Campbell?

[AnglesWithDirtyFaces]

Yeah, I saw that from the BLUT corner, it wasn't good from Wilder.

He did look like a bully, pretty stupid from him.

All Campbell wanted to do was check on Bamford, Wilder went way over the top with his reaction.

 

[Paris_Blade]

I don't want to be naive but he seems really ill/injured - surely it's not that he doesn't care. There's a clip of him after FT and he was only a sub, Peck has to drag him up, he looks shattered in a way no pro athlete should.

Then again, it's worrying Stoke fans see the same pattern of a promising player followed by a huge dip.

 

[Kenilworth]

Arsenal and Manchester City have Directors of Football, they have been a success.

Money

 

[Kenilworth]

When was the last time we did that?

When did we ever have a benefactor like Elton John, who could plough in the kind of money that made a difference (relative in those days, but not now)?

 

[Revolution]

Money

Of course. But there are clubs at all levels with DoFs.

 

[Kenilworth]

Your views on football really were set in stone around the time when we sold John Tudor, weren't they?

Sorry, Rev, buts that’s all kinds of nonsense.
Both Silent and I have never stated a DoF can’t be useful at the right club but we have consistently stated that without any money or the infrastructure in place it’s just papering over the cracks (note I avoided using the lipstick metaphor).

My key point (not completely sure if Silent Blade agrees) is that people see it as a panacea for all Blades ills. Whereas, without the investment a DoF is no different to a single point of decision, anyway - and if it’s done half cock (like Watford) it’s a basket case. And who would expect anything but half cocked from this set of owners (or any previous owners)? The Prince got lucky with Wilder.

 

[Kenilworth]

Of course. But there are clubs at all levels with DoFs.

And they remain at those levels.
Which one’s are pushing for a place in the Prem?
If it’s not going to shift the needle significantly, then why do it for the sake of it? It’s no way a guarantee of success, is it? It could be a complete limiter to success, if not backed with a huge investment in the back end and facilities, as well as the playing staff.

 

[Kenilworth]

I, nor I suspect anybody else on this forum is privy to our annual budget, or how much DoFs are paid, so it’s hard to answer that question precisely.

Stuart Webber’s name was thrown about in the past, but I see he’s recently moved to a Japanese club.

Heckingbottom would be another option who I suspect doesn’t command a huge wage. But that’s assuming he’d be up for a role change. He’s intelligent enough for the job and made some smart signings during his time, as well as seemingly having a clearer pathway for the younger players.

Hecky also promised Sharp a new deal but reneged on that at the end of the last promo season. That from Billy, directly.

 

[Kenilworth]

Same can be said of every player you sign and every manager you appoint. Everyone has to start somewhere.

So, DoF is no different?

 

[Revolution]

Sorry, Rev, buts that’s all kinds of nonsense.
Both Silent and I have never stated a DoF can’t be useful at the right club but we have consistently stated that without any money or the infrastructure in place it’s just papering over the cracks (note I avoided using the lipstick metaphor).

My key point (not completely sure if Silent Blade agrees) is that people see it as a panacea for all Blades ills. Whereas, without the investment a DoF is no different to a single point of decision, anyway - and if it’s done half cock (like Watford) it’s a basket case. And who would expect anything but half cocked from this set of owners (or any previous owners)? The Prince got lucky with Wilder.

I don't see it as a panacea for all ills. That's a strawman as far as I am concerned.

I see it as putting in structure where there is none and where it would likely help.

 

[Kenilworth]

Brentford have split the DoF role into two and now have a Sporting Director and a Technical Director. Brighton have a Sporting Director. Both those sides are historically miles behind us but currently in another stratosphere.

What’s your point?

They have way more money that we have ever had. That’s the point. Brentford used their Directors, betting stats company and Brighton were funded by really wealthy people to manage their data led recruitment. Money, wads of it, is the determining factor. Successive boards at United have always struggled to make ends meet. Without the shiny period that Wilder brought we’d have been languishing in the doldrums still. It’s a fact in the football world that money makes it go around. Adding a body here and another there, as directors of this and technical that, is not the full picture.

 

[Upton_Blade]

Sorry, Rev, buts that’s all kinds of nonsense.

Based on your repeated rambling on this point of discussion I'd say it was pretty accurate from Rev.

Both Silent and I have never stated a DoF can’t be useful at the right club but we have consistently stated that without any money or the infrastructure in place it’s just papering over the cracks (note I avoided using the lipstick metaphor).

I've not seen one person on here state that all we need to do is employ a DOF, just 1 person, and our issues will be solved. Of course it will take investment and a DOF is only the 1st part of that modernisation. They would then oversee the appointment of key people into key roles from recruitment, data analysis, the academy etc etc. I'd flip your point on it's head and ask how much longer can we afford to not modernise our structure when you see the huge amounts of money being wasted on absolute dross? Our narrow minded approach to recruitment is costing us an absolute fortune in wages for players that don't turn the needle one iota.

My key point (not completely sure if @Silent Blade agrees) is that people see it as a panacea for all Blades ills.

See above. Not one person has suggested a single appointment (DOF) is the answer to all our ills.

Whereas, without the investment a DoF is no different to a single point of decision, anyway - and if it’s done half cock (like Watford) it’s a basket case.

Again see above. Not a single person is suggesting it won't take investment. Also your Watford analogy is wearing extremely thin. They're a basket case due to their owners nothing else.

And who would expect anything but half cocked from this set of owners (or any previous owners)? The Prince got lucky with Wilder.

Been done to death on here before but one thing our owners can't be accused of is not investing. Unfortunately due to having such a piss poor structure in place that investment has been spent atrociously.

Also it was McCabe who got lucky with Wilder mk1 initially as he wasn't PA's appointment. PA then benefitted from how incredible mk1 Wilder was. Unfortunately there are light years between mk1 Wilder and what we're getting now.

 

[Bladesman]

I don't want to be naive but he seems really ill/injured - surely it's not that he doesn't care. There's a clip of him after FT and he was only a sub, Peck has to drag him up, he looks shattered in a way no pro athlete should.

Then again, it's worrying Stoke fans see the same pattern of a promising player followed by a huge dip.

I don't think he is very well to be honest. He doesn't even look overweight or anything.

The way Wilder treated him on Saturday was bizarre.

 

[Scoips]

Two separate jobs costing a lot of money in addition to to the coaching staff. It probably works well when there is sufficient money available, but I suspect our owners do not wish to invest to advance as they should.

A half competent DoF would have stopped us spending £19 million on absolute dross last year, so would have paid for their salary many times over. This club is going absolutely nowhere unless we get some football competence on the Board.

 

[Tom Bott]

The way Wilder treated him on Saturday was bizarre.

Maybe play with 10 men for 5 minutes while Campbell has a chat with Bamford?

I know we currently aim to level all fault at Wilders door but I thought it showed more Campbells lack of desire to get on the pitch and help the team.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

So he isn't fit enough and his attitude isn't great so left out the squad today. What do we do, let’s give him a contract extension!! we are turning into a joke of a club with a manager who thinks his has been overpaid players will get him out of he shit again. Time for a manager and ownership change asap.

Historically Bramall Lane has always been a preferred pre- retirement home for players seeking their last contract.

 

[Tom Bott]

A half competent DoF would have stopped us spending £19 million on absolute dross last year

How much have Leicester spent on 'players' while they have had a DOF?
How many of them are/were absolute dross?

 

[Silent Blade]

Did anyone see what happened between Wilder and Campbell on Saturday?

My sister was at the game and sat right by the dugout. When Bamford came off he looked to be in agony and Campbell moved towards him to see if he was alright. Apparently Wilder grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, pulling him about and was shouting in his face, not in a motivational, get yourself ready type way, but she said is was quite nasty to watch! Said he was acting like a proper bully.

It worked as it seemed to fire Campbell up!

You are against tough love?

 

[Bladesman]

Maybe play with 10 men for 5 minutes while Campbell has a chat with Bamford?

I know we currently aim to level all fault at Wilders door but I thought it showed more Campbells lack of desire to get on the pitch and help the team.

The game had paused he was just reaching across to check on Bamford before being subbed on.

Most players do this, Wilders reaction was just odd. He wants team spirit and togetherness but then reacts like that.

 

[S64 Blade]

When did we ever have a benefactor like Elton John, who could plough in the kind of money that made a difference (relative in those days, but not now)?

Watford have been owned by Italian Gino Pozzo since 2012, so I’m not sure how Watford reaching the cup final in 2019 lines up there.

Interesting that you do mention Elton though. A big football fan. Knows the game. Exactly the kind of person we don’t have on our board.

 

[Silent Blade]

The game had paused he was just reaching across to check on Bamford before being subbed on.

Most players do this, Wilders reaction was just odd. He wants team spirit and togetherness but then reacts like that.

Campbell should have been more focussed on the game rather than showing pity on a player coming off. Am sure Bamford didnt want pity.

 

[utd4ever]

When did we ever have a benefactor like Elton John, who could plough in the kind of money that made a difference (relative in those days, but not now)?

Come on Sean put some Beans in.

 

[Bladesman]

Campbell should have been more focussed on the game rather than showing pity on a player coming off. Am sure Bamford didnt want pity.

He can’t ask how he is as he’s walking towards him?

 

[Gin&Juice]

Campbell should have been more focussed on the game rather than showing pity on a player coming off. Am sure Bamford didnt want pity.

Mate. Fucking Wilder acting like Sgt Barnes in Platoon is uncalled for.

 

[Tom Bott]

Come on Sean put some Beans in.

Though if what reportedly happened between him and Warnock on the relegation day actually happened I'd rather he didn't.

 

[Silent Blade]

He can’t ask how he is as he’s walking towards him?

That is not how I saw it. Bamford was walking towards the tunnel, Campbell, about to come on, walked from the touchline towards Bamford before Wilder dragged him back to the touchline

 

[Silent Blade]

Mate. Fucking Wilder acting like Sgt Barnes in Platoon is uncalled for.

Cant believe the witch hunt in this thread!

 

[Tom Bott]

He can’t ask how he is as he’s walking towards him?

I blame the referees. They should stop the game for 5 minutes for every substitution, so that the players can have a chat.

I'm sure we would all support such a move.

 

[Tom Bott]

Cant believe the witch hunt in this thread!

Not just this one unfortunately.

 

[Keen Blade]

I don't see it as a panacea for all ills. That's a strawman as far as I am concerned.

I see it as putting in structure where there is none and where it would likely help.

Exactly.

Even if we were doing well ,
If Wilder had another mental breakdown or fell under a bus tonight* ,
There is absolutely no worthwhile structure or "football experienced" personnel to prevent the club falling completely off the rails or have any kind of short or medium term strategy for success.

*It wasn't me that pushed him (Shaggy)