Wilder's celebration at the end

[GrayBlade]

You say that but in the season United got promoted from the Champ, the team were regularly booed off.

The real test of our support for Chris and the lads will be if we're bottom 3 after 10 games.

I don't think Warnock ever got near the adulation Basset had which may explain him being given a short lead with our fans.

Rightly or wrongly, he wasn't popular with a large section of our fan base, and I personally whilst accepting what he's achieved in his career didn't particularly like his football (02/03 apart) or him as a person. I thought some of his antics on the touch line and in the post match interviews were pretty cringeworthy.

I don't mean this to be another well worn stick to beat him with again, I'm just suggesting that after several years with us without promotion and his popularity levels, Blades fans back then were not totally convinced in him or his team.

 

[Tezza1889]

I haven't read this whole thread so I don't know if anybody has mentioned pressure at the moment, as I see it we've had great results compared to our rivals and coming back to win Tuesday was significant, Scunthorpe look to be folding under the pressure, Bolton are spluttering, and fleetwoood are due a draw or loss, meanwhile we remain unbeaten over a series of games beggining at Peterborough and taking in two of the top three teams at the time the games were played, normally about now it's us that start to feel the pressure and drop points needlessly, so I can see how big tuesdays result was, glad the players have a rest this weekend because those core players will pretty much be the team that starts now until the season ends..

We can't underestimate just how well we've played, and just how good the results have gone for us, and for once we seem to have capitalised on them... well done blades...

 

[South Bucks]

We didn't get out of the car park until after 10.30pm, missed the train connection at Didcot and finally got home in London at 2am. How can they build infrastructure where everybody has to travel by car and there is only one access route? It soiled an otherwise excellent result. Thank God there were only 9,000 there otherwise we'd still be in the car park for the next home match.

Sorry to hear of your and LoughboroBlade problems getting back from Oxford, I was home by 11 and if I'd known I could have taken a car full back to Hillingdon tube station by 11. If any are going to Swindon I see buses are replacing trains after the match. Its good to talk.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Don;t want to turn this thread into yet another pro-anti Warnock argument, but Warnock also used to go on the kop as a lad and watch us away. His celebrations (beating the pigs is a prime example) were often just as passionate as Wilder's. And he wasn't ever 'practically begging for the Wednesday job'. As a Blade and given his comments about deliberately taking them down, he has never been realistically in the running for the Sty hot-seat..

Two different personalities - Warnock was gobby, chatty, critical of the opposition and refs and a bit of a loose cannon who grated on some. Wilder's a man of less words and more action. Warnock was our most successful manager this century - hopefully Wilder can do even better. But Wilder's success shouldn't be a reason to slag off Warnock.

I like Warnock and for me, he’s the 2nd best blades boss of my lifetime behind Bassett (hope Wilder can surpass both) but Warnock has always had a theory that our fans never took to him because he was a fan. Wilder is proving that theory to be nonsense.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Make no mistake, Wilder will be hounded out by us fans if things start to go tits up next season. Blade or not.

Just like we did with Blackwell, Wilson and Clough.

Football fans are cunts.

I can honestly say that I played no part in hounding out any of those 3 managers. I wouldn’t have sacked any when we did.


There’s only 3 managers that I’ve wanted sacked. Heath, Robson and Weir.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Think your well wide of the mark on this one if you genuinely think this is the case.

I know football is fickle and supporters probably more than ever these days in the win at all cost boom and bust culture that is modern football, and yes Utd fans can certainly be fickle at times. However, give Unitedites the 'right man' who they genuinely believe in, and they will back him and his team to the hilt. They have done before and they will again.

OK, there will always be the odd dissenting voice and 'look at me pillock' but the majority will back them and the manager if they have respect for the Blades boss.

Whilst Blades fans can be fickle, they can also be incredibly loyal. I've seen both sides of the coin. I was there back in November 90 when we went 3 down late in the game in November down at Norwich when it was cold and pissing it down, we were nailed to the bottom without a win all season, and we looked doomed. Yet despite this, the fan's that day showed total devotion to Bassett with an impromptu chant of 'one Davie Bassett' which was straight from the heart. It was both majestic and a very touching show of loyalty from the Blades supporters that day, and it made me feel very proud of the club and it's supporters. I know Dave Bassett always remembered that moment.

Unitedites can do loyalty with bells on if there is genuine affection held for the manager, and I reckon CW would get it in spades if he had took United up. Certainly, it would take a lot more than 3 defeat's on the bounce to get the fan's to turn against him (not that any performance can't be questioned win, lose or draw) probably also helped in that he's one of our own.

I think a big part of it is if the fans can see the players really care. When Hull scored their 5th at Wembley a number of our players collapsed to the floor through disappointment and exhaustion. Then a spontaneous applause from half of Wembley from nowhere downed out the Hull celebrations. We had seen our players give a mammoth effort and come up just short. There was a great deal of pride expressed by players and fans alike.

 

[ballyblade]

I went tother night, its about the nearest we play to where I live in Hampshire, between scummers and skates. Took two mates, a Stoke fan and a Saints fan. First half we were all less than impressed, to much hoof up to Hans.

Second half, once we got it down on the deck, played our passing game and scored we just overpowered them, mates were well impressed, both with play and fans, they really enjoyed it and went mad when we scored.

Must admit to having a bit of a lump in my throat when Saint Christopher came over, what a guy!

Got to agree about ground accessibility, took us ages to get back to the A34, got back about 11:30.

UTB!

 

[Weasel]

I think a big part of it is if the fans can see the players really care. When Hull scored their 5th at Wembley a number of our players collapsed to the floor through disappointment and exhaustion. Then a spontaneous applause from half of Wembley from nowhere downed out the Hull celebrations. We had seen our players give a mammoth effort and come up just short. There was a great deal of pride expressed by players and fans alike.

I agree. United fans will forgive a lot of things and have respect if they see that people have given their all for the cause. Maybe it's because we are predominantly working class but I always want to see Utd give their all. Then win, lose or draw, I can accept the result.

The biggest crime for me is watching a sufc team that doesn't care as much as I do. Thats unforgiveable in my book, hence the total indifference and lack of respect I had for last seasons set of spineless bstards.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Then a spontaneous applause from half of Wembley from nowhere downed out the Hull celebrations. We had seen our players give a mammoth effort and come up just short. There was a great deal of pride expressed by players and fans alike.

That, along with Mel Rees walking around the ground at Wembley just before he died, were the most moving moments in my Blades life.
The spontaneity of that applause v Hull was just spine tingling. The way it came out of nowhere and literally all of our fans stood and applauded until the final whistle. Moments like that cone along very rarely, but are just wonderful.

 

[TCsLoveChild]

I can honestly say that I played no part in hounding out any of those 3 managers. I wouldn’t have sacked any when we did.


There’s only 3 managers that I’ve wanted sacked. Heath, Robson and Weir.

What? you really didn't want Adkins out? You have a much higher tolerance level than me. UTB

 

[Sean Thornton]

I can honestly say that I played no part in hounding out any of those 3 managers. I wouldn’t have sacked any when we did.


There’s only 3 managers that I’ve wanted sacked. Heath, Robson and Weir.

And none of those three should even have gotten near the job.

 

[BushBlade]

And none of those three should even have gotten near the job.

Nor should Blackwell IMO.

 

[ballyblade]

I have indeed identified you using a somewhat better screen than your laptop - There was a suspicious looking fat balding bloke stood next to you as well.

That could've been me

 

[ForgeBlade]

Don;t want to turn this thread into yet another pro-anti Warnock argument, but Warnock also used to go on the kop as a lad and watch us away. His celebrations (beating the pigs is a prime example) were often just as passionate as Wilder's. And he wasn't ever 'practically begging for the Wednesday job'. As a Blade and given his comments about deliberately taking them down, he has never been realistically in the running for the Sty hot-seat..

Two different personalities - Warnock was gobby, chatty, critical of the opposition and refs and a bit of a loose cannon who grated on some. Wilder's a man of less words and more action. Warnock was our most successful manager this century - hopefully Wilder can do even better. But Wilder's success shouldn't be a reason to slag off Warnock.

This. I think Warnock is a Blade, but only second to him being the biggest "Warnock-ite" on the planet.

He gave me the greatest highs of my time watching United. Beating Leeds, beating Liverpool, promotion, beating Arsenal etc etc. There will always be a place for him in my own personal pantheon of "Blades Legends."

But I think CW could eclipse him, if given the time and the financial backing from the board. Wilder never hides behind blaming the ref/conditions/anything else he can find to blame for a poor result. He tells it as it is, and isn't afraid to admit when we've been poor. He has all the attributes to become the greatest manager in my lifetime in my opinion. He has the potential to take us back, not just to the championship, but to the premier league as well, as long as he is allowed the time and resources to do it his way.

 

[penthouseblade]

I think you are wrong

Agreed. Didn't he do the exact same thing away at Gillingham and at Fleetwood after the late equaliser?

 

[RammyBlade]

Remember Danny Wilson could do no wrong during his first season at the Lane, likewise Clough. They were both sacked after the end of their second seasons in charge, when our performances slumped. Who's to say it will be different with Wilder?

OK the big difference is that we are likely to win promotion. But after that we'll be in a tougher league with less generous defences. Billy, if he remains first choice striker, could find his chances very limited. A top six finish like those achieved by NC and DW (in the seasons they were sacked) would be fantastic in the Championship, but what if we finish low down in the table? Will the fans who love Wilder today be as gushing in their praise when we're losing more than we're winning? I hope so but doubt it.

I also hope that enough money is made available to him. You aren't going to finish in the Championship's top 6 without investment that's...er...game changing.

"OK the big difference is that we are likely to win promotion".
Its something that Wilson,Clough and Madkins couldnt do so whatever happens next year iss irrelevant albeit going down again would lose a lot of goodwill. I cant see us going down next year anyway as I am sure that we will strengthen but despite what the deluded pigs say there isnt that much of a gap between the majority of sides in the Championship and top half teams in league 1. We have enough of a spine of quality players who will easily make the step up - Fleck,Coutts,Carruthers,Moore,O'Connell,Duffy,Basham, Lafferty, Freeman. So yes we will need more but not as much as the deluded think.

 

[Pinchy]

"OK the big difference is that we are likely to win promotion".
Its something that Wilson,Clough and Madkins couldnt do so whatever happens next year iss irrelevant albeit going down again would lose a lot of goodwill. I cant see us going down next year anyway as I am sure that we will strengthen but despite what the deluded pigs say there isnt that much of a gap between the majority of sides in the Championship and top half teams in league 1. We have enough of a spine of quality players who will easily make the step up - Fleck,Coutts,Carruthers,Moore,O'Connell,Duffy,Basham, Lafferty, Freeman. So yes we will need more but not as much as the deluded think.

Just a quick thought on what Pigs fans do, think or say:

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

Sorry to hear of your and LoughboroBlade problems getting back from Oxford, I was home by 11 and if I'd known I could have taken a car full back to Hillingdon tube station by 11. If any are going to Swindon I see buses are replacing trains after the match. Its good to talk.

Did you make it to the Kings Arms before the game ? Ruddles was ok but the food was bang on !!

 

[South Bucks]

Did you make it to the Kings Arms before the game ? Ruddles was ok but the food was bang on !!

Yes, I was there from 4 ish and met a bunch of oxford blades about 5 ish, we were just down and right of the bar, and some welsh blades arrived later. A few I didn't know arrived at the same time as me about 4 ish. You guys ? Didn't have the food, others said it was fine, but had the ruddles which was fine, landlady said we were good supporters cos the bristol rovers mob a few days before lobbed their beer glasses in the Thames.
Pubs like that are better than a poxy cinema or bowling complex any day in our book. Easy get away too. Hope u enjoyed the day as much as we did.

 

[I should coco]

The best advice any of us can accept is to set our expectations low(ish), then watch the team adjust to the demands of the Championship.

Couldn't agree more, but if we don't win the first game 4-0, I'll be in the car park with Brian the Blade chanting 'Wilder out'!

 

[itsinyerblood]

Couldn't agree more, but if we don't win the first game 4-0, I'll be in the car park with Brian the Blade chanting 'Wilder out'!

If we win 4-0 I'll be there screaming "Wilder get yer cock out for the lads"!

 

[I should coco]

Nor should Blackwell IMO.

BB

I've given you a like as I know what you mean but I think you are being a bit unfair not mentioning the context at the time.

Mogadon Man ("there's only one United.........and they play in Manchester) was taking us down. No ifs, no buts, we were going one way.

Blackwell turned us round and I was at Southampton on the last day of the season, when an unlikely run would have put us into the play offs.

I agree he was crap, but compared to Robson, he was Shankly/Busby/Chapman*/Ferguson/Wenger all rolled into one.



* Little know true fact. Herbert Chapman, who won League titles at both Huddersfield and Arsenal was a Blade. He was born in Kiveton Park and although his brother played for the pigs, his nephew assures me that HC supported United.

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

Yes, I was there from 4 ish and met a bunch of oxford blades about 5 ish, we were just down and right of the bar, and some welsh blades arrived later. A few I didn't know arrived at the same time as me about 4 ish. You guys ? Didn't have the food, others said it was fine, but had the ruddles which was fine, landlady said we were good supporters cos the bristol rovers mob a few days before lobbed their beer glasses in the Thames.
Pubs like that are better than a poxy cinema or bowling complex any day in our book. Easy get away too. Hope u enjoyed the day as much as we did.

We got in about 4.45 and sat just into pub on left of entrance. Nice boozer and land lady friendly but a bit of a hike to ground !

Good trip all round. Happy days.

 

[northsomersetblade]

We got in about 4.45 and sat just into pub on left of entrance. Nice boozer and land lady friendly but a bit of a hike to ground !

Good trip all round. Happy days.

The Eagle and Child (bird and baby) was full of Americans and Japanese looking for graffiti from Tolkien and CS Lewis - sadly for them the only examples of natives were there mainly increasingly oiled blades - Sam Gamgees - Mr Tumnus - Tom Bombadil - Queen Jadis of Charn - Giles Bronze beard Julius Farmer of Ham - your creators would have been proud

 

[Silent Blade]

* Little know true fact. Herbert Chapman, who won League titles at both Huddersfield and Arsenal was a Blade. He was born in Kiveton Park and although his brother played for the pigs, his nephew assures me that HC supported United.

He played for us and played in the below match!

 

[1danewhitehouse]

What? you really didn't want Adkins out? You have a much higher tolerance level than me. UTB

to be fair I missed the Scunny game which I think decided it for some people. I just thought we really needed to give a manager time to build their own team. But it turns out Wilder can do it in very little time.

 

[I should coco]

to be fair I missed the Scunny game which I think decided it for some people.

I'd been all for giving him another year despite the abortion of a season we'd had. That game changed everything. None of the players looked they could be arsed and Adkins was completely clueless about what to do.

He just had to go.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I'd been all for giving him another year despite the abortion of a season we'd had. That game changed everything. None of the players looked they could be arsed and Adkins was completely clueless about what to do.

He just had to go.

I get the impression that Adkins and/or the players had recevied word he was a gonner before that game. We weren't looking so bad when we dispatched Oldham, Wallsall and Chesterfield but Coventry and Scunny capitulations coupled with a failure to break down Gillingham and Barnsley at home meant we missed the playoffs/

 

[Billy's Boots]

I have to say, when i watched his reaction after the game, it bought a tear to my eye, it's a very long time since i have seen that passion, loyalty and commitment. Gulp....It's great to be a Blade again.....

 

[beatific blade]

Warnock's passion descended far too often into buffoonery and embarrassment. Tufty always stays the right side. He is very impressive. I'm glad he saluted the 1600 of you who went. That's very impressive. Well done to you all.

Warnock wanted to impress people (i.e. show off).

Wilder wants to simply be impressive.