Oxford United boss - critics won't change my approach

Chris Wilder says Tuesday's defeat to Rotherham hurt, but it will not change his approach Chris Wilder says Tuesday's defeat to Rotherham hurt, but it will not change his approach

AFTER taking the flak from Oxford United fans in the most hostile atmosphere during his spell in charge, an undaunted Chris Wilder says he will continue to fight for his beliefs.

Boos have not been uncommon from supporters at the Kassam Stadium this season, but the discontent reached a new level on Tuesday night.

After cheering their side to wins over pacesetters Gillingham and Port Vale in the previous week, the U’s fans were left stunned by the sight of Rotherham United scoring four goals in 14 minutes before half-time en route to a 4-0 win.

Their anger was directed at Wilder, who had not been on the receiving end of such a vocal protest since taking over the reins in December 2008.

The U’s boss believes football supporters in general are more critical than when he was a player, but insists it does nothing to shake his confidence.

“It’s the first time it’s happened to me at this football club,” he said.

“It’s not a nice experience, but we won’t dwell on it, as we didn’t dwell on the exceptional victories against Gillingham and Port Vale.

“I think people need to have someone to shout and scream at.

“Nothing will change me because I will stand out there all day long and I will fight for my players, fight for what I believe in.

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“I stood out there against Gillingham and Port Vale, so nothing will change me.

“I’m not all of a sudden going to cower away in my dugout.

“Tuesday night certainly wasn’t good enough and it hurts, but I’m not an embarrassment as a manager and we’re not an embarrassment as a team.”

Wilder took comfort from the number of people who called after Tuesday night to pass on their thoughts and encouragement.

Among those who were at the game was Alan Knill, an old friend and now the Torquay boss, who will go up against the U’s at Plainmoor tomorrow.

Although Wilder is clearly targeting a win in Devon to improve the mood on the terraces, he would prefer any criticism was aimed at him rather than the players.

He said: “I understand it’s an emotional game, I’m the one who stands out in the technical area and receives everything when things don’t go well.

“Sometimes when a player misses from five yards, the manager gets it, when the left back passes or throws it out of play, the manager gets it.

“I would rather have that and take the pressure off the players.”

Comments(36)

BigAlBiker says...
10:02am Fri 8 Mar 13

Wilder you have to go, your useless in all departments, player purchases, team selection, team tactics and as for yout encouragement of the team you get exactly 0 out of 10 with your hands in your pockets.

Taxi for WIlder and co.

Manor Born says...
10:43am Fri 8 Mar 13

Just go already.

nickw000 says...
10:51am Fri 8 Mar 13

Wilder, you have become deluded. I was a big fan but can no longer except your desicions are in the interest of your players and therefore the club.
Much of our squad is good enough at this level, it's the management skills that are lacking...

AylesburyOx says...
11:27am Fri 8 Mar 13

“I’m not all of a sudden going to cower away in my dugout.


That's because you already do, that or stand with your hands buried deep in your pockets; doing nothing, saying nothing.

Times up Mr Wilder, time the job went to someone who can get the players and fans going.

Oh and take those 2 clowns Lewis and Melville with you.

Coyyellows says...
12:20pm Fri 8 Mar 13

AylesburyOx wrote:
“I’m not all of a sudden going to cower away in my dugout. That's because you already do, that or stand with your hands buried deep in your pockets; doing nothing, saying nothing. Times up Mr Wilder, time the job went to someone who can get the players and fans going. Oh and take those 2 clowns Lewis and Melville with you.
Again big al you are a a moron , , get yourself a holiday and get a life , quote after quote after every article I still see , as long as there's a manager in charge and players at the club support them , I so hope you have egg on your face one day

Southstandupper says...
12:30pm Fri 8 Mar 13

BigAl Biker you arealways the first to moan andgroan as is your right but my dear friend you keep writing about same excuses from Wilder but have you read your comments??? almost always the same, no different to Wilder me thinks.
Agree with Coyyellows support the team, and the club be real fans. As for Chapman well will we ever know the real truth about his departure, not a great loss maybe played to much this year on his this years form maybe Wilder showed to much faith in him. If we win tomorrow then we will all be happy again(except BigAlBiker who no doubt will find fault even if we win 5-0, unlikely but stranger things have happened).

andy1975 says...
12:38pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Nothing wrong with what he's said here.

If you want him out, blame the chairman, not Wilder.

Some fans are an embarassment to this club.

Adman says...
1:27pm Fri 8 Mar 13

I think CW has overall done a good job, but I was confused by his decision to change the formation to 3-4-3 on tuesday. Too much respect to the opposition instead of playing to our own strengths, methinks.

Coyyellows says...
1:44pm Fri 8 Mar 13

big als. comments are sad , lack real football intelligence and everyone who's negative with there comments think they would be a better manager of the club themselves . Negative fans at games equals negative results , positive fans equals positive results , not difficult is it . It makes me cringe to think someone like big al waits everyday for an article to come on this site and the posts nothing but negativity . What a life ! Keep it up big al !

Open your eyes says...
1:50pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Is he serious?

He always bloody cowers away in the dugout and sends Lewis and then Meliville out when the poop his flying about. I am surprised the Oxford Mail article suggests or allows Wilder to put his view across its the first time it has happened.

The Oxford Mail need OUFC more than OUFC need the Mail, we should remember that when reading the angle portrayed by the Mail.

Perhaps the treatment of Jon Murray still haunts the Editor?

steve mcavoy says...
2:27pm Fri 8 Mar 13

I'm fine for the manager remaining in his job provided he is continuing to take on lessons from what has and has not worked. The fact is, barring a barnstorming end to the season we are looking at a third successive mediocre season. There was a huge amount of goodwill from supporters following our successful return to the League which is clearly over time eroding.
This season we have learned players have been brought to the club irrespective of fitness issues; we borrowed Boateng from Arsenal then didn't make any use of him; are about to have a good number of players out of contract which may or may not lead to major changes in the squad. The club needs to work much harder at informing supporters and encouraging their continuing support.

foxvox says...
2:42pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Wilder has definitely made some mistakes with signings and departures -Foster, Chapman and Corcoran (was he under Wilder?) are players who needed a firm hand and good coaching, all three of them should have been better but left under a cloud, two have gone down (one to the Conference and one to the Conference North) but Foster has actually gone up a league where, although he doesn't play much, may be fulfilling his promise. Maybe we should have kept other players too - Purkiss, Green, Midson and Tonkin who are all playing regularly elsewhere - but at the time, apart from Purkiss, they'd all been given runs but not made it. The question is was this down to the poor coaching or simply that they weren't good enough at this level? Some of the signings have been poor, especially the loan signings but surely that happens everywhere, the main problem has been signing good but injury prone players and then wondering why they are out for so much of the season. Medicals would solve that - it is unbelievable that they haven't been happening.

Manor Born says...
2:43pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Coyyellows wrote:
big als. comments are sad , lack real football intelligence and everyone who's negative with there comments think they would be a better manager of the club themselves . Negative fans at games equals negative results , positive fans equals positive results , not difficult is it . It makes me cringe to think someone like big al waits everyday for an article to come on this site and the posts nothing but negativity . What a life ! Keep it up big al !
Think you'll find it is Wilder's negative tactics (or lack of) that lead to negative results. The fans were nothing short of magnificent against Rotherham - even when the team were 4-0 down.

In the second half, they didn't stop getting behind the team. How were they treated by the players and staff at the end of the game for that vocal support? Ignored, not even the slightest bit of recognition for the way they got behind the team.

You say Big Al's comments are sad and lack football intelligence? He is a frustrated supporter who is fed up with a manager who speaks in clichés and for most of the game on Tuesday either stood motionless with his hands in his pockets or sat on the bench - this has been a regular occurance this season. He has put out the same old tired excuses all season and not once has he looked at himself, put his hands up and said "I got it wrong".

Wilder has run out of ideas and run out of excuses. What does he do when 4-0 down and chasing a game? Does he bring on his top two goalscorers (or at least one of them) or does he leave them on the bench and bring on a second left-back to play in midfield? It may be improbable, but coming back from 4-0 down is not impossible. You limit your chances somewhat if you keep one or two of the people most likely to score for you sat on their arses on the bench.

He doesn't come out and apologise to the supporters for one of the most dreadful results under his tenure. He comes out with the drivel that we were playing a "championship side". A side who were convincingly beaten by Barnet just a week or so ago. They are not an all-conquering super-elite team in this division. They are a slightly above average side in what is a very poor league this season.

Continued inaction from the very top has seen the malaise spread and deepen. The club is going backwards, supporters are deciding to stay away rather than endure the kind of tepid performances we have seen for the majority of this season. Supporters are questioning if there is a genuine ambiiton to get out of the bottom tier of the Football League. They have lost hope and interest. This is bad and sub-5000 gates are just around the corner. I suspect that if you take out the no-show season ticket holders from Tuesday's gate, you would see we're already at that level. This is detrimental to the club now and to it's future.

foxvox says...
2:47pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Manor Born wrote:
Coyyellows wrote:
big als. comments are sad , lack real football intelligence and everyone who's negative with there comments think they would be a better manager of the club themselves . Negative fans at games equals negative results , positive fans equals positive results , not difficult is it . It makes me cringe to think someone like big al waits everyday for an article to come on this site and the posts nothing but negativity . What a life ! Keep it up big al !
Think you'll find it is Wilder's negative tactics (or lack of) that lead to negative results. The fans were nothing short of magnificent against Rotherham - even when the team were 4-0 down.

In the second half, they didn't stop getting behind the team. How were they treated by the players and staff at the end of the game for that vocal support? Ignored, not even the slightest bit of recognition for the way they got behind the team.

You say Big Al's comments are sad and lack football intelligence? He is a frustrated supporter who is fed up with a manager who speaks in clichés and for most of the game on Tuesday either stood motionless with his hands in his pockets or sat on the bench - this has been a regular occurance this season. He has put out the same old tired excuses all season and not once has he looked at himself, put his hands up and said "I got it wrong".

Wilder has run out of ideas and run out of excuses. What does he do when 4-0 down and chasing a game? Does he bring on his top two goalscorers (or at least one of them) or does he leave them on the bench and bring on a second left-back to play in midfield? It may be improbable, but coming back from 4-0 down is not impossible. You limit your chances somewhat if you keep one or two of the people most likely to score for you sat on their arses on the bench.

He doesn't come out and apologise to the supporters for one of the most dreadful results under his tenure. He comes out with the drivel that we were playing a "championship side". A side who were convincingly beaten by Barnet just a week or so ago. They are not an all-conquering super-elite team in this division. They are a slightly above average side in what is a very poor league this season.

Continued inaction from the very top has seen the malaise spread and deepen. The club is going backwards, supporters are deciding to stay away rather than endure the kind of tepid performances we have seen for the majority of this season. Supporters are questioning if there is a genuine ambiiton to get out of the bottom tier of the Football League. They have lost hope and interest. This is bad and sub-5000 gates are just around the corner. I suspect that if you take out the no-show season ticket holders from Tuesday's gate, you would see we're already at that level. This is detrimental to the club now and to it's future.
Spot on!

adlibber says...
2:49pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Wow a few Wilder trolls seeping out of the woodwork here! Wilder won't change his beliefs for the simple reason he doesn't know what to do when it goes wrong, which it does far more than it goes right. Then again Wilder fans seem to think 3 years languishing in the bottom tier watching Wilder's awful signings perform in the same dull way as his management. He has out stayed his welcome and is bereft of ideas. I hope he's gone at end of season. He's not very good under pressure and his belief in his own ability is as has already been stated delusional.

The blind faithers on here will be the same people that thought Patto,Kemp,Atkins etc were good managers too- Support the club by all means but pretending a manager is good enough when it's clear he isn't may end up with dwindling support. Still as long as Wilder has his foot soldiers we'll be fine...... irony come on in

Doctor69 says...
3:31pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Where were you lot after Rotherham?? You weren't defending him then.

Wilder out, Lewis out, Melville out, majority of players out.

AylesburyOx says...
3:44pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Manor Born wrote:
Coyyellows wrote:
big als. comments are sad , lack real football intelligence and everyone who's negative with there comments think they would be a better manager of the club themselves . Negative fans at games equals negative results , positive fans equals positive results , not difficult is it . It makes me cringe to think someone like big al waits everyday for an article to come on this site and the posts nothing but negativity . What a life ! Keep it up big al !
Think you'll find it is Wilder's negative tactics (or lack of) that lead to negative results. The fans were nothing short of magnificent against Rotherham - even when the team were 4-0 down.

In the second half, they didn't stop getting behind the team. How were they treated by the players and staff at the end of the game for that vocal support? Ignored, not even the slightest bit of recognition for the way they got behind the team.

You say Big Al's comments are sad and lack football intelligence? He is a frustrated supporter who is fed up with a manager who speaks in clichés and for most of the game on Tuesday either stood motionless with his hands in his pockets or sat on the bench - this has been a regular occurance this season. He has put out the same old tired excuses all season and not once has he looked at himself, put his hands up and said "I got it wrong".

Wilder has run out of ideas and run out of excuses. What does he do when 4-0 down and chasing a game? Does he bring on his top two goalscorers (or at least one of them) or does he leave them on the bench and bring on a second left-back to play in midfield? It may be improbable, but coming back from 4-0 down is not impossible. You limit your chances somewhat if you keep one or two of the people most likely to score for you sat on their arses on the bench.

He doesn't come out and apologise to the supporters for one of the most dreadful results under his tenure. He comes out with the drivel that we were playing a "championship side". A side who were convincingly beaten by Barnet just a week or so ago. They are not an all-conquering super-elite team in this division. They are a slightly above average side in what is a very poor league this season.

Continued inaction from the very top has seen the malaise spread and deepen. The club is going backwards, supporters are deciding to stay away rather than endure the kind of tepid performances we have seen for the majority of this season. Supporters are questioning if there is a genuine ambiiton to get out of the bottom tier of the Football League. They have lost hope and interest. This is bad and sub-5000 gates are just around the corner. I suspect that if you take out the no-show season ticket holders from Tuesday's gate, you would see we're already at that level. This is detrimental to the club now and to it's future.
Great post. Very well said!

martico1 says...
4:15pm Fri 8 Mar 13

CW: most of this is good, thoughtful stuff from supporters who care : please take note. If you 'do not cower' the please give a better impression of not doing so: we don't want Evans histrionics but we do want some sign of response to things going wrong. Why on earth was Beano not given a go on Tuesday?

If you respond positively even now I believe that - at least in South Stand - there is a majority that wil remain grateful for past achievements and at worst you can leave in the summer with your head held high. Meanwhile drop the fortress mentality - we all want the same thing, including those who express their views over-exuberantly!

Richard Wickson says...
7:59pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Manor Born and Aylesbury Ox you are both spot on. Come on you yellows you appear somewhat disillusioned, so much so that I think you are Chris Wilder writing under a pseudonym. CW got this club back into the League and yes it was a wonderful day for the fans at Wembley but the fact it was via the play offs shows he didn't do it the best way, that is by winning the BSP title. He has gone as far as he can with this club and in my opinion probably gone as far as he can in football, he already cowers in his dugout, as many others have written Evans was roaring his players on when they led by 4 goals but CW stood his ground. Silently standing in his technical area he sent out a dreadful message to his players and they responded by doing what many of them have done so often this season, simply giving up despite the encouragement given by the fans. They need to follow him on his way thru the exit door!

oldun says...
8:01pm Fri 8 Mar 13

What approach?

Chickengeorge says...
9:09pm Fri 8 Mar 13

CW highlights:
Wembley
Beating the Scum every time

Lowlights:
Signings
Tactics
Blaming the fans for big club mentality

CRSDC says...
9:34pm Fri 8 Mar 13

You Pro Wilder lot should follow him and not come back to the club.
Clearly you know very little about football and its supporters like you that will help with bringing the club down with your continual support of the muppet.
The man is arrogant, tactically inept and some of his signings have to go down as the worst in the clubs history.
By all means support the team but its time for a change for the good of the club and get rid of the majority of the playing squad as they aren't up to it.
WILDER & HIS MUPPETS OUT!

Magiltonmagic. says...
9:22am Sat 9 Mar 13

CW is going, That's a given but apart from Westley, who no one in their right minds want, there have been no other names, I have defended CW on here but even I know it's time for a change, So instead of the same old rubbish spouted here lets have some insight on who you lot want. I would like to see Yates from Cheltenham if we could get him.

oldun says...
10:32am Sat 9 Mar 13

Magiltonmagic. wrote:
CW is going, That's a given but apart from Westley, who no one in their right minds want, there have been no other names, I have defended CW on here but even I know it's time for a change, So instead of the same old rubbish spouted here lets have some insight on who you lot want. I would like to see Yates from Cheltenham if we could get him.
There always so so many candidates emerging for jobs at 4th division level - we seem to have trouble selecting good ones for many many years. We are not asking for a modern day Brian Clough or Dario Gradi - there are so many better than CW who will apply

Magiltonmagic. says...
10:49am Sat 9 Mar 13

Oldun, it must get painful sitting on that fence! Why can't you and all the others put a name forward? afterall you all seem to have an opinion on what's wrong at OUFC and I don't mean past, retired or deceased managers like you've named in the past! The sad thing is if you lot do come up with a name and things go wrong you will be on here again moaning as that is all you do......

AylesburyOx says...
11:07am Sat 9 Mar 13

Magiltonmagic. wrote:
Oldun, it must get painful sitting on that fence! Why can't you and all the others put a name forward? afterall you all seem to have an opinion on what's wrong at OUFC and I don't mean past, retired or deceased managers like you've named in the past! The sad thing is if you lot do come up with a name and things go wrong you will be on here again moaning as that is all you do......
Paul Tisdale is still the man for me. Great job at Exeter on a very shoe string budget. Bring him to OUFC, give him half of Wilders resources and let him bring his own staff in and watch us walk this league and the next.

Mark my words you pro Wilder lot!

oldun says...
11:27am Sat 9 Mar 13

Magiltonmagic. wrote:
Oldun, it must get painful sitting on that fence! Why can't you and all the others put a name forward? afterall you all seem to have an opinion on what's wrong at OUFC and I don't mean past, retired or deceased managers like you've named in the past! The sad thing is if you lot do come up with a name and things go wrong you will be on here again moaning as that is all you do......
Almost any very good BSP manager will do - almost any manager with decent experience of third div footer will do - even among the managers who have been sacked over the past three years, many will be an improvement (Jim Smith, Ian Greaves and Arthur Turner all were sacked) At least a dozen much better than CW will apply - won't they? . What is the point in having a 'wish list'? . I was not expecting Jim Smith, Ian Greaves or Denis Smith to come to United . Pointless exercise - IL must select one of the many reasonable standard candidates who will be interested . Pointless exercise - and you know it

Magiltonmagic. says...
11:28am Sat 9 Mar 13

Good choice AylesburyOx , He or Yates for me and well done for putting a name forward but I still stand by what I said, If things go wrong with him or whoever is in charge you will be on here moaning.

oldun says...
12:33pm Sat 9 Mar 13

Magiltonmagic. wrote:
Good choice AylesburyOx , He or Yates for me and well done for putting a name forward but I still stand by what I said, If things go wrong with him or whoever is in charge you will be on here moaning.
of course you moan at a manager even if you have rated them - if they underperform - these guys know the score - wake up

Magiltonmagic. says...
12:53pm Sat 9 Mar 13

oldun, The same old drivel i rest my case.

oldun says...
3:35pm Sat 9 Mar 13

Scorer of Mansfield's two goals within 20 minutes - Chapman - another CW reject. Hi Magiltonmagic - keep doing your silly wish list!

oldun says...
3:35pm Sat 9 Mar 13

Scorer of Mansfield's two goals within 20 minutes - Chapman - another CW reject. Hi Magiltonmagic - keep doing your silly wish list!

Manor Born says...
4:06pm Sat 9 Mar 13

Same old standard: name names. It's not our job to name names or select the manager - that is the board's job. No-one even considered Chris Wilder for the job before he was announced. He turned out to be the right man for the job at the time. He turned around a failing Conference club & got what we all wanted - promotion back to the Football League. Doesn't matter it was via the play-offs. Point is he achieved what he was briefed to do and the Conference is the hardest league to win promotion from.

Unfortunately for Chris & the club, he has taken us as far as he can. He's now a proven manager in getting teams out of the Conference & he'll build you a side capable of remaining in League 2, but if your aim is to go further up the football pyramid, then you need to bring in someone else. Who that is? It's not up to us, names mentioned so far include Yates, Tisdale, Buckle. Yates & Tisdale highly unlikely as already contracted to other clubs. Mickey Adams would also be a good shout, but you can't see him leaving Port Vale. The point is, whoever the next manager is, we can speculate all we like, but ultimately it will be the board's choice.

Magiltonmagic. says...
4:16pm Sat 9 Mar 13

oldun, I assume whoever becomes our next manager will get your approval as you have an opinion on everything until asked a question then you go all shy ;-) keep making your even sillier comments!

oldun says...
5:12pm Sat 9 Mar 13

Magiltonmagic. wrote:
oldun, I assume whoever becomes our next manager will get your approval as you have an opinion on everything until asked a question then you go all shy ;-) keep making your even sillier comments!
Classic - thanks for the laugh

oldun says...
5:28pm Sat 9 Mar 13

My old pal Heslop!!!!! Love him!! Narr - but grateful for the clincher, Back to my opinions, magic!

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