Wilder/Knill and unbeaten runs

[Cruyff Turn]

Hey that was my idea , will your grandad settle for having a stand named after him instead ?

Why? Is he a Chinese property magnate with some ability in the Heptathlon?

 

[PeteBlade]

Just what is it with them and these long unbeaten runs?

26 unbeaten with Northampton last season and after a bad start to the season he's now onto (at the risk of jinxing it) 10 unbeaten with us.

I think we have enough to know about Wilder as a manager now so just what is it that stops him from losing games?
Is it the scouting of the opposition?
Is it the tactics of the duo?
Good disciplinary record meaning we're not left short?
Fitness?
Reading of the game?
Attitude of the players?

Or is it a mixture of all of the above?

Whatever it is, he seems to have a medicine thats bringing the good times back to the club. My grandad, after 7 years away has purchased a ticket for this saturday. I'm sure there are plenty more like him.

What you're doing Chris, Alan - keep it up. I couldn't be more thankful for putting the smiles back on faces at Bramall Lane. People looking forward to saturday rather than dreading it, believing rather than hoping, trusting rather than chastising, attacking rather than defending.

There'll be a statue of the man if he keeps it up, I've no doubt of that

They're quite good.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Just what is it with them and these long unbeaten runs?

26 unbeaten with Northampton last season and after a bad start to the season he's now onto (at the risk of jinxing it) 10 unbeaten with us.

I think we have enough to know about Wilder as a manager now so just what is it that stops him from losing games?
Is it the scouting of the opposition?
Is it the tactics of the duo?
Good disciplinary record meaning we're not left short?
Fitness?
Reading of the game?
Attitude of the players?

Or is it a mixture of all of the above?

Whatever it is, he seems to have a medicine thats bringing the good times back to the club. My grandad, after 7 years away has purchased a ticket for this saturday. I'm sure there are plenty more like him.

What you're doing Chris, Alan - keep it up. I couldn't be more thankful for putting the smiles back on faces at Bramall Lane. People looking forward to saturday rather than dreading it, believing rather than hoping, trusting rather than chastising, attacking rather than defending.

There'll be a statue of the man if he keeps it up, I've no doubt of that

Don't you have to be dead (usually) before they erect a statue of you? Why not name a stand after him instead? You don't have to. Have any connection with the club to do that!

Best wait till we've won summat anyhow!

 

[Dkc]

Yes, and I'm a Blade, but I'm not a football manager. Ditto Warnock. I enjoyed (most of) his time here but a Unitedite? He's only a fan of himself.

.

Have you read his autobiography? He was born in South Sheffield and was a regular at the Lane before he started his playing career. He even used to follow us away.

Warnock may be "full of himself" but that doesn't alter the fact that he's a Blade. If having no character flaws is a prerequisite to being a Blade, there wouldn't be many of us about.

 

[Need4speed]

Just what is it with them and these long unbeaten runs?

26 unbeaten with Northampton last season and after a bad start to the season he's now onto (at the risk of jinxing it) 10 unbeaten with us.

I think we have enough to know about Wilder as a manager now so just what is it that stops him from losing games?
Is it the scouting of the opposition?
Is it the tactics of the duo?
Good disciplinary record meaning we're not left short?
Fitness?
Reading of the game?
Attitude of the players?

Or is it a mixture of all of the above?

Whatever it is, he seems to have a medicine thats bringing the good times back to the club. My grandad, after 7 years away has purchased a ticket for this saturday. I'm sure there are plenty more like him.

What you're doing Chris, Alan - keep it up. I couldn't be more thankful for putting the smiles back on faces at Bramall Lane. People looking forward to saturday rather than dreading it, believing rather than hoping, trusting rather than chastising, attacking rather than defending.

There'll be a statue of the man if he keeps it up, I've no doubt of that

Its about the concept of marginal gains, so successfully being used in a number of sports , most notably cycling.
Little things improved Put them together and get huge improvement
Take 10 outfield players and improve each ones performance a little bit take your 6/10 player and get him to 7/10 , take your 7/10 player make him 8/10 by the time youve done that across all players where ever they start and its like having an extra player on the pitch
The key is identifying the individual things they need to change - Coutts fitness and tracking back, Freeman positional play when defending etc etc. If they can't be improved drop and replace Long.

 

[SteveBlade]

There's no logical explanation.

He's Jesus.

 

[Slim Man]

You say he's fair but a measure of how fair he really is will come this Saturday .

Basham had a really good game on Saturday and scored a goal . Combine this with another good showing at Shrewsbury last week too .

Now , will he be starting on Saturday ?

He made 2 mistakes on Saturday and we conceded 3 goals so JOC has to come back in for him I'm afraid.

 

[coolhandluke]

He made 2 mistakes on Saturday and we conceded 3 goals so JOC has to come back in for him I'm afraid.

So everyone saying Basham was " immense " were wrong and Basham actually cost us two points . The fact he actually scored aswell is simply irrelevant .

Are you sure about that ?

 

[Dec]

No, but a long time ago I worked with someone who did. Some of it is assumption based on observing a lot of successful people. The one common factor is hard work and dedication and I've seen enough of Wilder and heard enough about him to believe he's hard working and dedicated, almost obsessive.

I'm guessing there's one or two on here that know him, are you one and if so, am I right?

I'm not. I was just wondering how much of your post was guesswork.

 

[Pinchy]

There'll be a statue of the man if he keeps it up, I've no doubt of that

He's posed for it, already:

 

[Pinchy]

I have just messaged him.
I would buy one... Anyone else?

Quickfix Micky and Ol Big Nose? They'll be flying off the shelves as quick as they can print 'em.

Free Semipro mug with every purchase. Can't fail...

 

[Slim Man]

So everyone saying Basham was " immense " were wrong and Basham actually cost us two points . The fact he actually scored aswell is simply irrelevant .

Are you sure about that ?

We conceded 3 goals with him in defence, no defender was 'immense' at all, the midfield and strikers were. And possibly Moore.

 

[coolhandluke]

We conceded 3 goals with him in defence, no defender was 'immense' at all, the midfield and strikers were. And possibly Moore.

Well if it's the entire defence that's to blame why is it Basham that gets subbed ? He was part of the same defence that conceded no goals the game before and he did something that none of his defensive team mates did in either game ...... scored a goal .

Is it cos he's ' bash ' ?

 

[Ricky]

We conceded 3 goals with him in defence, no defender was 'immense' at all, the midfield and strikers were. And possibly Moore.

We conceded 2 with Basham in defence I think, for the 3rd he was in midfield, and that for me was the only one he was to blame for. He cancelled that out with his goal anyway. I think it's harsh to allow the mistake for the 3rd to downgrade his performance rating, it's the sort of thing that would go completely unnoticed if it didn't result in a goal. Wilder praised him in his interview which surely says a lot.

Fleck was the only 'immense' midfielder, and Moore definitely wasn't - he didn't have that much to do, and their shots on target all happened to go in.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Same could be said for Adams. He was in the same mold as CW but he failed.

I've said this before, but it could be argued that if we'd stuck with MA after relegation we'd not have spend the next five seasons in League One. But few managers survive a relegation, and there was a lot of anger at the time for his failure to stop the rot.

A lot of people blamed his tactics. Personally I think that we'd probably still have gone down if we'd tried to play the ball on the ground, as we didn't have the players to play our way out. People forget that Speed was also a poor manager for us. He left us one point above the relegation zone when he took the Wales job. Adams had time to get us out of it but didn't have money to spend.

Agree with you 100% DKC

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

We conceded 2 with Basham in defence I think, for the 3rd he was in midfield, and that for me was the only one he was to blame for. He cancelled that out with his goal anyway. I think it's harsh to allow the mistake for the 3rd to downgrade his performance rating, it's the sort of thing that would go completely unnoticed if it didn't result in a goal. Wilder praised him in his interview which surely says a lot.

Fleck was the only 'immense' midfielder, and Moore definitely wasn't - he didn't have that much to do, and their shots on target all happened to go in.

At the end of the day it was a square peg in a round hole, something i hoped we'd got away from.

Hopefully oconnell will be back Saturday and it won't be an issue

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

Anyway these unbeaten runs are nothing to the runs I had in Egypt 2003, now they were unbeatable.

 

[Slim Man]

We conceded 2 with Basham in defence I think, for the 3rd he was in midfield, and that for me was the only one he was to blame for. He cancelled that out with his goal anyway. I think it's harsh to allow the mistake for the 3rd to downgrade his performance rating, it's the sort of thing that would go completely unnoticed if it didn't result in a goal. Wilder praised him in his interview which surely says a lot.

Fleck was the only 'immense' midfielder, and Moore definitely wasn't - he didn't have that much to do, and their shots on target all happened to go in.

I agree with what you're saying, and it might be harsh to single Basham out and I know he wasn't at fault for all 3 (Coutts fault for the 3rd imo) but he's not as good in defence as JOC, and he was only missing through illness.

It's great to have Basham on the bench cos he's like having 4 players in one, but he's going to have to wait his turn for me. We need our strongest defence against a possibly reinvigorated MK with a point to prove - Basham doesn't fit into that. He might have a chance to prove himself at RWB soon though as Freeman is surely due a little rest.

 

[Slim Man]

Well if it's the entire defence that's to blame why is it Basham that gets subbed ? He was part of the same defence that conceded no goals the game before and he did something that none of his defensive team mates did in either game ...... scored a goal .

Is it cos he's ' bash ' ?

I could've kept a clean sheet against Shrewsbury.
I'm not taking anything away from him, but he wasn't immense and he's not as good a defender as JOC. The best possible team must play against MK.

 

[Ricky]

I agree with what you're saying, and it might be harsh to single Basham out and I know he wasn't at fault for all 3 (Coutts fault for the 3rd imo) but he's not as good in defence as JOC, and he was only missing through illness.

It's great to have Basham on the bench cos he's like having 4 players in one, but he's going to have to wait his turn for me. We need our strongest defence against a possibly reinvigorated MK with a point to prove - Basham doesn't fit into that. He might have a chance to prove himself at RWB soon though as Freeman is surely due a little rest.

If you include RWB as part of the defence then Basham would be part of our best defence. Considering that Freeman could do with a rest and that it's a hard game, I'd play him there on Saturday. Freeman's never performed for a long period so I'd go on the side of caution and leave him out for a few games to let him recharge. Also a convenient way of getting Basham in the team now there aren't any obvious central slots up for grabs. Playing him wing back could also catch MK Dons out a bit. His fitness could help us close them down better and restrict their passing game. Could even double up as a central midfielder at times.

 

[Slim Man]

If you include RWB as part of the defence then Basham would be part of our best defence. Considering that Freeman could do with a rest and that it's a hard game, I'd play him there on Saturday. Freeman's never performed for a long period so I'd go on the side of caution and leave him out for a few games to let him recharge. Also a convenient way of getting Basham in the team now there aren't any obvious central slots up for grabs. Playing him wing back could also catch MK Dons out a bit. His fitness could help us close them down better and restrict their passing game. Could even double up as a central midfielder at times.

We might lose some attacking ability going forward though, Freeman can put some quality balls in and has been great going forward generally. Basham hasn't got that same quality. Admittedly he shanks some over the bar which is annoying and we haven't got anyone in the box who we can class as an aerial threat so it isn't quite as important.

Possibly a two game rest might help all involved, not a drop though as he doesn't deserve that

 

[Ricky]

We might lose some attacking ability going forward though, Freeman can put some quality balls in and has been great going forward generally. Basham hasn't got that same quality. Admittedly he shanks some over the bar which is annoying and we haven't got anyone in the box who we can class as an aerial threat so it isn't quite as important.

Possibly a two game rest might help all involved, not a drop though as he doesn't deserve that

Basham generally keeps the ball well on the right side and can be a bigger threat getting in the box, typically at the back post. I also think he has the fitness to get up and down more than Freeman. He might not be as conventional but he can possibly help us get higher up the pitch more often. He's also someone to aim for from goal kicks.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

You say he's fair but a measure of how fair he really is will come this Saturday .

Basham had a really good game on Saturday and scored a goal . Combine this with another good showing at Shrewsbury last week too .

Now , will he be starting on Saturday ?

We conceded 3 on Saturday and the defence has a good balance with JOC on the left side of it. We'd been keeping a few clean sheets with that defence. Basham was arguably at fault for Bradford’s 3rd goal. Fleck was arguably MoM in midfield. I like Basham but don’t think it would necessarily be unfair for him to be on the bench. There will be one player unlucky not to start whichever way he goes because JOC, Bash, Fleck, Coutts, Duffy etc. have done little to deserve dropping but someone will have to miss out.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Well if it's the entire defence that's to blame why is it Basham that gets subbed ? He was part of the same defence that conceded no goals the game before and he did something that none of his defensive team mates did in either game ...... scored a goal .

Is it cos he's ' bash ' ?

I’d say because the back 3 of EEL, Wright and JOC has an excellent balance to it. I wouldn’t start Bash on Saturday and I’m a fan of his. When he was banned Fleck made the shirt his for now. Overall, I prefer Bash as a midfielder than defender but I think he has to wait for his chance. If JOC, Wright, EEL, Freeman, Fleck, Coutts or maybe even Duffy are missing or dip in form, Bash would be the first person I’d bring in for any of them. It’s a nice problem to have,

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Agree with you 100% DKC

I’d say Adams’ biggest problem was that he fell out with most of the players that could have helped pull us out of it and replaced them with poor players. Bartley, Britton, Ward, Yeates out at the same time as losing the magnificent Andy Reid with Collins, Doyle, Mattock, Lowry etc. coming in. Vokes and Riise did OK but weren’t there for long enough. Not being able to call on Hendo or Williamson for most of the time didn’t help either. When you chuck all that on top of inheriting Steve Simmonsen and Nyron Nosworthy it's a recipe for disaster.

 

[Kenilworth]

I’d say Adams’ biggest problem was that he fell out with most of the players that could have helped pull us out of it and replaced them with poor players. Bartley, Britton, Ward, Yeates out at the same time as losing the magnificent Andy Reid with Collins, Doyle, Mattock, Lowry etc. coming in. Vokes and Riise did OK but weren’t there for long enough. Not being able to call on Hendo or Williamson for most of the time didn’t help either. When you chuck all that on top of inheriting Steve Simmonsen and Nyron Nosworthy it's a recipe for disaster.

Nyron!
Did you have to?
Fecking hens teeth !

 

[coaxingstar71]

Consistency.

Great dilemma for CW to have with so many players in form and all worthy of a place. Last season we'd have dropped half the team if we'd had anyone to replace them. Not a fan of 'Bash' at the back, he's had a couple of decent games there but is prone to leaving his man. Prefer him in his midfield centre role or as a right sided mid/wing back, where I thought he was surprising good when he played there for a few games.

 

[Punk Blade]

I've said this before, but it could be argued that if we'd stuck with MA after relegation we'd not have spend the next five seasons in League One.

True, but thankfully he got the boot before we tumbled down into non-league obscurity.

 

[Dkc]

True, but thankfully he got the boot before we tumbled down into non-league obscurity.

If we'd kept him on after relegation, Adams would definitely have been sacked if we had a shit start to the 2011/12 season.

Incidentally, his last job was with Sligo Rovers in Ireland, where he was tasked with saving them from relegation from the Irish Premier League. He managed to do so before leaving for family reasons in November 2015. He hasn't worked in football for the past year, as far as I know.

 

[BushBlade]

If we'd kept him on after relegation, Adams would definitely have been sacked if we had a shit start to the 2011/12 season.

Incidentally, his last job was with Sligo Rovers in Ireland, where he was tasked with saving them from relegation from the Irish Premier League. He managed to do so before leaving for family reasons in November 2015. He hasn't worked in football for the past year, as far as I know.

I've always thought that sacking him and replacing him with Wilson was fairly pointless, Wilson didn't have a better record, arguably worse. Adams took us down, so did Bassett but he got us straight back up again. After Adams got the boot from us he just went back to Vale and got them promoted.

Tbf to Wilson, he did a better job than I expected but not the one he was employed to do.