Building a squad

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

A few thoughts on where we are, and how things might develop. Wilder's record on gathering together a group of players to form a team which has been successful and entertaining is outstanding, and has been based on:
1. Affordability and value for money
2. Ensuring new signings are team players, prepared to work for the group, etc.
3. Being prepared to move on players who don't come up to expectations, or who want away.
4. Signing players who fit into our 3-5-2 formation.
In League 1 he quickly produced a team that gelled, a settled preferred eleven, and a relatively small squad. Last season, the squad was improved, but was still small, and the loss of Coutts dominated the JTW signings, and was really only solved nearly a year later with the signing of Norwood. It was a settled team to begin with last season, but we struggled to cover the absence of key players. This season, the squad is larger and better, but we still struggle in the absence of Duffy, Basham, Fleck, probably JOC, perhaps others.
The main concern is obviously whether Wilder is given a transfer budget, and if he is, an extra striker would be welcome, but I also wonder whether he will/should modify his policy of acquiring only players who fit our system. It's extremely difficult to replace like with like: cover for Duffy is essential, but does such a player exist? Basham and JOC are excellent at the overlapping central defender role, but there are not a lot of ready-made replacements around. Coutts developed a unique role/style, and took almost a year to replace. My point is: as we build a larger squad (essential if we are to progress), should we aim to acquire good players who will fit different systems,so that instead of playing with inferior versions of Duffy, Basham, Coutts, etc., we are comfortable playing a different system with players of a similar standard? In other words, should we look to build a strong squad able to play in different ways, to cope with absences and surprise the opposition, rather than aim to have 2 similar players for each position? I love the 3-5-2, but do we need to add a Plan B?

 

[super_pig]

A few thoughts on where we are, and how things might develop. Wilder's record on gathering together a group of players to form a team which has been successful and entertaining is outstanding, and has been based on:
1. Affordability and value for money
2. Ensuring new signings are team players, prepared to work for the group, etc.
3. Being prepared to move on players who don't come up to expectations, or who want away.
4. Signing players who fit into our 3-5-2 formation.
In League 1 he quickly produced a team that gelled, a settled preferred eleven, and a relatively small squad. Last season, the squad was improved, but was still small, and the loss of Coutts dominated the JTW signings, and was really only solved nearly a year later with the signing of Norwood. It was a settled team to begin with last season, but we struggled to cover the absence of key players. This season, the squad is larger and better, but we still struggle in the absence of Duffy, Basham, Fleck, probably JOC, perhaps others.
The main concern is obviously whether Wilder is given a transfer budget, and if he is, an extra striker would be welcome, but I also wonder whether he will/should modify his policy of acquiring only players who fit our system. It's extremely difficult to replace like with like: cover for Duffy is essential, but does such a player exist? Basham and JOC are excellent at the overlapping central defender role, but there are not a lot of ready-made replacements around. Coutts developed a unique role/style, and took almost a year to replace. My point is: as we build a larger squad (essential if we are to progress), should we aim to acquire good players who will fit different systems,so that instead of playing with inferior versions of Duffy, Basham, Coutts, etc., we are comfortable playing a different system with players of a similar standard? In other words, should we look to build a strong squad able to play in different ways, to cope with absences and surprise the opposition, rather than aim to have 2 similar players for each position? I love the 3-5-2, but do we need to add a Plan B?

was considering this myself..it’s more of a 3-4-1-2
the problem is backup/ replacement of the ‘1’
(don’t mention brooks ffs)

 

[blade67]

I was a little concerned by Wilder's, "I'd be dangerous, with some money" statement after Forest. Sounded like a come and get me plea

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

was considering this myself..it’s more of a 3-4-1-2
the problem is backup/ replacement of the ‘1’
(don’t mention brooks ffs)

I deliberately didn't mention Brooks, but now you've gone and done it! I think selling him was the right thing to do, but a little bit of me wonders if he was allowed to go because he doesn't fit very easily into our 3-5-2...

 

[georgebernardshaw]

I was a little concerned by Wilder's, "I'd be dangerous, with some money" statement after Forest. Sounded like a come and get me plea

What a load of shite

 

[Harry's Game]

We need to get the Duffy replacement / competition in January cos if don’t go up we will need to be looking for the Fleck and JOC replacements in the summer.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I deliberately didn't mention Brooks, but now you've gone and done it! I think selling him was the right thing to do, but a little bit of me wonders if he was allowed to go because he doesn't fit very easily into our 3-5-2...

Wilder rarely played him, despite him being the best talent we've seen down there since Tony Currie imo. He almost let him go and spend his whole season at Chesterfield, until it became blindingly obvious that he was a precocious talent and won the Player of The Tournament in the England Youth team the summer before. It was that moment that sparked Wilder to change his mind about him. And yet Wilder had him under his wing and training with the 1st team squad for months - so he must have known what he may be able to offer?

The thing about Brooks is, he's unconventional. He does something different. He dares to be different. Is he a striker? Is he a midfielder? Nobody seems to know. What we do know is he is capable of great individuality and skill that can turn a game on its head.

As much as I admire Wilder, I don't think that's his thing. He doesn't want individual talented players. He only wants players that fit into a system where they can all play like little cogs in a machine - none more important than the other.

That's why we get 10 yards out from goal and no one dare have a bloody shot, because it's a "team" thing, and no one wants to stick their bleeding neck out and have a pop!

I think Wilder is a brilliant manager, but like all others, he has his weaknesses - and failing to recognise individual talent and giving it a stage is a big one for him. It's all about "team" with Wilder - and nothing at all about "individual". And sometimes you need a bit of both!

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Wilder rarely played him, despite him being the best talent we've seen down there since Tony Currie imo. He almost let him go and spend his whole season at Chesterfield, until it became blindingly obvious that he was a precocious talent and won the Player of The Tournament in the England Youth team the summer before. It was that moment that sparked Wilder to change his mind about him. And yet Wilder had him under his wing and training with the 1st team squad for months - so he must have known what he may be able to offer?

The thing about Brooks is, he's unconventional. He does something different. He dares to be different. Is he a striker? Is he a midfielder? Nobody seems to know. What we do know is he is capable of great individuality and skill that can turn a game on its head.

As much as I admire Wilder, I don't think that's his thing. He doesn't want individual talented players. He only wants players that fit into a system where they can all play like little cogs in a machine - none more important than the other.

That's why we get 10 yards out from goal and no one dare have a bloody shot, because it's a "team" thing, and no one wants to stick their bleeding neck out and have a pop!

I think Wilder is a brilliant manager, but like all others, he has his weaknesses - and failing to recognise individual talent and giving it a stage is a big one for him. It's all about "team" with Wilder - and nothing at all about "individual". And sometimes you need a bit of both!

You may be right. Or perhaps, given our relative poverty, Norwood + Egan are worth more to us now than Brooks. Maybe the individuals come later in the PL (promised land). Maybe there's a hint that Wilder can cope with individuals in the signing of Henderson - he is certainly unconventional. My guess is that Wilder has tailored his teams to fit the circumstances, and that with a bigger budget he would develop. Preferably at the Lane.

 

[Luke1993]

You may be right. Or perhaps, given our relative poverty, Norwood + Egan are worth more to us now than Brooks. Maybe the individuals come later in the PL (promised land). Maybe there's a hint that Wilder can cope with individuals in the signing of Henderson - he is certainly unconventional. My guess is that Wilder has tailored his teams to fit the circumstances, and that with a bigger budget he would develop. Preferably at the Lane.

I agree, also, CW has lauded players in the past that have that 'individual quality' that win teams games, and I have no doubt if given the money he would have 1 or 2 in the team that do conform to the system but also can do something different on their own. I believe he thought woodburn would do this, but obviously at the moment he doesn't seem anywhere near.

 

[bladesfan]

For all the fans expecting an overnight miracle just look at the Premier league table. Can you also remember the last season in the Prem?

 

[Razor1967]

I was a little concerned by Wilder's, "I'd be dangerous, with some money" statement after Forest. Sounded like a come and get me plea

FFS

 

[Cerberus Blade]

You may be right. Or perhaps, given our relative poverty, Norwood + Egan are worth more to us now than Brooks. Maybe the individuals come later in the PL (promised land). Maybe there's a hint that Wilder can cope with individuals in the signing of Henderson - he is certainly unconventional. My guess is that Wilder has tailored his teams to fit the circumstances, and that with a bigger budget he would develop. Preferably at the Lane.

Good response mate - I’m probably being a bit harsh - still disappointed from yesterday.

Be nice to see him given the funds to add a bit of sparkle to the team because we’ve got the makings of a very good side. Love to see a Steve Kabba type player come in. But they are few and far between.