Wilder - Get Rid Now, or After Last Game

[Bell4]

I don't think we can expect any real degree of improvement if we stick with Wilder. Given how things have gone with him in charge since he replaced Hecky, I think the performances we're seeing on the pitch currently, are what we will get next season as well, just with different people on the pitch for us to complain about.

I've seen comments from many people on here, referencing how Wilder has pulled us clear of relegation from the Championship, following the Selles disaster at the start of the season. And while that is true, that doesn't mean that Wilder coming back was the best choice. And I'd look toward a couple of other Championship sides as perfect demonstrations that getting a different man can also be successful.

First, Norwich. Last season, they initially had Johannes Hoff Thorup as manager, replacing David Wagner. He left in April, the season being completed under Jack Wilshere. They proceeded to hire Liam Manning for this season. I liked him at Brizzle for what it's worth - they played smart football, and in both league fixtures they gave us a real tough time. But it didn't work out for him, and he left in November. Rather than going back to Thorup or Wilshere, they hired Philippe Clement as their new boss (probably best known for his prior poor spell in charge of Rangers).

Since his appointment, Norwich have earned 45 points in 24 matches in the league, a rate of 1.875 points per game. If you extrapolate that out to the 39 matches played by most teams in the league at this stage, it is just over 73 points. That would be enough for 2nd position.

Secondly, Southampton. Newly relegated from the PL, they hired Will Still in the summer, who was dismissed again in November. Rather than rehiring Russell Martin or Ivan Juric, who both managed Saints last year, they moved Tonda Eckert up from their U21s to be (initially) interim manager. He then was made permanent after 4 wins from 5 while in interim charge.

Eckert has now led them to 51 points from 26 matches, at a rate of approx. 1.96 ppg. Again, using that value across 39 games played so far, Saints would be looking at approx. 76 points earned, and challenging Coventry for the Championship title.

Meanwhile, as we all know, Selles managed 6 games for us, was sacked Sep 14th after the thrashing at Ipswich, and Wilder came back. Since his return, Wilder has earned 50 points from 34 games, at a rate of approx. 1.47 ppg. As I've done for the above managers, across 39 matches this equates to just over 57 points, a tally which would be good enough for 9th place in the current Championship table.

Now I will concede, not every club is the same. Some teams will thrive from a previous manager returning, while others will stagnate, and the same can be said for a new face taking charge. But I feel it is worth noting that both Norwich and Southampton seem to have especially thrived in an offensive sense since their current managers took charge. Both teams have struck 5 goals in a game at least once each, both have won multiple matches by margins of 2+ goals. And the comeback win by Southampton from 3 goals down away at Leicester, shows a level of mental strength that I do not believe anyone in our squad actually possesses. Not since pre-Covid have I seen a Sheffield United side led by Chris Wilder, which l believed capable of any of these feats. At present, we are far more likely to be on the receiving end of these stats. And we have been (Wrexham away for example - conceded 5, lost by multiple goals, and lost from a significant advantage all in the same game).

I do not think Wilder is a "bad" manager. In the past, he has been an exceptional manager. But the Wilder we see now, is not the same man that led Oxford back to the Football League. He is not the same man that led Northampton to the League 2 title, despite the clubs desperate financial troubles. He is not the same man that dragged Sheffield United out of League 1 hibernation, and into the Premier League limelight. He is not the same man that won the LMA Manager of the Year award, ahead of the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola. And I do not anticipate that changing anytime soon.

If we do not want to stagnate, that reality needs to be accepted, sooner rather than later.

CW doesn't rate many of the players - they're not good enough - and he has very little or no money for players next season

 

[54yrblade]

CW doesn't rate many of the players - they're not good enough - and he has very little or no money for players next season

Given the poor performances, particularly after HT in so many matches this season, it might also be that the players don't rate him or what he has to say either.

 

[Striker]

Season ticket renewal through this morning.

Confirm Wilder is going and you can have my money now.

Season ticket renewal through this morning.

Confirm Wilder is staying and you can have my money now.

There it makes sense now

 

[Bell4]

Given the poor performances, particularly after HT in so many matches this season, it might also be that the players don't rate him or what he has to say either.

Maybe

Just saying what I know

 

[SBSP]

Season ticket renewal through this morning.

Confirm Wilder is staying and you can have my money now.

There it makes sense now

Based on any recent merit?

Or just past glories?

Or fear of the unknown?

 

[CPB]

CW doesn't rate many of the players - they're not good enough - and he has very little or no money for players next season

It's hard to argue with that thinking too.

We signed over a dozen players last summer and lost Anel, Souza, Moore and Robinson. (Those latter two we can't say we were devastated about although Moore has shown at Wrexham what we could have had)

Out of the last starting 11 (vs Wrexham) only two players from last summer started. (Bindon and Tanganga)
And lets be honest who would you have started instead given the available selection? Perhaps Cannon for a midfielder to go 2 up top? Otherwise its' hard to argue with it.

We've got alot of average players in the squad to "compliment" some players of quality and some players of below average.

 

[Striker]

Based on any recent merit?

Or just past glories?

Or fear of the unknown?

Yes
Yes
And No

My fear is not of the unknown, it's remembering the disasters we've had over the years.

Weir,Adkins,Heath,Clough,Wilson,
Javanovic, Selles etc recently

I also remember managers from years back, Rowley,Sirrel,Haslam,Peters,McEwan.

CW might not be perfect but I'd back him every day of the week given my experience of watching the Blades.

 

[Sraboys]

if not C W who can come and work on this shoestring the owners aren’t bothered they thought will change manger after Wembley what happened there

 

[SBSP]

Any managment/coaching team that knows a match lasts 90+mins rather than 60 would be a good start.

 

[Superblades]

He can go for me but he will still be in charge at the start of next season.

 

[Shadota]

he will still be in charge at the start of next season

That's the most concerning part. The performances are so consistently not up to snuff, yet we can all see it coming that we're going to end up with another season of mediocrity. All because the owners won't be prepared to stick their necks out on a new manager after the Selles fiasco.

 

[CornwallBlade]

And …..another collapse - thats 29 points lost from a winning position this season, best in the league by far. All down to the players though isn’t Chris?
He has to go if we are going to move forwards.

 

[Willglynning]

And …..another collapse - thats 29 points lost from a einning position this season, best in the league by far. All down to the players though isn’t Chris?
He has to go if we are going to move forwards.

Genuinely inexcusable at this stage. He needs to move on.

 

[AdamSufc1997]

Another lead blown but we can’t mention who is to blame for some of it

 

[biggey blade]

And …..another collapse - thats 29 points lost from a einning position this season, best in the league by far. All down to the players though isn’t Chris?
He has to go if we are going to move forwards.

Couldn't agree more I don't understand how anyone can think that wilder is moving the club forwards I think it was correct decision to get rid of him last season and definitely don't think it was the right idea to bring him back AGAIN. Totally stale this club not moving forwards at all because every time anything goes wrong or is a bad decision it's o we will go back to wilder he will do ok and we will be happy with that. No other club does this especially not any club with any ambition of moving forwards. He has been sacked for a reason so why then is it the right idea to bring him back? Make a fresh start under some one else give them time to make things happen. If it doesn't work it doesn't work we move on again but don't keep just going back to wilder when ever anything goes wrong. To many wilder fan boys/girls influencing the people in the club to re employ wilder. Imagine you turned up to work fucked it up did a shit job and then they sacked you can you ever imagine any employment then coming back and recruiting you again? No it wouldn't happen.

 

[ekke287]

Who cares at this point. We’ve been on the beach for weeks now. Get another win and we’ll guarantee safety, if not already.

Wilders part of the problem, not the sole reason. It starts from the top, make a decision and stick to it, don’t shit the bed and go back on it asap.

The issue is it starts with making a good decision, let’s hope our owners have learnt to surround themselves with better advisors.

 

[JT89]

Once again he's the first one down the tunnel after we've thrown away a comfortable lead. Absolutely pathetic, doesn't even have the bottle to face or applaud the fans after we've thrown away yet another comfortable lead. No doubt he's post match interviews will be full of excuses/blaming other people.

He needs to be gone by the end of the season if not before, give the next manager as much time as possible to prepare for next season.

 

[Gimli]

I think the board are shit scared of binning him off now after the Selles debacle.

We can’t keep reverting back to type whenever a new manager doesn’t work, Wilder isn’t the manager he was 10 years ago.

We need a huge rebuild over the summer and I don’t trust any of the people involved in that to deliver - whether that be CWAK, Bettis, Hoyland or COH.

 

[Kenworthy’s Tash]

They have to sack Wilder, next season is such a crucial one, you cannot stop making managerial changes just because you got one wrong. Take advice, get a proper DoF and a new progressive manager

 

[Sportbilly /Detroit Blade]

They have to sack Wilder, next season is such a crucial one, you cannot stop making managerial changes just because you got one wrong. Take advice, get a proper DoF and a new progressive manager

Not saying you're wrong, but which manager(s) are fitting your criteria, and would likely come to us?

I'm not saying managers like that aren't out there, but not sure we're that exciting a proposition at the minute.

 

[djbaldken]

I think the board are shit scared of binning him off now after the Selles debacle.

We can’t keep reverting back to type whenever a new manager doesn’t work, Wilder isn’t the manager he was 10 years ago.

We need a huge rebuild over the summer and I don’t trust any of the people involved in that to deliver - whether that be CWAK, Bettis, Hoyland or COH.

I think you are right. I cant see Wilder getting sacked at least up till Christmas.
Its obvious we need a rebuild. Too many players who are just not up to a promotion push.
Id keep Bamford, Cooper,O'Hare, Arblaster, Seriki and Riedewald.
Id hope to keep Brooks and Bindon.
Not bothered any more about Hamer. On his day hes brilliant. But hes not shown very much in the way of brilliance this season.
The rest could go. But probably we'll be stuck with most of them.
It all depends how serious COH are and of course just how much real money they have.
Personally I dont think they really have a clue what they are doing. They are not football savy. Business yes. Football no.
So it remains to be seen where things will go next season.
Its great being a Blade. Never boring.

 

[ben1987]

A wheelie bin holding a filofax would be better at game management.

 

[SBSP]

Now.

Please not another season of this.

Yes they got it wrong with Selles. But that doesn’t mean Wilder is the only other option.

Get some people in with actual football knowledge and start planning for next season.

 

[Upton_Blade]

I think you are right. I cant see Wilder getting sacked at least up till Christmas.
Its obvious we need a rebuild. Too many players who are just not up to a promotion push.
Id keep Bamford, Cooper,O'Hare, Arblaster, Seriki and Riedewald.
Id hope to keep Brooks and Bindon.
Not bothered any more about Hamer. On his day hes brilliant. But hes not shown very much in the way of brilliance this season.
The rest could go. But probably we'll be stuck with most of them.
It all depends how serious COH are and of course just how much real money they have.
Personally I dont think they really have a clue what they are doing. They are not football savy. Business yes. Football no.
So it remains to be seen where things will go next season.
Its great being a Blade. Never boring.

Unfortunately due to the rebuild we need this summer, yet again, I'm not sure getting a new manager is an option even though I think CW has run his course with this club.

At the very least he'll know in advance who he wants to keep, who he wants rid of and what reinforcements he needs.

A new manager would be starting from scratch and I'm genuinely not sure we can afford to have that with how weak mentally and physically this squad is.

 

[bartman]

Yes
Yes
And No

My fear is not of the unknown, it's remembering the disasters we've had over the years.

Weir,Adkins,Heath,Clough,Wilson,
Javanovic, Selles etc recently

I also remember managers from years back, Rowley,Sirrel,Haslam,Peters,McEwan.

CW might not be perfect but I'd back him every day of the week given my experience of watching the Blades.

Wilson and Clough disasters ? Really?

 

[Silky Sabella]

Read my post under "Other Football" !

 

[YES Blade]

Not saying you're wrong, but which manager(s) are fitting your criteria, and would likely come to us?

I'm not saying managers like that aren't out there, but not sure we're that exciting a proposition at the minute.

There must be 100+ coaches/managers in this country alone that would love the chance to manage a Championship club.

If you expand that search to the rest of the world there must be thousands!

 

[Sportbilly /Detroit Blade]

There must be 100+ coaches/managers in this country alone that would love the chance to manage a Championship club.

If you expand that search to the rest of the world there must be thousands!

Agreed, but doesn't necessarily mean they're all suitable.

For what it's worth we should never have got Wilder back is my opinion.

You can sit back and have admiration and respect for what he's done for the club in the past, and still want a change.

 

[YES Blade]

Agreed, but doesn't necessarily mean they're all suitable.

For what it's worth we should never have got Wilder back is my opinion.

You can sit back and have admiration and respect for what he's done for the club in the past, and still want a change.

No, but we obviously only need to find one.

Wilder should’ve left and never come back. Reigns 2 and 3 were never going to get close to the unbelievable first reign.

 

[Lane Ender]

Times up Chris thanks for the good times but it’s all over