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What did we learn about player absences/concerns:
- Vini Souza – “Available for selection for Boxing Day”
- Anel Ahmedhodžić – “Available for selection for Boxing Day”
- Tyrese Campbell – No Update (nothing asked)
- Femi Seriki – No Update (nothing asked)
- Jamie Shackleton (missing from Cardiff squad due to illness) – No Update (nothing asked)
- Jack Robinson (subbed at Cardiff due to illness) – No Update (nothing asked)
On the
takeover, “Clarity was something we were all after. I didn’t involve myself in the process but was kept in the loop by Stephen (Bettis). We keep going and concentrate on winning games of football.”
When asked about the takeover process etc, Chris said he has only had dialogue with the new owners through Bettis, though he met them at the derby.
Both owners are coming to the Boxing Day game and he will speak to them then. They are also heading to the training ground on Dec 27th, where they will
meet the players and staff properly.
Wilder thanked the
Prince, for the opportunities he’s given Chris and what he’s done for the club.
Talking about the
new ownership, Wilder said, “I don’t think it’ll be a cheque-book scenario where we go from 0 miles an hour to 100 miles an hour in 6 months. It’ll be evolution more than revolution”
However, “we understand what the premier league is about and the finances you need to commit to it”
Rob said, “you could be a big asset to [the new owners] because you have the experience of getting the club into the premier league in the past and understand what Sheffield United’s about?”, to which Chris responded, “I’m not being disrespectful but they won’t have the knowledge of the Championship and the Premier League. They will have an [understanding of Sheffield] as one of the chairman is from a similar area [to Sheffield – Cleveland, Ohio], which has a lot of cultural ties to this city.”
“I’d love the owners to lean on me. I’d love to stay here for a long time. Anything I can do to help the football club, I am here, and will serve the owners and the football club to the best of my ability.”
I know what makes the club tick. I know what it looks like when it’s good, and in the best periods this football club has had, how it all comes together.
The build “is in it’s infancy”. We have to be ambitious. “We have to have a successful
January and take it forward from there.”
Any good news on the injury front?
“Yes
, Anel and Vini are back for boxing day. Both trained yesterday and they’ll be available for selection”
On
Burnley, he’s “looking for that aggressive front-foot approach from our players and
fans as well. We are in good nick and so are Burnley and it all sets it up for a big game”
Talking about the pride in the home record, he talked about how important it is for everyone on the pitch to keep winning games and keeping clean sheets, and the need for those big moments to be taken at each end of the field, “but it’s going to be severely tested on Boxing Day”.
Moving on to talk a bit about the
JTW
The question from Rob was about
Louie Barry (Villa lad who was on loan to League One Stockport but has been brought back to likely be sent out on loan to the Championship) being available and what the process is for engaging with getting a player like that and whether we have to wait till Jan. Wilder never mentioned that player in his reply, but talked about the process. All normal stuff we’ve heard before, though he said the
recruitment team are presenting to the new owners on 27th December. We have a shortlist ready to go, though “you don’t always get your first choices”, but we have depth in that list, with second choices etc.
Wilder also said we aren’t only looking to January to improve things, we are “looking at things on the training pitch too”.
He once again mentioned bringing “a couple of [proven, been around the block]
experienced players in”, to add to the youth, again perhaps hinting he isn’t going after any of these rumoured unproven (at this level, with this pressure) young players?
“Delighted with what we’ve done on the pitch and off the pitch and we’re in good shape.”
He talked about presentations being prepared ready to send out to parent clubs, re potential loans. Youth was mentioned in the question but I couldn’t read into the answer that we are targeting any youth in particular.
He said it’s a drawn-out process to get people in, so
doesn’t expect it all done and dusted at the very start of January, and indeed things can change through the month, also noting that “The chemistry and personality of the group is superb. The supporters like it and they can sense it”, hinting that he doesn’t want to disrupt that. “We will continue to identify [new targets] and pursue”
Talking about outside players seeing what’s going on, the atmosphere here, the togetherness, the success, the culture, he feels that it will have an impact on attracting players. He doesn’t want “any rogues”, so character is important, I think hinting at
not wanting prima donnas.
Clarifying that just because he wants experience, doesn’t mean they have to be mid-late thirties. It’s experience, not age, saying “I’m
looking for people who have been through the process in the second half of the season, when it’s game on”. He then said the word “pressure” about 10 times, emphasising that they’re going to get it in training, from coaches, for teammates and of course out on the game day pitch and they need to be able to handle that and have already handled that before coming here.
Talking on the owners, he said lots of generic stuff, understandably, and also that, “every part of the football club needs to be looked after, the academy, the women’s team, the commercial aspect, the people that work in the ticket office, the supporters. I’m sure [the owners] understand this and understand their relationship with the supporters [is critical].
Wilder wants “an absolutely outstanding” welcome for John Egan, as "a player who gave everything for this football club”
Finally, he wished all supporters a Happy Christmas and mentioned the pain we had to ensure through the first part of the year and thanked us all for the support, hoping to give us “a present” on Boxing Day
And here's
John Egan...
. Merry Christmas to you and your family 
