Pre-match press conferences - Middlesbrough (H)

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Cappy

wishful thinking
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As always, if you watch the SUFC ones on the club website, you'll need to log in. I'll upload any Boro presser vids and SUFC YouTube clips as and when the clubs post them, but if you find something before me, please add it to the thread.

Wilder is live on Tuesday at 0900. Link below 👇


I will post some notes once I've watched it
 

I'm sure Cappy will give a more detailed breakdown but I personally found the presser incredibly passive.

-After reviewing game Wilder didn't thinkwas all that bad just a new things could have done better

-Other teams who were favorite over weekend also struggled so ok for us to struggle too.

-New players need time to adapt so give them time (sounds like new players almost have a devine right to be picked)
 
I'm sure Cappy will give a more detailed breakdown but I personally found the presser incredibly passive.

-After reviewing game Wilder didn't thinkwas all that bad just a new things could have done better

-Other teams who were favorite over weekend also struggled so ok for us to struggle.
These are more worrying if he genuinely thinks this.
 
Thank Christ for autocorrect and spelling wiggly red lines. Soooo much talking and my typing spaz hands couldn't keep up accurately 😅

Injuries & Absences:
  • No new injuries following Pompey
  • "Alfie [Gilchrist]'s attitude has been superb. Needed to come out of the team. He took that as I would expect with his character and the way he's been brought up" (positively, he means)
  • "Tom Davies will be involved on Wednesday"
  • "Kieffer Moore back involved on Saturday"
  • "Femi Seriki isn't far away"
  • "Shackleton is back in full training"

Reflecting on Portsmouth:
  • "Didn't deal with their press well enough"
  • "Didn't play quick enough. We invited the pressure onto us. Didn't really defend our box"
  • "They missed some big chances. Second half, [we] made some substitutions, wrestled [some] control back"
  • "We are still building. This is a team that [is still being built from the summer]. We are trying to integrate players, learn, build, win games of football. The players learning about us, me and the staff are learning about the players. I didn't want to have to bring this many players in at this time of the season, but after losing Blaster [and Souttar, we had to]. The magic is we still win games."
  • "We are trying to give minutes to players [not used to our style]. We are trying to find the balance."
  • "Maybe there's a reminder to players that they have to go full tilt, we have to be tactically better [with teams bringing] different stuff [that we have to adjust to]"
  • "There's a nice habit of winning. I bet if you had a poll of Sheffield United supporters, would they have expected to be joint top of the division at this point, I guarantee they wouldn't, but we are."
  • On us not playing too well but winning 5 out of the last 6 due to a winning attitude, "I'd rather have a team that's tough and wants to win than a team that's milky and soft"
  • "[Saturday] can't be our stock performance"
  • "You have to give them credit n'all, they're fighting for their lives"

Middlesbrough:
  • His take on them, "Tough game up there. One of the outstanding teams in the division,. Well managed, well coached, good group of players. Really difficulty opponents. Control possession, make good chances. It'll be a really interesting game".
  • He talked a little bit about the game earlier in the season. "A Tight game [there]. Expecting a tight game [here]

General:
  • He was asked about small margins and how all the teams at the top get slated if they drop any points. "Unbelievable innit. Tell you what, let's be average in the first half of the season and then let's get better and scrape into the playoffs"
  • He talked about the recent history of the club and how it's been really good. Interestingly he talked about 21/22 and "the club changed manager and style" to a 4-3-3, which was a mistake because "we were set to go straight back up". He made the point of saying "Slav's a great manager" a couple of times, but was wanting to make the point in the main that the club has been in a really good position either on the up, or maintaining a high level since 16/17 and I think meaning we should all remember that when we lose a couple of games. Interesting to get other people's take on this bit about the club and Slav's period as there were a lot of words, a bit all over the place, and I didn't keep up, and had my head down typing so couldn't read his body language
  • "I like my teams to play great free flowing games of football, but I want to win first and foremost. Other clubs may want it to look good and feel good. That's happening a lot more now, that's the way it is. I've been brought up to win and we are winning"
  • "I could have brought in just 1 or 2 players [in the JTW, minimising disruption] and hit the ground running straight away, but we will get better, absolutely. The players we've brought in are great players and want to adapt. It may be a bit rollercoasty, but we'll give ourselves the opportunity of getting the points total [we need to get promoted]
  • "We may not be [perfect] at the start of games. That's football", then talking about other teams who are the same, "some mid-table when they should be higher", hinting again that whoever you picked for the title ,they haven't ran away with it as we are on the same points as the top
  • On Rhian Brewster's contract being up at the end of the season, "We are talking to [his agents]. I'd love him to stay. I'm a big fan. I don't go along with what people say. Because he's now having a run of games, he's part of a front group that I'm delighted to have". "I'd love him to get that deal sorted out. Hopefully we can come to some agreement. Sheffield United have not seen the best of Rhian, through no fault of his. He came with big expectations and still needs to prove that player he was then that he can still do it now", going on to say his price tag was nowhere near the 23m that was in the press.
  • He talked about that front group, basically saying all the front group can play in any position up there, whether it be central or off the wing. Only exception was he only mentioned Cannon in a 9 or 10
  • On Sai Sachdev, nothing but positive things about his attitude towards recovery and they're glad to extend him. "He's got a long way to go but we'll be patient with him"

He definitely looks at social media, BTW. No doubt at all. Many businesses have someone, or a department, that gather the noise from external and provide notes to key staff, so they are aware. However, I reckon Wilder does it himself. He's too prickly towards questions, or his own topic he raises to have had some plain factual stats presented to him, he's reading emotional posts for sure. What's his username on here? ;)

Interviewers: Andy Giddins, Danny Hall

UTB
 
Last edited:
I'm sure Cappy will give a more detailed breakdown but I personally found the presser incredibly passive.

-After reviewing game Wilder didn't thinkwas all that bad just a new things could have done better

-Other teams who were favorite over weekend also struggled so ok for us to struggle too.

-New players need time to adapt so give them time (sounds like new players almost have a devine right to be picked)
My interpretation is that he’s regretful of calling his players arrogant in the heat of the moment
and has attempted to temper that by being slightly more positive.
 
These are more worrying if he genuinely thinks this.
We were incredibly poor last Satdi. There must be an improvement in player selection, attitude, intensity and tactics for tomorrow night and going forward. If not, then Boro, Leeds are going to batter us - if they do then morale will be very low when we arrive at the rust bucket.

Might seem daft considering where we are right now, but most of the game against Portsmouth felt a lot like last season's performances and jitters. Needs sorting ASAP.

UTB
FTP

ps. I consider myself to be a confident clapper as well 😭 😂
 
Last edited:
He definitely looks at social media, BTW. No doubt at all. Many businesses have someone, or a department, that gather the noise from external and provide notes to key staff, so they are aware. However, I reckon Wilder does it himself. He's too prickly towards questions, or his own topic he raises to have had some plain factual stats presented to him, he's reading emotional posts for sure. What's his username on here? ;)

Fallowfield
 
I hope his opinions expressed here today, are for media and player consumption, because they do not reflect the truth today.

We have to believe that there is a viewpoint given primarily for press and opposition managers consumption, and a completely honest briefing for the first team squad and coaches.

He conveniently forgets that his crowning glory at PL level was based on a strong defence with very few injuries, and few goals scored. Usually 1-0 or 2-1 in blades favour.

Thanks again Cappy!
 
He definitely looks at social media, BTW. No doubt at all. Many businesses have someone, or a department, that gather the noise from external and provide notes to key staff, so they are aware. However, I reckon Wilder does it himself. He's too prickly towards questions, or his own topic he raises to have had some plain factual stats presented to him, he's reading emotional posts for sure. What's his username on here? ;)
"Chris, will you stop reading that bloody shoutbox - you know what they're like" .............
 
Fantastic summary as always Cappy. You can use AI to record and summarise meetings, which might reduce the workload a bit.
 
Thank Christ for autocorrect and spelling wiggly red lines. Soooo much talking and my typing spaz hands couldn't keep up accurately 😅

Injuries & Absences:
  • No new injuries following Pompey
  • "Alfie [Gilchrist]'s attitude has been superb. Needed to come out of the team. He took that as I would expect with his character and the way he's been brought up" (positively, he means)
  • "Tom Davies will be involved on Wednesday"
  • "Kieffer Moore back involved on Saturday"
  • "Femi Seriki isn't far away"
  • "Shackleton is back in full training"

Reflecting on Portsmouth:
  • "Didn't deal with their press well enough"
  • "Didn't play quick enough. We invited the pressure onto us. Didn't really defend our box"
  • "They missed some big chances. Second half, [we] made some substitutions, wrestled [some] control back"
  • "We are still building. This is a team that [is still being built from the summer]. We are trying to integrate players, learn, build, win games of football. The players learning about us, me and the staff are learning about the players. I didn't want to have to bring this many players in at this time of the season, but after losing Blaster [and Souttar, we had to]. The magic is we still win games."
  • "We are trying to give minutes to players [not used to our style]. We are trying to find the balance."
  • "Maybe there's a reminder to players that they have to go full tilt, we have to be tactically better [with teams bringing] different stuff [that we have to adjust to]"
  • "There's a nice habit of winning. I bet if you had a poll of Sheffield United supporters, would they have expected to be joint top of the division at this point, I guarantee they wouldn't, but we are."
  • On us not playing too well but winning 5 out of the last 6 due to a winning attitude, "I'd rather have a team that's tough and wants to win than a team that's milky and soft"
  • "[Saturday] can't be our stock performance"
  • "You have to give them credit n'all, they're fighting for their lives"

Middlesbrough:
  • His take on them, "Tough game up there. One of the outstanding teams in the division,. Well managed, well coached, good group of players. Really difficulty opponents. Control possession, make good chances. It'll be a really interesting game".
  • He talked a little bit about the game earlier in the season. "A Tight game [there]. Expecting a tight game [here]

General:
  • He was asked about small margins and how all the teams at the top get slated if they drop any points. "Unbelievable innit. Tell you what, let's be average in the first half of the season and then let's get better and scrape into the playoffs"
  • He talked about the recent history of the club and how it's been really good. Interestingly he talked about 21/22 and "the club changed manager and style" to a 4-3-3, which was a mistake because "we were set to go straight back up". He made the point of saying "Slav's a great manager" a couple of times, but was wanting to make the point in the main that the club has been in a really good position either on the up, or maintaining a high level since 16/17 and I think meaning we should all remember that when we lose a couple of games. Interesting to get other people's take on this bit about the club and Slav's period as there were a lot of words, a bit all over the place, and I didn't keep up, and had my head down typing so couldn't read his body language
  • "I like my teams to play great free flowing games of football, but I want to win first and foremost. Other clubs may want it to look good and feel good. That's happening a lot more now, that's the way it is. I've been brought up to win and we are winning"
  • "I could have brought in just 1 or 2 players [in the JTW, minimising disruption] and hit the ground running straight away, but we will get better, absolutely. The players we've brought in are great players and want to adapt. It may be a bit rollercoasty, but we'll give ourselves the opportunity of getting the points total [we need to get promoted]
  • "We may not be [perfect] at the start of games. That's football", then talking about other teams who are the same, "some mid-table when they should be higher", hinting again that whoever you picked for the title ,they haven't ran away with it as we are on the same points as the top
  • On Rhian Brewster's contract being up at the end of the season, "We are talking to [his agents]. I'd love him to stay. I'm a big fan. I don't go along with what people say. Because he's now having a run of games, he's part of a front group that I'm delighted to have". "I'd love him to get that deal sorted out. Hopefully we can come to some agreement. Sheffield United have not seen the best of Rhian, through no fault of his. He came with big expectations and still needs to prove that player he was then that he can still do it now", going on to say his price tag was nowhere near the 23m that was in the press.
  • He talked about that front group, basically saying all the front group can play in any position up there, whether it be central or off the wing. Only exception was he only mentioned Cannon in a 9 or 10
  • On Sai Sachdev, nothing but positive things about his attitude towards recovery and they're glad to extend him. "He's got a long way to go but we'll be patient with him"

He definitely looks at social media, BTW. No doubt at all. Many businesses have someone, or a department, that gather the noise from external and provide notes to key staff, so they are aware. However, I reckon Wilder does it himself. He's too prickly towards questions, or his own topic he raises to have had some plain factual stats presented to him, he's reading emotional posts for sure. What's his username on here? ;)

Interviewers: Andy Giddins, Danny Hall

UTB
I guess there wasn't any mention of Jeff & Chris?
 

He definitely looks at social media, BTW. No doubt at all. Many businesses have someone, or a department, that gather the noise from external and provide notes to key staff, so they are aware. However, I reckon Wilder does it himself. He's too prickly towards questions, or his own topic he raises to have had some plain factual stats presented to him, he's reading emotional posts for sure. What's his username on here? ;)


UTB
I'm sure he does too. It would be too much of a temptation. Hopefully he knows that the few posts that really slag him off aren't at all representative of the fans - and probably fewer than 10% of Blades fans have ever posted on this forum.
 
Thank Christ for autocorrect and spelling wiggly red lines. Soooo much talking and my typing spaz hands couldn't keep up accurately 😅

Injuries & Absences:
  • No new injuries following Pompey
  • "Alfie [Gilchrist]'s attitude has been superb. Needed to come out of the team. He took that as I would expect with his character and the way he's been brought up" (positively, he means)
  • "Tom Davies will be involved on Wednesday"
  • "Kieffer Moore back involved on Saturday"
  • "Femi Seriki isn't far away"
  • "Shackleton is back in full training"

Reflecting on Portsmouth:
  • "Didn't deal with their press well enough"
  • "Didn't play quick enough. We invited the pressure onto us. Didn't really defend our box"
  • "They missed some big chances. Second half, [we] made some substitutions, wrestled [some] control back"
  • "We are still building. This is a team that [is still being built from the summer]. We are trying to integrate players, learn, build, win games of football. The players learning about us, me and the staff are learning about the players. I didn't want to have to bring this many players in at this time of the season, but after losing Blaster [and Souttar, we had to]. The magic is we still win games."
  • "We are trying to give minutes to players [not used to our style]. We are trying to find the balance."
  • "Maybe there's a reminder to players that they have to go full tilt, we have to be tactically better [with teams bringing] different stuff [that we have to adjust to]"
  • "There's a nice habit of winning. I bet if you had a poll of Sheffield United supporters, would they have expected to be joint top of the division at this point, I guarantee they wouldn't, but we are."
  • On us not playing too well but winning 5 out of the last 6 due to a winning attitude, "I'd rather have a team that's tough and wants to win than a team that's milky and soft"
  • "[Saturday] can't be our stock performance"
  • "You have to give them credit n'all, they're fighting for their lives"

Middlesbrough:
  • His take on them, "Tough game up there. One of the outstanding teams in the division,. Well managed, well coached, good group of players. Really difficulty opponents. Control possession, make good chances. It'll be a really interesting game".
  • He talked a little bit about the game earlier in the season. "A Tight game [there]. Expecting a tight game [here]

General:
  • He was asked about small margins and how all the teams at the top get slated if they drop any points. "Unbelievable innit. Tell you what, let's be average in the first half of the season and then let's get better and scrape into the playoffs"
  • He talked about the recent history of the club and how it's been really good. Interestingly he talked about 21/22 and "the club changed manager and style" to a 4-3-3, which was a mistake because "we were set to go straight back up". He made the point of saying "Slav's a great manager" a couple of times, but was wanting to make the point in the main that the club has been in a really good position either on the up, or maintaining a high level since 16/17 and I think meaning we should all remember that when we lose a couple of games. Interesting to get other people's take on this bit about the club and Slav's period as there were a lot of words, a bit all over the place, and I didn't keep up, and had my head down typing so couldn't read his body language
  • "I like my teams to play great free flowing games of football, but I want to win first and foremost. Other clubs may want it to look good and feel good. That's happening a lot more now, that's the way it is. I've been brought up to win and we are winning"
  • "I could have brought in just 1 or 2 players [in the JTW, minimising disruption] and hit the ground running straight away, but we will get better, absolutely. The players we've brought in are great players and want to adapt. It may be a bit rollercoasty, but we'll give ourselves the opportunity of getting the points total [we need to get promoted]
  • "We may not be [perfect] at the start of games. That's football", then talking about other teams who are the same, "some mid-table when they should be higher", hinting again that whoever you picked for the title ,they haven't ran away with it as we are on the same points as the top
  • On Rhian Brewster's contract being up at the end of the season, "We are talking to [his agents]. I'd love him to stay. I'm a big fan. I don't go along with what people say. Because he's now having a run of games, he's part of a front group that I'm delighted to have". "I'd love him to get that deal sorted out. Hopefully we can come to some agreement. Sheffield United have not seen the best of Rhian, through no fault of his. He came with big expectations and still needs to prove that player he was then that he can still do it now", going on to say his price tag was nowhere near the 23m that was in the press.
  • He talked about that front group, basically saying all the front group can play in any position up there, whether it be central or off the wing. Only exception was he only mentioned Cannon in a 9 or 10
  • On Sai Sachdev, nothing but positive things about his attitude towards recovery and they're glad to extend him. "He's got a long way to go but we'll be patient with him"

He definitely looks at social media, BTW. No doubt at all. Many businesses have someone, or a department, that gather the noise from external and provide notes to key staff, so they are aware. However, I reckon Wilder does it himself. He's too prickly towards questions, or his own topic he raises to have had some plain factual stats presented to him, he's reading emotional posts for sure. What's his username on here? ;)

Interviewers: Andy Giddins, Danny Hall

UTB

There’s always a lot of words a bit all over the place with CW. Sometimes they’re the right words but not necessarily in the right order. A bit like recent team selection.

He’s quite clearly Frank the Tank on here.
 
'One of the outstanding teams in the division' the table says they are 20 pts behind us and only 2 in front of the Pigs (although with a game in hand)

We need to go after them and let them worry about us not the other way round. If Souza and Choudhury both start we will know he's thinking the other way round
 
He took that as I would expect with his character and the way he's been brought up" (positively, he means)
Or maybe he means: 'He had a right go at me. And I'm glad he did - I wouldn't want any less.'
 
These are more worrying if he genuinely thinks this.
To be fair to him he hit the nail on the head with what was wrong against Portsmouth, in the fact we didn't deal with their press quick enough, and we didn't move the ball about quick enough.
Let's hope he sorts that out for tomorrow night, although a few times this season we have struggled when a side has pressed us.
 
We all love Wilder (me included), but have to say... not overly impressed with this press conference.

There was a thread after the Portsmouth game titled 'Wilder rattled,' and that's how he seems.

In his post-match interview he was very keen to exonerate himself from responsibility for the poor performance, "nothing tactical" and threw a few individuals under the bus "the centre halves got bullied" etc.
After a thorough review of that game, the conclusion seems to be that it wasn't that bad - referencing Liverpool and City's showing against weaker opposition on the weekend.
He said that we "turned up the heat" in the 2nd half and felt "we were destined to win" and that "both teams had plenty of chances." To me, none of that rings true (XG Blades 1-3 Portsmouth)...
... you could accept the "bad day at the office" line if the performance was out of the ordinary but that isn't the case.

In our last 4 games, against poor league opposition (16th, 20th, 21st, 22nd), we've created less opportunities (XG) in 3 of them.
We were very lucky not to lose against Swansea and Portsmouth, we did lose to Hull and if Derby had got a draw nobody could have complained.

In general, he seems to be quite prickly around the subject of performances and feels they're mutually exclusive from results.
He said a couple of times that he's a "winning manager" not someone that favours "things looking good..." but the law of averages would say that if the performance levels stay as they are then the results won't continue.

I often feel that Wilder's overly concerned with convincing people that he's doing a good job in trying circumstances.
But now he's been backed, the squad is in good health, the pressure is on for him to deliver... and I think he's feeling it.
 
Last edited:
Thank Christ for autocorrect and spelling wiggly red lines. Soooo much talking and my typing spaz hands couldn't keep up accurately 😅

Injuries & Absences:
  • No new injuries following Pompey
  • "Alfie [Gilchrist]'s attitude has been superb. Needed to come out of the team. He took that as I would expect with his character and the way he's been brought up" (positively, he means)
  • "Tom Davies will be involved on Wednesday"
  • "Kieffer Moore back involved on Saturday"
  • "Femi Seriki isn't far away"
  • "Shackleton is back in full training"

Reflecting on Portsmouth:
  • "Didn't deal with their press well enough"
  • "Didn't play quick enough. We invited the pressure onto us. Didn't really defend our box"
  • "They missed some big chances. Second half, [we] made some substitutions, wrestled [some] control back"
  • "We are still building. This is a team that [is still being built from the summer]. We are trying to integrate players, learn, build, win games of football. The players learning about us, me and the staff are learning about the players. I didn't want to have to bring this many players in at this time of the season, but after losing Blaster [and Souttar, we had to]. The magic is we still win games."
  • "We are trying to give minutes to players [not used to our style]. We are trying to find the balance."
  • "Maybe there's a reminder to players that they have to go full tilt, we have to be tactically better [with teams bringing] different stuff [that we have to adjust to]"
  • "There's a nice habit of winning. I bet if you had a poll of Sheffield United supporters, would they have expected to be joint top of the division at this point, I guarantee they wouldn't, but we are."
  • On us not playing too well but winning 5 out of the last 6 due to a winning attitude, "I'd rather have a team that's tough and wants to win than a team that's milky and soft"
  • "[Saturday] can't be our stock performance"
  • "You have to give them credit n'all, they're fighting for their lives"

Middlesbrough:
  • His take on them, "Tough game up there. One of the outstanding teams in the division,. Well managed, well coached, good group of players. Really difficulty opponents. Control possession, make good chances. It'll be a really interesting game".
  • He talked a little bit about the game earlier in the season. "A Tight game [there]. Expecting a tight game [here]

General:
  • He was asked about small margins and how all the teams at the top get slated if they drop any points. "Unbelievable innit. Tell you what, let's be average in the first half of the season and then let's get better and scrape into the playoffs"
  • He talked about the recent history of the club and how it's been really good. Interestingly he talked about 21/22 and "the club changed manager and style" to a 4-3-3, which was a mistake because "we were set to go straight back up". He made the point of saying "Slav's a great manager" a couple of times, but was wanting to make the point in the main that the club has been in a really good position either on the up, or maintaining a high level since 16/17 and I think meaning we should all remember that when we lose a couple of games. Interesting to get other people's take on this bit about the club and Slav's period as there were a lot of words, a bit all over the place, and I didn't keep up, and had my head down typing so couldn't read his body language
  • "I like my teams to play great free flowing games of football, but I want to win first and foremost. Other clubs may want it to look good and feel good. That's happening a lot more now, that's the way it is. I've been brought up to win and we are winning"
  • "I could have brought in just 1 or 2 players [in the JTW, minimising disruption] and hit the ground running straight away, but we will get better, absolutely. The players we've brought in are great players and want to adapt. It may be a bit rollercoasty, but we'll give ourselves the opportunity of getting the points total [we need to get promoted]
  • "We may not be [perfect] at the start of games. That's football", then talking about other teams who are the same, "some mid-table when they should be higher", hinting again that whoever you picked for the title ,they haven't ran away with it as we are on the same points as the top
  • On Rhian Brewster's contract being up at the end of the season, "We are talking to [his agents]. I'd love him to stay. I'm a big fan. I don't go along with what people say. Because he's now having a run of games, he's part of a front group that I'm delighted to have". "I'd love him to get that deal sorted out. Hopefully we can come to some agreement. Sheffield United have not seen the best of Rhian, through no fault of his. He came with big expectations and still needs to prove that player he was then that he can still do it now", going on to say his price tag was nowhere near the 23m that was in the press.
  • He talked about that front group, basically saying all the front group can play in any position up there, whether it be central or off the wing. Only exception was he only mentioned Cannon in a 9 or 10
  • On Sai Sachdev, nothing but positive things about his attitude towards recovery and they're glad to extend him. "He's got a long way to go but we'll be patient with him"

He definitely looks at social media, BTW. No doubt at all. Many businesses have someone, or a department, that gather the noise from external and provide notes to key staff, so they are aware. However, I reckon Wilder does it himself. He's too prickly towards questions, or his own topic he raises to have had some plain factual stats presented to him, he's reading emotional posts for sure. What's his username on here? ;)

Interviewers: Andy Giddins, Danny Hall

UTB
Keep it up Cappy - you’ve created a useful role
 

TOO be fair …..

Oh , wait a minute 🧐
 

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