Report From 'Meet The Manager' This Evening

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BushBlade said:
The defence was sat so deep to protect George and cover their lack of pace it's no wonder we couldn't score. If they'd been any deeper they'd have been sat with us.
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Yes selling our top scorer Nick Blackman and replacing him with Craig Beattie had nothing to do with the lack of goals. It was how deep we played in the last 15 games in which we scored about 7 if I remember correctly.
 
UnitedBlade said:
Yes selling our top scorer Nick Blackman and replacing him with Craig Beattie had nothing to do with the lack of goals. It was how deep we played in the last 15 games in which we scored about 7 if I remember correctly.
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True, and losing Miller to injury.
 
derfblade said:
Given back my mojo after reading that.....now for a good kip.

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Should be "pigs might fly".
About as much chance of getting leaders on the pitch from the shell of a squad at our disposal. We also need 2 direct strikers. Adams will be suspended by November who replaces him then?
 
UnitedBlade said:
Yes selling our top scorer Nick Blackman and replacing him with Craig Beattie had nothing to do with the lack of goals. It was how deep we played in the last 15 games in which we scored about 7 if I remember correctly.
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Craig Beattie?!!!!!!!!
 
YES Blade said:
A few concerns from what has been reported:
  • Signings - the date for players coming in is continually being put back and now has turned into excuses in the form of current contracts.
  • No more backwards/square passes - no doubt the gerrit forward lot will love this, but I think football has moved on a bit, keeping possession is better than an aimless forward pass.
  • Scougall - I don't rate him at all, he has done nothing the last two seasons. I don't mind giving a younger player another chance but if Wilder is pinning his hopes on him being one of our main creative players, that's a bit worry for me.
At the minute it's usual new manager saying the right things, but in Wilder's case as he knows the club and the fans better than previous managers. He appears to be saying more of the right things and dare I say it blowing a bit of smoke up some arses and telling the fans what they want to hear.

I'm still going to judge him on his actions and at the moment that is 2 signings nothing more. What he is saying is largely irrelevant.

So far I have zero enthusiasm for Wilder's appointment, hopefully a few signings will change that and then most importantly the performances on the pitch.
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Frankly many of us can take no more bulshit.
I have written to Wilder telling him attack attack attack no more stupefying displays.
 
UnitedBlade said:
Yes selling our top scorer Nick Blackman and replacing him with Craig Beattie had nothing to do with the lack of goals. It was how deep we played in the last 15 games in which we scored about 7 if I remember correctly.
Click to expand...
When did C Beattie replace Blackman???
 
Tyler Durden said:
Ok, as promised here's my concise summary of tonights session. I haven't done one of these before so be nice.....you bastards ;). Foxy and Linz, feel free to interject if I've paraphrased too much.

Introduction

Chris Wilder:

  • This is the right time for me and Alan Knill to be taking charge at the club. I know the supporters, being one myself, understand what we (the supporters) expect.
  • Saw United play a few times last season, was bored by what was on offer.
  • Club has lost its identity, needs to play and also win in the right manner. Beating the opposition starts in the tunnel.
Alan Knill

  • Knows what its like to work under difficult circumstances. They came to Northampton 2nd bottom in the division, identified what was required and won the league in three years. United in a much better position regarding facilities and infrastructure. Promotion certainly not a three year job.

Transfers

  • Two targets in particular, (both centre-halves) identified. Hoping to have one or both in by end of next week.
  • Transfer budget impaired by players on transfer list draining resources with big contracts. Not ideal, but won't stop us getting in the players who can do the job at hand.
  • Slow movement has been the case across the league.
Approach

  • Importance of being clear about what we want from our players. Speaking to the players when I took charge, nobody really knew what their role was last season. This has to change
  • We have to have leaders on the pitch. This has been lacking. Essential to have individuals who can take our tactics/strategies/ethos and instill it in the players on the field
  • Defending corners: We won't have our box swamped. Need to have players positioned upfield to effectively counter-attack.
  • No more playing backwards and squarewards (*thank fuck*)
  • Re cup games: League is obviously the priority, but any team I pick for any game, I expect them to play to win, whether 5-a-side or FA Cup. Principle doesn't change not matter what the level.
Players

  • Asked Basham where he feels his strongest position is, he believes centre-midfield. Intends to play him there.
  • Done is NOT a left wing back, his place is clearly further up front
  • Question asked if Billy Sharp being made new captain was PR move? CW: Nothing I do is a PR move, he embodies the spirit we want in this team, knows what is required and is captain because he's most suited to the role.
  • Monitoring situation with our U-21 goalkeeper, had a very good season. Possibility of stepping up.
  • Believe Brayford and Scougall to be very strong assets if they play to their potential, up to them now to take that chance.
What needs to change

  • Knill: Saw us play a few times last season. Coventry defeat was the worst. Utter apathy, didn't look like wanting to win.
  • CW: Recruitment has been bang average this past couple of seasons, still need to deal with the legacy of that. (*He's looking at you, Hammond*)
  • Knill: No decent centre half since Morgs. Believes the two identified targets to have those qualities (not afraid to head the ball or put a robust tackle in)
Going Forward

  • We will not roll over for anyone next season
  • You don't sit back at 1-0, you have to put teams away decisively
  • Promotion without doubt is possible.
Conclusion: Music to my ears :)
Click to expand...
Thanks for that td very interesting read very well put together. I think now you've popped your reporting cherry;) this should be a regular thing mate.
 
Tyler Durden said:
Ok, as promised here's my concise summary of tonights session. I haven't done one of these before so be nice.....you bastards ;). Foxy and Linz, feel free to interject if I've paraphrased too much.

Introduction

Chris Wilder:

  • This is the right time for me and Alan Knill to be taking charge at the club. I know the supporters, being one myself, understand what we (the supporters) expect.
  • Saw United play a few times last season, was bored by what was on offer.
  • Club has lost its identity, needs to play and also win in the right manner. Beating the opposition starts in the tunnel.
Alan Knill

  • Knows what its like to work under difficult circumstances. They came to Northampton 2nd bottom in the division, identified what was required and won the league in three years. United in a much better position regarding facilities and infrastructure. Promotion certainly not a three year job.

Transfers

  • Two targets in particular, (both centre-halves) identified. Hoping to have one or both in by end of next week.
  • Transfer budget impaired by players on transfer list draining resources with big contracts. Not ideal, but won't stop us getting in the players who can do the job at hand.
  • Slow movement has been the case across the league.
Approach

  • Importance of being clear about what we want from our players. Speaking to the players when I took charge, nobody really knew what their role was last season. This has to change
  • We have to have leaders on the pitch. This has been lacking. Essential to have individuals who can take our tactics/strategies/ethos and instill it in the players on the field
  • Defending corners: We won't have our box swamped. Need to have players positioned upfield to effectively counter-attack.
  • No more playing backwards and squarewards (*thank fuck*)
  • Re cup games: League is obviously the priority, but any team I pick for any game, I expect them to play to win, whether 5-a-side or FA Cup. Principle doesn't change not matter what the level.
Players

  • Asked Basham where he feels his strongest position is, he believes centre-midfield. Intends to play him there.
  • Done is NOT a left wing back, his place is clearly further up front
  • Question asked if Billy Sharp being made new captain was PR move? CW: Nothing I do is a PR move, he embodies the spirit we want in this team, knows what is required and is captain because he's most suited to the role.
  • Monitoring situation with our U-21 goalkeeper, had a very good season. Possibility of stepping up.
  • Believe Brayford and Scougall to be very strong assets if they play to their potential, up to them now to take that chance.
What needs to change

  • Knill: Saw us play a few times last season. Coventry defeat was the worst. Utter apathy, didn't look like wanting to win.
  • CW: Recruitment has been bang average this past couple of seasons, still need to deal with the legacy of that. (*He's looking at you, Hammond*)
  • Knill: No decent centre half since Morgs. Believes the two identified targets to have those qualities (not afraid to head the ball or put a robust tackle in)
Going Forward

  • We will not roll over for anyone next season
  • You don't sit back at 1-0, you have to put teams away decisively
  • Promotion without doubt is possible.
Conclusion: Music to my ears :)
Click to expand...


Utter bobbins - WTF was his position on Brexit? Did you even ask?






.
;)
 
It's worth pointing out the Basham position stuff was an answer to a specific question about Basham from the floor... rather than an indication he is going to be the first choice in the middle.
 
pommpey said:
He did, but he's not a wing back, innit? I expect Basham to provide that presence in midfield we used to have with McDonald, rangey playmaker and opposition play-breaker. It is all about central midfield these day and how they interact with the people in front and the people out wide.

pommpey
Click to expand...

Basham will never be able to playmake like McDonald. If played in central midfield he will be an all action ball winner, with the instruction to get into the opposition box when the chance arises.
 

Bergen Blade said:
Basham will never be able to playmake like McDonald. If played in central midfield he will be an all action ball winner, with the instruction to get into the opposition box when the chance arises.
Click to expand...
He could be successful in a role like that seems to have a decent engine but, for me needs a lot of flair around him, Scougall if Wilder can get him firing but I don't see them working as a 2
 
David Lee's first touch said:
He could be successful in a role like that seems to have a decent engine but, for me needs a lot of flair around him, Scougall if Wilder can get him firing but I don't see them working as a 2
Click to expand...

No chance of them two together, and I personally think we should expect 4-2-3-1. The three behind Sharp will roam around, swap positions, make runs on and off the ball when we win it. Don't expect a wide man to just wait for the ball and take on his man if he gets it (JCR style). Expect an immediate run, only for the central attacking midfielder to get on the ball instead with him then finding the "wide" man running in behind the full back, crossing or finishing. Hopefully.

With a couple of centre halves signed I think Wilder would play something like:

Long
Brayford CH CH Hussey
Basham Whiteman
Duffy Scougall Adams
Sharp​

I'd expect central midfield to be strengthened with a first choice. Done would be competing with Duffy/Adams/Scougall for a start.
 
Foxy said:
It's worth pointing out the Basham position stuff was an answer to a specific question about Basham from the floor... rather than an indication he is going to be the first choice in the middle.
Click to expand...
Just found the link to your Twitter coverage, bear with me I'm a bit technology inept.Thanks for the reports and while I'm at it the forum too, best in the business cheers you two.
 
Bergen Blade said:
I personally think we should expect 4-2-3-1.
Click to expand...

Bushell-394813.jpg


3-2-1 Dusty bin?

Ok.

I'll get my coat
 
Bergen Blade said:
No chance of them two together, and I personally think we should expect 4-2-3-1. The three behind Sharp will roam around, swap positions, make runs on and off the ball when we win it. Don't expect a wide man to just wait for the ball and take on his man if he gets it (JCR style). Expect an immediate run, only for the central attacking midfielder to get on the ball instead with him then finding the "wide" man running in behind the full back, crossing or finishing. Hopefully.

With a couple of centre halves signed I think Wilder would play something like:

Long
Brayford CH CH Hussey
Basham Whiteman
Duffy Scougall Adams
Sharp​

I'd expect central midfield to be strengthened with a first choice. Done would be competing with Duffy/Adams/Scougall for a start.
Click to expand...
That I think will be the formation come the off and depending on the cb signings looks a pretty good league 1 side. Young Ben looks a decent prospect a good all round cm but, maybe a year too early for a starting berth definitely good enough for cover/bench and I'm looking forward to see how he progresses. I would also like us to add a target man but a footballing one just so we have something different.
 
Bergen Blade said:
No chance of them two together, and I personally think we should expect 4-2-3-1. The three behind Sharp will roam around, swap positions, make runs on and off the ball when we win it. Don't expect a wide man to just wait for the ball and take on his man if he gets it (JCR style). Expect an immediate run, only for the central attacking midfielder to get on the ball instead with him then finding the "wide" man running in behind the full back, crossing or finishing. Hopefully.

With a couple of centre halves signed I think Wilder would play something like:

Long
Brayford CH CH Hussey
Basham Whiteman
Duffy Scougall Adams
Sharp​

I'd expect central midfield to be strengthened with a first choice. Done would be competing with Duffy/Adams/Scougall for a start.
Click to expand...


Done, Reed, Lewin and McNulty back up that team and so could K.Wallace, Freeman maybe.

What I like about it is the mobility of all the players and when we break we can do it from full back and either Basham or Whiteman could join the attack. All the back up players are mobile too.

There is a serious lack of first choice players in central defence as we know and we also additionally need cover there and at full back. The needs back there will be priorities presumably and the particular signings delayed by the lack of movement of the listed players will maybe be the box to box mobile midfielder mentioned by CW and the target man striker as back up, although it is a fact Wilder tried to sign Reevell recently.

The squad showing on Player Profiles on the club website totals 15 at present:

Long, Brayford, Hussey,
Basham, Whiteman, Reed, Duffey,
Done, Sharp, Adams, Lewin.
Listed players: Coutts, Woolford, K.Wallace, Hammond.

McNulty is not included, nor is Scougall actually.

So take out transfer listed players but add the two and we have just 13 players in the first team squad and that includes Lewin, Whiteman and Reed.

That squad of 24 that Wilder mentioned looks a million miles away as yet !!

Seems likely to me that Wilder will suddenly be impressed with Freeman and K.Wallace and maybe even Coutts.
Woolford will make up the bench if he sticks here. Isn't the Hammond situation supposed to be finalised this week?
 
Last edited:
Bergen Blade said:
No chance of them two together, and I personally think we should expect 4-2-3-1. The three behind Sharp will roam around, swap positions, make runs on and off the ball when we win it. Don't expect a wide man to just wait for the ball and take on his man if he gets it (JCR style). Expect an immediate run, only for the central attacking midfielder to get on the ball instead with him then finding the "wide" man running in behind the full back, crossing or finishing. Hopefully.

With a couple of centre halves signed I think Wilder would play something like:

Long
Brayford CH CH Hussey
Basham Whiteman
Duffy Scougall Adams
Sharp​

I'd expect central midfield to be strengthened with a first choice. Done would be competing with Duffy/Adams/Scougall for a start.
Click to expand...

Neither Scougall or Basham are creative enough or score enough goals to be regulars in a promotion winning midfield. Basham might cut it as a destroyer, but again this means a 5 man midfield with Sharp on his own; which is a waste of Sharp.

We need 2 up front and better midfielders rather than trying to accommodate players who have already proved they aren't good enough.
 
Revolution said:
Neither Scougall or Basham are creative enough or score enough goals to be regulars in a promotion winning midfield. Basham might cut it as a destroyer, but again this means a 5 man midfield with Sharp on his own; which is a waste of Sharp.

We need 2 up front and better midfielders rather than trying to accommodate players who have already proved they aren't good enough.
Click to expand...


I like 2 up front but I also like 5 in midfield, that's why my preferred formation is 3-5-2. ( I reckon 4-2-3-1 is a five man midfield with an attacking emphasis and fine but narrow).

However we have signed Hussey and we already have Brayford and they are quality attacking full backs so I sense 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 will be the way forward.

Personally I think Scougall has a lot to prove but is not equipped to play in 4-4-2 either in midfield or up front. Similarly Basham is hard to partner in 4-4-2 and has a lack of discipline for 4-2-3-1 too.

As for players being proven failures, a different environment can change people, look at Wales compared to England, look at Robson-Kanu. Scougall has attributes to work on but his mind and confidence need lifting. Basham likes to run around and be involved a lot and he has the engine to do just that; bit short of passing ability and creativity though; it's all about formations and partnerships.
 
At this rate CBs for the pre season friendlies likely to be Bash and Bray
Freeman and Hussey as FBs
 
Woodwardfan said:
Done, Reed, Lewin and McNulty back up that team and so could K.Wallace, Freeman maybe.

What I like about it is the mobility of all the players and when we break we can do it from full back and either Basham or Whiteman could join the attack. All the back up players are mobile too.

There is a serious lack of first choice players in central defence as we know and we also additionally need cover there and at full back. The needs back there will be priorities presumably and the particular signings delayed by the lack of movement of the listed players will maybe be the box to box mobile midfielder mentioned by CW and the target man striker as back up, although it is a fact Wilder tried to sign Reevell recently.

The squad showing on Player Profiles on the club website totals 15 at present:

Long, Brayford, Hussey,
Basham, Whiteman, Reed, Duffey,
Done, Sharp, Adams, Lewin.
Listed players: Coutts, Woolford, K.Wallace, Hammond.

McNulty is not included, nor is Scougall actually.

So take out transfer listed players but add the two and we have just 13 players in the first team squad and that includes Lewin, Whiteman and Reed.

That squad of 24 that Wilder mentioned looks a million miles away as yet !!

Seems likely to me that Wilder will suddenly be impressed with Freeman and K.Wallace and maybe even Coutts.
Woolford will make up the bench if he sticks here. Isn't the Hammond situation supposed to be finalised this week?
Click to expand...

As it stands we have a mid table squad . A long way to go yet to have a promotion winning squad . Even bringing in free transfers , out of contract players appears to be on a different level at United than it was at Northampton.

Wilder and Knill will be working 24 / 7 but IMO they have underestimated the job in hand , hence certain things yet to fall into place. To be fair to Wilder we have again a manager operating with both hands tied behind his back due to previous mistakes . It's a viscous circle which we just cannot break . Wilder even at this stage has been saying he is not afraid of the sack .

We are all backing the club , but players on the books who are not in our plans are restricting us in the transfer market and what makes it worst is some of the silly fuckers ITK who come out with stupid player suggestions or complete shite .

Wilder will sort it , but big club mentality is holding us back . Players would play in a shit heap for more of the Yankee Dollar and a long contract .

UTB
 
Bergen Blade said:
Basham will never be able to playmake like McDonald. If played in central midfield he will be an all action ball winner, with the instruction to get into the opposition box when the chance arises.
Click to expand...

Remember Barnsley away? Bash played in midfield instead of defence, terrorised them, every two minutes he had charged into their box, man of the match in a game we were expected to lose.

The thing for me is that CW and AK need to have Bash doing shooting drills every day, because he is (no offence meant) a "serial bottler" every time he gets near the box, scared to shoot. Get him building up his confidence so that if he breaks forward and has no one with him and no option to pass, he takes a deep breath and blasts the ball towards goal, get the keeper under pressure. Doesn't matter if it gets saved/hits the woodwork/goes wide/goes over into row Z, because law of averages says one will go in eventually and contsant pressure will have the keepers nerves jangling.

Just my opinion.
 
Woodwardfan said:
I like 2 up front but I also like 5 in midfield, that's why my preferred formation is 3-5-2. ( I reckon 4-2-3-1 is a five man midfield with an attacking emphasis and fine but narrow).

However we have signed Hussey and we already have Brayford and they are quality attacking full backs so I sense 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 will be the way forward.

Personally I think Scougall has a lot to prove but is not equipped to play in 4-4-2 either in midfield or up front. Similarly Basham is hard to partner in 4-4-2 and has a lack of discipline for 4-2-3-1 too.

As for players being proven failures, a different environment can change people, look at Wales compared to England, look at Robson-Kanu. Scougall has attributes to work on but his mind and confidence need lifting. Basham likes to run around and be involved a lot and he has the engine to do just that; bit short of passing ability and creativity though; it's all about formations and partnerships.
Click to expand...
Was it Chris Wilder that said "formations don't win games, players do"
 
Just wish that James Shield &/or the Radio Sheff reporters would ask CW if his point still stands about getting in 3 centre-halves, a left-footed midfielder, a wideman & a targetman, without these buys being dependant on raising money or wage space through sales or cancelling contracts. That's certainly how I read Chris's comments previously? And if this has changed, then why?

What we have got is a no bullshit manager who tells it as it is. It'd be seriously good to know that his original comments still stood (or, if the situation's changed, knowing why it's changed).

Admittedly, if I'd been at the "Meet the Manager" then I could have asked, but I wasn't.
 

Lord Bos of Eckington. said:
As it stands we have a mid table squad . A long way to go yet to have a promotion winning squad . Even bringing in free transfers , out of contract players appears to be on a different level at United than it was at Northampton.

Wilder and Knill will be working 24 / 7 but IMO they have underestimated the job in hand , hence certain things yet to fall into place. To be fair to Wilder we have again a manager operating with both hands tied behind his back due to previous mistakes . It's a viscous circle which we just cannot break . Wilder even at this stage has been saying he is not afraid of the sack .

We are all backing the club , but players on the books who are not in our plans are restricting us in the transfer market and what makes it worst is some of the silly fuckers ITK who come out with stupid player suggestions or complete shite .

Wilder will sort it , but big club mentality is holding us back . Players would play in a shit heap for more of the Yankee Dollar and a long contract .

UTB
Click to expand...

As it stands, we have a relegation squad:

Long
Brayford Semple Basham Hussey
Reed Whiteman
Duffy Scougal Adams
Sharp

Bench

Done
DCL
McNulty
Ramsdale
Kelly

He's made it clear he's not going to play the listed players unless they seriously pull their socks up. Bringing in 3 or 4 would make us mid table (assuming they're improvements). I think we'd need more like 7 or 8 to be in promotion contention, unless we had no injuries.
 
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