It's not even the results...

[HeySethUTB]

It’s the players we’ve had that are doing well or would improve this team massively that makes me sad. Not always our own but almost certainly available to buy at our peak if we’d have had the dosh and success.

In recent years and in another reality, just imagine a squad consisting of - MGW, McAtee, Ndiaye, Mcburnie, Souza, Slater, Egan, Ahmedhodzic, Lankshear, Osula, Henderson.

It’s a crazy amount of quality, the only positive spin is that we have been able to see them play in the red and white stripes.

 

[Snowflake]

Watched Forest at Anfield earlier in the afternoon and they more than matched Liverpool in their own back yard with skilful, fast paced football. We are absolutely light years behind the Scabs on and off the pitch, where we were close rivals only a few seasons back. The difference between our two clubs now is mind blowing.

The difference is huge sums of money from the owner.

 

[BiggerBladeThanThou]

It isn’t all on Wilder. Whilst he maybe part of problem these days, the issue is much bigger than that.

Wilder was exactly what we needed 10 years ago. He grabbed the club by the scruff of its neck and took us into the Premier League, whilst playing some great football on the way.

Admittedly, that’s some time ago now and things have changed but the club has been dysfunctional and without drive, genuine ambition or a clear strategy with and without Wilder.

All of it needs to change. The manager, the recruitment team, commercial and media teams, the board (or at least get some real investment), CEO, first team coaches… all of it needs a refresh.

And I’ve said as much in all my posts about the club on various threads over the last few weeks.

The point being, Wilder has had 3 go’s at us. Wilder 1.0 was brilliant, best football and experiences in my lifetime as a Blade and I thank him for that. However, when we needed someone in to build on that or when we needed Wilder to diversify his style, he didn’t know how to and I blame him for not pressing on in our second season in Prem. quite obviously, the owners play a part and Bettis but Wilder had such a bearing on how the club is run, the types of players he bought and his style of play, majority of the blame IMO lies at his door.

 

[luffenhamblade]

This is the same argument as the 24/25 season. Nobody has ever, even once asked for 'play like Barcelona'. Just positivity, intensity, trying to score goals, looking like there's a coherent plan to create chances.

Do you really think fans don’t want that? Just been round the block enough times to know that getting rid of a solid manager with a rubbish squad, no money, owners who want out and potential points deduction is not the space to be fantasising - I’d rather stay in then championship no matter how ugly - but each to their own.

 

[Carlton Blade]

Do you really think fans don’t want that? Just been round the block enough times to know that getting rid of a solid manager with a rubbish squad, no money, owners who want out and potential points deduction is not the space to be fantasising - I’d rather stay in then championship no matter how ugly - but each to their own.

Where are you getting that from? If you're going to strawman 'I guess you want to get relegated then', at least do it to someone who's ever said it.

If you think the only way this squad can compete is to defend deep and launch the ball to nobody, with a squad uniquely set up to be bad at that sort of football then I wholeheartedly disagree.

 

[luffenhamblade]

Where are you getting that from? If you're going to strawman 'I guess you want to get relegated then', at least do it to someone who's ever said it.

If you think the only way this squad can compete is to defend deep and launch the ball to nobody, with a squad uniquely set up to be bad at that sort of football then I wholeheartedly disagree.

Not intended in anyway to be about you, just my view of the “fairyland” approach. Apologies if you thought I was focussing on you. I do absolutely feel this is a bonkers time to go down the fairyland route but might be up for it come November if we are doing badly in relation to budget, we have a board who we have confidence in and the 12 point deduction has gone away as a possibility. Sorry that you took it personally it was the point that it was the central point of what a bonkers time to try it that I was focussing on.

 

[Carlton Blade]

Not intended in anyway to be about you, just my view of the “fairyland” approach. Apologies if you thought I was focussing on you. I do absolutely feel this is a bonkers time to go down the fairyland route but might be up for it come November if we are doing badly in relation to budget, we have a board who we have confidence in and the 12 point deduction has gone away as a possibility. Sorry that you took it personally it was the point that it was the central point of what a bonkers time to try it that I was focussing on.

Fair enough. I just don't think having a squad with it's only ball carrier injured and 2 CMs sat holding the CBs hands, and no real consistent chance creators in front of them is going to be enough.

It's only a small sample but United have had the least shots, 2nd least SoT, attempted the least crosses. Defensively it's better (5th least shots against, 15th least SoT - which will likely get worse. But have given up the most crosses). It's not sustainable

 

[luffenhamblade]

Fair enough. I just don't think having a squad with it's only ball carrier injured and 2 CMs sat holding the CBs hands, and no real consistent chance creators in front of them is going to be enough.

It's only a small sample but United have had the least shots, 2nd least SoT, attempted the least crosses. Defensively it's better (5th least shots against, 15th least SoT - which will likely get worse. But have given up the most crosses). It's not sustainable

Agreed we aren’t in a sustainable position which I why I’d be happy to cling on this year.

 

[Carlton Blade]

Agreed we aren’t in a sustainable position which I why I’d be happy to cling on this year.

I agree with the sentiment, just not the plan to achieve it

 

[Cheeky Blade]

I hope the plan is to change the owners and get someone in who has a clue how and why an English football club is run.

 

[de g.]

I think this club is in a rut. Tired, going through the motions and cliched.

I think this forum is in a rut. Tired, going through the motions and cliched.