Thomas pinning faith in Oxford United boss Wilder (From Herald Series)

I think we ALL knew that this would be the case.
Perhaps they should look at the back room staff & training methods. All I know , it would have been much nicer to have played in the States as a Div 1 side instead of a DIV 2 side.
Just bring some decent players and a good finisher.

"COME ON YOU YELLOWS"

Yeah yeah yeah, top of conference then almost blew it, remember people,start league 2 seasons ok then he runs out of ideas gets loan players in, back in september october this season. He has a mass clear out every summer, maybe we need continuity in playing staff too because some of the players that come in arent any better. Play players in their best positions, at this level if you sign a centre forward play him at centre forward not out wide, these players arent Rooney and play anywhere its basic stuff Wilder!! Im fed up with you being stuck up your own arse, play 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 not 4-3-3. 4-3-3 works at higher levels i agree but not with us. 3-5-2 you could play dubes, jake,worley then this gives batt and davies a licence to push down the wings and get the crosses in, this would probly stop batt getting so many bookings as he wont be struggling to get back to defend so much and would give us the width especially at home that we miss so much. Tempt a big hard b**tard of a striker to sign,the football might not be pretty but i dont care smash the ball in the box score the goals and get us out of this league then play more football in league 1. Barnet and Northampton have strikers i would love to see. Im not saying i want Wilder out just want him to learn and change his game plan. Stubborn old git!! lol

kt is backing cw to achieve what we all want and i agree with that. we were all dissapointed with the way the seasons ended, but for some fans to call for managerial change is unrealistic, given time we will get there without getting into crippling debt.i was at the club when the staff had to work for nothing and people were bringing food parcels and we dont want to ever be in that situation again, so we must hope for success whilst remaining solvent.the fans have been fantastic again this season and are entitled to be critical on occasion as they pay their money and we are all prospective team or england managers at heart and think we could do things differently

Makes a change to have such great support from the chairman when the team fail , let's hope the whole club can improve things next season ! I as a life long fan am patient , but believe the club will need to attract more skilful players who don't always come on the cheap ?

Well said, bigchet. I don’t expect most of those who post on this site to agree with this, as the majority of posters are fixated on blaming Wilder for the failure to make the play-offs. But to alleviate the depression that many will feel at reading the endless negativity, here’s another way of looking at things:

1. Before the dreadful run-in, we lost two games in twenty. That’s nearly half a season. Does that really suggest a poor manager?
2. We conceded fewer goals last season than all but two clubs. Is that the sign of a poor manager?
3. We suffered fewer defeats than all but three. Same question.
4. Do you really not think that any manager on the planet would have struggled to cope with the uncannily terrible luck with injuries we had to a small squad? (That’s not making an excuse for him – just being realistic.) In the circumstances, many, many managers would have failed to keep us anywhere near the play-offs, and it’s amazing we ended up still in contention on the last day.
5. Is there really not a strong probability that, without the endless disruption through injuries, the endless enforced chopping and changing and rushed bedding in of loan players, Wilder would have seen us safely into the top four or five – and with a bit of luck, even higher?
6. Those injuries were the sole reason why we had to take on board FAR too many loan players, one of whom (let’s not name him – it’s too depressing) was a seriously disruptive influence, not without skill but apparently lacking any semblance of a footballing brain – he must have been a nightmare to play with and to manage. And it’s no good saying “well, the manager picked him” – the reality is that no manager anywhere ever ever ever gets every signing right, loan or otherwise, and it often takes a number of games to discover that a skilful but clueless player is uncoachable and unchangeable.
7. Talking of getting every signing right, is it not the case that the great majority of Wilder’s signings have been very positive additions? Do you really not think that last summer’s incomers – Leven, Duberry, Whing (much maligned at the start but proved to be supporters’ player of the season), Pittman (much maligned at the start but proved to be much missed when injured), Brown – were mostly very strong? Sure, we all know we need strengthening up front, but do you really not think Wilder knows that and is working on it? And does anyone really not think that every club in the country is desperate to find regular goalscorers? They’re like gold dust. And please don’t say “oh, but he doesn’t know good strikers - he let Midson and Green go!” Does anyone remember Midson playing for Wimbledon (in a system allegedly ideal for him) against us last season? Shouldn’t think so – he made no impression whatever on either game (at our place he hardly had a kick). And much as I liked Matt Green, and he’s done well in the Conference for Mansfield and did well in that league for us, can anyone with hand on heart see him scoring regularly in League 2?
8. If the management and coaching are so questionable, why did Michael Duberry, who’s played at the highest level, say what a great set-up it was at Oxford United, and how even Premiership players could learn from the coaching sessions?
9. However much you may want to question the way the club is run, and however much you may want to see cash splashed, just be grateful that it’s being run responsibly by people who clearly care. If you think we’ve got anything to complain about, take a look at what’s happening to our League Cup opponents of last August. I’m not talking about their 5-0 defeat in the Championship play-off: I’m talking about the plans of their Malaysian owners. Everything’s relative, and I’d say we’ve loads of reasons for optimism and confidence in the management and set-up. And success in football more often than not TAKES TIME, which all too many managers are not allowed. Sorry if that’s not what some of you want to hear. One post recently accused Wilder of behaving “like a spoilt brat” in responding to his critics. Some people might say that the real spoilt brats are those fans who, when they don’t get what they want AS SOON AS THEY WANT IT, throw their toys out of the pram.

Good luck next season, CW. And come on you yellows.

BigYellowScarf wrote:
Well said, bigchet. I don’t expect most of those who post on this site to agree with this, as the majority of posters are fixated on blaming Wilder for the failure to make the play-offs. But to alleviate the depression that many will feel at reading the endless negativity, here’s another way of looking at things:

1. Before the dreadful run-in, we lost two games in twenty. That’s nearly half a season. Does that really suggest a poor manager?
2. We conceded fewer goals last season than all but two clubs. Is that the sign of a poor manager?
3. We suffered fewer defeats than all but three. Same question.
4. Do you really not think that any manager on the planet would have struggled to cope with the uncannily terrible luck with injuries we had to a small squad? (That’s not making an excuse for him – just being realistic.) In the circumstances, many, many managers would have failed to keep us anywhere near the play-offs, and it’s amazing we ended up still in contention on the last day.
5. Is there really not a strong probability that, without the endless disruption through injuries, the endless enforced chopping and changing and rushed bedding in of loan players, Wilder would have seen us safely into the top four or five – and with a bit of luck, even higher?
6. Those injuries were the sole reason why we had to take on board FAR too many loan players, one of whom (let’s not name him – it’s too depressing) was a seriously disruptive influence, not without skill but apparently lacking any semblance of a footballing brain – he must have been a nightmare to play with and to manage. And it’s no good saying “well, the manager picked him” – the reality is that no manager anywhere ever ever ever gets every signing right, loan or otherwise, and it often takes a number of games to discover that a skilful but clueless player is uncoachable and unchangeable.
7. Talking of getting every signing right, is it not the case that the great majority of Wilder’s signings have been very positive additions? Do you really not think that last summer’s incomers – Leven, Duberry, Whing (much maligned at the start but proved to be supporters’ player of the season), Pittman (much maligned at the start but proved to be much missed when injured), Brown – were mostly very strong? Sure, we all know we need strengthening up front, but do you really not think Wilder knows that and is working on it? And does anyone really not think that every club in the country is desperate to find regular goalscorers? They’re like gold dust. And please don’t say “oh, but he doesn’t know good strikers - he let Midson and Green go!” Does anyone remember Midson playing for Wimbledon (in a system allegedly ideal for him) against us last season? Shouldn’t think so – he made no impression whatever on either game (at our place he hardly had a kick). And much as I liked Matt Green, and he’s done well in the Conference for Mansfield and did well in that league for us, can anyone with hand on heart see him scoring regularly in League 2?
8. If the management and coaching are so questionable, why did Michael Duberry, who’s played at the highest level, say what a great set-up it was at Oxford United, and how even Premiership players could learn from the coaching sessions?
9. However much you may want to question the way the club is run, and however much you may want to see cash splashed, just be grateful that it’s being run responsibly by people who clearly care. If you think we’ve got anything to complain about, take a look at what’s happening to our League Cup opponents of last August. I’m not talking about their 5-0 defeat in the Championship play-off: I’m talking about the plans of their Malaysian owners. Everything’s relative, and I’d say we’ve loads of reasons for optimism and confidence in the management and set-up. And success in football more often than not TAKES TIME, which all too many managers are not allowed. Sorry if that’s not what some of you want to hear. One post recently accused Wilder of behaving “like a spoilt brat” in responding to his critics. Some people might say that the real spoilt brats are those fans who, when they don’t get what they want AS SOON AS THEY WANT IT, throw their toys out of the pram.

Good luck next season, CW. And come on you yellows.

Great post ^^^

Kind and encouraging words from the chairman, but to me the jury is still out on Wilder. He has not yet had one completely consistent season, too often blowing it after Christmas when mangerial skills are needed most.

Sat 12 May 12

Well said, bigchet. I don’t expect most of those who post on this site to agree with this, as the majority of posters are fixated on blaming Wilder for the failure to make the play-offs. But to alleviate the depression that many will feel at reading the endless negativity, here’s another way of looking at things:

1. Before the dreadful run-in, we lost two games in twenty. That’s nearly half a season. Does that really suggest a poor manager?
2. We conceded fewer goals last season than all but two clubs. Is that the sign of a poor manager?
3. We suffered fewer defeats than all but three. Same question.
4. Do you really not think that any manager on the planet would have struggled to cope with the uncannily terrible luck with injuries we had to a small squad? (That’s not making an excuse for him – just being realistic.) In the circumstances, many, many managers would have failed to keep us anywhere near the play-offs, and it’s amazing we ended up still in contention on the last day.
5. Is there really not a strong probability that, without the endless disruption through injuries, the endless enforced chopping and changing and rushed bedding in of loan players, Wilder would have seen us safely into the top four or five – and with a bit of luck, even higher?
6. Those injuries were the sole reason why we had to take on board FAR too many loan players, one of whom (let’s not name him – it’s too depressing) was a seriously disruptive influence, not without skill but apparently lacking any semblance of a footballing brain – he must have been a nightmare to play with and to manage. And it’s no good saying “well, the manager picked him” – the reality is that no manager anywhere ever ever ever gets every signing right, loan or otherwise, and it often takes a number of games to discover that a skilful but clueless player is uncoachable and unchangeable.
7. Talking of getting every signing right, is it not the case that the great majority of Wilder’s signings have been very positive additions? Do you really not think that last summer’s incomers – Leven, Duberry, Whing (much maligned at the start but proved to be supporters’ player of the season), Pittman (much maligned at the start but proved to be much missed when injured), Brown – were mostly very strong? Sure, we all know we need strengthening up front, but do you really not think Wilder knows that and is working on it? And does anyone really not think that every club in the country is desperate to find regular goalscorers? They’re like gold dust. And please don’t say “oh, but he doesn’t know good strikers - he let Midson and Green go!” Does anyone remember Midson playing for Wimbledon (in a system allegedly ideal for him) against us last season? Shouldn’t think so – he made no impression whatever on either game (at our place he hardly had a kick). And much as I liked Matt Green, and he’s done well in the Conference for Mansfield and did well in that league for us, can anyone with hand on heart see him scoring regularly in League 2?
8. If the management and coaching are so questionable, why did Michael Duberry, who’s played at the highest level, say what a great set-up it was at Oxford United, and how even Premiership players could learn from the coaching sessions?
9. However much you may want to question the way the club is run, and however much you may want to see cash splashed, just be grateful that it’s being run responsibly by people who clearly care. If you think we’ve got anything to complain about, take a look at what’s happening to our League Cup opponents of last August. I’m not talking about their 5-0 defeat in the Championship play-off: I’m talking about the plans of their Malaysian owners. Everything’s relative, and I’d say we’ve loads of reasons for optimism and confidence in the management and set-up. And success in football more often than not TAKES TIME, which all too many managers are not allowed. Sorry if that’s not what some of you want to hear. One post recently accused Wilder of behaving “like a spoilt brat” in responding to his critics. Some people might say that the real spoilt brats are those fans who, when they don’t get what they want AS SOON AS THEY WANT IT, throw their toys out of the pram.

Good luck next season, CW. And come on you yellows.”
want to say well done some one with sense at last !!!!!
yes we need great players but will cost but it will show some intent on winning the league and not just going for play-offs all the time yes wembley is a good day out but so is winning the league

Agree with every positive word on here and some great positive posts with equally great comments too. Haters hate, it's what they do, moaners moan, regardless. Glad to see KT's backing, tho to be honest i didnt expect any different. Every team gets knocked down, it's how they get back up that shows what they are made of, we've been in the process of getting back up for 3 years now, so it's onwards and upwards. COYY

Agree with every positive word on here and some great positive posts with equally great comments too. Haters hate, it's what they do, moaners moan, regardless. Glad to see KT's backing, tho to be honest i didnt expect any different. Every team gets knocked down, it's how they get back up that shows what they are made of, we've been in the process of getting back up for 3 years now, so it's onwards and upwards. COYY

Pleased to read positive posts for a change! If more goals had been scored things could have been very different. At least our annoying neighbours have gone - hooray!

“Chris knows as well as anybody that we didn’t achieve what we wanted, but we weren’t that far off it and we’ve got to make sure we get there next year.”

I.E. Its make or break for Wilder next season.

Well said chaps, disco80, bigchet,bigyellowsca
rf!!!!!!!!!

Nice to see some well measured, sensible posts instead of the ravings of the CW OUT brigade.

Have every confidence CW will bring in some better players, and we'll have a proper forward line next season.

COYY

'hilliatamen' has made a strong case in support of Wilder and it is the first post I have read that actually produces some proper evidence rather than rely on sentiment.
I am not a supporter of Wilder and have posted at length on this elsewhere. From Kelvin's point of view - he has to think about the club and its future. Clubs around us are moving on e.g. Swindon and Reading. MK Dons are also a draw on our catchment area. There are number of floating voters who will move elsewhere or not bother. We have a hard core of supporters but there are about 1500 who will not turn up next season if we don't do well. We will start to shrink as a club rather than grow. A bit of strategic thinking is required.
Wilder has made too many mistakes I am afraid and dwelling on injuries and lack of fitness are just excuses. Wilder was allowed to bring in replacements on loan - but they were poor and failed to respond to his leadership. Futher he has let too many good players leave the club for no apparent reason. There will be another set of excuses for failure next season.

Further can anybody tell me what role if any Malcom Crosby fulfills?

“People will always question the job you’re doing and expect more at every level, whether it’s (Sir Alex) Ferguson, (Arsene) Wenger, everyone.

“There will always be people that want a change, it annoys me at times because I think some people are very dismissive of the jobs people have done.

“Everybody has always talked about the stability at this club and we’ve had another season of improvement.

“But for every one that’s dismissive there are four or five who are supportive.

- The Management equivalent of putting your hands over your ears, closing your eyes and saying aloud 'LALALA I'M NOT LISTENING'

Why is it always the fans who receive the criticism from Wilder and Thomas? We're there rain and shine and will be long after both have gone.
To challenge the point about Ferguson and Wenger. The reason they stay at the top and at Man U and Arsenal, respectively is because:
a. They win things and
b. They get the fans to love them.

Wilder needs to show more passion for the club; he's very good at deflecting the blame but show some backbone and take onboard criticism from the fans, do something about it and show us you are the man to take us up the leagues.

Thomas and co. Must MUST start to make headway with the stadium and keep the fans informed of the off field decisions and maybe ask us how we feel about a trip to the US and where it would be a good idea. Or if we'd like to see a 4th stand for a derby game.

Oh and to do some maths for both Thomas and Wilder. That 1 supporter in 5 is actually 1000 supports in 5000. Keep ignoring us, keep placing the blame with us and watch those large crowds and expected gate receipts dwindle. Or to put it another way, anywhere between £250,000 - £500,000 in lost revenue per season. Kinda makes a tough job harder to do.

CamView wrote:
'hilliatamen' has made a strong case in support of Wilder and it is the first post I have read that actually produces some proper evidence rather than rely on sentiment.
I am not a supporter of Wilder and have posted at length on this elsewhere. From Kelvin's point of view - he has to think about the club and its future. Clubs around us are moving on e.g. Swindon and Reading. MK Dons are also a draw on our catchment area. There are number of floating voters who will move elsewhere or not bother. We have a hard core of supporters but there are about 1500 who will not turn up next season if we don't do well. We will start to shrink as a club rather than grow. A bit of strategic thinking is required.
Wilder has made too many mistakes I am afraid and dwelling on injuries and lack of fitness are just excuses. Wilder was allowed to bring in replacements on loan - but they were poor and failed to respond to his leadership. Futher he has let too many good players leave the club for no apparent reason. There will be another set of excuses for failure next season.

Further can anybody tell me what role if any Malcom Crosby fulfills?

Oh and this person talks a lot of sense. Well done.

hilliatman wrote:
Sat 12 May 12

Well said, bigchet. I don’t expect most of those who post on this site to agree with this, as the majority of posters are fixated on blaming Wilder for the failure to make the play-offs. But to alleviate the depression that many will feel at reading the endless negativity, here’s another way of looking at things:

1. Before the dreadful run-in, we lost two games in twenty. That’s nearly half a season. Does that really suggest a poor manager?
2. We conceded fewer goals last season than all but two clubs. Is that the sign of a poor manager?
3. We suffered fewer defeats than all but three. Same question.
4. Do you really not think that any manager on the planet would have struggled to cope with the uncannily terrible luck with injuries we had to a small squad? (That’s not making an excuse for him – just being realistic.) In the circumstances, many, many managers would have failed to keep us anywhere near the play-offs, and it’s amazing we ended up still in contention on the last day.
5. Is there really not a strong probability that, without the endless disruption through injuries, the endless enforced chopping and changing and rushed bedding in of loan players, Wilder would have seen us safely into the top four or five – and with a bit of luck, even higher?
6. Those injuries were the sole reason why we had to take on board FAR too many loan players, one of whom (let’s not name him – it’s too depressing) was a seriously disruptive influence, not without skill but apparently lacking any semblance of a footballing brain – he must have been a nightmare to play with and to manage. And it’s no good saying “well, the manager picked him” – the reality is that no manager anywhere ever ever ever gets every signing right, loan or otherwise, and it often takes a number of games to discover that a skilful but clueless player is uncoachable and unchangeable.
7. Talking of getting every signing right, is it not the case that the great majority of Wilder’s signings have been very positive additions? Do you really not think that last summer’s incomers – Leven, Duberry, Whing (much maligned at the start but proved to be supporters’ player of the season), Pittman (much maligned at the start but proved to be much missed when injured), Brown – were mostly very strong? Sure, we all know we need strengthening up front, but do you really not think Wilder knows that and is working on it? And does anyone really not think that every club in the country is desperate to find regular goalscorers? They’re like gold dust. And please don’t say “oh, but he doesn’t know good strikers - he let Midson and Green go!” Does anyone remember Midson playing for Wimbledon (in a system allegedly ideal for him) against us last season? Shouldn’t think so – he made no impression whatever on either game (at our place he hardly had a kick). And much as I liked Matt Green, and he’s done well in the Conference for Mansfield and did well in that league for us, can anyone with hand on heart see him scoring regularly in League 2?
8. If the management and coaching are so questionable, why did Michael Duberry, who’s played at the highest level, say what a great set-up it was at Oxford United, and how even Premiership players could learn from the coaching sessions?
9. However much you may want to question the way the club is run, and however much you may want to see cash splashed, just be grateful that it’s being run responsibly by people who clearly care. If you think we’ve got anything to complain about, take a look at what’s happening to our League Cup opponents of last August. I’m not talking about their 5-0 defeat in the Championship play-off: I’m talking about the plans of their Malaysian owners. Everything’s relative, and I’d say we’ve loads of reasons for optimism and confidence in the management and set-up. And success in football more often than not TAKES TIME, which all too many managers are not allowed. Sorry if that’s not what some of you want to hear. One post recently accused Wilder of behaving “like a spoilt brat” in responding to his critics. Some people might say that the real spoilt brats are those fans who, when they don’t get what they want AS SOON AS THEY WANT IT, throw their toys out of the pram.

Good luck next season, CW. And come on you yellows.”
want to say well done some one with sense at last !!!!!
yes we need great players but will cost but it will show some intent on winning the league and not just going for play-offs all the time yes wembley is a good day out but so is winning the league

i give up!! hall, heslop and smalley were great signings werent they, duberry would say its a great set up when ive started a new job i dont slagged it off on my first day. So you judge Midson just on his games against us?? i dont i just look at the score chart, yeah maybe he wasnt great against us but maybe he was trying too hard!! Maybe we didnt lose many but we didnt win many either we were the score draw experts, oxford city are catching us but bet if KT AND CW told you otherwise you would believe them.

Regretably the solution has just been postponed until half way through next season.

Very few will want to watch more of the same and then the new manager will have to be given time to sort out the mess.

A lot of people here have rose tinted glasses. For an independent view take a look at the Racing and Football Outlook who give us a current rating of a team in fourth place ..... IN THE CONFERENCE !!!

Some progress !

DuberryandBeanofan wrote:

BigYellowScarf wrote:
Well said, bigchet. I don’t expect most of those who post on this site to agree with this, as the majority of posters are fixated on blaming Wilder for the failure to make the play-offs. But to alleviate the depression that many will feel at reading the endless negativity, here’s another way of looking at things:

1. Before the dreadful run-in, we lost two games in twenty. That’s nearly half a season. Does that really suggest a poor manager?
2. We conceded fewer goals last season than all but two clubs. Is that the sign of a poor manager?
3. We suffered fewer defeats than all but three. Same question.
4. Do you really not think that any manager on the planet would have struggled to cope with the uncannily terrible luck with injuries we had to a small squad? (That’s not making an excuse for him – just being realistic.) In the circumstances, many, many managers would have failed to keep us anywhere near the play-offs, and it’s amazing we ended up still in contention on the last day.
5. Is there really not a strong probability that, without the endless disruption through injuries, the endless enforced chopping and changing and rushed bedding in of loan players, Wilder would have seen us safely into the top four or five – and with a bit of luck, even higher?
6. Those injuries were the sole reason why we had to take on board FAR too many loan players, one of whom (let’s not name him – it’s too depressing) was a seriously disruptive influence, not without skill but apparently lacking any semblance of a footballing brain – he must have been a nightmare to play with and to manage. And it’s no good saying “well, the manager picked him” – the reality is that no manager anywhere ever ever ever gets every signing right, loan or otherwise, and it often takes a number of games to discover that a skilful but clueless player is uncoachable and unchangeable.
7. Talking of getting every signing right, is it not the case that the great majority of Wilder’s signings have been very positive additions? Do you really not think that last summer’s incomers – Leven, Duberry, Whing (much maligned at the start but proved to be supporters’ player of the season), Pittman (much maligned at the start but proved to be much missed when injured), Brown – were mostly very strong? Sure, we all know we need strengthening up front, but do you really not think Wilder knows that and is working on it? And does anyone really not think that every club in the country is desperate to find regular goalscorers? They’re like gold dust. And please don’t say “oh, but he doesn’t know good strikers - he let Midson and Green go!” Does anyone remember Midson playing for Wimbledon (in a system allegedly ideal for him) against us last season? Shouldn’t think so – he made no impression whatever on either game (at our place he hardly had a kick). And much as I liked Matt Green, and he’s done well in the Conference for Mansfield and did well in that league for us, can anyone with hand on heart see him scoring regularly in League 2?
8. If the management and coaching are so questionable, why did Michael Duberry, who’s played at the highest level, say what a great set-up it was at Oxford United, and how even Premiership players could learn from the coaching sessions?
9. However much you may want to question the way the club is run, and however much you may want to see cash splashed, just be grateful that it’s being run responsibly by people who clearly care. If you think we’ve got anything to complain about, take a look at what’s happening to our League Cup opponents of last August. I’m not talking about their 5-0 defeat in the Championship play-off: I’m talking about the plans of their Malaysian owners. Everything’s relative, and I’d say we’ve loads of reasons for optimism and confidence in the management and set-up. And success in football more often than not TAKES TIME, which all too many managers are not allowed. Sorry if that’s not what some of you want to hear. One post recently accused Wilder of behaving “like a spoilt brat” in responding to his critics. Some people might say that the real spoilt brats are those fans who, when they don’t get what they want AS SOON AS THEY WANT IT, throw their toys out of the pram.

Good luck next season, CW. And come on you yellows.

Great post ^^^

well you stated about midson not having a kick when we played them do you watch tv midson finished season joint top scorer 18 goals what did jc finish on not a lot bring midson back and bulman back and make cw eat humble pie get rid of jc coz hes had his time?"rubbish"still dont think cw will last the season kt will proberly see where we are at xmas then if poor then cw will go and good ridence

For me, the biggest problem still stays. In fact, it is sadly confirmed by interviews like these. How can we improve with a manager, who desperately is trying to take all the credit but puts the blame on players and bad fortune?

It looks like to me 50/50 fan wise with regards to CW, I believe at best he has one more season to get his decisions right, he has made some real clangers over the past season player and tactic wise and just about got away with it.

Still no idea why he let two strikers like Green and Midson go, perhaps there tennis to good for CW, he simply has to realise that 1, he has to play either 442, 4141 but NOT 433 and 2, he needs two strikers who are quick, tall and can score at least 18 goals each.

Onwards and upwards.

We need to change formation! Like Ian Aktins said I play 5 at the back because we are not good enough! Wilder I say play 4 in midfield we are not good enough! Bring in some quality in midfield and sorry but batt can't cross the ball and looks lazy sometimes. Need a new right back. I think we need to look at some non league talent aswell like other teams do, they work hard and show determination to improve and achieve in football.

Lets get behind the team and push for promotion next season. Let improve next season as we didn't this year.

Without a shadow of doubt, CW deserves another chance to get us into the play offs. Just please stop playing strikers as wingers in the 4-3-3 system!

Wilder out by xmas

CW did make mistakes for sure. IMO the biggest mistake was made by KT and IL when they failed to stump up the additional cash to keep Holmes until the end of the season. He was on fire at that moment. That was the turning point for me and for what, saving £15-20k? probably less if you count the cost of a replacement for him.

Wilder out, Thomas out!!!!!!

hilliatman wrote:
Sat 12 May 12

Well said, bigchet. I don’t expect most of those who post on this site to agree with this, as the majority of posters are fixated on blaming Wilder for the failure to make the play-offs. But to alleviate the depression that many will feel at reading the endless negativity, here’s another way of looking at things:

1. Before the dreadful run-in, we lost two games in twenty. That’s nearly half a season. Does that really suggest a poor manager?
2. We conceded fewer goals last season than all but two clubs. Is that the sign of a poor manager?
3. We suffered fewer defeats than all but three. Same question.
4. Do you really not think that any manager on the planet would have struggled to cope with the uncannily terrible luck with injuries we had to a small squad? (That’s not making an excuse for him – just being realistic.) In the circumstances, many, many managers would have failed to keep us anywhere near the play-offs, and it’s amazing we ended up still in contention on the last day.
5. Is there really not a strong probability that, without the endless disruption through injuries, the endless enforced chopping and changing and rushed bedding in of loan players, Wilder would have seen us safely into the top four or five – and with a bit of luck, even higher?
6. Those injuries were the sole reason why we had to take on board FAR too many loan players, one of whom (let’s not name him – it’s too depressing) was a seriously disruptive influence, not without skill but apparently lacking any semblance of a footballing brain – he must have been a nightmare to play with and to manage. And it’s no good saying “well, the manager picked him” – the reality is that no manager anywhere ever ever ever gets every signing right, loan or otherwise, and it often takes a number of games to discover that a skilful but clueless player is uncoachable and unchangeable.
7. Talking of getting every signing right, is it not the case that the great majority of Wilder’s signings have been very positive additions? Do you really not think that last summer’s incomers – Leven, Duberry, Whing (much maligned at the start but proved to be supporters’ player of the season), Pittman (much maligned at the start but proved to be much missed when injured), Brown – were mostly very strong? Sure, we all know we need strengthening up front, but do you really not think Wilder knows that and is working on it? And does anyone really not think that every club in the country is desperate to find regular goalscorers? They’re like gold dust. And please don’t say “oh, but he doesn’t know good strikers - he let Midson and Green go!” Does anyone remember Midson playing for Wimbledon (in a system allegedly ideal for him) against us last season? Shouldn’t think so – he made no impression whatever on either game (at our place he hardly had a kick). And much as I liked Matt Green, and he’s done well in the Conference for Mansfield and did well in that league for us, can anyone with hand on heart see him scoring regularly in League 2?
8. If the management and coaching are so questionable, why did Michael Duberry, who’s played at the highest level, say what a great set-up it was at Oxford United, and how even Premiership players could learn from the coaching sessions?
9. However much you may want to question the way the club is run, and however much you may want to see cash splashed, just be grateful that it’s being run responsibly by people who clearly care. If you think we’ve got anything to complain about, take a look at what’s happening to our League Cup opponents of last August. I’m not talking about their 5-0 defeat in the Championship play-off: I’m talking about the plans of their Malaysian owners. Everything’s relative, and I’d say we’ve loads of reasons for optimism and confidence in the management and set-up. And success in football more often than not TAKES TIME, which all too many managers are not allowed. Sorry if that’s not what some of you want to hear. One post recently accused Wilder of behaving “like a spoilt brat” in responding to his critics. Some people might say that the real spoilt brats are those fans who, when they don’t get what they want AS SOON AS THEY WANT IT, throw their toys out of the pram.

Good luck next season, CW. And come on you yellows.”
want to say well done some one with sense at last !!!!!
yes we need great players but will cost but it will show some intent on winning the league and not just going for play-offs all the time yes wembley is a good day out but so is winning the league

You must be Chris Wilder or a family member to spout that rubbish and alot of it too.

You think Oxford were the only club to ever have an injury, majority of managers in this division have very small squads and injuries will happen to every team, I don't think we really had that many injuries compared to the other clubs.

Chris at the start of season said he was going for quality rather than quantity when he was assembling the squad. Well it didn't work!

You are judging players on just 2 games like Midson is awful cos he played poorly against us. So if you were a Chelsea fan would you say Messi is rubbish as he had 2 bad games against them?

Plonker!