Wilder - just be a bit more attacking this time

[Sheffsteel]

I struggle to get into the mindset of "winning" football. If that's the main goal then I don't think Sheffield United is the team for you. Nor any team outside the top 3 or 4 of the Premier League.

In some quarters a myth has developed where we have a binary choice between winning football and attractive football. Last season was a good example.

Wilder's first spell proved that entertaining football = winning football and there's no reason why we can't play like that again. I can't really think of an example of an entertaining side that wasn't successful. Maybe some will suggest Blackpool in the Premier League but they would've got nowhere near survival had that been defensive and tried to nick points here and there.

I have a 5+ hour round to trip to home games and, while I ALWAYS want us to win and succeed, 3 points does nothing for my enjoyment on its own. I want to be entertained.

Danny Wilson’s Sheff Utd is probably the most entertaining side we’ve had in recent decades but it was too open and ultimately unsuccessful.
To be honest I really enjoyed that season…..at times it was like watching Brazil….when we clicked we could blow away teams 4-0 and no one could touch us.

This is an interesting thread and I would love to sit Wilder down in a pub discussing entertaining versus effective football.
He would probably say he’s love to play open expansive football but that would be madness becuase when you play those tactics at a higher level
Teams just sit back and wait for the opportunity to pick you off on the counter.

Last season Wilder did mention the word “control” quite a lot in interviews.
Thought many of our matches last season were like chess games. We tended to start matches quite well, go 1-0 up then sit back defending in numbers.
I thought it was a dangerous tactic inviting pressure but it worked as we always seemed to quite easily close out a win.

 

[Working Class Hero]

The second half of the PO final was a proper mess tactically.

Start: 4-4-2 (Cooper; Choudhury - Ahmedhodzic - Robinson - Burrows; Brewster - Peck - Souza - Hamer; Moore - Campbell)
65th min: O'Hare on for Campbell, Brooks on for Brewster, BBD on for Hamer (72'): 4-2-3-1 (Cooper; Choudhury - Ahmedhodzic - Robinson - Burrows; Peck - Souza; Brooks - O'Hare - BBD; Moore
90th min: Cannon on for BBD, Davies on for Peck: 4-4-2 (Cooper; Choudhury - Ahmedhodzic - Robinson - Burrows; Brooks - Davies - Souza - O'Hare; Moore - Cannon
97th min: Seriki on for Ahmedhodzic: 3-2-5 (Cooper; Choudhury - Robinson - Burrows; Souza - Davies; Seriki - Brooks - Moore - Cannon - O'Hare

We lost all momentum after half time but that was also to do with Sunderland bringing Patrick Roberts on for Chris Rigg in the 58th minute. Roberts increased the width, pulling Burrows away from Robinson and creating the gap which Mayenda drove through to score the equaliser. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but we should have gone to 3 at the back on 65 mins, bringing Seriki on for Brewster with either Choudhury at RCB or Souza playing at CB.

The winner was a catastrophe from start to finish: Cannon taking out Ahmedhodzic, Souza belatedly realising that he needed to fill in at CB and that resulting first in him not being in position to mop up Moore's dreadful pass and secondly blocking Cooper's view of the shot and nobody dropping into the hole vacated by Souza. Of course, had Moore not misplaced an easy 4 yard pass none of that would have mattered.

The VAR decision swung the momentum far more than Sunderland's subs or ours. I've never felt anything like that sort of shift amongst the players, fans and general atmosphere/feeling inside the stadium.

I don't think people who weren't there quite appreciate what that decision did.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

I would ultimately go 3-5-2 as well

It suits what we have better

But restoring last season's 4-2-3-1 is viable too, it's largely the same players with a couple of replacements so I'd understand if He sets up like that

4-2-3-1 is the safe option, and given our start, we probably need 'safe'.

Like you though, I'd like to see us go back to 3-5-2 (3-4-1-2). Think it'd have a chance of getting some of the fans who felt the style last season was dull back on side.

 

[S74Blade]

If he picks up where he left off last time but tweaks it to be a bit more expansive and attacking, I think the vast majority of fans will be quite happy and that we'll also not be far off where we want to be

More goal = more good

Less goal = less good

Sitting on 1-0 leads all the time was a frustrating thing to see and turned many against him despite us usually getting results. There are many such games where I don't think we needed to do this in order to win, and Wilder should selectively (not always) pick those games to go after more goal. Because remember, more goal = more good. Goal difference does matter. Selective ruthlessness. I want to see the odd 4-0. Against Wednesday preferably. No reason we can't

I think this is very important because if we go straight back to ugly wins fans will get bored very quickly and he'll find himself on borrowed time again

So more goal = more longevity too. If we can be a bit better to watch, fans will forgive bad results and give him more time

Less goal and more grind = unsatisfied fans, another sacking, and fuck knows who replacing him

For my part, I DECLARE MY UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR CHRIS WILDER AS MANAGER OF SHEFFIELD UNITED

But he can't expect that support from everyone even if we're winning - it wasn't enough last time. Style matters, goals matter, entertainment matters - so please don't disregard this, Chris...


UP THE WILDER

I think he needs to manage the substitutions better too. Unless players are carrying injuries we don’t know about, some of his subs were questionable at least!! Other than that, plus what you said I agree, let’s get behind the manager and players and the club

 

[KMC-1889]

Last season Wilder did mention the word “control” quite a lot in interviews.
Thought many of our matches last season were like chess games. We tended to start matches quite well, go 1-0 up then sit back defending in numbers.
I thought it was a dangerous tactic inviting pressure but it worked as we always seemed to quite easily close out a win.

Agree with most of that other than the last sentence, our form in last 20 mins of games shows that we quite often threw games away.

Another issue with that style is that we were completely unable to turn games if went behind first.

 

[Geordie Blade]

All the good bits all of the time please, and NONE of the bad bits EVER. Be more attacking, but don't compromise the defence at all. Be more entertaining, but also guarantee wins.

This football management's a doddle.

 

[Addison]

I genuinely hope he makes the right decision regarding captain this time. He didn't last year after Arblaster was injured and it contributed to us falling at the final hurdle. I don't want a pashun culture carrier. We need an experienced leader who has played at a high level. There is only one candidate in my mind and that is Ben Mee. Play him at LCB in a 3 with Tanganga and McGuiness.

Play a system that suits the players we have got. Thats reverting back to the successful 3-4-1-2 formation when Duffy floated in between the lines. So far this season we have created nothing. Play Hamer in the Duffy 10 role behind a front 2 or in a 2 at 10 with COH.

Wing backs to be Seriki and Burrows with Ogbene and Chong alternatives. Chong has played LWB for Luton.

My preference for a starting midfield two would be Soumare and Matos. Soumare as a left footer provides balance. In his limited appearances he has shown he can pass a ball. He also has the physique and height to compete in the middle, similar to Souza but not the same. I suspect Matos is not CW's type of midfield player. He doesn't seem keen on DM's yet its an area where we have been short over the last few seasons.

I can see Peck starting. Not sure that is the correct decision as his form is very poor at the moment. For me he slows play down and holds onto the ball too long resulting in the opposition nicking it off him. A few goals have been conceded as a result.

Up front its Hobsons choice. Campbell is way out of form but the only choice for up top on his own. Hopefully his fitness will be managed better. He needs to show he wants to play. Up to now his demeanour on the pitch is that of someone who wants away. He will be one of CW's hardest challenges to get back on board imo. Cannon is Cannon. Way off it and currently a lost cause. If CW can get anything resembling a forwards performance out of him he will earn his new contract. One is a squad player still developing. Ings was a quality striker when fit. question is how many games will he start.

3-4-1-2 provides the front foot football we all yearn for getting us up the pitch much quicker. Whether we have the players for it to succeed will be the conundrum.

 

[Pintor75]

I've got more movement than cannon and I have to use a stick.
And don't get me started on painkillers and constipation

 

[AdamSufc1997]

352 will be ideal because the right back situation is a bit shite . Godfrey can’t play there from what we’ve seen. Seriki not all fit and ogbene can play wing back so it’ll suit us

 

[Lane Ender]

Just get us some points on the board Chris down to you again

 

[Carlton Blade]

Danny Wilson’s Sheff Utd is probably the most entertaining side we’ve had in recent decades but it was too open and ultimately unsuccessful.
To be honest I really enjoyed that season…..at times it was like watching Brazil….when we clicked we could blow away teams 4-0 and no one could touch us.

This is an interesting thread and I would love to sit Wilder down in a pub discussing entertaining versus effective football.
He would probably say he’s love to play open expansive football but that would be madness becuase when you play those tactics at a higher level
Teams just sit back and wait for the opportunity to pick you off on the counter.

Last season Wilder did mention the word “control” quite a lot in interviews.
Thought many of our matches last season were like chess games. We tended to start matches quite well, go 1-0 up then sit back defending in numbers.
I thought it was a dangerous tactic inviting pressure but it worked as we always seemed to quite easily close out a win.

But still lost 8/24 and conceded twice as many goals as the furst part of the season from Boxing Day onwards.

Planning to live on the margins and backing yourself to always win the coin toss games isn't a sustainable strategy. The opposition score good goals, players fall over etc

 

[Snowflake]

If he picks up where he left off last time but tweaks it to be a bit more expansive and attacking, I think the vast majority of fans will be quite happy and that we'll also not be far off where we want to be

More goal = more good

Less goal = less good

Sitting on 1-0 leads all the time was a frustrating thing to see and turned many against him despite us usually getting results. There are many such games where I don't think we needed to do this in order to win, and Wilder should selectively (not always) pick those games to go after more goal. Because remember, more goal = more good. Goal difference does matter. Selective ruthlessness. I want to see the odd 4-0. Against Wednesday preferably. No reason we can't

I think this is very important because if we go straight back to ugly wins fans will get bored very quickly and he'll find himself on borrowed time again

So more goal = more longevity too. If we can be a bit better to watch, fans will forgive bad results and give him more time

Less goal and more grind = unsatisfied fans, another sacking, and fuck knows who replacing him

For my part, I DECLARE MY UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR CHRIS WILDER AS MANAGER OF SHEFFIELD UNITED

But he can't expect that support from everyone even if we're winning - it wasn't enough last time. Style matters, goals matter, entertainment matters - so please don't disregard this, Chris...


UP THE WILDER

Unconditional , but subject to the conditions at the start of your post ?

 

[Shoes_On]

Any electricians out there? I came downstairs this morning and two of the bulbs the 5 bulb light fitting in the room had come back on. I swear when I took trimmins down at Christmas they were all alright. I noticed one had gone before we set off for Wembley, another went soon after and since June there’s only been 2 lighting up. Still only 4 working though. Should I be excited or is it another temporary glitch?

Wrong forum mate

 

[Champagneblade]

All I’m looking for:

 

[Stanthemanfan]

If people think Chris will change his style, your wrong!
By reappointing him the board have said basically we're wrong and you were right so why would he change? His remit is to get wins so he's not gonna risk playing expansive so expect more of the same as last year

 

[loyalblade95]

If comparing us to last season, there are two things that need improving for this season.

Discipline:
I'm all for players showing a bit of fight and getting stuck in, but the amount of fines for on field fighting needs to be drastically reduced, teams knew which players they could wind up as the season went on.

Goals from CM and CB:
Granted we need to start scoring goals as a whole right now, but the lack of goals from CM and CB last season was glaring, we need more goals from these positions.

 

[Alex Cheeseright]

Genuine question, where do these goals come from?

When a mommy goal and a daddy goal love each other, very much....Couldn't help myself, sorry

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

I'm talking about something like a 10% adjustment in our approach, and I'm talking about how it will go down with the entire fanbase, not myself. I think basically a 10% adjustment is enough to avoid 50% of the criticism, aid His longevity, and also lead to a similar points tally that replicating the previous approach would achieve

I believe it is totally possible to strike this balance

 

[Tezza1889]

Another way of saying it is let's look to take our chances, and kill a few teams off eh..

Create more chances for the strikers and let the confidence grow... that will help..

 

[SuperSonicBlade89]

-2 points to start last season.

Wilder effectively has a -15 point start to this season.

My prediction before this season started was we'll finish around 9th or 10th under Selles. I still think this is the case even with Wilder in charge due to the slight mountain of points we are behind already .

 

[s20Blade]

So far it seems the only absolute dogger that Wilder can insist in playing is just Cannon and not Robinson and Brewster too! For me it's just all about accumulating points for the play-offs no matter the style.

 

[bertieblade]

Not read all the thread and it may have been mentioned but could we please play wingers as conventional wingers, who have the job of getting down the outside of the defender, to get to the bye line and pull it back.
Stop turning inside and running into, congested areas.

 

[redandwhitewizard]

We just need to learn to kill a game off when we're in front. Instead of dropping everyone back go and get the second and maybe third goal. I think we have the potential to build a solid defence around Tanganga and obviously we have plenty of talented players at the top end of the pitch.
We still have the midfield issue to solve but I think Wilder will figure it out sooner rather than later.

 

[Thrice]

One player Wilder needs to get going is Soumare. I believe he's the key to turn this season around. Peck needs support and I don't think Matos has that presence, even though he did ok in his first game all things considered.

 

[SouthStandGBlock]

-2 points to start last season.

Wilder effectively has a -15 point start to this season.

My prediction before this season started was we'll finish around 9th or 10th under Selles. I still think this is the case even with Wilder in charge due to the slight mountain of points we are behind already .

If you were expecting a 10th place finish, then it's only -8. Preston are 8th ATM on 8 points.

 

[Bell4]

I've got more movement than cannon and I have to use a stick.
And don't get me started on painkillers and constipation

Wish someone or something would get me started on constipation

 

[Bell4]

The VAR decision swung the momentum far more than Sunderland's subs or ours. I've never felt anything like that sort of shift amongst the players, fans and general atmosphere/feeling inside the stadium.

I don't think people who weren't there quite appreciate what that decision did.

Correct

The highest of highs to oh no not again

 

[Razor_Blade]

If he picks up where he left off last time but tweaks it to be a bit more expansive and attacking, I think the vast majority of fans will be quite happy and that we'll also not be far off where we want to be

More goal = more good

Less goal = less good

Sitting on 1-0 leads all the time was a frustrating thing to see and turned many against him despite us usually getting results. There are many such games where I don't think we needed to do this in order to win, and Wilder should selectively (not always) pick those games to go after more goal. Because remember, more goal = more good. Goal difference does matter. Selective ruthlessness. I want to see the odd 4-0. Against Wednesday preferably. No reason we can't

I think this is very important because if we go straight back to ugly wins fans will get bored very quickly and he'll find himself on borrowed time again

So more goal = more longevity too. If we can be a bit better to watch, fans will forgive bad results and give him more time

Less goal and more grind = unsatisfied fans, another sacking, and fuck knows who replacing him

For my part, I DECLARE MY UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR CHRIS WILDER AS MANAGER OF SHEFFIELD UNITED

But he can't expect that support from everyone even if we're winning - it wasn't enough last time. Style matters, goals matter, entertainment matters - so please don't disregard this, Chris...


UP THE WILDER

I think it's important to note that this team is shipping goals for fun and is now low in confidence.

First thing is absolutely to stop conceding goals and make us better defensively . Then as confidence grows he can make us more attacking .

I can't see it being expansive football in the short term. We have to get the team up and running first. Anyone expecting a magic wand will surely be disappointed.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Ideally, I want the Prem first season version. If it's last seasons that's okay too but I'm bringing a book to the Lane and will catch up on my reading.

 

[Loco Blade]

100% I am going to note the number of goals / chances we create in the last 20 vs how many we concede. That was my only issue with Wilder the last term . Failure to kill teams off when we have our boot on the neck