Wilder - Get Rid Now, or After Last Game

[luffenhamblade]

If we are in a position where buying anyone in the JTW makes sense I would be stunned. A repeat of this year where the season is dead well before Christmas seems incredibly likely.

You may well be right but I prefer to start each season with a little hope!

 

[Dkc]

If we are in a position where buying anyone in the JTW makes sense I would be stunned. A repeat of this year where the season is dead well before Christmas seems incredibly likely.

The season wasn't dead well before Christmas.

 

[jt64]

The season wasn't dead well before Christmas.

Only in the eyes of the incredibly pessimistic, or hopelessly optimistic.

 

[Cheeky Blade]

What’s wrong with November, January or Feb though I guess it could be argued the latter two need any January signings to bed in. Feel for November though, getting a bit left out

Build a bonfire and get rid of this Guy Wilder in November!

 

[Champagneblade]

I really think it's shit that the fanbase, at least that part of it represented on here, now seemingly has to be broken down to "Wilder haters" and "pro Wilder." Surely there should be more nuance to it than that?

He did amazing things in his first spell here. The promotions and the first PL season were beyond incredible. The subsequent relegation was appalling, but probably inevitable given the resources a club like ours has. Last season was a freak year. 90 points (we did deserve the -2, that's the rules) would get top 2 in a lot of seasons, and we were a (sketchy) VAR decision away from success at Wembley. He deserves huge credit for all of that.

On the flip side, the latter 3rd of this season has been pretty shoddy. We've lost a lot of points from winning positions, and some of the football has been turgid at best. When a manager takes (deserved) credit for the good times, he also has to take the flack when times are less good.

But the shit-slinging that goes on in every discussion about him is no good for the club or the fans. Questioning if we should look elsewhere and make a fresh start does not make you "anti-Blade" or worse "a pig." Neither does thinking Wilder will come good again make you "a Wilder sheep."

Both arguments have their merits, and their downsides.

To avoid being fully a fence-sitter, personally I think the club should be actively exploring other options. I don't know who, but I feel a change may be for the best ahead of an important season. If we can keep enough of the current squad, and make a couple of additions, then I don't think a top-6 push is out of reach. That said, if there is nobody better available, then I'll get behind CW come August and hope he can rediscover his mojo.

Your post is very balanced and fair play for not sitting on the fence.

“I don't know who, but I feel a change may be for the best ahead of an important season.”

I think here is the crux of the discussion. We can’t just get rid of the manager. It has to come with a replacement.

Those who wanted him out got Sellés as replacement. You trust the Board to make the appointment because you have no option to do otherwise. So question then remains, who are the Board likely to go for?

If you say get rid and that’s it, then you deserve a Sellés again. If you say move on and explore Dave Challiner then that provides more of a debate.

If wanted rid then say who should come in. Just moving a guy on isn’t a solution. It’s half a solution.

For me, I’d stick with Wilder. New rules, new budget. I doubt we’ll get relegated under him so his floor is high enough. Let’s see how he does. That’s how I think the Board feel.

Someone like Challiner would be a compelling shout if it did flip the other way given his improvement year on year.

 

[The Crab]

Your post is very balanced and fair play for not sitting on the fence.

“I don't know who, but I feel a change may be for the best ahead of an important season.”

I think here is the crux of the discussion. We can’t just get rid of the manager. It has to come with a replacement.

Those who wanted him out got Sellés as replacement. You trust the Board to make the appointment because you have no option to do otherwise. So question then remains, who are the Board likely to go for?

If you say get rid and that’s it, then you deserve a Sellés again. If you say move on and explore Dave Challiner then that provides more of a debate.

If wanted rid then say who should come in. Just moving a guy on isn’t a solution. It’s half a solution.

For me, I’d stick with Wilder. New rules, new budget. I doubt we’ll get relegated under him so his floor is high enough. Let’s see how he does. That’s how I think the Board feel.

Someone like Challiner would be a compelling shout if it did flip the other way given his improvement year on year.

Despite what I’ve previously said, a lot of that post makes sense.

I have previously said, and it’s still a view that I hold, that change is needed, but that change is wider than just changing the manager.

Parachute payments are ending, new rules coming in, money is going to be tight but it’s also an opportunity. Financial paucity is an environment Wilder has previously done well in.

But there can be no more excuses. This is a clean sheet of paper. Hopefully we can get rid of some of the underachieving players and build a fitter leaner squad

 

[Champagneblade]

But there can be no more excuses. This is a clean sheet of paper. Hopefully we can get rid of some of the underachieving players and build a fitter leaner squad

This but remains to be seen too and is a very salient point.

On a lower budget, how much of a millstone will players the manager doesn’t want, but can’t offload, become?

Signing a bad player on a 4 year deal can become a multi-year problem, not just for the season they arrive.

 

[joe casey]

The 4 youngest teams in 24/25 finished 1, 2, 3, 4

Can't find anything that backs that up? Sunderland squad yes was the youngest and contradicts my point thats fair - but maybe an anomaly?
Blades were 6th youngest - but Burnley and Leeds were both top 8 (oldest) for Squad age