I do take some exception to two key criticisms of Wilder, however. The first is the complaint that his interviews on the radio are full of excuses, when in fact they are merely explanations. His explanation of the mistakes that were made in the lead up to the equaliser were descriptions of fact not excuses.
I also doubt that Wilder is not aware of the link between the players' performances and his responsibility as manager. So while he talked about his players actions - not taking the ball into the corner, Constable getting caught offside - he's not simply absolving himself of his ultimate accountability to deliver performances.
The question that Lenagan needs to answer is whether Wilder can establish forward momentum and more crucially, what impact his presence might have on the club in the short term, not least in terms of season ticket sales.
So, that's me not debating Chris Wilder. The more concerning thing is the number of players who are about to go out of contract. By my reckoning 19 players can walk away come May.
The club have options on Crocombe, Marsh, Potter and Davis, and it seems fairly logical that they will be taken up. Crocombe and Marsh are a sign that there have been improvements, at least, in youth development. Davis can be a bit heavy footed, but he has pace and strength and gives options down the left. Potter's form is fitful, but he offers creativity and, though its often difficult to see it, something approaching a goal threat.
You'd expect Damian Batt and Andy Whing to be offered new deals. However, I think Whing may go; he's not stupid and will know that he has value in the market at League 1 or 2 level. The club's potential is not what it was when he originally signed, there'll be no Leven or Duberry type signings this summer, will he want to stick around to see whether things improve when there's a risk he'll spend another two years treading water? He'll be 32/33 at the end of another contract, so you'd think this was his last chance at commanding a reasonable salary before he retires. Batt seems settled at Oxford, he's got other interests, the manager likes him, and it's difficult to see why he wouldn't sign.
Last season, alongside Whing, there was a glut of comparatively big time signings. Tony Capaldi barely featured in his first year due to injury, and has done little to suggest he'll be the first in the queue for a new contract. Deane Smalley has had a torrid time, although there's something about his general application that makes me think that he's worth another year. Jon-Paul Pittman whose injuries suggest he hasn't got the robustness we need; I can't see him staying.
The big two from 2011 were Peter Leven and Michael Duberry. If Leven is offered a new contract, then it's surely going to be on terms that reflect his general lack of availability. I doubt he'll take that sort of offer and, while he still maintains some kind of reputation, will move on. Duberry, I think, may be interested in another season, especially as this season as been so wretched for him. I think there's a chance the club may oblige in the vein hope that he'll recreate the commanding form of his first season. I think that's a mistake. When fit, he's the best defender in the club and can be one of the best in the league, but age plays against him. Duberry was part of a strategy to have accelerated success, this doesn't seem to have worked, it's time to move to something else.
We're also seeing the expiration of the post-promotion contracts with Tom Craddock, Simon Heslop and Harry Worley all up for renewal. I still think Craddock is a class act, but his style (less aggressive than Constable and Smalley) and his injury record play against him. His future, I think, is based on whether alternatives can be found, but I also think that his goalscoring record will see him getting other offers. I'd be surprised if he was at the club next year.
Simon Heslop has continuously flattered to deceive. Scorer of howitzer goals in his first season in particular, he now looks like someone who doesn't even want to play football anymore. Worley also just doesn't seem to have the extra gear in his development. He was part of a error prone defence in the first year back, it seemed Duberry could come in and steady the ship while Worley found his feet. While I think that he may have a future as an impact striker, there's no way the club will take the time to test that theory. Neither will be at the club next year.
Which leaves more recent signings; I like Scott Davies and think it worthy of a new contract, and O'Brien offers reliability we're looking for. Parker is willing, but replaceable. And I can't see the club using up unnecessary wages on McCormick if Ryan Clarke is coming back with Crocombe and Brown as cover.
All of which could leave us with a gaping hole next season. All of which suggests summer risks becoming a massive scramble just for bodies let alone the class we need or that Wilder will be going and the decisions are being delayed to give his replacement more options.
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