Wilder should stay - here’s why

[Bladeulike]

We are at what feels like one of the lowest points in our recent history. The truth is we aren’t. We are about to be relegated from the best league in the world after four of the most glorious years we have ever experienced. Perspective is difficult when we feel so humiliated but we have to balance the pain with the glory and, bloody hell, it was a taste of glory the like of which I have never experienced as a Blades fan in over 50 years of supporting them. If we have learned one thing from our often tortuous and nightmare journey over the decades it is that chopping and changing managers is too often a knee jerk, emotional reaction rather than a considered, rational decision. There’s a natural desire to ‘punish’ someone for our current demise. Chris Wilder has made some huge mistakes but we should be asking ourselves whether he is the sort of person who will learn from those mistakes or simply repeat them. My belief is that he will learn and come back stronger if we can bear with this nightmare and support him (and each other) through it.

it seems to me that Chris Wilder has over-performed rather than under-performed. We reached the Prem too quickly with an inadequate squad and inadequate infrastructure to sustain it. Was it worth it? Hell, yes and in those dark days of languishing in the lower half of League 1 we would have taken this current scenario in a heartbeat. We badly needed some glory days and we got them and became an international talking point in the world of football. Who could possibly have predicted that?This was at a time when the likes of Wendy simply looked in in complete dismay and disbelief. Yes they are laughing now but we have achieved something that are still light years away from achieving. They are still seriously flirting with relegation to League 1and I don’t think that will change next year of for the foreseeable future We could and should be hot favourites for promotion when we go down.

Our squad is in disarray at the moment and we are reeling from a set of factors that could hardly have been credible in any other parallel universe. A global pandemic, no crowds, JOC’s injury, Henderson leaving just when we needed him most, Berge out for 3 months, a drop in form of key players etc. I would add to this an abysmal response from the the management and support team who clearly didn’t prepare and/or predict what now seems pretty damn obvious. The question repeats, do we trust them to learn from this degree of hubris or do we ditch them all and start afresh?

For me, we suck it up, hurl a few deserved brickbats at the management and squad and reset for next year with Chris Wilder and Alan Knill at the helm. They havent just earned it on some sentimental notion. They are proven warriors and in a lower league have shown their mettle and their undoubted abilities. We are all sadder after this season but all that bit wiser as well. Let’s use that as our platform rather than a West Brom type of short-termism with dinosaurs such as Fat Sam.

Our squad looks really good if we can retain them - Brewster, Berge, Burke, Ramsdale, Mousset, McBurnie et all can all be a solid core for a great next season. Add Chris and Alan into that mix and, for me it’s a winning formula. Tough times call for calm heads. Let’s build for a new, better informed and better equipped assault on the Prem in the very near future

 

[gordoncharles]

it seems to me that Chris Wilder has over-performed rather than under-performed.

My view is that he's now over-compensating

 

[Bladeulike]

I’m not sure what you mean by that? In what way ‘over-compensating’? If anything he looks a bit like a deer in the headlights! - I wish he was trying more new things rather than his current rinse and repeat approach

 

[gordoncharles]

I’m not sure what you mean by that? In what way ‘over-compensating’? If anything he looks a bit like a deer in the headlights! - I wish he was trying more new things rather than his current rinse and repeat approach

Well... my comment obviously failed to hit the target, the same as (insert name of striker)

 

[bladesince64]

Best post I've seen for a long long time.
Just what do we gain by sacking the manager who actually got us here?
Also all this 'spunking money on crap signings' is not the case either
How was Wilder to know that his established and top quality existing players would suddenly decide to stop performing and suddenly become unable to do even the basics like controlling/passing/closing down etc
We can come back from this and will do if we don't press the panic button.

 

[bladeintheus]

“We reached the Prem too quickly with an inadequate squad and inadequate infrastructure to sustain it.”

This

 

[Sportbilly /Detroit Blade]

“We reached the Prem too quickly with an inadequate squad and inadequate infrastructure to sustain it.”

This

It's all gone downhill since those inflatable Blades we all had in 1989!

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

We can’t sack him because we’ll never be able to replace him with anyone else that pumps the badge at the end of the game when we win.

Nobody else goes to the local pub with blades that are his friends.

And because he gave us two promotions his position can never be questioned.


I don’t want him to be sacked because there’s no one else better than him IMO. He’s proven that he can gain promotion from Championship and we’ve left it too late to survive this season so there’s no point. But the above completely irritates me.

 

[SiamBlade]

Whoever signed off on those fucking pink shirts is the one who needs to go!

 

[Robboblade1889]

We can’t sack him because we’ll never be able to replace him with anyone else that pumps the badge at the end of the game when we win.

Nobody else goes to the local pub with blades that are his friends.

And because he gave us two promotions his position can never be questioned.


I don’t want him to be sacked because there’s no one else better than him IMO. He’s proven that he can gain promotion from Championship and we’ve left it too late to survive this season so there’s no point. But the above completely irritates me.

Once AGAIN who’s said he can’t be questioned? The first part of your post is completely made up guff. It has nothing to do with any of that and you know it.
You know have you ever thought people want him to stay because they firmly believe it is what’s best for the club? People who have seen us go through manager after manager, people who are actually his overall record is second to none and he would be the type of manager we would employ if he goes?

The Wilder out brigade want the respect to be able to have their opinion so why not show the people who don’t want him to leave the same respect instead of using all the stuff about him being a Blades?

 

[kevreedy]

Don,t get rid of Wilder.
Get rid of those fuckin pink shirts.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

Once AGAIN who’s said he can’t be questioned? The first part of your post is completely made up guff. It has nothing to do with any of that and you know it.
You know have you ever thought people want him to stay because they firmly believe it is what’s best for the club? People who have seen us go through manager after manager, people who are actually his overall record is second to none and he would be the type of manager we would employ if he goes?

The Wilder out brigade want the respect to be able to have their opinion so why not show the people who don’t want him to leave the same respect instead of using all the stuff about him being a Blades?

I said in the last paragraph that I dont want him to be sacked. The first part of my comment was that SOME people only want him to stay because of those things. Look on Twitter/ Facebook etc you’ll see this yourself.

If you’re not basing your opinion on one of those things then what are you basing your opinion on? Because if it’s that you’re seeing a light at the end of the tunnel based on this season we’re on two points and scored 8 goals. Let me know what you’re seeing and I’ll try and see the same

I will listen to valid reason to why he should stay and debate accordingly if I disagree as it’s a forum based on opinions. Stop thinking everything on here is a direct attack on your opinion it’s not. Many times on here I’ve had great debates with people that have changed my opinion on certain subjects.

One thing remains, no other manager in the football league survives in his job after 21 games without a win/ 7 months. The last time we won the pubs were open and there was no tiers!

For me he deserves to stay because it’s costs the club too much to sack him, it’s his squad and we’re definitely down now so what’s the point in sacking him. Might as well give him another chance, it’s his squad of players all signed for his system.

 

[Bladeulike]

Once AGAIN who’s said he can’t be questioned? The first part of your post is completely made up guff. It has nothing to do with any of that and you know it.
You know have you ever thought people want him to stay because they firmly believe it is what’s best for the club? People who have seen us go through manager after manager, people who are actually his overall record is second to none and he would be the type of manager we would employ if he goes?

The Wilder out brigade want the respect to be able to have their opinion so why not show the people who don’t want him to leave the same respect instead of using all the stuff about him being a Blades?

Yes, it isn’t about unquestioning loyalty. I don’t think Chris Wilder has in any way yet earned the ‘Keys to the City’. He has sadly more than proved that he is fallible and some of his decisions over transfers have been, at best, poor and, at worst, calamitous this season. However, the players he has brought in are ‘his’ players and I do believe they are genuinely hurting with the bloody awful displays we are putting out this season. Having said that, I simply can’t subscribe to daft notions such as bringing in all the junior players and starting from scratch and I think posts of that nature are just naive.

The £100+ million we have spent has not worked as a life raft this year, It may well work, however, as a sound investment for the future if we don’t overreact and don’t chuck everything overboard. They aren’t world beaters yet but McBurnie, Berge, Ramsdale, Bogle, Brewster etc are eager, talented and more than capable of ripping up the Championship next season and are all young enough to give us a better chance of staying in the Prem if we can get there again.

Time to maintain our bets or cash in our chips. For me, I am letting the money ride on the best manager we have ever seen at the Lane in my 50 years of supporting the Blades. That’s a pragmatic, not sentimental view in my opinion.

 

[Robboblade1889]

I said in the last paragraph that I dont want him to be sacked. The first part of my comment was that SOME people only want him to stay because of those things. Look on Twitter/ Facebook etc you’ll see this yourself.

If you’re not basing your opinion on one of those things then what are you basing your opinion on? Because if it’s that you’re seeing a light at the end of the tunnel based on this season we’re on two points and scored 8 goals. Let me know what you’re seeing and I’ll try and see the same

I will listen to valid reason to why he should stay and debate accordingly if I disagree as it’s a forum based on opinions. Stop thinking everything on here is a direct attack on your opinion it’s not. Many times on here I’ve had great debates with people that have changed my opinion on certain subjects.

One thing remains, no other manager in the football league survives in his job after 21 games without a win/ 7 months. The last time we won the pubs were open and there was no tiers!

For me he deserves to stay because it’s costs the club too much to sack him, it’s his squad and we’re definitely down now so what’s the point in sacking him. Might as well give him another chance, it’s his squad of players all signed for his system.

So you genuinely think people want wilder to stay because he pumps his chest and goes for a drink with blade mates? Seriously is this what you believe and you’re evidence is Facebook and Twitter!

He should stay because he is the best man for the job his record has been phenomenal up to this season. Although I agree to a point you are only as good as your last game do you actually think he has suddenly become a bad manager? Do you not think there will be other clubs queuing up to take him? He came into this club at one of its lowest ebs looked at what it needed and smashed it! He then went on to get promoted at the second attempt with pretty much the same team.
This season is one of the like we will never see again various things have gone against us. Give him the chance to put this right if we don’t do well up to Christmas next season then I agree he should leave.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

So you genuinely think people want wilder to stay because he pumps his chest and goes for a drink with blade mates? Seriously is this what you believe and you’re evidence is Facebook and Twitter!

He should stay because he is the best man for the job his record has been phenomenal up to this season. Although I agree to a point you are only as good as your last game do you actually think he has suddenly become a bad manager? Do you not think there will be other clubs queuing up to take him? He came into this club at one of its lowest ebs looked at what it needed and smashed it! He then went on to get promoted at the second attempt with pretty much the same team.
This season is one of the like we will never see again various things have gone against us. Give him the chance to put this right if we don’t do well up to Christmas next season then I agree he should leave.

Agree with everything you’ve said there. My evidence is social media though yes, we’re in a lockdown and I’m working from home. I don’t get to hear or see people’s opinions any other way

 

[United Aren't Back.]

He obviously hasn't a clue what a good striker is, judging by his terrible signings.

 

[Bladeulike]

I would have to agree with that based on the current evidence. I do think, though, that Brewster’s time will come and he will be a sensation. In fairness to Wilder’s recruitment policy, Henderson on loan was a stroke of genius, Berge is a class act and JOC was a master stroke.

 

[Bucksblade]

We are at what feels like one of the lowest points in our recent history. The truth is we aren’t. We are about to be relegated from the best league in the world after four of the most glorious years we have ever experienced. Perspective is difficult when we feel so humiliated but we have to balance the pain with the glory and, bloody hell, it was a taste of glory the like of which I have never experienced as a Blades fan in over 50 years of supporting them. If we have learned one thing from our often tortuous and nightmare journey over the decades it is that chopping and changing managers is too often a knee jerk, emotional reaction rather than a considered, rational decision. There’s a natural desire to ‘punish’ someone for our current demise. Chris Wilder has made some huge mistakes but we should be asking ourselves whether he is the sort of person who will learn from those mistakes or simply repeat them. My belief is that he will learn and come back stronger if we can bear with this nightmare and support him (and each other) through it.

it seems to me that Chris Wilder has over-performed rather than under-performed. We reached the Prem too quickly with an inadequate squad and inadequate infrastructure to sustain it. Was it worth it? Hell, yes and in those dark days of languishing in the lower half of League 1 we would have taken this current scenario in a heartbeat. We badly needed some glory days and we got them and became an international talking point in the world of football. Who could possibly have predicted that?This was at a time when the likes of Wendy simply looked in in complete dismay and disbelief. Yes they are laughing now but we have achieved something that are still light years away from achieving. They are still seriously flirting with relegation to League 1and I don’t think that will change next year of for the foreseeable future We could and should be hot favourites for promotion when we go down.

Our squad is in disarray at the moment and we are reeling from a set of factors that could hardly have been credible in any other parallel universe. A global pandemic, no crowds, JOC’s injury, Henderson leaving just when we needed him most, Berge out for 3 months, a drop in form of key players etc. I would add to this an abysmal response from the the management and support team who clearly didn’t prepare and/or predict what now seems pretty damn obvious. The question repeats, do we trust them to learn from this degree of hubris or do we ditch them all and start afresh?

For me, we suck it up, hurl a few deserved brickbats at the management and squad and reset for next year with Chris Wilder and Alan Knill at the helm. They havent just earned it on some sentimental notion. They are proven warriors and in a lower league have shown their mettle and their undoubted abilities. We are all sadder after this season but all that bit wiser as well. Let’s use that as our platform rather than a West Brom type of short-termism with dinosaurs such as Fat Sam.

Our squad looks really good if we can retain them - Brewster, Berge, Burke, Ramsdale, Mousset, McBurnie et all can all be a solid core for a great next season. Add Chris and Alan into that mix and, for me it’s a winning formula. Tough times call for calm heads. Let’s build for a new, better informed and better equipped assault on the Prem in the very near future

I agree, give Wilder and crew full backing from fans and hopefully the owner to regroup and use the parachute money more wisely. For me the midfield needs a complete overhaul and not built around Berge. He is good but not suited to the blades tactical play in my opinion. Somehow the shift has to be midfield creativity more like the players Wilder wanted but Villa nabbed them. So either more dosh needed or find new gems hungry for next level. I'm not convinced by Ramsdale and the backline needs a bigger squad of consistency.

 

[JimPhipps]

We are at what feels like one of the lowest points in our recent history. The truth is we aren’t. We are about to be relegated from the best league in the world after four of the most glorious years we have ever experienced. Perspective is difficult when we feel so humiliated but we have to balance the pain with the glory and, bloody hell, it was a taste of glory the like of which I have never experienced as a Blades fan in over 50 years of supporting them. If we have learned one thing from our often tortuous and nightmare journey over the decades it is that chopping and changing managers is too often a knee jerk, emotional reaction rather than a considered, rational decision. There’s a natural desire to ‘punish’ someone for our current demise. Chris Wilder has made some huge mistakes but we should be asking ourselves whether he is the sort of person who will learn from those mistakes or simply repeat them. My belief is that he will learn and come back stronger if we can bear with this nightmare and support him (and each other) through it.

it seems to me that Chris Wilder has over-performed rather than under-performed. We reached the Prem too quickly with an inadequate squad and inadequate infrastructure to sustain it. Was it worth it? Hell, yes and in those dark days of languishing in the lower half of League 1 we would have taken this current scenario in a heartbeat. We badly needed some glory days and we got them and became an international talking point in the world of football. Who could possibly have predicted that?This was at a time when the likes of Wendy simply looked in in complete dismay and disbelief. Yes they are laughing now but we have achieved something that are still light years away from achieving. They are still seriously flirting with relegation to League 1and I don’t think that will change next year of for the foreseeable future We could and should be hot favourites for promotion when we go down.

Our squad is in disarray at the moment and we are reeling from a set of factors that could hardly have been credible in any other parallel universe. A global pandemic, no crowds, JOC’s injury, Henderson leaving just when we needed him most, Berge out for 3 months, a drop in form of key players etc. I would add to this an abysmal response from the the management and support team who clearly didn’t prepare and/or predict what now seems pretty damn obvious. The question repeats, do we trust them to learn from this degree of hubris or do we ditch them all and start afresh?

For me, we suck it up, hurl a few deserved brickbats at the management and squad and reset for next year with Chris Wilder and Alan Knill at the helm. They havent just earned it on some sentimental notion. They are proven warriors and in a lower league have shown their mettle and their undoubted abilities. We are all sadder after this season but all that bit wiser as well. Let’s use that as our platform rather than a West Brom type of short-termism with dinosaurs such as Fat Sam.

Our squad looks really good if we can retain them - Brewster, Berge, Burke, Ramsdale, Mousset, McBurnie et all can all be a solid core for a great next season. Add Chris and Alan into that mix and, for me it’s a winning formula. Tough times call for calm heads. Let’s build for a new, better informed and better equipped assault on the Prem in the very near future

Thoughtful post.

As an outsider looking in, it seems to me that much of our current situation is down to recruitment (seems both PL buys and loans have largely underperformed or perhaps been underutilized; the one loan that met and sometimes exceeded expectations has returned to his club). Owner support seems to have been there (many of our first team salaries are up their in the 40k and 50+k per week range and the club has set many new records for transfer prices, but the manager’s choices from amongst the options have perhaps not been great. To validate or invalidate this notion, it might be interesting to know who the alternatives the gaffer declined to pursue were & how they are faring at the clubs who took them. I’d grant the financial clout of our club is not that of an established PL side, but the owner has not been miserly.

Based on the performance of our recruits, I wonder if Wilder wouldn’t benefit from a strong DOF. He was able to take squad he largely did not pick and turn them into a PL side. Maybe this is a trick he will need to learn to prosper long term in the PL.

Either way, I back him 100% as the man to take us back up. I am hoping this crucible he is going through will be the thing to transform his ability to prosper in the PL. Like everyone of us, I am desperate for him to succeed.

 

[Kev Gee]

Thoughtful post.

As an outsider looking in, it seems to me that much of our current situation is down to recruitment (seems both PL buys and loans have largely underperformed or perhaps been underutilized; the one loan that met and sometimes exceeded expectations has returned to his club). Owner support seems to have been there (many of our first team salaries are up their in the 40k and 50+k per week range and the club has set many new records for transfer prices, but the manager’s choices from amongst the options have perhaps not been great. To validate or invalidate this notion, it might be interesting to know who the alternatives the gaffer declined to pursue were & how they are faring at the clubs who took them. I’d grant the financial clout of our club is not that of an established PL side, but the owner has not been miserly.

Based on the performance of our recruits, I wonder if Wilder wouldn’t benefit from a strong DOF. He was able to take squad he largely did not pick and turn them into a PL side. Maybe this is a trick he will need to learn to prosper long term in the PL.

Either way, I back him 100% as the man to take us back up. I am hoping this crucible he is going through will be the thing to transform his ability to prosper in the PL. Like everyone of us, I am desperate for him to succeed.

Morning Jim. Hope you and your family are well?

Would it be worth asking JVW to come in again in as a DOF, leaving CW and AK free to concentrate on coaching?

Were Retsos, Berge, Zivkovic JVW signings? They came in (Berge excepted) and hardly featured. Very odd signings tbh.

We are getting very poor value for money and impact with our signings ATM. We really need to rethink our strategy and look abroad more if we are to improve IMO.

 

[JimPhipps]

Morning Jim. Hope you and your family are well?

Would it be worth asking JVW to come in again in as a DOF, leaving CW and AK free to concentrate on coaching?

Were Retsos, Berge, Zivkovic JVW signings? They came in (Berge excepted) and hardly featured. Very odd signings tbh.

We are getting very poor value for money and impact with our signings ATM. We really need to rethink our strategy and look abroad more if we are to improve IMO.

Kev, hi. We are, thanks.

DOF: Not sure. The prince trusts him for very good reasons. The fit needs to work for the owner, the manager and the DOF.

Retsos et al: Not sure about JVW involvement (I assume so); but these players did appear to be underutilized. CW does seem in general to favor his GB and Irish players. I wonder if this is an area in which CW might need to improve his PL management cred — his ability to work with foreign players & to take inputs from other stakeholders re recruitment. To be sure, I admire CW’s loyalty to more home grown talent (future England manager?), but his tendency to avoid them in team selection may reflect not only on their performance or potential but also on a potential blind spot in CW. I’m not sure about any of this.

Value for money: I agree. I am beginning to think CW might benefit from a DOF. If the DOF and CW have a good understanding but everything is not down to CW’s judgment alone, that could help CW immensely.

HNY!

 

[Bladeulike]

Thoughtful post.

As an outsider looking in, it seems to me that much of our current situation is down to recruitment (seems both PL buys and loans have largely underperformed or perhaps been underutilized; the one loan that met and sometimes exceeded expectations has returned to his club). Owner support seems to have been there (many of our first team salaries are up their in the 40k and 50+k per week range and the club has set many new records for transfer prices, but the manager’s choices from amongst the options have perhaps not been great. To validate or invalidate this notion, it might be interesting to know who the alternatives the gaffer declined to pursue were & how they are faring at the clubs who took them. I’d grant the financial clout of our club is not that of an established PL side, but the owner has not been miserly.

Based on the performance of our recruits, I wonder if Wilder wouldn’t benefit from a strong DOF. He was able to take squad he largely did not pick and turn them into a PL side. Maybe this is a trick he will need to learn to prosper long term in the PL.

Either way, I back him 100% as the man to take us back up. I am hoping this crucible he is going through will be the thing to transform his ability to prosper in the PL. Like everyone of us, I am desperate for him to succeed.

I think the idea of appointing a strong DOF to bolster what is now clearly a chink (gaping hole) in Chris’s armour is a good one. I wonder what he would think of the idea. He appears to be a manager in the traditional mode and has proudly spoken a lot over the last few seasons about his hands-on approach to recruitment. Part of the crucible you refer to would require him to reconstruct his self-image (that until now has, quite rightly, had strong core of ‘invincible’ to it) and come out possibly sadder but definitely wiser. His post match interviews havent suggested that self reflection and accountability are his strong suit. Having said that, I wouldn’t judge him on interviews literally minutes after yet another morale crushing defeat and these interviews aren’t necessarily a true indicator of his character.

Something will have to change because the higher up the leagues we go the more exposed and calamitous any mistakes or managerial flaws become. As Chris has said in his interviews, the Prem is a brutal division to play in and it is in the process of savaging us this season. My preference is for a structural change to the club based on learning from our errors, accepting when and how we got it wrong and, of course, putting it right! If that means something like a DOF working alongside Chris Wilder and Alan Knill then I would much prefer that than some kind night of the long knives that leaves us starting from scratch. Turning the current nightmare into a dream team that allows Chris Wilder to do what he is best at certainly sounds like a more grown-up approach than simply chucking it all away.

 

[somersetblades]

We are at what feels like one of the lowest points in our recent history. The truth is we aren’t. We are about to be relegated from the best league in the world after four of the most glorious years we have ever experienced. Perspective is difficult when we feel so humiliated but we have to balance the pain with the glory and, bloody hell, it was a taste of glory the like of which I have never experienced as a Blades fan in over 50 years of supporting them. If we have learned one thing from our often tortuous and nightmare journey over the decades it is that chopping and changing managers is too often a knee jerk, emotional reaction rather than a considered, rational decision. There’s a natural desire to ‘punish’ someone for our current demise. Chris Wilder has made some huge mistakes but we should be asking ourselves whether he is the sort of person who will learn from those mistakes or simply repeat them. My belief is that he will learn and come back stronger if we can bear with this nightmare and support him (and each other) through it.

it seems to me that Chris Wilder has over-performed rather than under-performed. We reached the Prem too quickly with an inadequate squad and inadequate infrastructure to sustain it. Was it worth it? Hell, yes and in those dark days of languishing in the lower half of League 1 we would have taken this current scenario in a heartbeat. We badly needed some glory days and we got them and became an international talking point in the world of football. Who could possibly have predicted that?This was at a time when the likes of Wendy simply looked in in complete dismay and disbelief. Yes they are laughing now but we have achieved something that are still light years away from achieving. They are still seriously flirting with relegation to League 1and I don’t think that will change next year of for the foreseeable future We could and should be hot favourites for promotion when we go down.

Our squad is in disarray at the moment and we are reeling from a set of factors that could hardly have been credible in any other parallel universe. A global pandemic, no crowds, JOC’s injury, Henderson leaving just when we needed him most, Berge out for 3 months, a drop in form of key players etc. I would add to this an abysmal response from the the management and support team who clearly didn’t prepare and/or predict what now seems pretty damn obvious. The question repeats, do we trust them to learn from this degree of hubris or do we ditch them all and start afresh?

For me, we suck it up, hurl a few deserved brickbats at the management and squad and reset for next year with Chris Wilder and Alan Knill at the helm. They havent just earned it on some sentimental notion. They are proven warriors and in a lower league have shown their mettle and their undoubted abilities. We are all sadder after this season but all that bit wiser as well. Let’s use that as our platform rather than a West Brom type of short-termism with dinosaurs such as Fat Sam.

Our squad looks really good if we can retain them - Brewster, Berge, Burke, Ramsdale, Mousset, McBurnie et all can all be a solid core for a great next season. Add Chris and Alan into that mix and, for me it’s a winning formula. Tough times call for calm heads. Let’s build for a new, better informed and better equipped assault on the Prem in the very near future

Brilliant. Yesterday was the 51st anniversary of me becoming a Somerset Blade and it's been up and down (mainly down) ever since. It doesn't help having two brothers, one of which supports ManUre and the other Liverpool, so I've had to put up with a fair amount of stick in that time. I have been trying to explain the above sentiments to everyone ever since it became obvious that we were struggling, and to be honest, most agree with it. We must hold on to Wilder and Knill, regardless of division (and I've not given up yet), or struggle for years to come

 

[Wincobank S9 Blade]

Just seen an article Tony Cascarino says before he signed his contract he had chance to join another club would love to have known which club it was, fair play to Wilder though

 

[Lane Ender]

Don,t get rid of Wilder.
Get rid of those fuckin pink shirts.

100%

 

[Bladesman]

Don,t get rid of Wilder.
Get rid of those fuckin pink shirts.

Change all the kits.

It really is the only solution!

 

[Robboblade1889]

Thoughtful post.

As an outsider looking in, it seems to me that much of our current situation is down to recruitment (seems both PL buys and loans have largely underperformed or perhaps been underutilized; the one loan that met and sometimes exceeded expectations has returned to his club). Owner support seems to have been there (many of our first team salaries are up their in the 40k and 50+k per week range and the club has set many new records for transfer prices, but the manager’s choices from amongst the options have perhaps not been great. To validate or invalidate this notion, it might be interesting to know who the alternatives the gaffer declined to pursue were & how they are faring at the clubs who took them. I’d grant the financial clout of our club is not that of an established PL side, but the owner has not been miserly.

Based on the performance of our recruits, I wonder if Wilder wouldn’t benefit from a strong DOF. He was able to take squad he largely did not pick and turn them into a PL side. Maybe this is a trick he will need to learn to prosper long term in the PL.

Either way, I back him 100% as the man to take us back up. I am hoping this crucible he is going through will be the thing to transform his ability to prosper in the PL. Like everyone of us, I am desperate for him to succeed.

Jim this is not a dig at the owner because i think he has done well however reading between the lines Chris had a list of players who were top of his list obviously either down to transfer fees and wages we couldn’t afford them. So that leaves us with players who have little or no PL experience who we hoped we could get up to speed immediately. That hasn’t happened so we are in the position we are now in.

If we had managed to get some of these first choice players would we be in the position we are in? I fully support the way we have been prudent regarding wages by the way.

 

[Wincobank S9 Blade]

Anyone seen tweets from Kevin Gage and Alan Biggs..doesn’t sound good

 

[Mike325]

WILDER has done all he can for this club/ our club/his club.

If certain players weren’t acting like total cuxxs at times or putting more effort in we wouldn’t be in this position. Anyone to a man who wants wilder gone or thinks he should go fuck off.