Commanding Respect In The Age Of Modern Football

[Tyler Durden]

Getting away from the unpleasantness at Coventry. I've noticed something about Chris Wilder tonight.

His post-match interview was critical of the overall performance, a view shared by many supporters. This is nothing new either, throughout the season he's called the team out for their perceived substandard displays whether we win, lose or draw.

In recent times I've been of the opinion that as the game changes, the words of the manager will carry less authority. Players have options these days: Better money, better mobility, agents allowing them to call the shots, contract clauses of various kinds.
Jose Mourinho was critical of his Chelsea team last year, but they didn't respond, in fact they probably drove him out of the job. And who can forget Phil Browns public dressing down of the players at Hull? They thought "fuck him" and he's never recovered since.

Last season brought this into even sharper focus. Aside from the utterly nonchalant performances at United, there were breaches of club discipline on more than one occasion. Adkins failure to address this for me was more than a case of him just being a piss-weak manager. I thought it represented a paradigm shift in modern football, where the player needs to answer to nobody and has all the power.

But yet, Chris Wilders honest and direct philosophy towards man-management has actually reaped rewards. Put simply, when he speaks they seem to listen. His approach is what put us on the track of an impressive unbeaten run, but also, we sustained this run because he cautioned against complacency along the way.

Whatever he's done, he's managed to convince the team that he's on a mission, and he's made them want to go with him.

 

[SwissBlade]

Great post Tyler Durden

Wilder simply demands certain standards from his players, thats for sure.

But perhaps the best way to understand Wilder is to listen and read the player interviews. They talk about changes he's made, in terms of training and the way they play, but also in the way he manages them. He talks to them in a way they understand and that might differ for each player. However, they all talk about being given a chance. Like Wilder is doing them a favour. A big difference from last year when some players thought they were doing us a favour! Its a big change in attitudes.

In the summer he shifted a lot of players out but kept a few and built the squad he has. In some cases, some players were lucky to stay, others unlucky to go, many because of injury records.

However the players he has in the squad have all been given jobs and they know what they have to do. Failure to meet those standards and do that job will give someone else a chance.

The other thing is the shirt. Seems to be a case of 'Earn it, keep it'. Look at the players like Basham, O'Connell and Wright, Wright currently having to sit out games until someone else loses their shirt. But you can guarantee, when Wright gets his chance again, he'll want to take it and keep that shirt.

Up front has been interesting, Wilder has been able to give chances to the likes of Clarke and Lavery to earn a shirt and get fitter in cup games, Billy and Done getting a break in those games. Billy and Done doing enough to keep their places, but also knowing that Clarke and Lavery aren't quite ready. Lavery sounds like he's close to displacing Done, but i think it will be great for Done too.

Wilder is definitely giving players chances and there is dressing things up. Players will know when he's happy and when he's not.

To summarise, Wilder seems to have a simple mantra - Do what we ask and more, take your chances when they come along.

 

[Revolution]

I have no inside knowledge, but I wonder whether the big difference this season is that players know what is expected of them.

Both Freeman and Scougall have given interviews which indicated they were not told by Adkins why their faces didn't fit. JCR said the same about Clough. That strikes me as poor man management.

I get the impression that you know where you stand with Wilder.

Freeman also commented that people have been "exiled" from first team training in the recent past. I don't think Wilder is doing that, and that's a good thing. May as well make use of the resources you have. It certainly paid dividends with Coutts and Freeman.

One cautionary note though - the players played for Phil Brown, and Mourinho, until they didn't. That style can wear thin. If you hear too much of a direct boss, you stop listening to him. Look at Mourinho - his third year at a club usually goes badly, as the players seem to tire of his methods. If Wilder is to stay long term the key will be to keep the players in tune with him.

 

[sitwell]

I have no inside knowledge, but I wonder whether the big difference this season is that players know what is expected of them.

Both Freeman and Scougall have given interviews which indicated they were not told by Adkins why their faces didn't fit. JCR said the same about Clough. That strikes me as poor man management.

I get the impression that you know where you stand with Wilder.

Freeman also commented that people have been "exiled" from first team training in the recent past. I don't think Wilder is doing that, and that's a good thing. May as well make use of the resources you have. It certainly paid dividends with Coutts and Freeman.

One cautionary note though - the players played for Phil Brown, and Mourinho, until they didn't. That style can wear thin. If you hear too much of a direct boss, you stop listening to him. Look at Mourinho - his third year at a club usually goes badly, as the players seem to tire of his methods. If Wilder is to stay long term the key will be to keep the players in tune with him.

Agree ,Freeman , Scoogs and Coutts were transfer listed but they were obviously told that they could work their way back into favour. Some didn't fancy it ,Adams ,McNulty and Wallace K at least I suspect and they were shipped out , as Long will be if we can find a taker. Respect has to work both ways, players wanted to be treated fairly ,but the ones who take the piss must also be removed

 

[sheffielder]

The reason wilder is successful is because he cares about people. Yes he has opinions but he remembers your name if you only met him a few times, say 5 years ago. He's a people person and will give anyone a chance.

if you saw wilder our with the lads even before he became blades manager, they are all drawn to him. Not everyone has that gift and certainly not me. Been calling for him to be blades manager for years because he is driven but also a fucking good guy

 

[Bartyblade]

The reason wilder is successful is because he cares about people. Yes he has opinions but he remembers your name if you only met him a few times, say 5 years ago. He's a people person and will give anyone a chance.

if you saw wilder our with the lads even before he became blades manager, they are all drawn to him. Not everyone has that gift and certainly not me. Been calling for him to be blades manager for years because he is driven but also a fucking good guy

And it seems, he's a man of his word.
When he says everyone "will be given a chance to play for a place in the team" it's true.
There's no unspoken "except for you and you and you" in his mind.

 

[Bladesway]

Getting away from the unpleasantness at Coventry. I've noticed something about Chris Wilder tonight.

His post-match interview was critical of the overall performance, a view shared by many supporters. This is nothing new either, throughout the season he's called the team out for their perceived substandard displays whether we win, lose or draw.

In recent times I've been of the opinion that as the game changes, the words of the manager will carry less authority. Players have options these days: Better money, better mobility, agents allowing them to call the shots, contract clauses of various kinds.
Jose Mourinho was critical of his Chelsea team last year, but they didn't respond, in fact they probably drove him out of the job. And who can forget Phil Browns public dressing down of the players at Hull? They thought "fuck him" and he's never recovered since.

Last season brought this into even sharper focus. Aside from the utterly nonchalant performances at United, there were breaches of club discipline on more than one occasion. Adkins failure to address this for me was more than a case of him just being a piss-weak manager. I thought it represented a paradigm shift in modern football, where the player needs to answer to nobody and has all the power.

But yet, Chris Wilders honest and direct philosophy towards man-management has actually reaped rewards. Put simply, when he speaks they seem to listen. His approach is what put us on the track of an impressive unbeaten run, but also, we sustained this run because he cautioned against complacency along the way.

Whatever he's done, he's managed to convince the team that he's on a mission, and he's made them want to go with him.

Genuine leadership comes from the front. I've been so impressed with Wilder. Beyond anything I thought he was going to be. Honesty, integrity, self awareness and setting a high standard. This all makes players want to run through brick walls for the club. Unlike other managers it isn't about him but all of us. I haven't felt more a part of the club in years.

We are all one for a change. Wilder has done that and credit to him.

 

[tomtheblade]

Good points Tyler,

I think deep down, players know when they've not performed, or not put the effort in, or both.

When Managers wrap them in cotton wool and shirk criticism for fear of offending their so-called 'best' players, they give these players the message that it's ok to not give your all. That you can just cruise and pick up your pay check and that's enough.

Wilder clearly doesn't think like this, thankfully. It doesn't mean he has to slag his players off in public, as he seems to be careful about this, only going to far as hinting at individuals when it comes to criticism. But as others have said he is clearly honest when it comes to communicating with the team, as a whole or as individuals.
This is so refreshing after the dross we had to put up with, particularly last year

 

[wizadry]

Just to enhance TDs' great OP, he even gets the players who have travelled with the squad to warm up with the first xi and subs even if they haven't been picked. This was evident last night when Reed was warming up with a big beaming smile on his face just to show that the camaraderie is the best it's been in years, CW wants everyone to play their part.