it, push tired minds and bodies through the pain barrier. Take the crowd away and if you are taking 5%-10% away from the team.

What we need to do is accept the situation for what it is. Relegation is a case of when, not if, and how much respectability we can claw back. We need to think now about next season. I think Wilder has enough credit to have a go at taking us back, because that hasn’t worked out too badly for Norwich with Farke. With the squad we have got now, it looks very well equipped to be a potent force in the League below, in terms of first team quality and the quality of back ups. Writing this season off should now be a case of taking one step back to take two steps forward.

What has become apparent is how many miracles Wilder pulled off over the last 4 years and how many rabbits he pulled out of the hat. He hasn’t become a bad manager overnight, circumstances have just caught up with him and he will be feeling it more than most, but looking at the wider picture, we are in a far better state than we was when he came in, I think we should remember what he has done for us, and he hasn’t become a bad manager over night, and when we drop he will be the ideal man to get us moving again.

I think whoever is in charge isn’t getting us out of this. Therefore it’s about development now and rebuilding the spine of a team. Because I have serious concerns over our midfield going into next year.

So Ramsdale needs to continue to play like he has today doesn’t look like he’ll keep many clean sheets this year but he needs to continue to cut out the errors in his game and really show he’s ready to be a number 1.

Brewster needs to keep plugging away keep getting better at the things he doesn’t do well link play, work rate and physicality. Because again like Ramsdale his performances won’t be reflected in the stats sheet we’re not creating the chances for him to score lots of goals.

Burke and Mcburnie both need to show they can improve as finishers as they are almost the opposites of Brewster but both in different ways.

Bogle needs to see some game time in order to not stunt his development and Lowe needs to show by the end of the season he can out compete Stevens because if he can’t then he has no business being here.

We as a football club need to demonstrate between now and the start of next season that we can identify and recruit centremids (attacking and otherwise) aswell as centrehalves. Because the spine of the team will need a wholesale revamp in the summer with the exception of Egan and Basham (providing his legs hold up )

 

[CentralQuay]

We had two seasons in the same Division as Brentford and they paid more on transfers and wages that we did and had the bigger scouting network so why aren’t they already in the PL?

They also generated more through sales etc.....
But getting promoted quickly, isn't always a good thing, believe it or not.

 

[Yogi]

Essentially everything I have said over 12 months summarised more briefly......You will get attacked less than I did as unlike yourself I wasn't 'born a blade'.


"Norwich with Farke."

Is a very interesting take, and I recall many on here last season mocking them and the plaudits they received because of their poor league position......
But the reality was, their playing squad despite finishing bottom was in a better position than this squad was at the end of last season, as I said then, and as proves to be the case now.

Norwich's promotion, with such an inexperienced squad and manager probably came at the wrong time, too early.
Blade's promotion, probably came too early in the sense that the squad was full of ageing Championship players and Wilder has been forced to buy his next cycle of youngsters whilst in the big time.


The age and potential of the playing squad is far better currently, than last season in my honest opinion.

The aim for the club over the next 1-4 years should be to arrive at a point off the pitch where Norwich are now. Specifically to have an academy set up poaching promising young players from around the country and a European scouting network which is certainly functional if not good.

 

[BanderSerge]

I agree with most of that.

but it doesn’t excuse 2 points from the last 19 games. It’s unacceptable - most championship clubs would put up more of a fight than this. I reckon 15 would have more points than we do. It’s beyond pitiful return for the resources spent and how we know we can play. We are an embarrassment, and when we go one down the game is over.

The squad building has been dire for the last 2 years. £120m and we are literally worse than the side that came up. Whatever happens he needs to thoroughly look at our recruiting strategy, because it’s not right for the top level. He needs to ask for help abs support because they have got it more wrong than right recently.

you give Brentford 120m and out wage structure, they establish themselves at the very highest level imo.

This is some sort of in joke I’m not privvy to? This squad, when everybody is fit, is worse than the squad that came up? I’ll give you Henderson for Ramsdale because we haven’t got the £60m fee or £120,000 a week wage.

 

[CentralQuay]

The aim for the club over the next 1-4 years should be to arrive at a point off the pitch where Norwich are now. Specifically to have an academy set up poaching promising young players from around the country and a European scouting network which is certainly functional if not good.

This is where Wilder has been let down for me.
The modern game requires knowledge of foreign markets, and that is not the managers job.

He needs help, and the club need to put the infrastructure in place.


Not sure if he's still unemployed, but if Steve Walsh is out there get him in.
The man responsible for creating the system that found mahrez/kante/vardy/ndidi/soyuncu/fofana etc.
Also guys like Drogba at Chelsea.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

We had two seasons in the same Division as Brentford and they paid more on transfers and wages that we did and had the bigger scouting network so why aren’t they already in the PL?

Simple answer is they are a ‘small side’ and their team gets ripped apart each year. They have a produced conveyer belt of talent

I think we went up because wilder is a better manager - I just think it’s nonsense to say we can’t compete when at least half of Brentford’s squad in the championship walks into ours. Unless we take action, we will end up pissing away more untold millions. We can and must do better.

you don’t need to spent 30million on olly Watkins if you can buy him for 2million.

ivan Toney cost about 1/3 of a Brewster or mcburnie and already has a better record than both of them at championship level.

 

[CentralQuay]

This is some sort of in joke I’m not privvy to? This squad, when everybody is fit, is worse than the squad that came up? I’ll give you Henderson for Ramsdale because we haven’t got the £60m fee or £120,000 a week wage.

You think Mcgoldrick and Sharp get more goals in the championship next season than Brewster/Mcburnie?

Mcgoldrick has spent 12 seasons as a player in the Championship, and in only 3 of those, scored more goals than Brewster did in his debut Championship season......and he only featured in 20 games.

 

[Yogi]

This is where Wilder has been let down for me.
The modern game requires knowledge of foreign markets, and that is not the managers job.

He needs help, and the club need to put the infrastructure in place.


Not sure if he's still unemployed, but if Steve Walsh is out there get him in.
The man responsible for creating the system that found mahrez/kante/vardy/ndidi/soyuncu/fofana etc.
Also guys like Drogba at Chelsea.

I agree we need one if we are to compete at this level going forward.

I remember Steve Walsh poached by Everton from Leicester and it didn’t quite work out if memory serves.

I agree someone to work alongside Mitchell is paramount as he’s good but only domestically. Unfortunately united seem to be going down the affiliate club route and hoping their contacts can help us. I’d love to be wrong and I guess we won’t know for sure till the off season but I’ll certainly be keeping a close eye on what we do off the pitch.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

This is some sort of in joke I’m not privvy to? This squad, when everybody is fit, is worse than the squad that came up? I’ll give you Henderson for Ramsdale because we haven’t got the £60m fee or £120,000 a week wage.

No joke

I know we’ve had injuries but

hendo
Baldock bash Egan JoC stevens
Fleck Norwood lundstram
sharp mcgoldrick

beats

ramsdale
baldock bash Egan Robinson Stevens
Ampadu Osborn
Burke mcburnie Brewster

 

[Sean Thornton]

No joke

I know we’ve had injuries but

hendo
Baldock bash Egan JoC stevens
Fleck Norwood lundstram
sharp mcgoldrick

beats

ramsdale
baldock bash Egan Robinson Stevens
Ampadu Osborn
Burke mcburnie Brewster

Given the dire displays this season by Fleck, Norwood, Stevens, Lundstram and to a lesser extent Sharp, that's a big call. Playing well last season, before lockdown, doesn't help us now.

 

[Deleted member 23679]

Simple answer is they are a ‘small side’ and their team gets ripped apart each year. They have a produced conveyer belt of talent

I think we went up because wilder is a better manager - I just think it’s nonsense to say we can’t compete when at least half of Brentford’s squad in the championship walks into ours. Unless we take action, we will end up pissing away more untold millions. We can and must do better.

you don’t need to spent 30million on olly Watkins if you can buy him for 2million.

ivan Toney cost about 1/3 of a Brewster or mcburnie and already has a better record than both of them at championship level.

But would Ivan Toney have cut it straight away in the PL?

 

[Bladeinleeds]

Given the dire displays this season by Fleck, Norwood, Stevens, Lundstram and to a lesser extent Sharp, that's a big call. Playing well last season, before lockdown, doesn't help us now.

they haven’t been great admittedly- though I’d argue not much worse than 90% of the squad.

At least we have seen they can play well. There’s evidence to fall back on.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

But would Ivan Toney have cut it straight away in the PL?

Possibly, possibly not. But realistically He’s was no less likely to than Brewster in all eventuality. He’s slotted in seemlessly at championship level and to be honest I trust Brentford recruitment over ours

that might have left us some money to go for some creativity or a competent defender. We accept resources are limited, we need to use them wisely

 

[CentralQuay]

I agree we need one if we are to compete at this level going forward.

I remember Steve Walsh poached by Everton from Leicester and it didn’t quite work out if memory serves.

I agree someone to work alongside Mitchell is paramount as he’s good but only domestically. Unfortunately united seem to be going down the affiliate club route and hoping their contacts can help us. I’d love to be wrong and I guess we won’t know for sure till the off season but I’ll certainly be keeping a close eye on what we do off the pitch.

I think the problem at Everton was that there was a brand new overhaul with the owners, and they weren't really savvy enough within the game to know enough about the footballing side......He also wasn't helped by the fact he couldn't take anyone from the setup he created at Leicester with him.

The affiliate club model can and does work. It was the foundations for us, Drinkwater/James/De Laet were key players for us in the Championship and were signed for pittance as a result of Walsh's links with Man United. We actually signed Drinkwater after he impressed against us on loan from Man United at Barnsley.....Walsh actually had the influence to get Man United to recall him early in January and sell him to us which annoyed Barnsley no end, the lad had just been player of the month weeks before.

But you have to sign talent from abroad to make that next step.
Both because their markets are cheaper, and because the players offer a different talent. Flair players/match winners are still easier to find abroad than in this country, although our grass root coaching has clearly improved drastically over recent years.

Berge was an example where I think many believed the club would look abroad/was looking abroad.
And although I don't believe he will be a bad signing, I said at the time that he's not an unknown player. For 2-3 seasons he's been touted as a top young player, but for some reason no club has taken a risk on him.

 

[Yogi]

But would Ivan Toney have cut it straight away in the PL?

In our side? Creating the chances we are doing no. He’s playing in one of the most fluid attacking sides in the championship. To compare them now isn’t helpful in a couple of years then yes but now it hasn’t played itself out yet.

 

[CentralQuay]

Possibly, possibly not. But realistically He’s was no less likely to than Brewster in all eventuality. He’s slotted in seemlessly at championship level and to be honest I trust Brentford recruitment over ours

that might have left us some money to go for some creativity or a competent defender. We accept resources are limited, we need to use them wisely

How do you work that out?

Brentford paid a Championship fee because they're a championship club......

Signing Toney would have required a fee very close to the one paid for Brewster, in fact reports suggest it's £15 million for Brentford as it is.

 

[BanderSerge]

No joke

I know we’ve had injuries but

hendo
Baldock bash Egan JoC stevens
Fleck Norwood lundstram
sharp mcgoldrick

beats

ramsdale
baldock bash Egan Robinson Stevens
Ampadu Osborn
Burke mcburnie Brewster

You misread my post, or you wouldn’t have put those two teams together. Firstly, Lundstram played 5 games in the championship for a start! Put JoC in for Robinson. Berge and Fleck for Ampadu and Osborn, and Mcgoldrick behind Mcburnie and Brewster up front, we rip that shitty league a new one. The bench alone would be 10x stronger.

 

[Farnboroughblade]

Good post Zipwire especially with your first paragraph regarding salaries. If the Prince sticks by his statement to keep Wilder for our promotion battle next season, then the Prince himself has to step up to the plate and do whatever is necessary and spend the time whilst we're in the Championship in securing a much higher level of investment allowing Wilder to have much greater clout to compete in the area of more attractive salary scales once we are back in the Premier. I'm sure that the Prince has learnt so much and is probably fully aware that CW is working with one hand tied behind his back and is the reason why he is still backing him. If we succeed to get back up for the 22/23 season then we cannot afford to have the same recruiting problems.

If we manage to bounce back immediately, I bet you will see a much more competitive run club which will be able to compete with more of the Premier clubs putting us a more a level playing field.

 

[Sean Thornton]

they haven’t been great admittedly- though I’d argue not much worse than 90% of the squad.

At least we have seen they can play well. There’s evidence to fall back on.

The only argument against that last paragraph is that none of them looks capable now. I can't see where the improvement will come from. Being frank, even performers such as Bash, Furious George, McGoldrick etc are still culpable for the slow build up. As pointed out on more than one occasion this season. The animation l've watched in Wilder sitting close to the bench at BL just isn't there anymore. Tactics, his own belief in his players, l don't pretend to have the answers. I don't want him gone, because I'm not aware of anyone who would be available who could improve the situation. After saying that, l want the fight from him that he's demanded from the players since he's been here. I just hope he's not broken.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

You misread my post, or you wouldn’t have put those two teams together. Firstly, Lundstram played 5 games in the championship for a start! Put JoC in for Robinson. Berge and Fleck for Ampadu and Osborn, and Mcgoldrick behind Mcburnie and Brewster up front, we rip that shitty league a new one. The bench alone would be 10x stronger.

I’m not saying all the recruitment is bad

but you have to accept there are huge holes left by a lack of any competent centre backs behind Joc, Egan and bash. At no point are jags, stevens, ampadu, Robinson good enough to be starting games.

we also have zero creativity which Wilder points out every match but has not addressed. We’ve never replaced Duffy, and without that we aren’t going to score enough goals to rip up any league even the championship. In my mind.

 

[metalblade]

We got over promoted, when we went up in 2018-19, we did it on the back of a settled side who had few injuries, if we had a few injuries we wouldn’t have gone up as we had very little strength in depth. Therefore we needed almost an entirely new second string of players who were up to the top division as well as bolstering the starting XI. Bear in mind when we went up we did so with several players who had been playing L1 and made the jump in two seasons. Basham, JOC, Fleck, Sharp are 4 prime examples. Baldock and Stevens too. It was a big ask and we did remarkably well last season but it was also bound to catch up with us at some point.

We aren’t an attractive prospect for new signings and can’t offer the wages other clubs can. The first season after promotion we went after Neal Maupay but couldn’t match what Brighton was offering so we ended up with McBurnie. Same this season when we went for Matty Cash, Villa then nipped in with an offer that blew us out the water, same with Robinson who went to Fulham and I think we was also after Ollie Watkins, same result. That is why we ended up with Brewster, Bogle and Lowe. Same with Ramsdale, he was the best we could afford with the budget.

We’ve been hit harder by the lack of crowds than anyone else in the PL. Look back to last season and plenty of the wins came in front of packed houses at a vibrant and noisy Bramall Lane or in front of loud and raucous away ends. That undoubtedly gave the players a lift when they needed it, push tired minds and bodies through the pain barrier. Take the crowd away and if you are taking 5%-10% away from the team.

What we need to do is accept the situation for what it is. Relegation is a case of when, not if, and how much respectability we can claw back. We need to think now about next season. I think Wilder has enough credit to have a go at taking us back, because that hasn’t worked out too badly for Norwich with Farke. With the squad we have got now, it looks very well equipped to be a potent force in the League below, in terms of first team quality and the quality of back ups. Writing this season off should now be a case of taking one step back to take two steps forward.

What has become apparent is how many miracles Wilder pulled off over the last 4 years and how many rabbits he pulled out of the hat. He hasn’t become a bad manager overnight, circumstances have just caught up with him and he will be feeling it more than most, but looking at the wider picture, we are in a far better state than we was when he came in, I think we should remember what he has done for us, and he hasn’t become a bad manager over night, and when we drop he will be the ideal man to get us moving again.

Don't come on here with sensible posts like that don't you know you should be screaming for the club to sack the bloke that dragged us out of league one mediocrity.
I think most of us expected a tougher season than the last one but still the drop off in form of some of our better players has been astounding. I do agree with a lot of your post but I do worry if this form continues the rest of the season how the younger players will be affected. They will be our main men next season in the championship lets hope a losing mentality does not become ingrained in them.

 

[Sean Thornton]

I’m not saying all the recruitment is bad

but you have to accept there are huge holes left by a lack of any competent centre backs behind Joc, Egan and bash. At no point are jags, stevens, ampadu, Robinson good enough to be starting games.

we also have zero creativity which Wilder points out every match but has not addressed. We’ve never replaced Duffy, and without that we aren’t going to score enough goals to rip up any league even the championship. In my mind.

I've not yet written Ampadu off, Stevens, maybe his move to a bigger house has affected him, Duffy, great when the going was good, not so good at other times, living really on bouncing day. As Bobby Davison did in the 3-1 at the Sty all those years ago. Prior to that he was a hate figure after his antics in the 4-1 defeat at Leeds. Distant memories. You're right though, we didn't replace him, he always looked to go forward, the difference between him and safety first McGoldrick - still one of our better performers despite that - Duffy was a threat, not just a link man. We don't have that now. We have nothing like him.

 

[sitwell]

Did you see Duffys tweet before the game tonight ? I wouldnt play Ampadu in midfield ,Norwood should be playing ? From someone who should know I reckon.

 

[1889]

The thing is, we cant pay mega wages or buy a complete new side ala Aston Villa, we dont have the huge financial resources to be an overnight success.

Anyone who‘s followed the club over twenty years, must surely realise that we’ve got to evolve and it will be a slow and steady transition. It will involve relegations and both success and failure in terms of player recruitment but in my opinion retaining the manager is a big part of that improvement, because he is hopefully learning, improving and developing along with the board and squad to understand what works and what doesn’t.

Every club has a unique infrastructure, history and geographical demographic, that a new manager must understand and appreciate, which cant possibly happen overnight.

Constantly changing the manager means that the whole trial and error and general learning process starts all over again, setting us back years. If the last fifty years has taught us anything, it is surely that?

Wilder has an excellent pedigree, superb CV and knows the club better than anyone, it’s undeniable that he’s had a terrible season this year, but has no doubt learnt a great deal in the process. Player recruitment has been poor and it needs to be totally reassessed. The squad needs to be strengthened but we cant afford to give a new manager all of next season to decide in what areas that needs to be done.

In my opinion Chris Wilder has earned the trust of the club and loyalty of the fan base, after what he’s achieved in the last four years. In some respects he has been the victim of his own success, because swift return to Premier League status has outreached our financial capabilities. Relegation means £100m of parachute payments, which puts us in a favourable position to come back stronger and in a better position to compete and Wilder is surely the man best equipped to do it