Realistic Expectations For Next Season?

[Hague Blade]

There is though, less pressure on Wilder than Adkins, he's not the Knight in shining armour riding in on his white horse, he's the Bloke from the village with a big fucking axe. He's not expected to take a side which got to two semi's straight to promotion, he's expected to clean up the mess left behind.

I agree with this SwissBlade - I think the expectation of Wilder is less than it was on Adkins, and I think there'll be a bit more patience as a result. Just watch the O'Toole interview - Wilder's quite obviously bloke who'll go down much better with Utd fans. No false positivity, no bogus motivational bullshit - just the simple truth: look after yourself on and off the pitch (stay off the ale, lads), and stop with the excuses: be a good player. I'd like to think he'll be reprising that speech to a few of our feckless lot over the coming days.

WTTWY - welcome to the Wilder years.

 

[robbiez666]

Yes, I'm waiting for that. I've got a horrible feeling about the "few surprises", and "pathway for youth" right now though.

The thought of the likes of DCL, Louis Reed and Ryan "he could do a job" Fylnn being regulars literally fills me with dread.

UTB

If he's going to play the quick counter attack then I can see Flynn staying.

 

[Revolution]

Think we got to at least see who is retained/released/signed before tipping where we finish?

No need. It will be puny boys, league 1 and 2 journeymen, and the usual injury prone crap.

Nothing will be learned. It's clear McCabe has learned no lessons at all.

 

[Revolution]

If he's going to play the quick counter attack then I can see Flynn staying.

Is this comedy?

 

[sothall blade]

I got a bit concerned when Mccabe went on about CW knowing what the "ethos" of the club is and "youth" policy that to me sounds CW will be expected to unearth some gems for next to nothing and to depend on the young players, i really dont think he will be given a decent budget. welcome to our world Chris

 

[robbiez666]

Is this comedy?

Sadly, probably reality. Then again, he was at his best when we were playing that way in Clough's first season.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Totally agree with the players we need to bring in. I am fed up with us bringing in ex championship players, paying more wages than any other club in the Division and still failing to get promotion. Clubs with a fraction of our budget come and play us off the park because they are young, fit, well organised and highly motivated. Even in the Premier League teams like Leicester and Bournemouth have shown that you can compete with teams with a massively bigger budget. What was Burton Albion's wage budget this season?
What we should be looking for is recruiting the best players from L1 clubs - there are plenty around, probably some up and coming from L2 and use the loan market cleverly. Just throwing money at it is not the answer (it certainly hasn't worked for us in the last 5 seasons). The most important appointment is the manager. Get the right man and everything else will fall into place. He will recruit the right players and also, as importantly, get the best out of the players we have, something I certainly don't think NA did. Is CW the right man for the job? I hope so but he must be given at least 2 seasons.

Yeah, hopefully we've now seen an end to these totally embarrassing months-long pursuits of overpaid players from higher levels (like O'Grady and Burn) who really don't want to come here, but who've presumably remained slightly tempted by the stupid wages we've seemed willing to offer to these potential saviours. If Dean Hammond and Conor Sammon have taught us anything, it's to avoid the damaged goods (at vastly inflated prices) from the upper echelons.

But looking at that excellent Barnsley defence who played us a few weeks back you're left thinking: "yes, there is a different way of doing things". Right back - signed from Wycombe (having been on spells on loan at non-league clubs). Centre-half 1 - a youngster surplus to requirements at Brentford, who'd just spent a season on loan at Wycombe. Centre-half 2 (the best seen at the Lane all season) - brought in from non-league Halifax. Left back - brought in from non-league Worcester City.

It can be done. Chris Wilder knows these lower divisions.

 

[Flakey]

What Wilder brings is a no nonsense approach, from what i can make out. There will be no place for hiding.[/QUOTE]





Maybe, but CW will have the same problem as Adkins, because when you have a lucrative contract until end of 2018 season you can hide as much as you like.

 

[MightyBlades]

It's a cracker. What a breath of fresh air.

Fuck-in-ell.........Do I like that interview!

More of where that came from please!

He's not going to take any prisoners in the changing room, that's for sure! It will be his way, or the bullet.

If you can't be arsed to turn up on the pitch, get out of my office!

Can't wait for Wilder to start kicking their useless asses!

 

[SwissBlade]

One of the huge issues we face again is that we're playing catch-up. If reports are to be believed, Clough had a couple lined up before he left and Adkins had 8 or 9. We're back to stage 1 again. Whether the players Wilder has been looking at for the Cobblers will fit into how we're going to play is another matter. He's currently not got the players to play the way he did at Northampton.

I think we're ok because:

Outgoings - A big plus this year is that we've cleared some out already and there will be more to come in the next few weeks. Adkins did some of this work, but we have to remember that the returning loanees will need sorting one way or another.

Incoming - I think we'll see a 'blend' to start with. Bring in 3-5 players in key positions and roles and then mix them with the best of the current lot.

No play off distractions - This is a huge bonus, Wilder has the full summer, unlike last season, he gets longer to plan.

Relegated clubs - will be mostly having to clear out and rebuild as well as replacing managers.

Promoted Clubs - Well one of them is in the same boat as us as they've just lost their manager, but the others will have to strengthen a little too

Stable clubs - The clubs who've kept their managers and have stabilised will be the concern, you can see sides like Chesterfield building on what they have. Doesn't mean they'll be challenging for promotion necessarily but they could make strong starts.

 

[SwissBlade]

Agreed. Expectations are lower now, and good look to him. He'll still get shit, and the sack, if we don't get promotion.

In terms of personal expectation and care for the club itself, I've never felt lower.

At this point in time, I think of the club as a drinking vessel, looking forward to any night after far more than the show itself.

UTB

Yeah its 3 years salary for one years work, its that simple. But, i think he 'gets' what it is to be a blade, because he is one. Unlike Warnock and Micky Adams, he's played for United at the top level under Bassett. So he knows what its like, better than most. Like Kevin Gage, he knows that there is no place for shirkers. If nothing else we'll see some heart in the side again... because if we don't i think we'll be bringing more and more kids through

It will be Weir revisited.

We'll be in the bottom half.

Where we finish depends on who comes in after we fire Wilder and whether we spend anything then.

Nothing has changed. Only the guy on the chopping block.

Its completely different to Weir, two very different characters.

 

[Rodley]

Top 6.

 

[zablade]

Depends on whether the board back The manager with a decent budget.

Ask him to do it on kids, retained players and frees transfers it could be a disaster.

 

[robbiez666]

I think we're ok because:

Outgoings - A big plus this year is that we've cleared some out already and there will be more to come in the next few weeks. Adkins did some of this work, but we have to remember that the returning loanees will need sorting one way or another.

Incoming - I think we'll see a 'blend' to start with. Bring in 3-5 players in key positions and roles and then mix them with the best of the current lot.

No play off distractions - This is a huge bonus, Wilder has the full summer, unlike last season, he gets longer to plan.

Relegated clubs - will be mostly having to clear out and rebuild as well as replacing managers.

Promoted Clubs - Well one of them is in the same boat as us as they've just lost their manager, but the others will have to strengthen a little too

Stable clubs - The clubs who've kept their managers and have stabilised will be the concern, you can see sides like Chesterfield building on what they have. Doesn't mean they'll be challenging for promotion necessarily but they could make strong starts.

I think Swindon and Fleetwood will both be nearer the top than the bottom this season.

 

[Minty]

Depends on whether the board back The manager with a decent budget.

Ask him to do it on kids, retained players and frees transfers it could be a disaster.

I think we all know the answer to that!

I do think he'll be able to bring in some good quality young players from the lower leagues and also kick ass with some of the under performing twats from this season........something that despite all his motivational bollocks, NA was hopeless at, judging by some of the "couldn't give a fuck" performances from some last season. Losing games is a fact of football but when you lose cos half or more of your team play like they would rather be elsewhere really gets my blood boiling.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

Realistically - without some funds to bring players in I expect little more than to avoid relegation - at least 2 seasons till we are out of this division with the Board, chaotic infrastructure and players we have.I have always liked Wilder (even watched him when he was on loan at Orient) and I really hope this job isn't too big for him - time will tell.

 

[Damski]

We'll be off the pace for top 6. It's not a failure on Wilder's part, it's just indicative of the culture of failure at the club. We'll be 7th/8th/9th. Which is technically an improvement. A sensible board would then keep Wilder on for the next season. Ours won't.

 

[SwissBlade]

I think Swindon and Fleetwood will both be nearer the top than the bottom this season.

Think you're right.

 

[finlaytheblade]

So, we have a change of manager. Some seem to be disappointed although the majority, including me, are happy with CW. The timing is as good as it can be so soon after this woeful season and CW has more time to sort his retained list and search for players to bring in.

We know that the budget will be very limited and that we need to get rid of more crap and bring in better.

Given the current shambolic state of affairs at BDTBL, what are people's realistic expectations for the coming season? Are you expecting automatic promotion, a play off spot or would you be happy to see a marked improvement in effort and commitment and style of play, which we can build on for the following season and look to go up from there?

My view is that it will be a tough ask to expect automatic promotion next season given how low we have reached and the fact that no significant investment will be available. It goes without saying that hopefully CW can bring in the right players, which are likely to be from the lower leagues where he will have seen first hand the best and most promising. Assuming that the right players come in, the most important factor for me is that CW creates a hard working, committed team environment where the squad give nothing less than 100% in training and matches, which seemed to be woefully lacking under NA.

6 seasons in the shit league has really taken its toll and without bags of cash I can't see a quick fix so realistically I'm hoping for a play off spot. If we don't achieve that, as long as there is a clear sign that the team is improving and heading in the right direction in terms of style of play and effort, I would grudgingly accept that and expect promotion the season after.

If you link the good players we have ( we do have some ! !) a sprinkling of academy prospects and incoming players which Mr Wilder will sign ,equals
a promotion push anything less is not acceptable. The main thing is not to get too frustrated if we don't hit the ground running,took Wigan 3 months to get going and (but always in the mix ) they pissed it in the end. We will always have expectancy at this level and rightly so .

 

[Ron_Justice]

I'm confused. What's so bad about Wilder? Last season, his team rinsed L2 with literally no money. I know we're lumbered with some shite footballers but if we can bring a couple through form the U21's and buy in a couple of bargains from L1/L2, that CW WILL know about, then, with CW's obvious talent, the squad is good enough IMO to finish top 3.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

,took Wigan 3 months to get going and (but always in the mix ) they pissed it in the end.

Wigan had the benefit of parachute payments of around £10m last season and could afford to tempt players in with higher wages. Same as Wolves when they walked the League. They still reported a financial loss of £3.9 million for the year ended 31 May 2015 despite a parachute payment of £20m that season. Comparing us to them in terms of being able to finance a promotion campaign is like comparing apples and oranges.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Wigan had the benefit of parachute payments of around £10m last season and could afford to tempt players in with higher wages. Same as Wolves when they walked the League. They still reported a financial loss of £3.9 million for the year ended 31 May 2015 despite a parachute payment of £20m that season. Comparing us to them in terms of being able to finance a promotion campaign is like comparing apples and oranges.

According to Mccabe we had the biggest wage bill ,but oviously not the biggest budget.Wigan obviously wernt paying over the top wages to the players they brought in,which is credit to there management last season.

 

[SK10Blade]

It'll be a good start not to lose 4-0 in the first game.

 

[Darthblade]

I'd guess that 95% of Blades think that based on the personnel available to Adkns we UNDERPERFORMED last season.

So logic says that even with no signing or sales we should perform much better next season.

I expect us to be in and aroud the playoffs, at least.
I'm genuinely postive and I'm hoping that when Wilder talks about Blades having an important role in making BL a fortress again we trust him and we make progress. I'm feeling postive.

Sorry mate don't agree .....

With the squad we made do with last season we got exactly what we deserved ........ fuck all !!!

Clear out, transfer list the dross and rebuild is the only way forward from here ....... but will the Board back him to do it ???

UTB & FTP

 

[Drunk blade]

Realistic expectation is automatic promotion obviously

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

I'm hoping for a viagra-free season.

By the end of April, comfortably on top, don't want us to be having to come from behind. Doesn't always pay off, especially if we lose the penetrative strength of the BIG MAN up front. Sometimes, it's a pleasure to watch others try to match up to our performances, especially those who struggle with two up front and only a small man at the rear. Always go with at least two big hard men who know their positions, inside and out.

Finish the last month of with a few U21s on board, giving them some experience of what it's like to be part of a well drilled set up. Someone who can mop up and not leave us having to deal with 1 on 1 situations too. Rock hard and reliable, no fuss, straight in, taking no prisoners, someone not afraid to clear it out if necessary.

Would like to see a Goliath in the net, someone who can handle the pressure of performing weekly, sometimes twice if required, and under the lights too, not afraid of diving and getting himself dirty down below the waist. Confident with taking high balls and those down at his feet, not worried about being manhandled in the box.

Excellent communication between the two up front is a must. If we entertain a two on one attack, I want them both to have a go at the same time, with the same outcome in mind. Not one watching as the other one went down in the box and the only penalty we suffered was another six seasons in L1.

Come On United!
Come On!

 

[spongebobblade]

I'll reserve judgement until the seasons about to start and to see how we line up. Feeling a dam sight more positive though

 

[Darthblade]

I will say what I said last season, before anything had been announced .....

We don't know anything until we find out how many ( and who ) has been released, how many have been transfer listed ( and hopefully departed ) and who has been recruited.

We do not need to spend a fortune at this level; five or six well chosen and appropriate season-long loans, five or six free agents and a couple of well chosen permanent transfers with real promise to build a reasonable squad.

Add these to the retained senior squad of Long, Brayford, Sharp, Basham and Adams and we may look something like a team for this Division.

Retain any more of the current players and we're looking at mediocrity and another season of self-imposed exile in this agricultural Division

UTB & FTP

 

[Ricky]

We might be able to guess what we'll do over the summer, but we don't know what the others are going to do, and until we find out we can't set lofty expectations with any confidence.

Hopefully Bolton and Charlton make unconvincing managerial appointments and weaken their squads. Hopefully Robinson leaves MK Dons. Hopefully Millwall win the play offs.

 

[lingsbord]

We will finish better than last season's insipid 11th place.

I'm only seeing positives here..............................................................again.