Updates from the Wilder

[boo radley]

But to be fair, he did love David Weir!

What physically?

 

[Silent Blade]

CW rates Dave Bassett as our best manager in his lifetime .

He was only 6 when Harris was no longer our manager so he wont remember him. I was only 6 when Rowley was our manager in the 1968/69 season and I have no recollection of knowing who was our manager at the time

 

[BigBed]

Playing Clarke again would be a massive step backwards even if Billy were to get injured!, we've got Lavery to step in, and personally I'd rather see George Long in the number 10 shirt than Clarke!!!!
If you think he's an option to fill in for Sharp then God help us!

#throwitallaway.

 

[coolhandluke]

He was only 6 when Harris was no longer our manager so he wont remember him. I was only 6 when Rowley was our manager in the 1968/69 season and I have no recollection of knowing who was our manager at the time

CW rates Bassett higher

He was only 6 when Harris was no longer our manager so he wont remember him. I was only 6 when Rowley was our manager in the 1968/69 season and I have no recollection of knowing who was our manager at the time

Just to avoid any further confusion on your behalf silent , or anyone else's for that matter , I'll directly quote what CW said about ' Diplodocus Dave ' ....... " in my opinion , in my lifetime , he was the best manager we've ever had "

Check out the second part of Alan Biggs interview with him from June last year . Just listen to what's said from 13.00 to 15.00 minutes . It almost brings tears to your eyes when we are reminded by our current manager of what Sir David Bassett did for our Club .

 

[Silent Blade]

Check out the second part of Alan Biggs interview with him from June last year . Just listen to what's said from 13.00 to 15.00 minutes . It almost brings tears to your eyes when we are reminded by our current manager of what Sir David Bassett did for our Club .

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Well parts of it (the absence of passing and the obvious hoofing) were far from brilliant. Let's assume it was brilliant, though. What is the relevance to football today?

You tell me. You were the one who introduced Dave Bassett into the thread as per usual.

 

[coolhandluke]

Sincere apologies there mate .

I'll quote what was said a little bit later tonight but for now , very quickly , it was over 2 minutes of pure unreserved praise and admiration from CW when he spoke about Bassett the man and the manager .

 

[Silent Blade]

Sincere apologies there mate .

I'll quote what was said a little bit later tonight but for now , very quickly , it was over 2 minutes of pure unreserved praise and admiration from CW when he spoke about Bassett the man and the manager .

Looking forward to read what Wilder said about Bassett as I thought Bassett was quite harsh on Wilder by signing Colin Hill to take over the right back position. I liked Wilder as a right back but his lack of pace let him down at times

 

[coolhandluke]

Looking forward to read what Wilder said about Bassett as I thought Bassett was quite harsh on Wilder by signing Colin Hill to take over the right back position. I liked Wilder as a right back but his lack of pace let him down at times

Coincidentally Silent , its on that topic exactly , that CW begins his appraisal of Bassett and cites his frequent ' dropping ' by the then manager as a great source of banter when they meet nowadays !

Anyway , here you go , certainly not word for word but pretty much captures what he said .

Bassett ......... " played a major part in my thinking of how i wanted to run a football team . I think everyone has their own different ways of playing but his personality , his enthusiasm , his attention to detail , his organisation , togetherness and everything that gos with what Harry did in his football career , the ammount of promotions hes had in his career ( hes up there in the LMA records ) , the ammount of games that hes managed the success hes had , it wasnt given to him . Hes worked very hard for his career , hes very talented and just a real decent guy . "

" I believe that in that period for a cockney guy to come up the road , the club was struggling , it could have gone either way . But Harry set out his stall early on , made positive decisions and turned the football club around to make the club what it is now i believe . The club wasnt going anywhere , it was slipping about in the 2nd division and hes turned it around and really reignited the football club and the support and the success hes had here will , in my opinion and my lifetime make him the best football manager the clubs ever had "

There you go silent , not exact quotes but i think this pretty neatly sums up what CW had to say about Bassett . What also came across during the interview was CW's clear warmth and utmost admiration for Bassett as a man and a manager .

No real surprises in what CW thinks imo , hes a true Blade , hes one of us , he sees the things we do , in the same way that we do . He wears his heart on his sleeve and isnt afraid to nail his colours to the mast ....... just like we all are .

Bassetts a Blade legend always has been and always will be ..... and so say all of us

 

[Silent Blade]

Coincidentally Silent , its on that topic exactly , that CW begins his appraisal of Bassett and cites his frequent ' dropping ' by the then manager as a great source of banter when they meet nowadays !

Anyway , here you go , certainly not word for word but pretty much captures what he said .

Bassett ......... " played a major part in my thinking of how i wanted to run a football team . I think everyone has their own different ways of playing but his personality , his enthusiasm , his attention to detail , his organisation , togetherness and everything that gos with what Harry did in his football career , the ammount of promotions hes had in his career ( hes up there in the LMA records ) , the ammount of games that hes managed the success hes had , it wasnt given to him . Hes worked very hard for his career , hes very talented and just a real decent guy . "

" I believe that in that period for a cockney guy to come up the road , the club was struggling , it could have gone either way . But Harry set out his stall early on , made positive decisions and turned the football club around to make the club what it is now i believe . The club wasnt going anywhere , it was slipping about in the 2nd division and hes turned it around and really reignited the football club and the support and the success hes had here will , in my opinion and my lifetime make him the best football manager the clubs ever had "

There you go silent , not exact quotes but i think this pretty neatly sums up what CW had to say about Bassett . What also came across during the interview was CW's clear warmth and utmost admiration for Bassett as a man and a manager .

No real surprises in what CW thinks imo , hes a true Blade , hes one of us , he sees the things we do , in the same way that we do . He wears his heart on his sleeve and isnt afraid to nail his colours to the mast ....... just like we all are .

Bassetts a Blade legend always has been and always will be ..... and so say all of us

Many thanks UTB

 

[Weasel]

Coincidentally Silent , its on that topic exactly , that CW begins his appraisal of Bassett and cites his frequent ' dropping ' by the then manager as a great source of banter when they meet nowadays !

Anyway , here you go , certainly not word for word but pretty much captures what he said .

Bassett ......... " played a major part in my thinking of how i wanted to run a football team . I think everyone has their own different ways of playing but his personality , his enthusiasm , his attention to detail , his organisation , togetherness and everything that gos with what Harry did in his football career , the ammount of promotions hes had in his career ( hes up there in the LMA records ) , the ammount of games that hes managed the success hes had , it wasnt given to him . Hes worked very hard for his career , hes very talented and just a real decent guy . "

" I believe that in that period for a cockney guy to come up the road , the club was struggling , it could have gone either way . But Harry set out his stall early on , made positive decisions and turned the football club around to make the club what it is now i believe . The club wasnt going anywhere , it was slipping about in the 2nd division and hes turned it around and really reignited the football club and the support and the success hes had here will , in my opinion and my lifetime make him the best football manager the clubs ever had "

There you go silent , not exact quotes but i think this pretty neatly sums up what CW had to say about Bassett . What also came across during the interview was CW's clear warmth and utmost admiration for Bassett as a man and a manager .

No real surprises in what CW thinks imo , hes a true Blade , hes one of us , he sees the things we do , in the same way that we do . He wears his heart on his sleeve and isnt afraid to nail his colours to the mast ....... just like we all are .

Bassetts a Blade legend always has been and always will be ..... and so say all of us

Excellent post fella. Dave Bassett was a top top manager for sufc. Anyone who says otherwise really doesn't understand (or has forgotten) just how bad it had become at the Lane, how low expectations had become, and how little money we had. DB came in, turned it around, and gave us hope and pride again in our previously dying club.

I for one will always be grateful to DB for the pleasure and pride he gave to me watching the Blades when I was a young fella back in the late 80s and early 90s.

 

[Grizzly blade]

Dave Bassett was the right man at the right time at the right club.
His style of football and tactics were simple and rewarded genuine hard work by players who on the whole were prepared to graft and trust explicitly the tactics of their manager and make up for their lack of ability.

The tactic was to keep compact, be aggressive and win the ball asap. Force opponents into playing the longer pass themselves and then win it back. We would then hit channels or the target man and flood the area it was played with players to win the second balls and clearances. Once in their third get crosses into the box.
Percentage football......where the more you do it, eventually some will pay off.

That style of football is redundant. Defenders are these days quicker, more composed and have the ability to deal with it. Keepers too are so much better with the ball at their feet allowing defenders more options.

I loved it back then, rise of a club I had never known in the top division, the underdog, the team who upset the big boys and did their own thing. But after a few years you could see the need to change. The need for better players with more ability as teams learned how to deal with what we did.

Thankfully, despite the odd year of playing decent football in between utter dross we are now seeing what I have wanted to see. A blades side capable of keeping possession in the attacking third, capable of opening teams up. A style worthy of being called "professional" football.
And by that I mean a style that can only be done by actual genuinely good players. Not your run of the mill hard working super fit blokes, but good players. Sublime first touch, accurate quick passing, skill to beat a man, vision and technique.
Players other clubs will look at and want for their team....and not the isolated one here and there wanted to do a specific job but the majority of our players.

What we are seeing now on that field is totally light and day different to what DB had us playing. That is a fact. However, in the background, behind the scenes and on the training pitches I suggest there is more than a little of the DB ways in place. That crucial man management and team ethos, planning and attention to detail.
We now have genuine footballers working their bollocks off, running themselves into the ground for 90min and giving everything for each other. A tight knit group happy to do their talking on the football field and no longer scared to attempt something different. He's made our players BRAVE.

So, thank you Dave, for they years we had. Thanks for rubbing off a little or your persona on Wilder....and Thanks to Wilder for doing an absolutely superb job for my team. Not forgetting every other part of the management and scouting team too.
Keep it up and you will make yourself a blades legend.

 

[Pinchy]

Dave Bassett was the right man at the right time at the right club.
His style of football and tactics were simple and rewarded genuine hard work by players who on the whole were prepared to graft and trust explicitly the tactics of their manager and make up for their lack of ability.

The tactic was to keep compact, be aggressive and win the ball asap. Force opponents into playing the longer pass themselves and then win it back. We would then hit channels or the target man and flood the area it was played with players to win the second balls and clearances. Once in their third get crosses into the box.
Percentage football......where the more you do it, eventually some will pay off.

That style of football is redundant. Defenders are these days quicker, more composed and have the ability to deal with it. Keepers too are so much better with the ball at their feet allowing defenders more options.

I loved it back then, rise of a club I had never known in the top division, the underdog, the team who upset the big boys and did their own thing. But after a few years you could see the need to change. The need for better players with more ability as teams learned how to deal with what we did.

Thankfully, despite the odd year of playing decent football in between utter dross we are now seeing what I have wanted to see. A blades side capable of keeping possession in the attacking third, capable of opening teams up. A style worthy of being called "professional" football.
And by that I mean a style that can only be done by actual genuinely good players. Not your run of the mill hard working super fit blokes, but good players. Sublime first touch, accurate quick passing, skill to beat a man, vision and technique.
Players other clubs will look at and want for their team....and not the isolated one here and there wanted to do a specific job but the majority of our players.

What we are seeing now on that field is totally light and day different to what DB had us playing. That is a fact. However, in the background, behind the scenes and on the training pitches I suggest there is more than a little of the DB ways in place. That crucial man management and team ethos, planning and attention to detail.
We now have genuine footballers working their bollocks off, running themselves into the ground for 90min and giving everything for each other. A tight knit group happy to do their talking on the football field and no longer scared to attempt something different. He's made our players BRAVE.

So, thank you Dave, for they years we had. Thanks for rubbing off a little or your persona on Wilder....and Thanks to Wilder for doing an absolutely superb job for my team. Not forgetting every other part of the management and scouting team too.
Keep it up and you will make yourself a blades legend.

Absolutely nailed it mate. It's pretty much what I always say but in a more Bassett-friendly tone.

I can well understand people looking back fondly to the Bassett years. I wish they would do it a little less often but there you are.

I don't doubt that Tufty admires Bassett and has taken on board certain aspects of his management. What he has never said is that he admires Bassett's "style" of "football" That's not surprising because Tufty was a cultured, footballing right-back; not Bassett's cup of tea at all.

The numpties who embarrass themselves by attempting football alchemy in suggesting that Tuftyball is somehow descended from Bassett's Hoof (and Hoof it was, especially before and after Deane, let's be clear about that) is an insult to football, Tufty and the intelligence. I hope those who, quite rightly, endorse their approval of your wise words, are reading everything you say, not indulging in Bladey selectivity.

Hoof is indeed redundant. It has been for a very long time. No-one should mourn its passing. Bassett and all the other long-ball merchants are extinct in football terms. Wilder's football is chalk and cheese compared to Bassett's. It is proper football, a phrase Tufty routinely uses, much to the disappoint of the Hoofers, who don't understand what it means but have a vague feeling that it's nothing to do with "Harry" and that makes them uneasy.

The Hoofers in Denial [HID] refuse to learn anything from me. You now say much the same thing in a different way. In fact, your post ought to be on permanent display so they can refer to it in moments of confusion.

Perhaps they'll listen now...

 

[Grizzly blade]

We are on the same page Pinchy...I perhaps only rub a couple of posters up the wrong way, whereas you are much more successful in the annoyance stakes.

 

[Pinchy]

We are on the same page Pinchy...I perhaps only rub a couple of posters up the wrong way, whereas you are much more successful in the annoyance stakes.

Only those who don't get me, mate. Those who have known me a bit longer know that I like a bit of parody. Michael Caine often says that he does the best Michael Caine impression in the business... [I think he's a Tory twat, by the way, so that's the last mention he'll get from me..]

My view on Bassett is exactly as expressed in your intelligent and accurate contribution. Sometimes, in the interests of balance, one has to emphasise a polar view, lest the uncomfortable parts of the argument not be heard at all and the patent fallacies not be exposed for what they are.

 

[super_pig]

For those at work or unable to hear. Actually he mainly talks about Rochdale.

'Everyone is fit'.
There are selection 'problems' purely because everyone is playing well. Players have been coming on in games and giving us a lift.
Riley has had an operation and will be out for the season. We will keep tabs on him and keep in touch with Man U. Not drawn on whether we will renew our interest next year.
There won't be any contract discussions until the summer. 100% focus is on finishing the job off on the position that we're in.
Leon Clarke will come back to us next week to continue progression on fitness. Will be back 'before the end of the season'.
Tribute to the backing we have received both home and away and to the players' work ethic, but it's useful to have results go for you when you aren't playing.
The other teams feel equally great delight when we drop points.
We just need to keep producing the performances.
Huge respect for Keith Hill and Rochdale. A great win percentage at a club with so few promotions in their history. They produce players, pick up players and reinvest the money they get in the team.
Keith gets a pint out of a half-pint pot.
The team are flexible and adaptable and will prove tough opposition.
Apparently Hill has been suggesting he will chuck the kids in for our match and do some rotation...
Nothing would surprise Wilder about their team formation, selection or approach because KH is brave so it wouldn't do to underestimate them. So perhaps not a flippant remark.
For them to be in the playoffs year-in-year-out is a great achievement. .
A win percentage of 42-43% is fantastic for them.
They possibly could have won the game at the start of the season but we have moved on since then.
They have had injuries and when they get them back will put a run together.
On having tough away trips coming up:
We've already had a tough run over the past few weeks.
But we are not arrogant and will be focused on the next game and so on.

jim's back?? hope you're feeling better mate

 

[coolhandluke]

Only those who don't get me, mate. Those who have known me a bit longer know that I like a bit of parody. Michael Caine often says that he does the best Michael Caine impression in the business... [I think he's a Tory twat, by the way, so that's the last mention he'll get from me..]

My view on Bassett is exactly as expressed in your intelligent and accurate contribution. Sometimes, in the interests of balance, one has to emphasise a polar view, lest the uncomfortable parts of the argument not be heard at all and the patent fallacies not be exposed for what they are.

Why don't you just concede the thing that we all know Pinchy ?

The thing that CW places above all else , including the technical ability to play football , is something he quite openly and happily concedes is something he learned from his great friend and mentor , Mr David Bassett ! Attitude .

It was the pride and never say die attitude Bassett instilled in OUR team that virtually every Blade who witnessed it looks back upon with a sense of justifiable pride and fondness .

We can all debate the merits or otherwise of the ' style ' of play Bassett instilled . There are also somethings that are undeniably true . At times , watching the Blades under Bassett was hard work . But there were also times when it was an exhilarating experience . But the one thing that no one can deny was the simple and undeniable fact that any side put out by Bassett was fiercely proud to ' wear the shirt ' ...... Our shirt .

I'm glad that CW envies and admires the pride Bassett instilled in his teams . And I'm also thankful that he's copied Bassetts approach in this respect . Am I also glad that the style of play CW has implemented is totally different to the one Bassett employed ? Yes I am . But do I still look back at what Bassett did for us back then with genuine pride and fondness..... yes I do . And there's thousands of others that do too .

 

[Pinchy]

Why don't you just concede the thing that we all know Pinchy ?

The thing that CW places above all else , including the technical ability to play football , is something he quite openly and happily concedes is something he learned from his great friend and mentor , Mr David Bassett ! Attitude .

It was the pride and never say die attitude Bassett instilled in OUR team that virtually every Blade who witnessed it looks back upon with a sense of justifiable pride and fondness .

We can all debate the merits or otherwise of the ' style ' of play Bassett instilled . There are also somethings that are undeniably true . At times , watching the Blades under Bassett was hard work . But there were also times when it was an exhilarating experience . But the one thing that no one can deny was the simple and undeniable fact that any side put out by Bassett was fiercely proud to ' wear the shirt ' ...... Our shirt .

I'm glad that CW envies and admires the pride Bassett instilled in his teams . And I'm also thankful that he's copied Bassetts approach in this respect . Am I also glad that the style of play CW has implemented is totally different to the one Bassett employed ? Yes I am . But do I still look back at what Bassett did for us back then with genuine pride and fondness..... yes I do . And there's thousands of others that do too .

A bit Bladey, but generally sound observations. One important thing, though: There is a tendency to overlook the fact that the great footballing teams have great attitude as well. It's not the sole preserve of Upanatem merchants.

 

[Kenilworth]

Gi'ore. Can't tha bloody lip read

 

[Pollingtonblade]

A bit Bladey, but generally sound observations. One important thing, though: There is a tendency to overlook the fact that the great footballing teams have great attitude as well. It's not the sole preserve of Upanatem merchants.

Don't you think that if we are 2 down with 20 mins to go we should resort to hoof as it is likely to get us one back?


Surely even you agree?

 

[RammyBlade]

What people need to understand is that we had to play that style of football as even then we were not able to compete in terms of money against the big teams of Man U ,Arsenal, Liverpool etc so we couldnt recruit the ball players who were worth millions we had to adapt a style that would allow the other important ingredients of passion, energy,physicality etc to counter the teams who clearly had bettter players than us and that cost more money. Hence we had players such as Paul Rogers recruited from non league Sutton and nuttters like Glyn Hodges and unknowns like Jock Bryson who were all gelled together perfectly to create a mentaity that said -everbody hates us so lets go out and out play them with energy and running and physical battles as that will not allow them to settle and we will win games.

It worked a treat in many matches and we had some great results like the Spurs one but it was never going to win trophies and would always collapse sooner or later as the football club would run out of patience when the inevitable dips occured and then also the manager would grow weary of tryng to find those hidden gems all the time.
I will always be grateful to DB as he gave us our club back after a period of dismal depression at a time when football was changing from a money perspective.
I am more excited at the potential of this side under CW as he has built a side playing a cultured play which is great to watch all the time and although we will lose matches we will not usually be outplayed so you can actually feel consoled that it was a genuine blip and we will be back on track shortly.

I also think that many in this squad can make the transition to the championship quite easily and will be relatively successful with the same style and despite what the deluded pigs say we will strengthen where needed and be strong in the higher league

 

[Pinchy]

Don't you think that if we are 2 down with 20 mins to go we should resort to hoof as it is likely to get us one back?


Surely even you agree?

I'm not sure that's anything to do with attitude LS?

To answer your question though, No, I think we should keep playing our football. That's what has brought us late goals and wins, notably against Bury and Northampton, when many were urging the players to launch it.

I accept, though, that it's not unknown for even very good footballing teams to 'go long' in a last desperate couple of minutes. I don't think I've seen the very best do it, but then again they are so rarely two down.

 

[Pinchy]

What people need to understand is that we had to play that style of football as even then we were not able to compete in terms of money against the big teams of Man U ,Arsenal, Liverpool etc so we couldnt recruit the ball players who were worth millions we had to adapt a style that would allow the other important ingredients of passion, energy,physicality etc to counter the teams who clearly had bettter players than us and that cost more money. Hence we had players such as Paul Rogers recruited from non league Sutton and nuttters like Glyn Hodges and unknowns like Jock Bryson who were all gelled together perfectly to create a mentaity that said -everbody hates us so lets go out and out play them with energy and running and physical battles as that will not allow them to settle and we will win games.

It worked a treat in many matches and we had some great results like the Spurs one but it was never going to win trophies and would always collapse sooner or later as the football club would run out of patience when the inevitable dips occured and then also the manager would grow weary of tryng to find those hidden gems all the time.
I will always be grateful to DB as he gave us our club back after a period of dismal depression at a time when football was changing from a money perspective.
I am more excited at the potential of this side under CW as he has built a side playing a cultured play which is great to watch all the time and although we will lose matches we will not usually be outplayed so you can actually feel consoled that it was a genuine blip and we will be back on track shortly.

I also think that many in this squad can make the transition to the championship quite easily and will be relatively successful with the same style and despite what the deluded pigs say we will strengthen where needed and be strong in the higher league

Hallelujah. Another sensible, balanced contribution that acknowledges reality, warts and all.

The diehard Hoofers won't like it but maybe we're getting somewhere in this debate at last.

 

[coolhandluke]

A bit Bladey, but generally sound observations. One important thing, though: There is a tendency to overlook the fact that the great footballing teams have great attitude as well. It's not the sole preserve of Upanatem merchants.

There's more than a tendencey for you to overlook the fact that " footballing " sides don't automatically possess great attitudes . The same thing is impossible to say about any side Bassett turned out . Any side Bassett turned out was fiercely proud to play for him .

Now if me pointing this simple fact out to you makes me Mr Bladey McBladeface , I'm happy with that