Our Man Chris Wilder

[Jan Age]

Just had a conversation with a bloke at work who is a qualified ref (poor sod)

He mentioned that CW had attended one of their meetings along with Alan Knill. My colleague couldn't speak highly enough of him/them.

He said that the way he spoke about football and how he ran his club was the best he had heard anyone speak and that it was clear when it came to signings he had is head screwed on and that he planned for short, medium and long term and knew exactly the type of player he wanted to evolve the team over a period of time.

This bloke is a Villa fan so no bias either.

He went on to say he spoke about his time at Northampton and that he was promised the world but was severely let down.

I think we have a got a real gem of a manager and one that will be hard to keep hold of in the long term. But for now I think we have a very real chance of promotion and should have a productive transfer window.

UTB

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Wilder will be easy to keep hold of because he's already in his dream job.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Just had a conversation with a bloke at work who is a qualified ref (poor sod)

He mentioned that CW had attended one of their meetings along with Alan Knill. My colleague couldn't speak highly enough of him/them.

He said that the way he spoke about football and how he ran his club was the best he had heard anyone speak and that it was clear when it came to signings he had is head screwed on and that he planned for short, medium and long term and knew exactly the type of player he wanted to evolve the team over a period of time.

This bloke is a Villa fan so no bias either.

He went on to say he spoke about his time at Northampton and that he was promised the world but was severely let down.

I think we have a got a real gem of a manager and one that will be hard to keep hold of in the long term. But for now I think we have a very real chance of promotion and should have a productive transfer window.

UTB

Nice read, and as for whether CW will remain with the Blades, the idea of support will determine where he sees his present and future. I think Wilder will always apply fiscal sense to his transfer dealings, he'll also realise that the higher we rise the greater the spend necessary. We all love a bargain, and having such a great midfield trio that cost hardly a bean is stupendous, but that happened more by default than design. All credit Wilder and Knill for getting the best out of Coutts, and then seeing the possibilities of three genuinely gifted players acting as our engine room.

If Wilder is given realistic financial support, doesn't feel his hands are tied, and knows that the board are behind him then I think he'll commit as we move forward. I think Wilder would be in seventh heaven if the Blades reached the Premiership, and to achieve that will take dedication and the type of player we're gradually beginning to sign. First step is the Championship, all other discussions are on hold for the time being.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Write out 100 times 'I must not get carried away.' Oh, b****r it, let's get carried away, Wilder is looking good.

 

[Sheffsteel]

I think we have a got a real gem of a manager and one that will be hard to keep hold of in the long term. But for now I think we have a very real chance of promotion and should have a productive transfer window.
UTB

Actually I disagree with the above.

Wilder is proving he's a top operator with limited finances in the lower divisions.
So at league 1 and league 2 level he will be hot property and massively in demand.
Let's be serious he's hardly going to leave us... if a Portsmouth, Plymouth or Millwall come calling.

I do believe that there will be lower end Championship clubs willing to give his a chance
But if we gain promotion he's hardly going to leave us for a QPR or Hull or something.
If we fail to get promoted then I agree there is a chance he could be tempted to the Championship.

Finally regards the PL, very much doubt he'd ever get interest there.
He's no track record and isn't a sexy name.

If he does end up being a great manager I can still see him staying with us in the PL.
Can imagine him being another Eddie Howe type.
Let's face it no clubs in the PL are rushing to tempt Howe away from Bournmouth because he's not a sexy name.
PL clubs tend to prefer foreign managers.
So even with success I can see Wilder and Knill being here a long long time.

 

[ljk]

I could easily foresee Wilder getting us promoted and McCabe sacking him because we're 16th in the Championship come January.

I'm pretty sure some of the fans would turn on him in that scenario, too.

 

[Tyler Durden]

I could easily foresee Wilder getting us promoted and McCabe sacking him because we're 16th in the Championship come January.

I'm pretty sure some of the fans would turn on him in that scenario, too.

Every single manager we've had in the past 30+ years has had some dickheads chanting "*insert name* Out" whether rightly or wrongly. I hope Wilder never cops for that when things stop being as peachy as they are now. And if the board are fucking stupid enough to do that (which is always a possibility) then I for one will be taking at least a season off from watching United.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

I like to refer to him as Chrissywissysnugglebunnycottonsockspoppetcootchycootchycheeks.
Just rolls off the tongue.

 

[Boxer Blade]

Short/medium/long term plan, anybody else saying that I would wonder but CW says I believe him, interesting post.

 

[I should coco]

Every single manager we've had in the past 30+ years has had some dickheads chanting "*insert name* Out" whether rightly or wrongly. I hope Wilder never cops for that when things stop being as peachy as they are now

And Brian the Blade comes on Football Heaven and says he has to go:

"Paul, when you've been a manager like I have, you know these things. He's got to go. For the sole reason we haven't won the last ten games on the trot. Let me tell you he has to go. I will be going down the car park tomorrow and starting a protest and any real Blades wil join me.

Another reason why Barnsley won't win the European Cup is they only get seven thousand at Oakwell unless United's there.

I'll drop a bottle of wine in next week at Radio Sheffield when I'm on my knobhead tour....."

 

[Benny and the Blades]

Chris Wilder and Alan Knill work well together, and I can see, all being well Chris being here for a long time, but if they do carry on being successful I just wonder if Mr Knill may be tempted back into management on his own.
I know a lot of fans disliked Kevin Blackwell but Neil Warnock was at his best when he had him as his assistant and I just hope if Mr Wilder and Mr Knill are successful with us Mr Knill doesn't get an offer he can't refuse.......
PS.
Or am I just being selfish here ?.......

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Wilder will be easy to keep hold of because he's already in his dream job.

This is true. Unfortunately, whilst he will get more leeway because of who he is, expectations will continue to be high and today's climate means that if/when we go up this season, 2 maybe 3 seasons to go up into the Prem or he'll be sacked.

I'd like to think that's not the case as he's doing things the right way and if there's signs of improvement year on year then there's no reason to change. I can't see him voluntarily leaving for another job unless he thinks he's taken us as far as he can.

 

[BushBlade]

The biggest worry is if those running the club think they can advantage of him being a Blade.

 

[ljk]

Every single manager we've had in the past 30+ years has had some dickheads chanting "*insert name* Out" whether rightly or wrongly. I hope Wilder never cops for that when things stop being as peachy as they are now. And if the board are fucking stupid enough to do that (which is always a possibility) then I for one will be taking at least a season off from watching United.

I have zero faith in the board to not continue their masterclass in fucking stupid decision making.It´s been a while since they made a spectacularly shit call. Hiring Robson was a classic and they hit top form throughout the 2010/11 season, but over the last few years they seem to have settled for the comedy routine of selling our best player on the eve of the season and buying expensive fat old ones to replace them. I fear they´re building up to their magnum opus...

 

[Houso]

Actually I disagree with the above.

Wilder is proving he's a top operator with limited finances in the lower divisions.
So at league 1 and league 2 level he will be hot property and massively in demand.
Let's be serious he's hardly going to leave us... if a Portsmouth, Plymouth or Millwall come calling.

I do believe that there will be lower end Championship clubs willing to give his a chance
But if we gain promotion he's hardly going to leave us for a QPR or Hull or something.
If we fail to get promoted then I agree there is a chance he could be tempted to the Championship.

Finally regards the PL, very much doubt he'd ever get interest there.
He's no track record and isn't a sexy name.

If he does end up being a great manager I can still see him staying with us in the PL.
Can imagine him being another Eddie Howe type.
Let's face it no clubs in the PL are rushing to tempt Howe away from Bournmouth because he's not a sexy name.
PL clubs tend to prefer foreign managers.
So even with success I can see Wilder and Knill being here a long long time.

Shit poem. Doesn't rhyme.

 

[Benny and the Blades]

Adkins ?

 

[ljk]

Adkins ?

To be fair Adkins seemed like a decent choice at the time.

I think this is a pretty fair reflection of the crowd leaving Priestfield last season:

 

[TBW57]

Chris Wilder and Alan Knill work well together, and I can see, all being well Chris being here for a long time, but if they do carry on being successful I just wonder if Mr Knill may be tempted back into management on his own.
I know a lot of fans disliked Kevin Blackwell but Neil Warnock was at his best when he had him as his assistant and I just hope if Mr Wilder and Mr Knill are successful with us Mr Knill doesn't get an offer he can't refuse.......
PS.
Or am I just being selfish here ?.......

Don't worry. Once a manager has been sacked by Torquay it's very rare that he gets another chance as a number 1. Even when he was managing the Gulls Knilly was based in Sheffield and only renting a place down there so this is where home is for him now. He is a tried and trusted number 2, which I imagine is probably the way he likes it.

 

[bornablade]

There's a discussion on another thread 'who'll cut it' if we get promoted? Some are saying 'take each game at a time' others 'who should remain if we get promoted'.

No matter what we think Chris Wilder is an ambitious guy. His expectations are probably greater than most of us who post on here. He'll be quietly planning for next season. He'll recall what Dave Bassett achieved with successive promotions.

The huge question. Do the board match his ambitions?

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

There's a discussion on another thread 'who'll cut it' if we get promoted? Some are saying 'take each game at a time' others 'who should remain if we get promoted'.

No matter what we think Chris Wilder is an ambitious guy. His expectations are probably greater than most of us who post on here. He'll be quietly planning for next season. He'll recall what Dave Bassett achieved with successive promotions.

The huge question. Do the board match his ambitions?

I don't doubt the Prince's purse strings will be loosened up a league. Let's face it, it's not been a lack of financial support in recent seasons, its been badly spent.

 

[PokerBlade]

And Brian the Blade comes on Football Heaven and says he has to go:

"Paul, when you've been a manager like I have, you know these things. He's got to go. For the sole reason we haven't won the last ten games on the trot. Let me tell you he has to go. I will be going down the car park tomorrow and starting a protest and any real Blades wil join me.

Another reason why Barnsley won't win the European Cup is they only get seven thousand at Oakwell unless United's there.

I'll drop a bottle of wine in next week at Radio Sheffield when I'm on my knobhead tour....."

Idea for a game: Someone takes quotes and adds "Believe you me" and "Because of the sole reason" and players have to guess if it's Brian or not.

For instance "Believe you me, winning isn't everything, because of the sole reason it's the only thing".

 

[Jan Age]

Actually I disagree with the above.

Wilder is proving he's a top operator with limited finances in the lower divisions.
So at league 1 and league 2 level he will be hot property and massively in demand.
Let's be serious he's hardly going to leave us... if a Portsmouth, Plymouth or Millwall come calling.

I do believe that there will be lower end Championship clubs willing to give his a chance
But if we gain promotion he's hardly going to leave us for a QPR or Hull or something.
If we fail to get promoted then I agree there is a chance he could be tempted to the Championship.

Finally regards the PL, very much doubt he'd ever get interest there.
He's no track record and isn't a sexy name.

If he does end up being a great manager I can still see him staying with us in the PL.
Can imagine him being another Eddie Howe type.
Let's face it no clubs in the PL are rushing to tempt Howe away from Bournmouth because he's not a sexy name.
PL clubs tend to prefer foreign managers.
So even with success I can see Wilder and Knill being here a long long time.

As others have mentioned a lot will depend on if the boards ambition matches CWs. I can easily see them penny pinching and not backing him at the right time resulting in him leaving. If we do provide the backing and support he could be with us for a long time.

Looking at his CV he is proving himself to be able to take the step up each time; promotion with Oxford takes a step up with Northampton and gets promotion with them and, whisper it quietly, promotion with us?

Each promotion a step up on the next.

I can easily see an established Champ side taking a punt on him over the next 3 seasons certainly someone like Hull, Forest, Ipswich, Leeds etc.

 

[BushBlade]

As others have mentioned a lot will depend on if the boards ambition matches CWs. I can easily see them penny pinching and not backing him at the right time resulting in him leaving. If we do provide the backing and support he could be with us for a long time.

Looking at his CV he is proving himself to be able to take the step up each time; promotion with Oxford takes a step up with Northampton and gets promotion with them and, whisper it quietly, promotion with us?

Each promotion a step up on the next.

I can easily see an established Champ side taking a punt on him over the next 3 seasons certainly someone like Hull, Forest, Ipswich, Leeds etc.

Agree but that's only likely if he gets us promoted and if he does, why would he want to go to Hull etc? He's probably got as much chance of getting us up than any of them. I suppose Hull might still be on parachute payments but other than that, none of those are attractive options.
And there's the likes of Lee Johnson around who is already proven at Championship level (or Clough in Forest's case) and now Heckinbottom at Barnsley and Klopp's mate at Huddersfield. If I were a chairman of a decent championship club I'd be looking at them before CW.

 

[blade too long]

As others have mentioned a lot will depend on if the boards ambition matches CWs. I can easily see them penny pinching and not backing him at the right time resulting in him leaving. .

the boys on the board do give support , always have
its just been squandered by the previous incumbents
warnock was given the money in the prem to replace the injured Hulse
bought Fathi and Luton Shelton
might as well put the money in a bin and set fire to it
Wilson was given money ,spent some wisely wasted some
Clough was given money spent some wisely some not so wisely
Adkins was offered money , decided not to spend any