Re takeover: CW said he doesn't want to add anything about the takeover, just referring back to what he said in a previous presser to Rob Staton. From memory that was just around hoping it'd be done soon to impact the JTW positively
Reflecting on his 1 year since taking over at SUFC, he just said the same stuff he has before. The difficult situation we were in when he took over, the hard work that was needed by everyone and the fruits of that labour so far.
Asked how he would sum up all the changes and the impact they've had, he said that he is delighted by it all. He said that the team we had last year was "absolutely miles off" being a premier league team. Said it hasn't been a normal change where we lose a few and add a few, it's been a complete rebuild. He said he has really enjoyed it and said there's a really good feel. He referenced it's the same feel as 18/19 and he senses that from the crowd at the ground and also when he goes on his dog walks (gotta get a dog walk quote in there, our Chris) and bumps into fans. "We're in a good place, having now seen the majority of the league"
He was asked about refereeing and whether it's getting stricter, given the number of yellow card suspensions and sending offs around the leagues. He showed some unhappiness about it and called out a few examples, including saying it's "ridiculous" that he's on two yellows and one away from suspension just for "showing some pashun". Love it
By the way,
here is a handy little link to a thread covering all the cards we have for players and Wilder, updated after every game
Injuries
- "Rhian will be involved on Sunday"
- "Keiffer we are waiting on", but will "definitely be involved on Wednesday" and "has a chance for Sunday"
- Everyone else is OK post-Sunderland.
Spent a bit of time reflecting on the Sunderland game. They were good, we were good, we won. Nothing new really, but said that we have to have the mentality to go for it without fear, but not kamikaze and wreckless.
He added a little bit at the end about there being a physical aspect to us and how we train and prepare for the end of games. Hinting, I believe, that our physicality and fitness won us the game at the end.
Re West Brom. He talked them up as you'd expect, "real top championship squad all the way through", "Well coached". Good from set plays, counter attack, hard to break down, good team. We can't be loose, got to be mentality ready for the challenge, want to keep our unbeaten run going, etc etc etc.
Wants a good performance and feels the wins come off the back of that, but prefers the win more than anything else.
He then talked about bravery and taking risks. He wants us to take risks, understands that the fans get frustrated when stuff doesn't come off, and indeed will 'bang my head against the dugout', but with people like Gus, his risk taking is what makes him a great player, but it won't always come off.
Reflecting again on his 2nd period as manager, he said he wants to replicate the good feelings he got from the first time and believes we are on the way. "It's magical" the feeling everyone gets when things are going well.
Talking about JTW, he said when people talk about the 18/19 promotion, he name checks the likes of Hogan, Madine, etc all the time as their contribution to the 5/10 games helped us get those important points.
Asked about Ollie and his recovery, said he's a positive boy and he will get through it, but of course there will be physical and mental pain for him to endure in the "tough 8 months ahead of him"
Re Sydie Peck's opportunity, it "must have been quite difficult for Sydie" having come through together and seeing Blaster "take all the limelight, captaining at Old Trafford", but "he's used that as motivation, had a great pre-season and hasn't let us down." The "boy can play and it will be interesting to see his development"
"Big competition in there", referring to Davies and Shackleton.
He was asked, what has been the most significant moment in the last year? "The final whistle on the last game of last season, so we can get to work and crack on"
Decent presser actually, he looked really bright and upbeat, I'm just disappointed he didn't walk off singing...

You chose the wrong club, you chose the wrong cluuuuub. Mikey Johnston, you chose the wrong club