Some notes from Wilder's presser:
4 pro interviewers and 2 juniors, dragging it out for 49 mins. Jesus wept
Injuries & Absences:
- Vini Souza has "trained all week. He was nearly included on Friday [against Coventry]. To have Vini back is a massive boost"
- "We have Jamie Shackleton back as well"
- "Tom Davies back for Plymouth"
- "Harry Clarke back for Plymouth"
- "We're in a good spot at the moment [with injuries]"
Looking back on the Coventry game:
- "I thought the [BDTBL atmosphere] and the support was perfect from my point of view. The whole feel of everything"
- "A real good performance and a fair score line"
- When Cov came out fast and hard in the second half, Wilder said he "expected it", and he really liked "the way we were nice and calm and didn't give up any opportunities"
- On it not just being a good score line, but also a performance the fans enjoyed, "I want us to get better in the last 7 games. I don't want us to relax"
- There were some indirect lines of questions from Andy and Dan, I believe clearly looking for an angle to write about how our lads are unstressed, enjoying life, looking forward to games, unlike Leeds, who are not in a good headspace. In summary of all that, "We're enjoying it. We're playing freely. The players are looking forward to the next game. There's a free spirit about them. They are an incredibly committed together group of players"
Looking ahead to Oxford United:
- He said Brewster and Campbell will play on Saturday and we will "mix it up" for the midweek game against Millwall
- Oxford have an "incredibly competitive and experienced manager. It'll be a massive achievement for them to stay in the division and they've given themselves a fighting chance. We've got to turn up"
- "We can't afford any slip ups [if we are to be promoted]"
- "If we are off it in any way, we will get punished. I don't want that, but I don't sense that [in the players] one bit"
- "I'm delighted that they got promoted [to the championship]. It's a progressive go-ahead club. I'm a fan. Obviously I won't be on Saturday"
- Are the emotions different when you go back to an old club? "No", going on to talk generally about some of the relationships he had and has there, and his departure, but "I enjoyed my time there".
General:
- There were a few words on Rhian Brewster and the "nice little partnership" that he has with Campbell. But they "know they have to play really well" because "we are well stocked" on the bench.
- Regarding Robinson, Anel and Brewster contracts. "Yeah 100% absolutely" he wants all to stay and Steve Bettis is discussing future contracts with the new owners
- On Anel and whether looks like he will sign a new contract, "it will depend what happens [with promotion]. We can't have players run their contracts down. It's really important that we protect ourselves [financially]. We've put a lot of work into Anel. It was a great signing for us (namechecking Hecky). What we do to [secure ourselves financially] is key"
- Was there a time during the season, when he realised what he had, in terms of possibilities for success, with the squad? "I knew right from the off", then emphasising how there was a lot of work to do, with everyone learning on the job. "Players learning me, me learning the players". We were excited from the off, but in the last two weeks though, I've really seen a glint in their eyes"
- He talked about 2018/19 and the signings he made in the JTW, and how they not only gave him options and new qualities on the pitch, but how they "pushed the likes of Didzy and Billy" to keep performing and improve, hinting that we are seeing that now too, from the very competitive squad we have after the JTW and after our squad has got healthy.
- "The conversations are very frequent", letting lads know why they aren't getting starts or getting minutes. "They have to be ready, because it could be any time [that we need them]"
- Lots and lots of talking about Brewster and how he's going well, had injuries, contract up. Same old. Same line of questioning from EVERY one of them. God knows what they are looking to write about
- James talked about some clubs being quite negative and arrogant internally, referencing when he was once asked to step off the pavement to let a player walk past because they didn't like to walk past people. Wilder talked about wanting the environment to be a good and positive one for everyone in and around the club. Not just the players. He talked about the academy players being brought up to be good people as well as players. "I want [the journalists]. to enjoy coming here. I want you to want us to do well" He was mid sentence talking about the positive happy culture when someone was singing very loudly outside which interrupted them all. It was Vini and created quite a perfectly timed laugh from them all, and proving Wilder's point perfectly. A brilliant moment worth watching ! Around the 40+ minute mark.
- There was a little bit of talk at the end again about how good this charity match is going to be and the fun the two gaffers are going to have in the build up, and they're sorting out "a few things" that we will get to see
Interviewers:
Andy Giddings, Danny Hall, Stuart Rayner, James Shield. A couple of questions from "Matt" and "Ben", two juniors.
www.sufc.co.uk
