Alan Knill on Sheffield Live - In A Nutshell.

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The_Green_Man

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Nitty gritty questions answered first.....

The market is really slow this year so over the next couple of weeks we hope to finish off the squad.

We think we are really close to a couple of players. They've agree and we hope to have them in the club by Sunday.....And no names however one is a CB and one is a CM.

We are probably looking for another three players after those two arrive.

We also think that a couple will leave.

Hammond has gone but the situation hasn't changed. Those who are listed are listed but the attitude of the players has been fantastic over the last two weeks but they are still for sale.

It is well documented that McFadzean and Kilgallon are linked however as of yet nothing is definite with either of these players.

Che has attracted a lot of attention. We don't want players to leave however in the third division every player has a price and when a bigger club comes in for a player it becomes hard to keep them. When we get out of this division then no doubt we will be the ones doing it to other clubs.

Later another cheeky transfer question.....How about John Fleck? His name has been bounded around.....In which Knill shakes it off and replies.....He's a very good player.

Because we are Sheffield United transfer become expensive and everyone suddenly wants more money for players.

Talking football and tactics......

Neither Wilder or Knill bothered about roles as such. Both are just football people and like to get stuck in and win games.

Chris is the manager and he is the assistant. Knill's focus is mainly on the grass, wilder gets involved and is in charge of everything else.

Knill is good cop and Wilder is definitely bad cop. When things don't go well, Wilder is no stranger to barking, biting and snapping.

Knill regards himself as a "coach who can manage". He doesn't love managing, he sort of fell into it. This position is brilliant for him as it allows him to do what he loves to do and what he is best at. Wilder is a fantastic manager and this just works perfectly all round.

The two of the are honest and prefer everything to be black and white. You only have to look at Wilders interview at Northampton to see how open and honest he is.

Knill has actually lived in Sheffield for 15 years.

Pre season drags because everybody is waiting for that first game. Knill and Wilder like to make it entertaining if the can but also drive the messages across of how they like to play.

On the style of play......

High pressure, get at the opposition and don't sit off. They like to get up the pitch and get at em but they need the right types of players to play like this.

No players like the sit off the opposition. Players love this style of play however they need to put in the work and they have to run around and be enthusiastic. They also need to make tackles.

On the last 2 weeks.......


They have been very good....The first week was an introduction but the second week they have seen a real improvement and the players have bought in to what they want.



 



I thought Knill came across well, clearly loves football and enjoys being on the training pitch.

Personally very pleased to hear that they are looking to see us closing teams down and getting at them, something which we haven't really seen a great deal of lately. In the last few years we have made some real shite look like Barcelona by allowing them to dictate games and move the ball about.

Having said all of this, every management team always comes in giving it the big bollocks, let's see if the performances match the waffle.
 
Surely even we cant mess this one up, assistant manager on Live TV saying we will have 2 more transfers confirmed in the next 48 hours..... Looking forward to the weekend now..... Dont ruin it United!
 
Wilder and Knill have known each other for many years since they were players together at Southampton. They are different personalities and work well together professionally, good cop/bad cop combination and loads of experience between them.

Everything Knill spoke about made sense and was encouraging. He seems a good bloke; humble and self-effacing and yet confident in what he does. He knows the pressures on the manager from his own past experiences and helps him deal with disappointments as and when they happen. Knill looks the type to have a cool head under pressure and a calming influence probably for his overtly passionate boss, again a good combination.

If we sign those two players before Sunday and add another three within a fortnight that will be a total of eight new signings. One or two may leave and not just those on the list. Those players on the list seem to have knuckled down to training and I wonder how many of them now fancy staying with us under the new regime. The 'in your face' pressing game would not suit Coutts and Woolford but Freeman and K.Wallace would be good value so offer to take a pay cut lads!!
 
Get these two in and that will be 5 all told. With possibly a further 3 to come it certainly is interesting times at BL

Can't wait for the season to start under Wilder, even if I am due to miss the first home game (can't be avoided :()
 

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