Chrissy Wilder's personal strengths

[Snake]

When CW played for the Blades in the mid/late 80s and particularly when Bassett started to recruit real nutters, I always thought Chris as a bit soft. Not a nesh wimp as such, but he certainly didn't stand out as a Bassett style crazy gang hard man. But there was obviously something about him. Bassett kept him on board when he released or traded many players early into his Blades managerial stint. Chris was a classy right back at a time when all our defenders were expect to do was tackle and lump it up the field.

However, I watched a re-run of the Leicester v Blades game in 1990 where Chris played centre half and realised I was wrong. At that time we had a certain Mr William Whitehurst playing for us as a centre forward and if Chris was to force his way into that side at centre half (albeit as cover for Stancliffe) he would have to do battle with Billy every single day in training. Bassett, like Chris, used to like to train as hard as we played, so facing Billy day in day out would have tested the mental and physical strength of anybody!

So it's not surprising the type of player that Chris wants in a Blades shirt. He wants committed professionals who are not afraid to mix it and have the mental and physical toughness to battle it out no matter who the opponent is.

In Wilder we trust - he certainly served a good apprenticeship!

 

[DronnieBlade]

Man Management.

AK and the sports science team do the technical stuff.

UTB

 

[Bergen Blade]

I think it was Wilder at right back (despite wearing no 5) and Colin Hill (2) at centre half at Leicester. Wilder is taking a throw in here:



And moments later wins a header high up on the right side, which Deano flicked on for Agana to volley it in (making it 3-1).

 

[Eza Blade]

I’ve heard instead of a song for initiation they have to test out their kidney punching skills

 

[cahill]

His identification with the club, fans, and that he catches the bus ( allegedly) to keep himself earthed. Oh and man management

 

[N20 Blade]

I think it was Wilder at right back (despite wearing no 5) and Colin Hill (2) at centre half at Leicester. Wilder is taking a throw in here:

View attachment 90299

And moments later wins a header high up on the right side, which Deano flicked on for Agana to volley it in (making it 3-1).

View attachment 90300

So many happy memories from May 5th 1990 but a clear one is of Wilder after either the second or third United goals. He slides on his knees near the united fans, clearly caught up in the occasion. Sir Bob (who I think was living with the Wilder family at that time) tells him in no uncertain terms to calm down and concentrate. He did of course and all was good, to say the least. Overall, he was a terrific player during that period, playing right back, worked really well with Hill next to him at centre half, in the promotion seasons and even division one. He just didn't quite have the pace at the highest level. As an aside when we beat Swansea the promotion year before, he was playing, as well as Alan Knill for the visitors!

 

[SuperSonicBlade89]

His identification with the club, fans, and that he catches the bus ( allegedly) to keep himself earthed. Oh and man management

I can confirm he does indeed catch the bus. He's been on mine twice on the 51 and 120 (Rising Sun, Nethergreen... no surprise) a couple of years ago.

 

[Deleted member 23679]

A few years ago when we was in the doldrums, i saw a very interesting observation from a former player on Twitter, a certain Wally Downes.

He said the style of football United fans identified with was high tempo, passionate football where we attacked and defended with purpose. This was something I agreed with despite Wally Downes not being popular amongst many of us.

I have no doubt that Chris Wilder had an indentical take on things. He has stood on the terraces, sang the songs, drank in the pubs, and is one of our known, and knew what we wanted and had a clear idea of how to deliver it with his own unique take on it.

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Strengths - football managing
Weaknesses - eczma

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Strengths - football managing
Weaknesses - eczma

"under strengths you've put 'football managing'...."
"yeah"
"it's not really a strength though is it? That's your job"

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

"under strengths you've put 'football managing'...."
"yeah"
"it's not really a strength though is it? That's your job"

If only somebody could craft this into some kind of comedy show...

 

[mattbianco1]

His identification with the club, fans,

Doesn't even support us. Pig fans said so.