Pre-match press conferences - Swansea City (A)

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Cappy

wishful thinking
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As always, if you watch the SUFC ones on the club website, you'll need to log in. I'll upload the YouTube ones as and when the club post them, but if you find something before me, please add it to the thread.

Wilder, live at 0900 Monday


I'll do some notes from Wilder's presser when I see it

UTB
 

Just brief bullet points again. Didn't really have time to watch it following the failed livestream, but like everyone, I am desperate to know what the squad might look like for tomorrow. Thanks for the vid, jono_t2000

Injuries
  • Souza and JRS training this morning then decide if they're on the bus to Swansea later. "It's not nailed on, we have to be sensible with our approach"
  • Tom Davies going for a scan, won't travel to Swansea, but Wilder is under the impression it won't be more than 1 or 2 games
  • Sam McCallum should be OK for Swansea, training this morning
  • Andre Brooks is OK and will be going to Swansea
JTW
  • BBD - just going through the final admin. Wilder basically said he will be training this morning and be available for Swansea
  • Tom Cannon - talks ongoing. Bid is in.
  • Wilder catching up with Bettis today to get a progress update on all things transfers
  • JonJoe Kenny - didn't answer it straight, just that it's a position (RB) we are looking at
  • Shea Charles - Wilder knows his agent really well and it's a player we know a lot about and identified in the summer. Didn't commit to whether we are in for him again, but he talked a lot about how we are looking at that position, "a combative CM"
Swansea
  • Usual stuff. Respects them, expects a reaction from their loss to Cardiff, they can hurt any team, etc etc
  • "There's no gimme's or givens." We've got to go earn it on Tuesday night
General
  • He talked about Femi Seriki's development and how "he didn't do enough" at Rotherham, and perhaps he "didn't deserve the chance he got" at Sheff Utd, but we didn't get enough players in, so he got a chance and "he's impressed everybody". "He's got a career in front of him but he has to prove himself"

Note: this was from the video posted above, but is only the BBC Radio Sheff interviewer, Rob Staton. If other interviewers were there and asked anything interesting, I'll do some notes from the full presser replay later, however midweek pressers are often just the beeb
 
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Just brief bullet points again. Didn't really have time to watch it following the failed livestream, but like everyone, I am desperate to know what the squad might look like for tomorrow. Thanks for the vid, jono_t2000

Injuries
  • Souza and JRS training this morning then decide if they're on the bus to Swansea later. "It's not nailed on, we have to be sensible with out approach"
  • Tom Davies going for a scan, won't travel to Swansea, but Wilder is under the impression it won't be more than 1 or 2 games
  • Sam McCallum should be OK for Swansea, training this morning
  • Andre Brooks is OK and will be going to Swansea
JTW
  • BBD - just going through the final admin. Wilder basically said he will be training this morning and be available for Swansea
  • Tom Cannon - talks ongoing. Bid is in.
  • Wilder catching up with Bettis today to get a progress update on all things transfers
  • JonJoe Kenny - didn't answer it straight, just that it's a position (RB) we are looking at
  • Shea Charles - Wilder knows his agent really well and it's a player we know a lot about and identified in the summer. Didn't commit to whether we are in for him again, but he talked a lot about how we are looking at that position, "a combative CM"
Swansea
  • Usual stuff. Respects them, expects a reaction from their loss to Cardiff, they can hurt any team, etc etc
  • "There's no gimme's or givens." We've got to go earn it on Tuesday night
General
  • He talked about Femi Seriki's development and how "he didn't do enough" at Rotherham, and perhaps he "didn't deserve the chance he got" at Sheff Utd, but we didn't get enough players in, so he got a chance and "he's impressed everybody". "He's got a career in front of him but he has to prove himself"

Note: this was from the video posted above, but is only the BBC Radio Sheff interviewer, Rob Staton. If other interviewers were there and asked anything interesting, I'll do some notes form the full presser replay later

I felt he baulked a bit at the Tom Cannon question and referenced talks between the clubs were ongoing.
Felt like there was still a bit to go with that one.

Spoke a bit about Alfie Gilchrist's ability to play centrally.
I really hope that isn't the Souttar replacement plan.

With Davies out, I wouldn't be surprised to see a change in shape.
 
Full presser here. 37 mins.

I will add notes if anything interesting is asked beyondthat above


If you've watched the earlier vid, watch this full presser from 16:40
 
Updated, full notes. Added bits in blue:

Injuries
  • Souza and JRS training this morning then decide if they're on the bus to Swansea later. "It's not nailed on, we have to be sensible with our approach"
  • Tom Davies going for a scan, won't travel to Swansea, but Wilder is under the impression it won't be more than 1 or 2 games
  • Talking about freshness in the squad, Wilder admitted that the injury to Tom Davies may well be because he's been overplayed, through necessity
  • Sam McCallum should be OK for Swansea, training this morning
  • Andre Brooks is OK and will be going to Swansea
JTW
  • BBD - just going through the final admin. Wilder basically said he will be training this morning and be available for Swansea
  • Tom Cannon - talks ongoing. Bid is in.
  • Wilder catching up with Bettis today to get a progress update on all things transfers
  • JonJoe Kenny - didn't answer it straight, just that it's a position (RB) we are looking at
  • Shea Charles - Wilder knows his agent really well and it's a player we know a lot about and identified in the summer. Didn't commit to whether we are in for him again, but he talked a lot about how we are looking at that position, "a combative CM"
  • They discussed how fresh faces into the squad can really lift everyone, and talked about the difference we will have on Friday. He seems really confident not only in the injured returning (Vini, JRS) but getting people in for Hull.
  • Talking about increasing competition for places, "there's no comfort zone when you're bringing in the quality that we are going to bring in"
  • He was asked about transfer complexity and how that's changed (around the 24 minute mark), it's quite an interesting listen. he mentioned one thing about Prem teams having a clause where players get paid MORE when they don't play. I'd be interested if anyone has any insight into that. Never heard of that one before.
  • Any outgoings? He mentioned we've had an enquiry about a senior player, but kinda dismissed it, then said a few of younger lads may go out, which ideally they would have done in the summer, commenting though that it's done them no harm to be around the senior squad. Marsh and Ryan Oné were mentioned as two to "go out there, get into a team, and play some football"
  • Does it give Wilder a lift when there are new players to work with? "I quite like this group, maybe more so than I liked the group last year". "They've refreshed me and Alan... they enthuse us and motivate us and we really enjoy working with them"
Swansea
  • Usual stuff. Respects them, expects a reaction from their loss to Cardiff, they can hurt any team, etc etc
  • "There's no gimme's or givens." We've got to go earn it on Tuesday night
General
  • He talked about Femi Seriki's development and how "he didn't do enough" at Rotherham, and perhaps he "didn't deserve the chance he got" at Sheff Utd, but we didn't get enough players in, so he got a chance and "he's impressed everybody". "He's got a career in front of him but he has to prove himself"
  • He talked a bit about the schedule and the difficult turnaround between a Tuesday night game in Wales, then back in on Wednesday to prepare for a Friday night game, but "no excuses". He talked about the document he also mentioned in Friday's presser that supposedly shows the inequity in the schedule, disadvantaging us
I don't usually put opinions in the presser notes post, as I try to keep it factual, but my prediction, based on trying to read Wilder in this presser, which wasn't easy, as I feel he always starts a bit flat with little body language when Rob Staton is the first interviewer, it's clear BBD will be announced and travel to Swansea, but I feel we will have a midfielder and Striker in before Friday's game, and I think the striker will be Tom Cannon
 
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I felt he baulked a bit at the Tom Cannon question and referenced talks between the clubs were ongoing.
Felt like there was still a bit to go with that one.

Spoke a bit about Alfie Gilchrist's ability to play centrally.
I really hope that isn't the Souttar replacement plan.

With Davies out, I wouldn't be surprised to see a change in shape.

Agree…..he didn’t seem quite as confident as the other day, regards Cannon.
Still expect him to sign but it’s not as straight forward, so might be towards the end of the window.

Agree….he did seem to infer that that Alfie could be moved to centre back.
We have cover at right back…so not sure why he’d want to bring in a 3rd choice right back.

To be honest centre back is Alfie’s real position and probably where his future lies….wonder if Chelsea aren’t happy that we’re playing him out of position.
He played 17 times for Chelsea as centre back last season, so is clearly quality in that position
Although I understand he was playing on the right side of 3 centre backs in a back 5.

Makes you wonder if Wilder has one eye on the Premier league and sees our future as reverting back to playing a back 5.
Remember he’s seen the PL last season and will have learnt so much, don’t worry he’ll know what needed to make a better effort next time .

Sereki and Burrows might be more dangerous playing as attacking fullbacks. You would imagine Wilder has spoke to Gilchriest about his future career moves.
Don’t think Chelsea would want him but if we’re promoted he’s probably available and affordable for us to buy him if we’re in the PL.
And he’s already shown he’s Premier league level playing in a back 5 as centre back, think he suits the Premier league style of play better than the championship.
 

Reading between the lines of 'Wilder speak'....if we think Davies needs a scan I will be amazed if thats just one to two games out . That's bad news with Souza still out and no midfield arrivals so far. Who plays with Peck in the middle tomorrow night?

Cannon it seems is not as close as all the 10m bids accepted talk/reports seem to suggest, he said there's talk between the clubs, agent and player. Looks like Gilchrist is being seen as a Souttar replacement with JJK to compete with Femi. Talked about a combative midfield player needed when asked about Shea Charles. I wonder if Choudary is proving difficult and this lad has become the new target?

It seems like BBD will be here this week which is good news.

Staton tried to get him to criticise the fans for not staying to clap the tram off but he largely resisted the opportunity to do so
 
Doesn’t surprise me that Premier league clubs can insert…what would previously be regarded as unreasonable clauses.

Jesurun Rak Sakyi is the perfect example, half the Championship showed interest in him, so Palace naturally felt they could demand a large loan fee.
They want JRS to be given game time but can’t insist their player plays, however they are in their right to insert a penalty clause when he doesn’t play.
Seems that’s what put Leeds off the deal because they weren’t sure if he’d see enough game time, so could have worked out expensive.

These days, with the play 5 subs from a bench of 7 rule, most PL clubs are overloaded with talent.
This means one of the main strategies for Championship clubs to gain promotion is how they use the loan market.
There’s always some top talents available for loan, so the loaning out PL club can afford to insert clauses
 
Spoke a bit about Alfie Gilchrist's ability to play centrally.
I really hope that isn't the Souttar replacement plan.

This rang alarm bells.
Said he was looking at JJ Kenny as a RB coz with Souttar out Alfie can play CB very well eg v WBA.
I wonder if he's given a commitment to Chelsea to play Alfie come what may ?
He talked about Alfie being defensive RB + Seriki being attacking RB but JJK having both aspects.
Strikes me he's not happy with Alfie or Seriki as a first choice + so wants JJK.
But obliged to play Alfie so put him at CB - this is a wrong move imo.

The interviewers aren't clever enough to ask the obvious follow-up question -
"Aren't you looking for a first choice CB to replace Souttar ?"

Imo , we need to recruit a CB who has all Souttar's characteristics , especially leadership.
I hope he's looking for one.
The influence Souttar has on our defence was crucial.
 
Spoke a bit about Alfie Gilchrist's ability to play centrally.
I really hope that isn't the Souttar replacement plan.

This rang alarm bells.
Said he was looking at JJ Kenny as a RB coz with Souttar out Alfie can play CB very well eg v WBA.
I wonder if he's given a commitment to Chelsea to play Alfie come what may ?
He talked about Alfie being defensive RB + Seriki being attacking RB but JJK having both aspects.
Strikes me he's not happy with Alfie or Seriki as a first choice + so wants JJK.
But obliged to play Alfie so put him at CB - this is a wrong move imo.

The interviewers aren't clever enough to ask the obvious follow-up question -
"Aren't you looking for a first choice CB to replace Souttar ?"

Imo , we need to recruit a CB who has all Souttar's characteristics , especially leadership.
I hope he's looking for one.
The influence Souttar has on our defence was crucial.

Wilder has said a couple of times that he needs to replace Souttar, and did it in the context of new signings coming in, rather than from the existing squad.

Like you, I would be amazed if Gilchrist is the solution.
 
Agree…..he didn’t seem quite as confident as the other day, regards Cannon.
Still expect him to sign but it’s not as straight forward, so might be towards the end of the window.

Agree….he did seem to infer that that Alfie could be moved to centre back.
We have cover at right back…so not sure why he’d want to bring in a 3rd choice right back.

To be honest centre back is Alfie’s real position and probably where his future lies….wonder if Chelsea aren’t happy that we’re playing him out of position.
He played 17 times for Chelsea as centre back last season, so is clearly quality in that position
Although I understand he was playing on the right side of 3 centre backs in a back 5.

Makes you wonder if Wilder has one eye on the Premier league and sees our future as reverting back to playing a back 5.
Remember he’s seen the PL last season and will have learnt so much, don’t worry he’ll know what needed to make a better effort next time .

Sereki and Burrows might be more dangerous playing as attacking fullbacks. You would imagine Wilder has spoke to Gilchriest about his future career moves.
Don’t think Chelsea would want him but if we’re promoted he’s probably available and affordable for us to buy him if we’re in the PL.
And he’s already shown he’s Premier league level playing in a back 5 as centre back, think he suits the Premier league style of play better than the championship.
I don't mind Alfie as a RCB on the R side of a 3 but we need a Souttar-type in the middle.
But currently we don't have enough CBs to make up a 3 (with cover).
Alfie doesn't have the physique or experience to be a dominant CB or leader of defence in a 2.
To get autos we need to bring in a Souttar replacement.
 
I don't mind Alfie as a RCB on the R side of a 3 but we need a Souttar-type in the middle.
But currently we don't have enough CBs to make up a 3 (with cover).
Alfie doesn't have the physique or experience to be a dominant CB or leader of defence in a 2.
To get autos we need to bring in a Souttar replacement.
But Anel is a better RCB and we benefit from him taking the ball out of defence when he plays there. Gilchrist is doing well defensively but if we sign a better right back then he's perfect for the bench as he covers 2 positions.

If we are playing 4 at the back then this could be the way to go: Burrows at LB a new LCB (Keane?) Anel RCB and JJK ( if Wilder feels hes better than what we have) at RB with Seriki to bring on if we need more attacking flair
 
Re Cannon , if we are the only club to offer cash up front (not dependent on promotion like Mackems offer) ,
We should be haggling down the fee from the crazy £13m offered by Mackems - Leicester can't expect to get the same fee from us when we are offering the upfront cash for which they are desperate for FFP.
 
  • Does it give Wilder a lift when there are new players to work with? "I quite like this group, maybe more so than I liked the group last year". "They've refreshed me and Alan... they enthuse us and motivate us and we really enjoy working with them"

What a great insight and indication what a good atmosphere there must be. Love this.
 
For those only reading the forum and not watching the presser, and perhaps concerned about this Alfie Gilchrist being the CB stuff, I personally think a bit too much is being made of it. The questioning was around Seriki and his progress. The comments about Gilchrist being able to play CB, and "in a three", were, in my opinion, with that context and about the fact that Seriki will get opportunities.

If you want to listen to it yourself, it's from around 8:10 to 11:40
 
But Anel is a better RCB and we benefit from him taking the ball out of defence when he plays there. Gilchrist is doing well defensively but if we sign a better right back then he's perfect for the bench as he covers 2 positions.

If we are playing 4 at the back then this could be the way to go: Burrows at LB a new LCB (Keane?) Anel RCB and JJK ( if Wilder feels hes better than what we have) at RB with Seriki to bring on if we need more attacking flair
Souttar & Anel were our top CB duo and both were Rfooters so I don't think we should limit our search to Lfooters.
 
But Anel is a better RCB and we benefit from him taking the ball out of defence when he plays there. Gilchrist is doing well defensively but if we sign a better right back then he's perfect for the bench as he covers 2 positions.

If we are playing 4 at the back then this could be the way to go: Burrows at LB a new LCB (Keane?) Anel RCB and JJK ( if Wilder feels hes better than what we have) at RB with Seriki to bring on if we need more attacking flair
Good points.
Let me put my view very simply.

We have 2 competent RBs in Alfie & Seriki , with cover in Shackleton.

We have a huge Souttar-shaped hole in our successful CB duo.

Why are we looking at another RB when what we need is a Souttar-type CB ?

6'7" or as close as possible , fully experienced , dominant , cool calm leadership in the centre of defence.

Surely this is the priority above a 4th player who can play RB ?

I don't trust RND as a CB , so imo , we only need a ban or an injury to Anel or Robbo and we are up shit creek.
 
Foxy - could we introduce a thread tag (or whatever they are called) for these threads in the same way ‘Roy’s view from’ has one?

‘Cappy’s Conferences’
‘[OPPONENT] Presser’
 

Foxy - could we introduce a thread tag (or whatever they are called) for these threads in the same way ‘Roy’s view from’ has one?

‘Cappy’s Conferences’
‘[OPPONENT] Presser’
I can't be relied upon. I've only done a few, transitioned from detail to bullet points and also missed one because I had a bad kebab.

It's a shambles
 

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