Wilder OUT - megathread

[Carlton Blade]

An example of what's happening beyond this forum...

I think there's a section of fans who'd be happier if they were the only ones who went to the matches. Results don't matter as much as getting tanked up before the match and staying in the boozer till it closes, telling everyone who listens that it's only for proper Blades now

 

[blades_95]

If it was any other manager I think the fans and the media would be hounding him out. We certainly did with Selles after a similar amount of the season.

Completely agree with Roy, there’s just too much emotion involved because it’s Wilder & he did something special for us 6+ years ago.

Looking objectively at key things you judge a manager on in the last year since he came back:

• Results - Only Wednesday lost more games than us. Results on par with a lower mid-table side across a season.
• Tactics / style - awful to watch. Constantly being outplayed and outcoached by teams with inferior resources.
• Recruitment - overall poor and a lot of wasted money on old, slow, unfit players.
• Squad - unbalanced, unfit, uninspiring.
• Motivation - did improve post-Selles but it feels like that has waned now & he can’t motivate this group with cliches and throwing them under the bus.

There’s not a single thing you can point to that Wilder is doing well at the minute, except for being better than Selles. Yes the board is a mitigating factor but we were inevitably going to lose some of our best players, that’s just where we are now. I still expect a manager to have a plan on how to use the squad HE’S built.

The only reason I see people give for keeping him is the fear of the unknown - what if we get another Selles? Fine, we might. But what if we get someone better? Because right now on pretty much every measure, Wilder is not performing like a good manager.

 

[Roygbiv]

I think there's a section of fans who'd be happier if they were the only ones who went to the matches. Results don't matter as much as getting tanked up before the match and staying in the boozer till it closes, telling everyone who listens that it's only for proper Blades now

Some definitely just love that Wilder represents them as people and results are secondary. People might say that's ridiculous but look at posts like this

 

[Carlton Blade]

Some definitely just love that Wilder represents them as people. Results are definitely secondary. People might say that's ridiculous but look at posts like this

It's both insane and utter performative bollocks. If United were in danger of going down to L2 under Wilder, even people like this would hush up.

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

I think the people who want him to stay fall into 4 camps:

1. The people who feel this is a terrible moment for even more upheaval. With the club already in a transitional season, and with little trust in the current owners, they see Wilder as a stabilising force and believe change now would only make things worse. The likelihood of the board getting the next appointment right is very low based on what they've done so far.

2. His mates. This group are the most ferocious for obvious reasons. Personal loyalty to a friend gives them even more emotional investment in the situation. We'd probably all be like this if our mate was manager.

3. Those who are struggling to let go of the nostalgia of his first spell. Wilder gave most of us the best years we have ever had as Blades, and that creates a deep emotional bond. A win under Wilder simply feels different because it carries the echo of that first era. No other manager can replicate that feeling, so people cling to it.

4. The ones who fear the unknown. Wilder is a Blade, he gets the club, and it clearly means more to him than it ever will to an outsider. If he goes, we’re stepping into uncertainty just like we did with old Ruby Selles. Whoever comes in won’t love United the way he does, and they won’t have that built‑in connection. Losing that kind of loyalty is a huge safety net to suddenly be without.

I get all of these positions to be honest, particularly the first. My own thoughts are we should never have gone back the second time purely due to camps 2,3 and 4. I don't like how a lot of the fanbase are so emotionally connected to a manager for reasons that have nothing to do with what's actually happening on the pitch. I don't think you'll find many fans who genuinely think he's doing a good job at the moment but there is so much emotional baggage that comes with Wilder being our manager. It clouds judgement and makes any conversation about change feel far more dramatic than it actually is.





That was a much longer post than I intended when I started writing it. To be honest I've wasted my time and I've wasted your time

Good post mate. Not sure any more what category I am. All I would say is that any other manager without his Bladey connections to the club would have even a fraction of the fan support he retains.
Selles was clearly a poor appointment and that has definitely soured the fans against a change so I’d not be surprised to see him stay until the end of the season.
The big problem I have with him is that he appears to me to shy away from flair players. He’s had numerous obvious or hinted at breakdowns in relationships with players and more often than not it’s the flair players that are the end of it. Duffy was an obvious one but I always thought that he was nervous of O’Hare and Brooks and even a bit with Gus at times. He’s happier with grafters who he can rely on to “put a shift in” but who aren’t going to break a game open with a piece of individual brilliance. I hope Donovan isn’t the latest as without him there’s little in this team to get me off my seat. Look at all the other players he’s brought in. All grafters with limited flair. Even the talk of replacing O’Hare like for like didn’t happen unless anyone is making a case for BBD.

The worry I have is we are currently in a devil or the deep blue scenario - keeping him might be disastrous but making a change might also be disastrous.

Fun ‘ere int it

 

[The Fox]

There's pretty much an understanding amongst football managers that results are all that matters , they keep you in a job or not.
Whilst theres lots of well made arguments here of why he should go , it wont be due to style of play , transfers, squad selection, interviews , or anything other than results .

Next month will be crucial for wilder , by November we will either have turned the ship or sinking

Whilst most cant see it improving its not enough for the board to act right now .

It really doesnt matter if people here are pro or anti wilder , results will determine his fate .

 

[Pintor75]

I think some have to take time out to think, do you/we support Sheffield united? or do we support Wilder, surely the club comes first and we all want to see the club successful.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Next month will be crucial for wilder , by November we will either have turned the ship or sinking

Or the most likely scenario...

Nothing will have changed and we're still 16th/17th/18th.

At which point the whole charade continues into the festive period.

 

[Carlton Blade]

There's pretty much an understanding amongst football managers that results are all that matters , they keep you in a job or not.
Whilst theres lots of well made arguments here of why he should go , it wont be due to style of play , transfers, squad selection, interviews , or anything other than results .

Next month will be crucial for wilder , by November we will either have turned the ship or sinking

Whilst most cant see it improving its not enough for the board to act right now .

It really doesnt matter if people here are pro or anti wilder , results will determine his fate .

One of the main reasons he was fired in 2025 was style of play

 

[Sean Thornton]

There's pretty much an understanding amongst football managers that results are all that matters , they keep you in a job or not.
Whilst theres lots of well made arguments here of why he should go , it wont be due to style of play , transfers, squad selection, interviews , or anything other than results .

Next month will be crucial for wilder , by November we will either have turned the ship or sinking

Whilst most cant see it improving its not enough for the board to act right now .

It really doesnt matter if people here are pro or anti wilder , results will determine his fate .

For some, it’s only the results 2016-2020 that matter.

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

I remember once being told that 'Wilder can never be questioned, ever' by a member of the CW cult.

 

[Carlton Blade]

I still think 80% of supporters are just bored of the whole fucking thing.

 

[KMC-1889]

An example of what's happening beyond this forum...

It’s a cult.

 

[Grey Blade]

I think the people who want him to stay fall into 4 camps:

1. The people who feel this is a terrible moment for even more upheaval. With the club already in a transitional season, and with little trust in the current owners, they see Wilder as a stabilising force and believe change now would only make things worse. The likelihood of the board getting the next appointment right is very low based on what they've done so far.

2. His mates. This group are the most ferocious for obvious reasons. Personal loyalty to a friend gives them even more emotional investment in the situation. We'd probably all be like this if our mate was manager.

3. Those who are struggling to let go of the nostalgia of his first spell. Wilder gave most of us the best years we have ever had as Blades, and that creates a deep emotional bond. A win under Wilder simply feels different because it carries the echo of that first era. No other manager can replicate that feeling, so people cling to it.

4. The ones who fear the unknown. Wilder is a Blade, he gets the club, and it clearly means more to him than it ever will to an outsider. If he goes, we’re stepping into uncertainty just like we did with old Ruby Selles. Whoever comes in won’t love United the way he does, and they won’t have that built‑in connection. Losing that kind of loyalty is a huge safety net to suddenly be without.

I get all of these positions to be honest, particularly the first. My own thoughts are we should never have gone back the second time purely due to camps 2,3 and 4. I don't like how a lot of the fanbase are so emotionally connected to a manager for reasons that have nothing to do with what's actually happening on the pitch. I don't think you'll find many fans who genuinely think he's doing a good job at the moment but there is so much emotional baggage that comes with Wilder being our manager. It clouds judgement and makes any conversation about change feel far more dramatic than it actually is.





That was a much longer post than I intended when I started writing it. To be honest I've wasted my time and I've wasted your time

I go along with (1) and a hefty dose of (3). I agree that he should never have come back - generally things are never the same when you go back. I've said elsewhere I would like to see him leave of his own volition and realise he would lose a lot of money in doing so - but surely by now he must have accumulated areasonable nest egg - he can't have spunked it all on Peroni (or is it moretti)- can he?

 

[ChefYouKnighted1889]

The chant was incredibly half hearted. Lasted for about 30 seconds with only half joining in. He's definitely lost a lot of away fans but I do agree the majority of them are still behind him.

It sounded loud ont radio

 

[diplomat]

Just been sent this from a piggie mate from one of their forums. Apparently kid who put it is involved in the game in some capacity.

"Wilder's agent has been hawking him round other clubs since last May but have had nobody even remotely interested. That's why he signed the new contract in July.

As KM has said. The owners want him out but can't afford it. He wants out but no one else will have him. It won't be long before he's dropping barbed comments at the board and trying to engineer a payout. Then he can tell his, now dwindling, faithful they've sacked him and he wanted to stay"

Probably not true then eh?

 

[Nick Jansky]

There's pretty much an understanding amongst football managers that results are all that matters , they keep you in a job or not.
Whilst theres lots of well made arguments here of why he should go , it wont be due to style of play , transfers, squad selection, interviews , or anything other than results .

Next month will be crucial for wilder , by November we will either have turned the ship or sinking

Whilst most cant see it improving its not enough for the board to act right now .

It really doesnt matter if people here are pro or anti wilder , results will determine his fate .

Attendances will also play a part.

 

[Blade59]

I was the same until this last week. I thought he'd keep us up and see us competitive. Unfortunately, I genuinely think we look like the worst team in the league right now. We haven't deserved to win any game in what's been a kind start to the season. Only Wolves of the teams we've played will likely finish top 6. I have zero idea what the plan is in terms of attacking

Totally agree. I am sat on the fence at the moment between giving him 2 or 3 games after the international break or go for a change now. If we stick with him we need to see an immediate change in performance and approach to games. No disrespect to Lincoln who have started better than expected but we need to see not only a win but a convincing dominating performance. That should not be to much to ask against a newly promoted side at home whose wage bill will be a fraction of ours. We then need to build on that in what are two tricky away games but not ones that we shouldn't be expecting to get something from. He is in the last chance saloon for me and excuses and mitigating factors will not wash anymore. This is not personal and his achievements in his first spell will live in the memory. That said he is paid a lot of money to get the best out of this current squad (mostly players he has chosen) and he is failing to do that. If he is not up to the job anymore then we need to move on and try to find someone who is.

 

[NerdyBlade]

We all must agree that he can't be given another transfer window though?

 

[SBSP]

Thought there would’ve been an announcement by now.

Maybe the owners don’t work Sundays.

 

[NerdyBlade]

I'm actually speechless

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

I'm actually speechless
View attachment 244544

Doesn't even know how many games we've played.

 

[Paris_Blade]

I'm sick of the players looking clueless, and Wilder's bullshit after we lose once again. I want him out and something fresh, but with a possible points deduction we wouldn't be attracting anyone worthwhile anyway, so somehow I am in camp 'Wilder in'

Unless we back any of the backroom staff?

 

[Bell4]

Not I don't. Especially after a defeat. But there's clearly an enormous shift on the opinion on him compared to when they sacked him after gaining 92 points.

I haven't actually voted or called for his head myself, I'm arguably a 1 in Roygbiv 's category.

But there will be a very large proportion of fans who aren't calling for his head that would consider it far more understandable than last time.

This

Me too

 

[Manwell Pablo]

I am starting to think you might be best off getting rid...

That said it does depend on how much he was involved in the summer business as that's where you've gone wrong imo, truly confusing summer.

 

[NerdyBlade]

I am starting to think you might be best off getting rid...

That said it does depend on how much he was involved in the summer business as that's where you've gone wrong imo, truly confusing summer.

He was heavily involved - with the exception of Donovan and Kitching, they're all his mates

 

[Manwell Pablo]

He was heavily involved - with the exception of Donovan and Kitching, they're all his mates

Yeah well in that case I think it's getting to the stage where the club needs a new direction personally.

 

[Greenwich Blade]

An example of what's happening beyond this forum...

How embarrassing; the punctuation is disgraceful.

 

[anglian blade]

I saw somewhere, a Roygbiv view from possibly, Oxford fans saying what negative football Wilder played when the going got tough.

It seems to me that 2016 to 2020 is looking more and more like an abnormality than typical of his career. We have gone from a team that looked like they could pass to one another blindfolded to one with more highly paid experienced players that can't string two constructive passes together, but apparently doesn't need coaching.

 

[Barnette]

He'll hang on to the bitter end....its his job. And I guess from the owners point of view its a simple case of mathematics re the finances rather than what the fans want/whats best for the club.

I've now sat through 3 excruciatingly boring seasons of non-football under Wilder whilst smaller clubs take brave decisions, play better football and progress. This will never happen under him.

The club has lost me for now....and this wont change until he's gone.