An objective view on the controversial appointment of Danny Wilson

[Ollessendro]

So it looks set to be Wilson, with Morgan appointed as player coach. A very controversial decision by McCabe. I am going to try and paint an impartial picture of the appointment. I can see both positives and negatives to this appointment and hence I want to put a balanced view across (if possible).

This is a big call from McCabe. He really is playing with fire. Will he get burnt. This decision will spilt the fans and could have disasterous consequences. Though on the other hand the experienced manager could be the man to styop the rot and turn the Blades around. He has built good teams at Barnsley and Swindon and played good football. Maybe he is the man to turn United around, build a good team and get them playing football?

His record:

There’s a lot of people saying Wilson is a shite/average/poor manager and hence I thought I would look at his record. Many people are misquoting his record and simply getting things factually inaccurate. Many critics are simply bending the truth to justify their argument.

Barnsley: after a few seasons he took Barnsley to the top flight. He got them ‘playing like Brazil’ and took them to their best ever position. He took them to the quarters of the FA cup, won at Anfield but they got relegated. Left to go to Wednesday.

Verdict: massive success.

Wednesday: took over Wednesday and had a disappointing reign. Wednesday seemed to be on the decline, but Wilson made poor signings. He paid poor players big money and seemed to contribute to their decline. He was sacked.

Verdict: failure

Bristol City: Took over in 2000 and served out a 4 year contract. He spent some cash and did not get them promoted. He took them into the play offs twice during that period, losing in the semi’s and in the final. His contracted was not renewed after Bristol lost in the play off final to Brighton.

Verdict: Supporters of him would argue that he was unlucky, but critics would say that he failed. Let’s go half way and say average (though I think this might be harsh).

MK Dons: took over a sinking ship and managed to save them from relegation to League two. However the season after he took them down and got sacked.

Verdict: Failure

Hartlepool: Wilson took over during the summer and presided over a relegation. He then took Hartlepool back up to League One as runners up. He left the following season to join Swindon.

Verdict: mixed/average

Swindon: Took over in December 2008 when Swindon looked set for relegation. He saved them from relegation and looked to build a team. He then took them to within a whisker of automatic promotion (losing out on the last day to Leeds) and then lost in the play off final to Milwall. They were pretty unlucky. Wilson then lost several of his best players and they plummeted the next season. He quit late in the season and they went on to get relegated.

Verdict: average?(/unlucky/Poor)

Overall: it seems Wilson has had a fairly average career. After starting promisingly at Barnsley he has neither lit up the world, nor disgraced himself. The critics would say that he has done nothing since Barnsley and has several relegations. Supporters of hi would say that he did brilliant at Barnsley, built teams at Bristol and Swindon and plays decent football. His play off record is not great and this could be seen as bad luck or poor depending on your view.

Positives

Style: Wilsons teams play good football. He has a good footballing philosophy and his teams usually play football on the deck.

Experience: He is very experienced and could be a good candidate to work with Pembo. He has a good record of building teams and could be the person to work with Pembo and bring the kids through. He knows the lower leagues and could be the person to build a squad.

Relationship with Morgs: Morgan is a pillar of the club and captain fantastic. He has a good relationship with Wilson from his Barnsley days (Morgs was in the promotion squad) and they could achieve success together. Morgs will be player coach and perhaps together they can inspire the team.

Negatives

Ex Wednesday manager: this is MASSIVE. I am sat at home listening to Radio Sheffield and also reading the forum and there is a lot of ill feeling towards this decision. It could really split United fans or even United fans against the club. It is a very controversial decision and McCabe is playing with fire.
Wilson will need to start well. Some may never support him, even if we do well. Will fans have patience for Wilson to build a team? I doubt it.

A manager on the decline? Taking a harsh, cold look at things Wilson has not achieved much since Barnsley. He is a little bit of a journey man and what confidence should we have he can turn United around.

Missed opportunity? Many United fans have talked about a massive opportunity to turn the club around. A new, young manager with fresh ideas and a new philosophy. Someone to clear out the trash, bring through the youth, build a squad and take us back up. A new man with fresh ideas who can change the philosophy and get us playing attacking, exciting football (on the deck). Is Wilson this man? Only time will tell (but many will think no).

Ollessendro’s thoughts

This is a massive call from McCabe. A very controversial decision and he is playing with fire, I hope he knows what he is doing. After making many poor decisions, one as controversial as this may not be wise. The fans will be split or united against the manager and some may never give him a chance.

Wilson simply has to start well. Some may never support him and fans will quickly get on his back if we do not do well straight away. Personally I think it will take the new manager a season or two to build a squad good enough to get promoted and I doubt that United fans will give him time. If we are 10th at Christmas (not a bad achievement imo) I think fans will be calling for his head.

I am disappointed with McCabe (again). He said he would listen to the fans and unite us. Instead he has appointed (probably) the most unpopular candidate. After lots of poor decisions, this could be the final nail in the coffin. The final insult to the fans.

I am torn on this. I see both sides of the argument (I am an economist after all). Is this an opportunity missed? Or could Wilson stop the rot, (finally) get us playing decent football and take us back up to where we belong. I fear for the future of the club, when I should be looking forward to a new start. I worry about the atmosphere and the support when I should be excited about a new dawn and new era for Sheffield United. Will this be a stroke a genius from McCabe or (another) absolute disaster?? Only time will tell …..

Up the Blades. Ollessendro.

 

[Wards]

A well reasoned post there Olle I feel.

Like I've said, I've not got the hatred for Wilson like some have - it just stands out that his managerial career is distinctly average.

I feel like we've fallen right into the gap we should've been accutely aware of. We've not appointed a big name (that would've united the fans and put an extra 5k on the gate - see Di Matteo) and we've not gone for the up-and-coming young manager (see Tisdale/Hill et al).

Instead we've opted for the relative grey area in the middle.

I'll support him from the off, as I would any manager, but he's got an incredibly hard job on. If he doesn't hit the ground running he could be out of here by Christmas.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Now it's confirmed, he's got my support, but he'll have to start out very strongly, otherwise he'll be gone by christmas.

 

[Houso]

Indeed. And my hatred is not for Wilson. I feel sorry for him; although I think he was daft to take the position.

Instead, my anger is for McCabe. His lack of respect for SUFC supporters, his lack of foresight and his continuing lack of football nous.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Ollie most of your comments in this post are correct, but McCabes decision remains baffling.

Given the managerial upheavals of the last 12 months it was vital that we appointed a manager who we could all get behind, who the majority of fans would give a couple of years to turn things around. You made an excellent post yesterday setting out the problems at the club any incominjg manager would face which was 100% spot on.

The biggest problem with Wilson is that he is such a completely divisive appointment that he is not going to get the time to carry out such a programme. Every time anythings goes the slightest bit wrong the crowd will be on his back. The fans will appear to be hounding yet another manager out of the club making us an increasingly unattractive proposition.

All things considered it seem to be yet another awful choice by McCabe.

 

[Iceblade]

His record:



Wednesday: took over Wednesday and had a disappointing reign. Wednesday seemed to be on the decline, but Wilson made poor signings. He paid poor players big money and seemed to contribute to their decline. He was sacked.

Verdict: failure

Or maybe that was what he was trying for It's a huge task for Wilson/Morgan. Hopefully he'll get us going again. But, McCabe has cornered himself with this appointment, he better keep all of the promising youngsters to not completely lose the fans.

 

[sheffielder]

I asked yesterday about his arrogance.

'this wednesday thing is silly'

How about this shit manager thing

 

[Railway Blade]

Agree with Houso, think this is a bad appointment, I dont blame Wilson I blame McCabe. His track record is average, ups and downs, but recently more downs , and thats important. Football is an emotional game for us supporters, like it or not and I cant for the life of me see how this appointment will get us all working in the same direction. We need everybody on side to create success, players supporters and board. This appointment will not do that and McCabe MUST have known that. I fear for Wilson, first derby game and god forbid we lose, he will be gone instantly, how does that create harmony and continuity, things we desperately need.

 

[kent-blade]

Objectivism appears to come in short supply in some fans. Many people claim that they do not care about his wednesday past, and are hinging their arguments on his ability as a manager (or lack of). However, i'm quite sure there wouldn't be such uproar with any other manager.

I'm not particularily pleased with Wilson, I'd hoped we might hire someone younger and more progressive. To say Wilson is poor based on his record is simply wrong, its just strikingly ordinary (and not good enough to convince me, personally, that he is a great choice to take the team consistently forwards in the long-term).

That said, sometimes managers and teams can click. Ian Holloway was awful at Leicester, its one of the worst jobs any manager in any league has done in recent years when you take the team they had in to account. To positively say Wilson will fail at United is outstandingly arrogant, and to validate protest and theatrical pessimism on those grounds is juvenile.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

it's a good point about Holloway. i was thinking much the same earlier and what the reaction would have been if he was appointed our manager after the leicester debacle.

 

[Bookers Mullet]

Objectivism appears to come in short supply in some fans. Many people claim that they do not care about his wednesday past, and are hinging their arguments on his ability as a manager (or lack of). However, i'm quite sure there wouldn't be such uproar with any other manager.

I think had Wilson not had any W**nesday connections, but with the same record, there would be an air of apathy tinged with disappointment, as yet another 'grey' manager is appointed, however I think that the w**nesday connections have focussed that disappointment into anger.

As Wards said, we've gone into no mans land, and the only feature about him that raises any sort of emotion is the fact he's an ex-pig.

I was really hoping for an up and coming manager. a Tidsdale or Hill, someone who has an air of mystery that we could get get excited about, to me Danny Wilson is Mickey Adams in pigs clothing.

ah well at least seeing Charlie Webster on SSN is cheering me up

 

[kop_blade9]

Will you stop saying massive!!

This is all we ever hear from the pigs.

It can be large, extra large, ginormous, huge but never massive

 

[parisblade]

It can be large, extra large, ginormous, huge but never massive

lol! Very good mate.

 

[Swanseablade]

Good balanced view I think Olle.
I'm not particularly pleased with the appointment (for a few reasons) but when all is said & done it's United so I'll back him - I have to.........

 

[Kenilworth]

it's a good point about Holloway. i was thinking much the same earlier and what the reaction would have been if he was appointed our manager after the leicester debacle.

If Olle went to another large club after that I think there would have been many descenting voices from their fans.
He went to Blackpool and with the greatest respect to their club it was a step backwards for Olle.
Contrast that with Wilson failing at Swindon and then getting into a club the size of SUFC. It's arse about tit.
Managing a club like Leicester is a bigger task than Blackpool. The bigger the club the bigger the baggage and the politics at play.

Wilson is on a hiding to nothing in this role.

 

[Bladesway]

Is he better than what we sacked? No. Does he have a better track record than what we sacked. No. So why the fuck appoint him? He may lead us to promotion and then all will be rosey but at this moment in time (forgetting who he was previously involved with) we have once more taken a backward step.

Robson, Blackwell, Speed, Carver, Adams, Wilson. Its a sliding scale of shit.

 

[TopBoy]

Nicely put Olle.
I was distinctly underwhelmed by the appointment, but was also underwhelmed with the so called front runners anyway. Bobbins (the so called fans favourite) is a dour man with no charisma whatsoever where as Wilson at least has the right persona for the role.

One of my mates is and has been a Swindon season ticket holder for nearly 30 years has good things to say about him "plays fantastic football, only rivalled by Hoddle in recent years at Swindon". He also said that Wilson likes to play with a target man (Hendo, come on down).
Let's put the Wednesday thing aside, like we did with Alan Quinn, Bromby and Geary in recent times. Don't forget Billy Davies went to Forest from Derby via Preston and he's treated like a God at the City Ground.

I for one am looking forward to watching some football next season and not the shite we've seen for season after season.

UTB.

 

[Swanseablade]

Nicely put Olle.
I was distinctly underwhelmed by the appointment, but was also underwhelmed with the so called front runners anyway. Bobbins (the so called fans favourite) is a dour man with no charisma whatsoever where as Wilson at least has the right persona for the role.

One of my mates is and has been a Swindon season ticket holder for nearly 30 years has good things to say about him "plays fantastic football, only rivalled by Hoddle in recent years at Swindon". He also said that Wilson likes to play with a target man (Hendo, come on down).
Let's put the Wednesday thing aside, like we did with Alan Quinn, Bromby and Geary in recent times. Don't forget Billy Davies went to Forest from Derby via Preston and he's treated like a God at the City Ground.

I for one am looking forward to watching some football next season and not the shite we've seen for season after season.

UTB.

That's encouraging & I agree - right up to the point you mentioned Billy Davies!
I know its only an example but c'mon. He is a perfect example of: Small/scot syndrome, what an arrogant pr*ck!
Send him back to skirtland.

 

[TopBoy]

That's encouraging & I agree - right up to the point you mentioned Billy Davies!
I know its only an example but c'mon. He is a perfect example of: Small/scot syndrome, what an arrogant pr*ck!
Send him back to skirtland.

I didn't say I liked Billy Davies, just stating facts my friend.

 

[Kenilworth]

Clough from Derby to Forest?

Only difference being Clough had won the First Division with Derby with a club that had done nothing before nor since.
Clough was a legend - Wilson is a bell end

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Clough from Derby to Forest?

Only difference being Clough had won the First Division with Derby with a club that had done nothing before nor since.
Clough was a legend - Wilson is a bell end

Add to that the fact that the only car-park protests had been at Derby when he was allowed to leave. I'm sure we wouldn't have any problems welcoming anyone who had snubbed Wednesday after giving them their greatest success. Clough also joined some years later and Forest were in no state to complain about getting a big-name manager.

That said, if Wilson was able to deliver back-to-back European glory I'll change my tune substantially. Sadly I think back-to-back European winter breaks following dismissal is the best he can hope for.

 

[Ollessendro]

Is he better than what we sacked? No. Does he have a better track record than what we sacked. No. So why the fuck appoint him? He may lead us to promotion and then all will be rosey but at this moment in time (forgetting who he was previously involved with) we have once more taken a backward step.

Robson, Blackwell, Speed, Carver, Adams, Wilson. Its a sliding scale of shit.

Adams failed big time. He had to go. His record is the worst in the history of SUFC. I cannot understand this 'why sack him and bring in Wilson'. Wilson will bring in fresh idea, hopefully give the players a lift and has time to stamp his authority on the club and try and build something. One thing that I have preferred from Wilson over Adams is that his teams play football. Adams looked out of his depth and had to go. Maybe Wilson will be out of his depth. However we needed to freshen things up.

Like I said, perhaps this is an opportunity missed. Personally I just don't know how to feel. I am not devestated, nor am I excited. I feel a little underwhelmed, ut maybe he is the man to turn the club around. We'll see. I am behind him and I shall be watching intently to see how he goes about building his squad for next season.

 

[Ollessendro]

I was chatting with a devastated mate on the phone last night and he kept banging on about Wilson's record at League One level. McCabe stated that one of the reasons he appointed Wilsoon was his third tier experience. So I thought I would just look at that individually.

Bristol City

He spent 4 years trying to get Bristol City out of the third tier and ultimately failed. Apparently he spent some cash and his aim was to take them up. In 4 years he did not manage to achieve this. He did take them to the play offs twice and lost in the final in his last season in charge. So basically, it was nearly (but not good enough).

MK Dons

Two seasons in charge. The first season he saved them from relegation. But then he was unable to build on that and they were relegated the next year. Verdict: failure.

Hartlepool

One season in League One resulted in relegation. To be fair, he had taken them up the season before. Still they were relegated.

Swindon

He took over and saved them from relegation. Then he built a decent team and made a promotion push. They narrowly missed out on automatic promotion (Leeds pipped them on the last day) and they lost in the play offs. Wilson once again took a team to the play off final and they lost. They were pretty unlcuky to lose to Milwall (I remember the game and they played better and the better football) but still lost. The following summer the baord sold his best players and the next season was poor. He left sitting above the relegation zone.

Overall third tier record

He has had 9 seasons in the third tier and failed to get promotion. Thsi does not bode well.

To be fair he has actually been unlucky in some cases. He has taken teams to the play offs 3 times and lost in the final twice. Swindon finished 3rd in 2009/2010 and so did Bristol in 2003/2004. Both teams lost out to automatic by a point. That said he has seen his teams relegated twice and was (arguably) taking Swindon into a relegation battle when he left.

Looking at only his League On record may be a little unfair, as he has achieved promotions from League Two and the Championship but I thought I would point it out. Another thing this does not take into consideration is style of football. Wilsons teams usually play good stuff and speaking to Bristol and Swindon fans they say his team play attacking, attractive football.

Overall you cannot really argue that his third tier record is anything other than poor.

 

[davidpinder]

MK Dons
Two seasons in charge. The first season he saved them from relegation. But then he was unable to build on that and they were relegated the next year. Verdict: failure.

Sorry to pick spots off your post but in his first season he didn't save them Wrexhams point deduction did.

His record IS poor at best but now he is our manager i will cheer them on as always, i am now starting to worry about what he will have to work with when it comes to a squad. Relegated teams should always be favourites for promotion below 6th is a failure in my eyes but if its a team full of kids and loans then we haven't a prayer.

 

[Ollessendro]

Sorry to pick spots off your post but in his first season he didn't save them Wrexhams point deduction did.

That's fair enough Dave. They would have gone down had it not been for Wrexham getting a points deduction. Pedantic point I feel, as I highlighted them getting relegated the next year (and hence was hardly showering him in glory). The stone cold fact is that MK Dons stayed up that first year.

 

[Staffs_Blade]

Totally agree with your analysis Olle. Like you I was somewhat underwhelmed by the appointment but only on his achievements - his connections with S6 do not bother me. The fact he tries to play good football with his teams is the best news we've had for ages.

Another point is who did people expect we were going to get? We're a League 1 club with no money. We're not going to get a big name manager who demands big money or even an up and coming manager (in employment) given our managerial record over recent seasons!

 

[Studge]

Just to cheer everybody up this appears to be Lenners take on things

http://boards.footymad.net/forum.php?tno=463&fid=221&sty=2&act=1&mid=2117378805

 

[Ollessendro]

Totally agree with your analysis Olle. Like you I was somewhat underwhelmed by the appointment but only on his achievements - his connections with S6 do not bother me. The fact he tries to play good football with his teams is the best news we've had for ages.

Another point is who did people expect we were going to get? We're a League 1 club with no money. We're not going to get a big name manager who demands big money or even an up and coming manager (in employment) given our managerial record over recent seasons!

I agree matey. We have to face up to the fact that we are shite. We're in the third tier and have no cash. I was unispired by the Wilsonm appointment, but I was completely uninspired by the other candidates.

 

[Willie Carlin]

Danny Wilson's got a difficult job to do and deserves all the backing we can give him as supporters. He'll certainly get mine.

 

[Ollessendro]

Appears I got a few facts wrong. I have changed them (in italic):

Bristol City

He spent 4 years trying to get Bristol City out of the third tier and ultimately failed. Apparently he spent some cash and his aim was to take them up. In 4 years he did not manage to achieve this. He did take them to the play offs twice and lost in the final in his last season in charge. So basically, it was nearly (but not good enough).

MK Dons

Two seasons in charge. The first season he saved them from relegation. But then he was unable to build on that and they were relegated the next year. Verdict: failure.

Hartlepool

(He got them promoted from League Two in his first season). Then he saw them have one and a half seasons in League One before he was sacked. Verdict: average (maybe success?)

Swindon

He took over and saved them from relegation. Then he built a decent team and made a promotion push. They narrowly missed out on automatic promotion (Leeds pipped them on the last day) and they lost in the play offs. Wilson once again took a team to the play off final and they lost. They were pretty unlcuky to lose to Milwall (I remember the game and they played better and the better football) but still lost. The following summer the baord sold his best players and the next season was poor. He left sitting above the relegation zone.

Overall third tier record

He has had around 9/10* seasons in the third tier and failed to get promotion**. There is also one relegation. This does not bode well.

To be fair he has actually been unlucky in some cases. He has taken teams to the play offs 3 times and lost in the final twice. Swindon finished 3rd in 2009/2010 and so did Bristol in 2003/2004. Both teams lost out to automatic by a point. That said he has seen his teams relegated twice and was (arguably) taking Swindon into a relegation battle when he left.

Looking at only his League One record may be a little unfair, as he has achieved promotions from League Two and the Championship but I thought I would point it out. Another thing this does not take into consideration is style of football. Wilsons teams usually play good stuff and speaking to Bristol and Swindon fans they say his team play attacking, attractive football.

Overall you cannot really argue that his third tier record is anything other than poor (average at best).

* 4 (with Bristol) + 1 (with MK Dons) + 1 and 1/2 with (Hartlepool) + 2/3 (Swindon) = 9/10 (depending on if you count half seasons etc)

** 7 full seasons without promotion in the thrid tier of English football.