Chris Wilder | Fulham v Sheffield United | Pre-match Press Conference

[FMBlade1]

Usually I find these quite tedious, there was some stuff I agreed with, other things I disagreed with but was interesting to listen to.

• He defends the system again, in a respectful manner. Says that Mark Noble and other football experts back him up on this.
• Says the players are making it hard for him to make a settled side because of errors.
• Publicly criticizes Kean Bryan for his mistake against Chelsea.
• Made a comment about 'leftists' (8 minute mark)
• No certainty about the future.

It was certainly full of passion which was quite admirable really.

 

[robbiez666]

It is a much livelier interview.

I do wonder, in his analysis, how many goals we've scored with a flat 3. 1 per game? You can defend the system all you want but this formation has never scored enough goals or created enough chances consistently. So, there's an issue with it, surely?

It does worry me that it appears that he thinks the same players would be good enough if we come up again. Suggests that we aren't going to recruit extensively.

 

[Houston_Blade]

It does worry me that it appears that he thinks the same players would be good enough if we come up again. Suggests that we aren't going to recruit extensively.

He can’t say that they’re all shit can he? He’s obviously trying to keep them motivated. If he hasn’t learnt anything about what is required for the PL after this season, he never will.

 

[Roygbiv]

One of his best press conferences this season. He knows we are gone so is being more open. I felt more confident that he will be here next season listening to that.

 

[drblade]

There's a little bit of love left in him.

 

[Chingo]

Big fan of wilders but how can he keep picking Norwood after his ‘mistakes’ comments?

 

[FMBlade1]

Big fan of wilders but how can he keep picking Norwood after his ‘mistakes’ comments?

Because there is no one else to select in his place. If he signed someone in January then maybe.

Also have to point out that he never really rounded on Ramsdale or dropped him after several mistakes earlier on in the season, so he is not consistent on this point which may not go down well.

 

[Champagneblade]

Usually I find these quite tedious, there was some stuff I agreed with, other things I disagreed with but was interesting to listen to.

• He defends the system again, in a respectful manner. Says that Mark Noble and other football experts back him up on this.
• Says the players are making it hard for him to make a settled side because of errors.
• Publicly criticizes Kean Bryan for his mistake against Chelsea.
• Made a comment about 'leftists' (8 minute mark)
• No certainty about the future.

It was certainly full of passion which was quite admirable really.

It because he's had his haircut.

We know how significant that is

 

[Upton_Blade]

It is a much livelier interview.

I do wonder, in his analysis, how many goals we've scored with a flat 3. 1 per game? You can defend the system all you want but this formation has never scored enough goals or created enough chances consistently. So, there's an issue with it, surely?

It does worry me that it appears that he thinks the same players would be good enough if we come up again. Suggests that we aren't going to recruit extensively.

The thing I've wondered about for a while is that he has admitted he saw the tweak in formation upon promotion as moving from 3412 to 3421 hence why he bought Robinson and Freeman for reasonably big fees for us at the time.

I know we needed to be a bit tighter in midfield as he thought we would be overrun but it was obvious within weeks that we didn't need to be so defensive against anyone but the very top teams and yet he persisted with a flat 3 for the whole season which blatantly affected our attacking intent. Luckily we were rock solid at the back so it didn't really make that much difference.

One thing for sure is that if he plans on staying for the long haul then we need to plan not only to conquer the championship next season but having a formation that we can take into the prem and not have to change again.

 

[IOM Blade]

I'm pretty sure Norwood won't be starting after listening to that.

 

[robbiez666]

The thing I've wondered about for a while is that he has admitted he saw the tweak in formation upon promotion as moving from 3412 to 3421 hence why he bought Robinson and Freeman for reasonably big fees for us at the time.

I know we needed to be a bit tighter in midfield as he thought we would be overrun but it was obvious within weeks that we didn't need to be so defensive against anyone but the very top teams and yet he persisted with a flat 3 for the whole season which blatantly affected our attacking intent. Luckily we were rock solid at the back so it didn't really make that much difference.

One thing for sure is that if he plans on staying for the long haul then we need to plan not only to conquer the championship next season but having a formation that we can take into the prem and not have to change again.

and this is the clincher really. There's no point in saying that such and such will be good enough for the Championship next year if they're not then going to be good enough if we go up. We have seen how much it costs to try and buy players in the top flight. We simply can't do it and will just be back in the same position again. We need a better plan. We need to expand our recruitment policy. It's probably 1/3 cheaper in both wages and fees at Championship level. We tried the flat 3 before we went up and it didn't work. Teams sit deeper. We need the ability to play an attacking fomration and also the ability to switch to counter attacking against the best teams.

 

[Upton_Blade]

and this is the clincher really. There's no point in saying that such and such will be good enough for the Championship next year if they're not then going to be good enough if we go up. We have seen how much it costs to try and buy players in the top flight. We simply can't do it and will just be back in the same position again. We need a better plan. We need to expand our recruitment policy. It's probably 1/3 cheaper in both wages and fees at Championship level. We tried the flat 3 before we went up and it didn't work. Teams sit deeper. We need the ability to play an attacking fomration and also the ability to switch to counter attacking against the best teams.

Spot on

I'm not sure it requires a total overhall but we need to decide on an attacking formation that has room for a plan B and stick to it with the view of going up and playing the same formation.

 

[Sean Thornton]

It because he's had his haircut.

We know how significant that is

Or has he...........

 

[Sean Thornton]

I'm pretty sure Norwood won't be starting after listening to that.

Depends on how many times he needs telling.

 

[Bladesman]

Full pre match press conference:

 

[jono_t2000]

Interesting view on individual errors and how West Ham didn't make any etc.

I'd argue that for opponents to make mistakes you need players with that certain creativity and flair which will pressure opponents into making mistakes. Which we are definitely lacking.

 

[SouthStandGBlock]

I think we are crying out for another Duffy. I'm sure there are plenty of wingers out there we could buy and convert. Duffys ability to mix it up, link short play, beat a man, and shoot from range meant the opposition couldn't relax. His involvement made our whole system work, and he was the X factor.

We need new players next season, but I think another Duffy will revitalise the midfield, and provide the Plan B we are so badly lacking.

 

[robbiez666]

I think we are crying out for another Duffy. I'm sure there are plenty of wingers out there we could buy and convert. Duffys ability to mix it up, link short play, beat a man, and shoot from range meant the opposition couldn't relax. His involvement made our whole system work, and he was the X factor.

We need new players next season, but I think another Duffy will revitalise the midfield, and provide the Plan B we are so badly lacking.

I thought that was meant to be Freeman. If I remember correctly, even when we were struggling last season, he refused to use him in that position. At least, I can't remember us doing so. We automatically chucked an extra striker on.

 

[SouthStandGBlock]

I thought that was meant to be Freeman. If I remember correctly, even when we were struggling last season, he refused to use him in that position. At least, I can't remember us doing so. We automatically chucked an extra striker on.

Agreed. I thought Freeman was the Duffy replacement, but the tactics changed from game #1 in the EPL, and Freeman hasn't really had a chance IMO. I'm hoping he's back next season and can fulfill the Duffy role.

There's lots of mistakes been made this season,and sending Freeman out on loan was one of them IMO. We have kept a squad place for Rodwell who has never kicked a ball.

 

[robbiez666]

Agreed. I thought Freeman was the Duffy replacement, but the tactics changed from game #1 in the EPL, and Freeman hasn't really had a chance IMO. I'm hoping he's back next season and can fulfill the Duffy role.

There's lots of mistakes been made this season,and sending Freeman out on loan was one of them IMO. We have kept a squad place for Rodwell who has never kicked a ball.

For me, there's no real point of him or anyone else playing the Duffy role if it's just going to get abandoned if we go up. We're back to square one again.

 

[lakedistblade]

I'm pretty sure Norwood won't be starting after listening to that.

Yes that was my take away and it was surprising how much time he spent dwelling on the issue which seems to be a major preoccupation for him, albeit belatedly. should have dropped him before west ham and it’s going to be interesting to see how he reconfigures, especially with Eagan restricting his options in the back 4.

My plea would be to start putting someone on both posts at corners. So many goals have gone in from balls trickling in like last week that could so easily have been cleared. How can something so basic have been allowed to cost us vital single goals against ?

 

[FATTYFOULKE]

Spot on

I'm not sure it requires a total overhall but we need to decide on an attacking formation that has room for a plan B and stick to it with the view of going up and playing the same formation.

I don’t think the formation is the problem, more that we don’t have anybody who can put the ball in the net on a regular basis at this level.

Until we drop on somebody like Calvert Lewis again we’ll always struggle.

 

[YouFUMS]

Love the fact that when he was asked about the 1st thing he'd like to do when lockdown is over, His first thought was about us, the fans, and getting us back at BDTBL.

 

[ancientblade]

in all honesty weve had no midfield all season fleck injuries and illness norwoods unbelievable loss of form and i dont give a shit lundstram and as well as our strikers not being able to hit a barn door is what is sending us down

 

[Espania blade]

Good listen, the kind of thing that makes me 100% he should stay as our manger.
He made a lot of good points about mistakes, personnel, injuries and so on, and the comment about critics not knowing what goes on behind the scenes on the playing front.
I think comments made by by Dean Hammond in his podcast was also interesting about players moving to new clubs/cities, away from family etc and needing time to settle and how some take longer than others, we have signed a fait few younger lads that are still learning about life never mind upping sticks and moving to new clubs/cities and all of the above, it all goers into the mix as to how players ultimately perform on the pitch - all this is lost on some supporters.

 

[Snowflake]

Big fan of wilders but how can he keep picking Norwood after his ‘mistakes’ comments?

Not a lot of fit alternatives !