Well, Looks Like It's Happening...

[Chabuddy G]

I lost a lot of faith in this board in January, when they pulled the plug on any transfers.

Folk on here kept telling me that it was good business sense as we were already down anyway, but I maintain that it was an abject surrender, compared to what other clubs in the mire were prepared to do. That's the signal it sent to me anyway.

If this malaise has seeped into their planning for next season, they might find that the initial good will that the HRH built up will evaporate very quickly. You own something, you look after it, or watch it deteriorate.

Furthermore, if next season gets off to a bad start as a consequence (regardless of who the manager is) then the opinion from the stands might be telling, assuming any fucker is allowed in there of course.

By January we'd have had to have the form of a Top 4 side to stay up.
It would've been a complete waste of money.

 

[Stretch]

By January we'd have had to have the form of a Top 4 side to stay up.
It would've been a complete waste of money.

So you agree that they gave up?

 

[Bladesman]

"There’s always a short, medium and long term plan. That’s determined by other people by the way, that plan. I know which way I want to take the club. [Asked if those conversations are happening?] I think they should be, but they’re not.

and the biggest line without a doubt is that the Blades boss is unsure whether he’ll be at United next season - when asked the question outright, he answered: “I don’t know”.

“The plan was to leave a legacy, to change things off the pitch which need changing, and stick with the players we’ve invested in and add a couple and try and bounce back. As simple as that.”
Asked if he wanted to stay at United, Wilder replied: “If we stick to the plan.”

Chris Wilder - pre-Villa press conference.

Interesting as the presser post match, he said he wanted to keep the same group together and go again. Maybe even add a few new players to the group. He seemed quite confident about doing that.

I don't think the board have indicated either way what they plan to do for next season. Maybe those talks will happen once it is rubber stamped that we are down.

 

[Chabuddy G]

So you agree that they gave up?

Well, yeah, I think unless you live in the land of make believe you'd have to.
It's a business to them, not a dream.

 

[bertieblade]

CW does seem to be the type of guy who will not take criticism easily and appears to be very headstrong.
No doubt the board have told him that they do approve of the way he has spent money which has resulted in an unbalanced squad and the resultant league position.
CW obviously went to the board in nov / dec and asked for funds to bolster the squad. At that time it was hoped and expected that we would start to win some matches. unfortunately we did not and subsequently the board made the decision that from a business point of view it was better to spend the money in the summer as our chances of turning it round were minimal. ( basically without whistles, what the Prince said)

CW no doubt has had his say but as we all know you can only spend money once and it is so easy to spend someone else’s.

CW is wrong to air his dirty washing in public, I expected more from him as it does not achieve anything other than generate bad publicity and possibly drive a wedge between him and the board.
He wants overall control; with continued improvement the Prince was prepared to let him have it, the results and progress this season have proven why he should not. Changes ahead where we bring in a DOF ( rip van winkle?) to work with CW or he leaves and someone else comes in. Either way i am sure we will have a management structure change and CW only has himself to blame so he should man up and accept it or walk on by.

 

[Stretch]

Well, yeah, I think unless you live in the land of make believe you'd have to.
It's a business to them, not a dream.

While there is a chance, you keep going, on and off the field. A couple of players might (might) have given us a lift and then who knows. Admittedly, getting players into the club in our circumstances would have been tough, but the lack of effort seriously pissed me off.

 

[Chabuddy G]

While there is a chance, you keep going, on and off the field. A couple of players might (might) have given us a lift and then who knows. Admittedly, getting players into the club in our circumstances would have been tough, but the lack of effort seriously pissed me off.

Seriously, it's not just conjecture, we'd have needed top 4 form to stay up at that point. Much rather not waste that on 2 loan players.
If we were signing players for next season, I'd have understood that. And admittedly a bit disappointed we didn't snap up say, Alex Mowatt, for a decent price

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

I think if we want to establish ourselves in the PL we need a DoF. All the best clubs have them, and those who don't have the wealth of the elite have them and a strategy to go with. We have one bloke managing the team, incomings, how the youth play, everything. It's far too big a job for one man.

It also aligns ourselves with a more European model

 

[mattbianco1]

It doesn't though does it? That's just conjecture. It all depends on the next appointment. If that is shit, yes, it sets us back years.

The bit that's winding me up is that this isn't a normal season. If Covid hadn't come along, i'm convinced we wouldn't be getting relegated. The playing field has now been totally levelled out and flattened any advantage that we had as a squad of players, and as a football club.

We have always been a squad of average-to-decent players who's performance levels were unreal. We punched above our weight in the 2 Championship seasons, then continued to do so in the PL last year.

It's been said numerous times how close the squad is and how much they socialise away from the game - that's been taken away from them. Now they see each other ("at work") a few times a week at the game and training and that's it.

Then you have the fanbase. Bramall Lane rocked last season. When the players needed that lift, they fed off the atmosphere. If we threw away a 2-0 lead this season like we did v Man Utd last season, there's no way the players lift themselves to equalise.
We got behind them. We got at opposition players making a rash tackle (to influence ref decisions), we got in their heads when taking throw-ins and corners etc.

These are all very small things in football that have helped give us the advantage in certain games, things that have all been taken away from us. Bramall Lane can be a very hostile place, both for & against. Have you ever heard an ex-player say how much he used to hate going to Brighton or Fulham etc?

All we're seeing now is a 90mins training exercise and the players with more natural ability are shining because of it. Unfortunately our players aren't as good as most of the opposition ones. Then take away the group bonding and social side and the advantage our fans gave them, we really are on a hiding to nowhere.

Because of the above, I refuse to judge Wilder on this season. Get those restrictions lifted and see what happens next year. If we're not looking like a top 4 club by Xmas, maybe we think about it then.

EDIT - i forgot to mention injuries and illness. We've been unlucky with the injuries. Always had a settled team and that's not been the case this year. Covid protocols too, how many times have our players not been allowed to play even though there's nothing wrong with them?

 

[Robboblade1889]

Well, yeah, I think unless you live in the land of make believe you'd have to.
It's a business to them, not a dream.

Chab it was not all about keeping us up look at the injuries surely this should have prompted them to throw a little bit of money at it? Having a good end to the season was always important. The owner publicly stated he wanted to bring in some loan players then reneged on that. It was the wrong decision simple as that.

 

[McDonagh Blade]

What interests me us who is pulling the strings for the board? As far as I am aware none of The Prince, the puppet Chairman (who said he was moving to the Sheffield area to be hands on, presume Covid had a bearing on this or is it an easy get out) or Van Winckel have attended any match at Bramall Lane this season.
Fair enough that they may be watching on streams but you don't get a true picture.
Bettis appears to be close to Wilder however he is employed by the Prince and does his bidding.
It all seems a mess however Wilder needs to improve his tactics and selections and particularly his mind set.

 

[Mojo]

What is worrying is that Wilder clearly believes it is bad fortune that is the main reason we have ended up like this rather than any fault of his own. What I would counter to that is he agreed the signings of Rodwell, Robinson, Foderingham etc when they are nowhere near good enough. Our squad depth was an utter joke so why wasn't that been addressed? We also have signed players that mean we can only ever play one system which to me is complete insanity at any level nevermind premier league

 

[Paisley Blade]

Nothing to see here.

Wilder isn't going anywhere.

That's that then. I can get back to some work.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

Can only see 3 or 4 of our squad being offered deals with PL clubs, and the wages we offer will be decent for the Championship. I expect Wilder thinks that if we are to have a real crack at it we need to hang on to all our top players like Berge, Brewster. We can be pretty sure to get fees for Mousse and Lunny if they go.

With a fully fit squad next season and top additions like McB, Burke, Ampodu, Bogle, Berge still with us I'm sure we can put in a strong challenge.

Lunny is out of contract at the end of the season so no fee there

I agree with the last bit as well as Brewster and Bryan

 

[Robboblade1889]

The bit that's winding me up is that this isn't a normal season. If Covid hadn't come along, i'm convinced we wouldn't be getting relegated. The playing field has now been totally levelled out and flattened any advantage that we had as a squad of players, and as a football club.

We have always been a squad of average-to-decent players who's performance levels were unreal. We punched above our weight in the 2 Championship seasons, then continued to do so in the PL last year.

It's been said numerous times how close the squad is and how much they socialise away from the game - that's been taken away from them. Now they see each other ("at work") a few times a week at the game and training and that's it.

Then you have the fanbase. Bramall Lane rocked last season. When the players needed that lift, they fed off the atmosphere. If we threw away a 2-0 lead this season like we did v Man Utd last season, there's no way the players lift themselves to equalise.
We got behind them. We got at opposition players making a rash tackle (to influence ref decisions), we got in their heads when taking throw-ins and corners etc.

These are all very small things in football that have helped give us the advantage in certain games, things that have all been taken away from us. Bramall Lane can be a very hostile place, both for & against. Have you ever heard an ex-player say how much he used to hate going to Brighton or Fulham etc?

All we're seeing now is a 90mins training exercise and the players with more natural ability are shining because of it. Unfortunately our players aren't as good as most of the opposition ones. Then take away the group bonding and social side and the advantage our fans gave them, we really are on a hiding to nowhere.

Because of the above, I refuse to judge Wilder on this season. Get those restrictions lifted and see what happens next year. If we're not looking like a top 4 club by Xmas, maybe we think about it then.

EDIT - i forgot to mention injuries and illness. We've been unlucky with the injuries. Always had a settled team and that's not been the case this year. Covid protocols too, how many times have our players not been allowed to play even though there's nothing wrong with them?

Great great post.

 

[Barney]

We need to hand him another contract quickly.

This must mean that Man City have been on the phone asking if he is available.

 

[Robboblade1889]

What is worrying is that Wilder clearly believes it is bad fortune that is the main reason we have ended up like this rather than any fault of his own. What I would counter to that is he agreed the signings of Rodwell, Robinson, Foderingham etc when they are nowhere near good enough. Our squad depth was an utter joke so why wasn't that been addressed? We also have signed players that mean we can only ever play one system which to me is complete insanity at any level nevermind premier league

Once again where has he said this or are you just making it up? He has sited reasons why we are in the position we are as well as a collective including him that there has been mistakes made. If you think the signings of Roswell Foderingham and Robinson are the reason why we didn’t sign any premier league established players then you just be nuts.

 

[Houston_Blade]

We only have the Wilder side of the story. He's the one airing the dirty linen in public, not the owner (who has backed him every step of the way).

It's childish, selfish and self serving

It's ok, Phippsy will be along on here telling everyone the secrets soon. The other option is PA going on something like Talksport and dressing him down publicly on there.

 

[TJB.]

"There’s always a short, medium and long term plan. That’s determined by other people by the way, that plan. I know which way I want to take the club. [Asked if those conversations are happening?] I think they should be, but they’re not.

and the biggest line without a doubt is that the Blades boss is unsure whether he’ll be at United next season - when asked the question outright, he answered: “I don’t know”.

“The plan was to leave a legacy, to change things off the pitch which need changing, and stick with the players we’ve invested in and add a couple and try and bounce back. As simple as that.”
Asked if he wanted to stay at United, Wilder replied: “If we stick to the plan.”

Chris Wilder - pre-Villa press conference.

That all seems fair enough to me?

If conversations of that nature aren't currently happening then they're not happening. Simple fact.

That plan he speaks about which he wants to stick to, that sounds fair enough to me and the right direction to take the club in. If they've agreed to go one way and are now alluding to going another, we need to not only know how they aim to deviate from the initial plan and why, but also where Wilder fits in and what aspects he's unhappy about.

Saying 'I don't know' when asked if he'll be at the club is perfectly reasonable. We've had a dreadful season which would see a lot of managers out of a job. It wouldn't surprise a lot of people if the board thought a change of direction was needed, and indeed some on here are actively advocating for it. If he responded with 'Absolutely, 100%', he'd get accused of being comfortable and arrogant. Can't win.

My only worry from that is what's so bad about this alleged change of plan which might mean he's not happy to be here going forward. We can only guess, but there's so little to go in it seems ultimately pointless (and leads to bickering).

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

That's that then. I can get back to some work.

Fucking too reyt.

 

[CTRL ALT DE LAET]

I don't know about anyone else but I'm quickly falling out of love with Chris Wilder. He's made threats like this for ages but this time ins't in the position of power he was with McCabe.

 

[Nine Inch Nalis]

That all seems fair enough to me?

If conversations of that nature aren't currently happening then they're not happening. Simple fact.

That plan he speaks about which he wants to stick to, that sounds fair enough to me and the right direction to take the club in. If they've agreed to go one way and are now alluding to going another, we need to not only know how they aim to deviate from the initial plan and why, but also where Wilder fits in and what aspects he's unhappy about.

Saying 'I don't know' when asked if he'll be at the club is perfectly reasonable. We've had a dreadful season which would see a lot of managers out of a job. It wouldn't surprise a lot of people if the board thought a change of direction was needed, and indeed some on here are actively advocating for it. If he responded with 'Absolutely, 100%', he'd get accused of being comfortable and arrogant. Can't win.

My only worry from that is what's so bad about this alleged change of plan which might mean he's not happy to be here going forward. We can only guess, but there's so little to go in it seems ultimately pointless (and leads to bickering).

I agree wholeheartedly, there's nothing wrong in what he says, at least not on the face of it. I posted this as somebody who believes that Chris Wilder is the best placed man for the job of putting things right, in spite of whatever mis-steps have occurred this season.

I've also simply posted the raw data that I 'borrowed' from The Stir without commentary in order to gauge what the interpretations were on here, but I personally have serious concerns that if there's discord behind the scenes, as Wilder seems to be alluding to, then the arse could well and truly fall out of the club for years to come.

 

[Mojo]

Once again where has he said this or are you just making it up? He has sited reasons why we are in the position we are as well as a collective including him that there has been mistakes made. If you think the signings of Roswell Foderingham and Robinson are the reason why we didn’t sign any premier league established players then you just be nuts.

He has said it's a perfect storm that had caused this season. While I agree we have been massively unfortunate the simple fact remains that squad players we have signed are nowhere near good enough for this level and the squad is completely unbalanced. Whose fault is that???

 

[Snowflake]

Yeah, I guess leaving transfer decisions to your daughter and son in law is a better idea.

It is if they know what they are doing and the decisions are Board decisions having listened to the manager

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Really poor interview today from Wilder. It's like he's given up. You'd almost think he was hungover or something, he sounded tired, grumpy, bit all over the place.

To be honest, if he doesn't want to be here then I'd just let him go this time. He's had a lot of things go against him this season (injuries, transfers) but his management has been poor & he's taken very little accountability for any of our shortcomings.

We seem to be sleepwalking into next season & fans think we'll do a Norwich. No chance.

I wouldn't necessarily sack him, but if I'm his boss & after this shit show he kept coming out with comments like today, likes he's untouchable, I'd probably ask him the question..

 

[Snowflake]

He has said it's a perfect storm that had caused this season. While I agree we have been massively unfortunate the simple fact remains that squad players we have signed are nowhere near good enough for this level and the squad is completely unbalanced. Whose fault is that???

We don’t know the true answer to your last question. Until we do it is just speculation

 

[Cheesebored]

We need to hand him another contract quickly.

This must mean that Man City have been on the phone asking if he is available.

 

[dc_blade]

If Wilder is saying “no major sales this summer or I’m off” then he is being unreasonable. I don’t think he can really object if Berge is sold to balance the books and give us chance to reinvest, for example.

But if he has been told that Berge, JOC, Egan, and Baldock will all be leaving and he’s only getting a fraction of that to spend then he’s right to be angry.

I just wish he wouldn’t do it in public.

 

[BlairBlade]

Yeah we should sack him and put McBurnie in charge.

We can't expect McBurnie to do everything! Let's try him at centre-back first. If that doesn't work then manager. Tiny steps.

 

[BlairBlade]

Chris Wilder will continue to show respect to the Premier League and other clubs by selecting (what he thinks to be) his best side to get a result.

If we are relegated (and I'm still putting a big IF there) then he may start drafting others in who will be playing a part next season.

The Prince has already come on record and said Wilder will be here next season. I expect that to be the case.

We now need to beat Villa and Southampton.

Wouldn't it be great if we were to beat Villa and Southampton - especially if we beat Villa by an unbelievably, controversial and unfairly given re-taken penalty that never was.
That would put the cat among the pigeons.
Can't wait to see our team and bench for those matches!