I’m trying to work out if this is one of the worst pre-season picks in Premier League history.
It’s up there with the people who thought Leicester City were going to get relegated the year they went on to win the title, and I suppose we’ll only really know for sure when the season ends so we can get a full assessment, but it’s certainly not looking good for the man who predicted it.
@Blades_Mad on Twitter dived into the archives and pulled out this interesting picture from the start of the season where ESPN writer Mark Ogden gave his managerial ‘power rankings’ ahead of the season with our very own Chris Wilder coming in 17th place.
And whilst a team’s performance isn’t always down solely to the manager’s perceived ability (check out Jose Mourinho in 2015 as an example of that), it’s still weird to see Wilder place so low on the table, and then see the Blades so high in the table right now.
Would Wilder's legacy ever be 'tarnished' if we were to get relegated with him?
Yes
No
So when fans on social media spotted this little mishap, they couldn’t contain themselves and let their feelings known.
My personal highlight is Daniel Farke and Dean Smith being ranked above Chris Wilder 👀😂#sufc #twitterblades
— Blades Mad (@Blades_Mad) July 13, 2020
3 out of the top 5 are out of a job so they must be great
— josh (@Simplexthree500) July 13, 2020
Not only is Wilder's ridiculous, but how are: Lampard, Smith and Farke above Bruce, who's achieved far more than those 3 combined.
— Steve Food (@DundeeBlade) July 13, 2020
He’s had a mare there Ogden lad
— James (@jaysersblade) July 13, 2020
Wonder how @MarkOgden_ would rank them now?
Bit easier now the season is almost over.Bigger question though, is it custard, cream or ice cream with that humble pie? 😉
— Scott @ theSPshow™ (@TheSPshow) July 13, 2020
Let's see an update @MarkOgden_
— Paul Nicholson (@PaulNicholsonGO) July 13, 2020
Mark clearly doesn’t know what he’s on about, shock.
— Louis (@Smally33) July 13, 2020
What about you? What do you make of this prediction?
Love that out of work stat for 3 to 5 in the list. Sorry but like all the other ESPN pundits this year they couldn’t tip rubbish. In a proper job they would be competence assessed …………