Coolblade
Member
- Joined
- May 11, 2015
- Messages
- 294
- Reaction score
- 2,327
Looking at the accounts, it is clear we have zero prospect of breaking even through football alone and we must rely on player sales and then promotion to progress. (No sh!t Sherlock!)
Our debt position is substantial and Interest costs are huge. Without selling players, especially from the Academy, we can’t move forward and remain competitive.
That reality has consequences as developing young players is paramount. Confidence, development and resale value now matter as much as immediate results. It also means we can’t afford short term thinking, failed January windows or a manager who wastes meagre transfer cash. Sentiment can’t be the deciding factor anymore.
I’ll always respect what Wilder gave us first time round. That era was brilliant, and I fear seeing us 5th in the Prem in February, having just beaten Palace away, and signed Berge, will be our high point in my lifetime. But I’m not convinced this version of Wilder fits the club we now are financially or structurally.
Given the finances, we need a manager who understands the model and works with it. Someone who develops young players and protects them publicly, and who plans recruitment across windows and adds value even when budgets are tight. And ideally with a clear attacking structure who can adapt during games when things change, and who is calm & disciplined.
It’s always difficult to provide suggested names. Did any of us consider Sunderland’s manager an obvious choice at the time? But just to start off (knowing every option can be criticised, so with tin hat on!)
You can love what Wilder gave us and still accept it might be time to move on.
UTB
Our debt position is substantial and Interest costs are huge. Without selling players, especially from the Academy, we can’t move forward and remain competitive.
That reality has consequences as developing young players is paramount. Confidence, development and resale value now matter as much as immediate results. It also means we can’t afford short term thinking, failed January windows or a manager who wastes meagre transfer cash. Sentiment can’t be the deciding factor anymore.
I’ll always respect what Wilder gave us first time round. That era was brilliant, and I fear seeing us 5th in the Prem in February, having just beaten Palace away, and signed Berge, will be our high point in my lifetime. But I’m not convinced this version of Wilder fits the club we now are financially or structurally.
- He’s consistently tougher on young players than on loanees or senior pros. Brooks and Seriki are central to our model, yet they get called out publicly. When our future depends on developing and selling players, that’s a serious problem.
- Recruitment under him has stalled. The last two January windows were poor with little positive impact, and with no clear plan (eg Souttar replacement, Cannon £10m, Phillips car crash
- The football has gone backwards. Wilder Mark 1 was brave and proactive (eg replacing a centre half with Duffy when two one up away on Bouncing Day). He now sets us up not to lose, and we still lose anyway. We score first and retreat and when games swing, we are slow to react with questionable substitutions.
- Discipline is now a constant issue, red cards, fines for club ill discipline, post match comments. For a club that needs credibility with buyers, agents and young players, that matters far more than it used to. Especially as our new owners are keen to establish us as a global brand.
- Even the basics aren’t a strength anymore. Fitness, intensity, closing games out. These were once our edge. Now we fade late and give games away. Surely we have had long enough to sort the basics of match fitness out?
Given the finances, we need a manager who understands the model and works with it. Someone who develops young players and protects them publicly, and who plans recruitment across windows and adds value even when budgets are tight. And ideally with a clear attacking structure who can adapt during games when things change, and who is calm & disciplined.
It’s always difficult to provide suggested names. Did any of us consider Sunderland’s manager an obvious choice at the time? But just to start off (knowing every option can be criticised, so with tin hat on!)
- Thomas Frank is the obvious blueprint. Youth development, smart recruitment, tactical flexibility, calm leadership. He’s not coming here (off to Palace or back to Spurs?), but that’s the type of thinking modern clubs like ours need.
- Brian Barry-Murphy. Three years in Pep Guardiola’s shadow running Man City’s Elite Development Squad, where he helped produce Cole Palmer and Oscar Bobb. His Cardiff side are aggressive out of possession and a joy to watch on the ball. He doesn’t need a big budget, and thrives on loans and academy integration. Available if Cardiff stumble? He was booed off recently.
- John Mousinho Modern coach, clear communicator, promoted a side by building structure rather than shouting culture into place. His players improve under him and he adapts during games. Obviously Pompey are struggling at present
- Alex Blessin. A blast from the past. Currently head coach of FC St. Pauli in the Bundesliga, having previously won the Belgian Cup with Union SG and been named Belgian coach of the year at Oostende. High-pressing 3-5-2 systems. Contract runs to 2027 so he’s not free, but given St. Pauli’s Bundesliga survival battle, that could change
- Tom Cleverley. Running Plymouth Argyle in League One after doing credible work at Watford. He has shown a preference for three-man defences and dynamic play on the break Watford had more shots from fast breaks than almost anyone in the Championship in 2024/25. Young, ambitious, Premier League-connected through his playing career. Lower league proven.
You can love what Wilder gave us and still accept it might be time to move on.
UTB
