Slaent United are good lads so I find myself sympathetic when I watch them, but I still enjoy them losing far too much
By Oddinho Go To PostSlaent United are good lads so I find myself sympathetic when I watch them, but I still enjoy them losing far too much*loosing
By FootbalIFan Go To PostCan't believe neygod is not happening :(That's a good birthday present for you FF tbh.
By Wahabipapangus Go To PostScandinavian Liverpool fans. The worst.<<
The idea that lower leagues is all hoof ball has been an outdated stereotype for years. Nothing to do with Pep.
By FortuneFaded Go To PostThe idea that lower leagues is all hoof ball has been an outdated stereotype for years. Nothing to do with Pep.Yep
Reread Killer7 and n8's arguments just now. That was something.
I'm with n8, the manager and coaches are currently doing what we want, even if Ole is out of his depth. He's going to go out with the team playing attacking football, and I'm not going to accept anything else.
It's also hard to pinpoint what is the problem with United, because the right answer is, everything is a problem. Shit owners, shit CEO, shit scouting, shit players. The only good thing is that we have made progress with our youths, and there's some really good upcoming players that can slot in.
Can't expect even Poch or Guardiola to get good results with this team. Just enjoy the bumpy ride I guess. It's going to take more than a few years (and a change in management) before things can really start to turn for the better.
I'm with n8, the manager and coaches are currently doing what we want, even if Ole is out of his depth. He's going to go out with the team playing attacking football, and I'm not going to accept anything else.
It's also hard to pinpoint what is the problem with United, because the right answer is, everything is a problem. Shit owners, shit CEO, shit scouting, shit players. The only good thing is that we have made progress with our youths, and there's some really good upcoming players that can slot in.
Can't expect even Poch or Guardiola to get good results with this team. Just enjoy the bumpy ride I guess. It's going to take more than a few years (and a change in management) before things can really start to turn for the better.
By Laboured Go To PostGood shit
you're giving ole too much credit and are underestimating the effect of a good manager, i feel. i have no doubt in my mind that poch and guardiola, who have proven that they can instill a certain way of playing football, would do better than ole. better football leads to better results, eventually.
(obviously, you'd hit a wall sooner or later as far as results are concerned because you can only do so much with a squad like that)
(obviously, you'd hit a wall sooner or later as far as results are concerned because you can only do so much with a squad like that)
By bud Go To Postyou're giving ole too much credit and are underestimating the effect of a good manager, i feel. i have no doubt in my mind that poch and guardiola, who have proven that they can instill a certain way of playing football, would do better than ole. better football leads to better results, eventually.Isn't that what happened when Ole took over (15 games unbeaten or some such), United were and have been playing better football, the current squad is even (on paper) weaker than last seasons). The main on-field problem is a lack of quality and competence - Ole's only managed Cardiff and Milde - with those credentials, anyone would be out of their depth. But like FLutter said, Even Pep floundered at first and he inherited a much better team - and was given 250 million on just fullbacks alone.
(obviously, you'd hit a wall sooner or later as far as results are concerned because you can only do so much with a squad like that)
With that said, Ole's buys have been the standout performers thus far, that has to mean something.
By bud Go To Postyou're giving ole too much credit and are underestimating the effect of a good manager, i feel. i have no doubt in my mind that poch and guardiola, who have proven that they can instill a certain way of playing football, would do better than ole. better football leads to better results, eventually.What is giving Ole too much credit by saying he's out of his depth.
(obviously, you'd hit a wall sooner or later as far as results are concerned because you can only do so much with a squad like that)
I'm not underestimating the effect of a good manager, but look at Guardiola back when he first started on City, and Poch's results with Spurs at the second half of last season when they were hit with shitload of injuries. They can't work miracles, and the team that we have now is far less experienced, and pretty much more terrible than them.
Hell, that's only on stuff on the pitch. If you read what I wrote, the point is we are terrible everywhere. Even if we managed to get a world class coach, I doubt things would actually turn to be positive when even getting a RW is problematic because we chose to wait on Sancho, so he can be the face of the team once Pogba gets a transfer next season.
Ole has won three games in 16 or something crazy like that. I agree that this season they have improved stylistically and probably didn’t deserve to drop quite as many points as they have, but that is the case.
Really good point on Sunday Supplement in that it’s very hard for London clubs to sell players because nobody really wants to leave London.
Really good point on Sunday Supplement in that it’s very hard for London clubs to sell players because nobody really wants to leave London.
By Arnie Go To PostOle has won three games in 16 or something crazy like that. I agree that this season they have improved stylistically and probably didn’t deserve to drop quite as many points as they have, but that is the case.
Really good point on Sunday Supplement in that it’s very hard for London clubs to sell players because nobody really wants to leave London.
Last season, our fitness levels were partially contributing to that shit run of form, at least. We looked utterly gassed after an hour. Felt like all the euphoria of Paris caught up with us.
I think that we’ve been quite unlucky this season, really. Yesterday wasn’t good, but Saints are a good pressing side with a defined identity. We got the result vs Chelsea, absolutely deserved the win against Wolves and went in with a distinct tactical plan, and Palace - while obviously not great - still had us miss a pen, not get given at least one more obvious one as well as an obvious red. It happens.
What we can’t do is panic. No one is saying Ole is even close to as good a manager as Pep or Klopp are, but in their first seasons they finished 4th (not a failure, but not great considering their investment) and 8th (offset by reaching the EL final... or was that the year after?) respectively. What matters to me is that we are making concerted efforts across the board: our style of play is becoming more modernised; we’re clearing out deadwood; we have bought players that we want to fit to that style of play; we have one of the youngest first XIs in the league; our starting line-up has 5 or 6 British players in it.
There are more positive things about the playing side of our club this year than in the last two under Mourinho, where finishing second was like the dull empty ache of wanking and then lying in your own cum realising no one will ever love you. At the moment, I at least feel like someone else is touching my cock. And that someone is Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
We were 2 pens away from maximum points.
We are also vulnerable to low-block sucker punches.
We have to tap the market in January.
We are also vulnerable to low-block sucker punches.
We have to tap the market in January.
We need a midfielder more than anything. Whether that be Fred comes good, Garner is given chances or we buy someone.
Think Mata was good yesterday. Would rather he starts the majority of matches over Lingard.
Think Mata was good yesterday. Would rather he starts the majority of matches over Lingard.
By Willkiller Go To PostUnited haven't won away from home since March. Ole is utter shit.ole or bruce
By Vini.lad Go To Postole or bruce
I honestly think Newcastle is the sole club in the PL that Ole might be a better option than their current one. And even then, I'd be incredibly skeptical and unhappy if he was suddenly our manager.
By Willkiller Go To PostUnited haven't won away from home since March. Ole is utter shit.
We’ve only played 8 away games since beating PSG though. That includes Wolves three times, Barca, and Arsenal. And only two of those games have come this season, and one was a draw at Wolves (improvement on last season) and the other a draw at Southampton, who gave a much better team than us in Liverpool a hell of a game a week before.
If you remember correctly, we don’t play football for half of May, and the entirety of June and July. Funny how when you remove context, your argument gets slightly weaker.
*incoming post about smiling or concern or whatever boring shit you were posting about serie a last night or bruce in or bruce out or bruce shake it all about because you don’t seem to be able to post actual stuff anymore*
and you still owe me twenty quid.
By FootbalIFan Go To Post1. Zabo vs Hixx
2. Wilbury vs Willkiller
3. Jeff Albertson vs Messi
4. Woodenlung vs Arnie (for Quiche’s Honour Championship)
By n8 dogg Go To PostWe’ve only played 8 away games since beating PSG though. That includes Wolves three times, Barca, and Arsenal. And only two of those games have come this season, and one was a draw at Wolves (improvement on last season) and the other a draw at Southampton, who gave a much better team than us in Liverpool a hell of a game a week before.
If you remember correctly, we don’t play football for half of May, and the entirety of June and July. Funny how when you remove context, your argument gets slightly weaker.
*incoming post about smiling or concern or whatever boring shit you were posting about serie a last night or bruce in or bruce out or bruce shake it all about because you don’t seem to be able to post actual stuff anymore*
and you still owe me twenty quid.
You've played 8 away games since beating PSG. That includes Barca, Arsenal and Wolves. Wolves btw, a newly promoted side. Albeit a side I was and am impressed with, but a newly promoted side that lost at home to Huddersfield, Crystal Palace, Watford non the less. A good team, but not a team that United should be frightened of playing at home.
Two of the 8, Huddersfield and Everton. Huddersfield got 16 points last season, Ole couldn't get the win. Everton away, 4-0 to Everton. I'd argue you had absolutely no chance against Barca, very little against Arsenal. Wolves away is a tough game. But it isn't a place that should result in 2 losses and a draw. Everton, again a solid side but there's no excuse for 4-0, United still should be going there and at the very least expecting a draw but surely are going for the win. Southampton and Huddersfield should be wins, no disputing that.
The fact you're defending his run of form tells you everything you need to know about his United. Under Mourinho that run of form would have been completely unnacceptable, in his final season his worst run of away form was 2 losses and a draw in 3 games. The losses wereto Liverpool and City. He lost his job not long after that, plenty of United fans were calling for his head after that. But here we are, defending 4-0 losses to Everton, draws against Huddersfield etc etc. And seemingly, the only reason that seems to make that more acceptable to United fans, is that Ole is a good bloke.
So yeah, I laugh about Ole's patented Power of Smiling™, because fuck me. What a power it seems to have on you.
So, 4 games in. I think now is a good time to spend far too long on a cursory analysis of Chelsea so far, so here goes.
First, results. I said earlier this week that a seven point return wouldn't have been too bad, but obviously the Blades put paid to that. 5 points is mediocre, to be sure. Considering we play Wolves and Liverpool in the league next, there's a distinct possibility that we will remain on 5 for a few weeks. It's hard to see the other top 6 sides not taking their opportunities in that period.
Performances have been weird. We didn't deserve to be tonked for 4 by United, could very well have beaten Liverpool, and should have lost to Leicester. Bizarrely though, at least from the matches I've watched, there hasn't been a colossal stinker amongst any of them. Rather, there's a lack of consistency through the 90 minutes.
We attack well. Far too often last season our passing was lacking in penetration and purpose. If Hazard wasn't on it, then it didn't feel likely that we would score. This season it actually feels we are being progressive with out passing - whether it be through clever interplay or cutting long balls. I feel we're generally better at creating chances, which is good.
Our pressing game has improved as well. There's still some work - we're no Liverpool - but there is a coordination and aggression to our pressing which has been lacking in previous attempts.
Unfortunately, our defending has....Oof. I was worried that pre-season, where we scored and conceded for fun, would be reflected in the main season. Unfortunately that fear has been well founded so far.
Granted, Kante and Rudiger getting a consistent spell in the team will shore things up. Disregarding that though, we are leaving far too much space between the defence and the midfield. Our loss to United became a kicking because we gifted players like Pogba so much space to dictate. Even last week against Norwich, after we took the lead for the third time, Norwich repeatedly just waltzed through our midfield. Liverpool will absolutely destroy us if we afford them that much space.
Our back four have also been generally poor. Zouma's injury a few years ago has taken a more tragic slant given his start to the season, at least for me. I think it'll be good for him to be replaced by Rudi for the foreseeable future, if only to take him out of the spotlight. Azpi has also been very off the pace, to the point where I think Reece James might have taken his place fully by the end of the year.
There have been bright spots of course. It's good to see Mount and Abraham start consistently and perform. Both are still WIPs of course, but I think they can stake a claim to be mainstays in the first XI if they continue the trajectory. I also think Kovacic has quietly been great, and Jorginho seems to be on the up as well.
As for Lampard, I think he has been okay. I think it's impressive that he has managed to instill his style so quickly. All the positives - whether it be the playing style or the players- I've mentioned can and should be attributed to him.
That being said, the negatives also lie at his feet. Consistency within a match is key, and has been lacking thus far. We can play well for a half or even two thirds of a match, but all too often it has fallen apart. Dominating for 90 minutes is unrealistic, but we need to ensure that we maintain a standard for the match.
The lack of consistency is most apparent in our inability to hold a lead. Barring United, we have taken the lead in every match, and have contrived to throw it away each time. Our game management - both from the dugout and on the pitch - is lacking, and I think is the most pressing issue Lamps will have to mull over during the international break.
That being said, it is only four games. Many of the issues I've mentioned might simply be a case of the team learning on the job. The same goes for the manager. It may very well be that, come December, we will be running a lot more efficiently.
Patience, of course, is key. Everyone is aware of the circumstances behind this season, which makes my frustration with the boo boys yesterday all the more palpable. It would appear that it's not only the hierarchy that needs to learn patience when things get rough. This will be a tough season - the sooner everyone accepts that, the better.
So, yeah. Typing this up on a phone was a mistake. Cautious optimism is my mood, and I hope that will be well founded in the future.
First, results. I said earlier this week that a seven point return wouldn't have been too bad, but obviously the Blades put paid to that. 5 points is mediocre, to be sure. Considering we play Wolves and Liverpool in the league next, there's a distinct possibility that we will remain on 5 for a few weeks. It's hard to see the other top 6 sides not taking their opportunities in that period.
Performances have been weird. We didn't deserve to be tonked for 4 by United, could very well have beaten Liverpool, and should have lost to Leicester. Bizarrely though, at least from the matches I've watched, there hasn't been a colossal stinker amongst any of them. Rather, there's a lack of consistency through the 90 minutes.
We attack well. Far too often last season our passing was lacking in penetration and purpose. If Hazard wasn't on it, then it didn't feel likely that we would score. This season it actually feels we are being progressive with out passing - whether it be through clever interplay or cutting long balls. I feel we're generally better at creating chances, which is good.
Our pressing game has improved as well. There's still some work - we're no Liverpool - but there is a coordination and aggression to our pressing which has been lacking in previous attempts.
Unfortunately, our defending has....Oof. I was worried that pre-season, where we scored and conceded for fun, would be reflected in the main season. Unfortunately that fear has been well founded so far.
Granted, Kante and Rudiger getting a consistent spell in the team will shore things up. Disregarding that though, we are leaving far too much space between the defence and the midfield. Our loss to United became a kicking because we gifted players like Pogba so much space to dictate. Even last week against Norwich, after we took the lead for the third time, Norwich repeatedly just waltzed through our midfield. Liverpool will absolutely destroy us if we afford them that much space.
Our back four have also been generally poor. Zouma's injury a few years ago has taken a more tragic slant given his start to the season, at least for me. I think it'll be good for him to be replaced by Rudi for the foreseeable future, if only to take him out of the spotlight. Azpi has also been very off the pace, to the point where I think Reece James might have taken his place fully by the end of the year.
There have been bright spots of course. It's good to see Mount and Abraham start consistently and perform. Both are still WIPs of course, but I think they can stake a claim to be mainstays in the first XI if they continue the trajectory. I also think Kovacic has quietly been great, and Jorginho seems to be on the up as well.
As for Lampard, I think he has been okay. I think it's impressive that he has managed to instill his style so quickly. All the positives - whether it be the playing style or the players- I've mentioned can and should be attributed to him.
That being said, the negatives also lie at his feet. Consistency within a match is key, and has been lacking thus far. We can play well for a half or even two thirds of a match, but all too often it has fallen apart. Dominating for 90 minutes is unrealistic, but we need to ensure that we maintain a standard for the match.
The lack of consistency is most apparent in our inability to hold a lead. Barring United, we have taken the lead in every match, and have contrived to throw it away each time. Our game management - both from the dugout and on the pitch - is lacking, and I think is the most pressing issue Lamps will have to mull over during the international break.
That being said, it is only four games. Many of the issues I've mentioned might simply be a case of the team learning on the job. The same goes for the manager. It may very well be that, come December, we will be running a lot more efficiently.
Patience, of course, is key. Everyone is aware of the circumstances behind this season, which makes my frustration with the boo boys yesterday all the more palpable. It would appear that it's not only the hierarchy that needs to learn patience when things get rough. This will be a tough season - the sooner everyone accepts that, the better.
So, yeah. Typing this up on a phone was a mistake. Cautious optimism is my mood, and I hope that will be well founded in the future.
Surprised that the regular journalists havent criticised Ole's 4231 yet.
Think that's our biggest problem on the pitch, because Pogba is wasted and shit in that position, and there really isn't any good senior AMC's around. Mata comes with the caveat that he's slow, and I dont think he has the stamina anymore to do the whole 90, let alone a series of matches.
McTom isn't Matic, and as much as it goes against the narrative, we really miss him after he got injured last season. Unfortunately though he turned absolutely shit after. Emil was right that he only has 6 months of good performance for him but it kinda seems even that seems impossible this season.
The other thing that surprised me is that there isn't more criticism of playing Pogba as our deep playmaker here or elsewhere. It was one of those things that we saw people dumped Mou on, with the argument that we should be playing a 4-3-3 to 'unleash Pogba'.
Think that's our biggest problem on the pitch, because Pogba is wasted and shit in that position, and there really isn't any good senior AMC's around. Mata comes with the caveat that he's slow, and I dont think he has the stamina anymore to do the whole 90, let alone a series of matches.
McTom isn't Matic, and as much as it goes against the narrative, we really miss him after he got injured last season. Unfortunately though he turned absolutely shit after. Emil was right that he only has 6 months of good performance for him but it kinda seems even that seems impossible this season.
The other thing that surprised me is that there isn't more criticism of playing Pogba as our deep playmaker here or elsewhere. It was one of those things that we saw people dumped Mou on, with the argument that we should be playing a 4-3-3 to 'unleash Pogba'.
brilliant page in traffic. The longer the posts the better
p.s. flutter my Malaysian friend has your flava berry juice. Pretty gud
p.s. flutter my Malaysian friend has your flava berry juice. Pretty gud
By Willkiller Go To PostYou've played 8 away games since beating PSG. That includes Barca, Arsenal and Wolves. Wolves btw, a newly promoted side. Albeit a side I was and am impressed with, but a newly promoted side that lost at home to Huddersfield, Crystal Palace, Watford non the less. A good team, but not a team that United should be frightened of playing at home.
But also a team with the spending power of a side that is established in the Premier League, that beat Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal, and drew with City, and finished seventh. Again, context is important. So what they look like, full picture on show, is a team that struggles to break down teams weaker than them that defend but thrive against stronger teams that open up. So am I glad we were better than they were and improved tenfold on our performances last season? Yes, yes I was.
Two of the 8, Huddersfield and Everton. Huddersfield got 16 points last season, Ole couldn't get the win. Everton away, 4-0 to Everton. I'd argue you had absolutely no chance against Barca, very little against Arsenal. Wolves away is a tough game. But it isn't a place that should result in 2 losses and a draw. Everton, again a solid side but there's no excuse for 4-0, United still should be going there and at the very least expecting a draw but surely are going for the win. Southampton and Huddersfield should be wins, no disputing that.
You’re right, the Huddersfield game is a terrible result. But Everton in Pep’s first season beat them 4-0. Last season, they beat Chelsea and Arsenal at Goodison, two teams that finished above us and made a European final.
This fact you're defending his run of form tells you everything you need to know about his United. Under Mourinho that run of form would have been completely unnacceptable, in his final season his worst run of away form was 2 losses and a draw in 3 games. The losses wereto Liverpool and City. He lost his job not long after that, plenty of United fans were calling for his head after that. But here we are, defending 4-0 losses to Everton, draws against Huddersfield etc etc. And seemingly, the only reason that seems to make that more acceptable to United fans, is that Ole is a good bloke.
So yeah, I laugh about Ole's patented Power of Smiling™, because fuck me. What a power it seems to have on you.
I would argue there is no such thing as Ole’s United; not really, not yet. He’s been in the job proper for about four months. He’s made three signings. That’s less than Bruce has made at Newcastle, in double the time.
What he has done is attempt to change our style of play to be more on the front foot, more aggressive pressing in the final third. He’s lowered our average age. He’s playing a core of British players. He’s got rid of Sanchez, Lukaku, Smalling - all players not good enough for us or who don’t want to be here. He’s doing a lot of things that are as important as getting results for me - our style of play is improving, I like watching young players (steady), I like us retaining a homegrown youth. He is doing those things.
As someone who watched turgid football under Benitez for a few years, and especially considering his own starts to Premier League seasons, it’s a tad confusing to me that you can’t separate results from everything else. Did you like Rafa because he got results? Or did you like him for him? Did you like that his teams fought hard and showed spirit? Did you like that he seemed a thoroughly decent man who enjoyed being at the club? Because if it was results, they weren’t that fantastic, and if it was performances then my god you like watching shit football.
Results are not the be all and end all of my joy as a football fan. And even on the results side of things, why the fuck would I care about ANYTHING that happened last season, shit results at Huddersfield included?
So far we have played four games. One we’ve won, one we should have won against a side that ate us alive last year, one we unluckily lost due to our own profligacy and terrible refereeing, and one that was a fair draw. We have easily the weakest squad of the top six. We have owners who refuse to invest in the squad to the level it should be. And Ole has brought about positive changes in lots of aspects of our club.
I think we’ll finish sixth this season. But that’s because I have realistic expectations of where we are as a club, whereas you seem to keep parroting that we have a god-given right as Manchester United to beat the likes of Wolves and Everton when Chelsea aren’t winning there and Arsenal aren’t winning there but Crystal Palace and Huddersfield are. Guess what? Football’s complicated. If anyone had a right to win, then Bolton wouldn’t be on the brink of extinction and Liverpool would have one of those fucking titles we’ve so delighted in keeping from their grasp for 30 years.
By FortuneFaded Go To PostI've started to like United recently. They are probably my favourite of the "top 6". I've developed a soft spot for them.Like some overripe produce. 😬
By Oddinho Go To PostSlaent United are good lads so I find myself sympathetic when I watch themI enjoy United losing more because of them. The team's comical failures inspire UnitedSlaent's best posts.
The absolute hyperbole & sheer stupidity of people saying United/Ole are just shit is both hilarious & astounding. It's these uninformed armchair analyst opinions that prove why everybody thinks they can be a football manager but only 0.001% actually can.
If you want the actual facts & reality then it's United's team is a top 4 level team, none of this deeeeeeerp they're not even good enough to finish in the top 6 moronic bullshit. At the end of last season Manchester United had by far the worst injury list out of any team (have a laugh but it's just the facts, feel free to prove me wrong) & after having to play 2 games every week for over 3 months the players were shattered & the performance levels & results greatly suffered. Combined with the points total under Mourinho this meant they just missed out on the top 4 by a few points.
This season the truth is every game United have played they've been the better team. In every game they've had more expected goals for than against & the majority of the time they've dominated possession which is why they're currently 3rd in the league for average possession per game. They've conceded few chances, while creating a decent enough amount themselves & the only thing you can criticise them for is they could be more clinical in their finishing. United are just two penalty misses away from being 3rd in the league right now & that doesn't even take into account the travesty of refereeing in the Crystal Palace game which would put United level on points with City in second. I absolutely guarantee you if United had scored those penalties nobody would be having these stupid conversations right now but because they did miss, the knee jerk footballing 'experts' say "United are shit, burn it all down, fire Ole, get rid of 90% of team". It's genuinely disturbing how out of touch from reality people are.
If you want the actual facts & reality then it's United's team is a top 4 level team, none of this deeeeeeerp they're not even good enough to finish in the top 6 moronic bullshit. At the end of last season Manchester United had by far the worst injury list out of any team (have a laugh but it's just the facts, feel free to prove me wrong) & after having to play 2 games every week for over 3 months the players were shattered & the performance levels & results greatly suffered. Combined with the points total under Mourinho this meant they just missed out on the top 4 by a few points.
This season the truth is every game United have played they've been the better team. In every game they've had more expected goals for than against & the majority of the time they've dominated possession which is why they're currently 3rd in the league for average possession per game. They've conceded few chances, while creating a decent enough amount themselves & the only thing you can criticise them for is they could be more clinical in their finishing. United are just two penalty misses away from being 3rd in the league right now & that doesn't even take into account the travesty of refereeing in the Crystal Palace game which would put United level on points with City in second. I absolutely guarantee you if United had scored those penalties nobody would be having these stupid conversations right now but because they did miss, the knee jerk footballing 'experts' say "United are shit, burn it all down, fire Ole, get rid of 90% of team". It's genuinely disturbing how out of touch from reality people are.
By J Ciaran Go To Postbrilliant page in traffic. The longer the posts the betteryeah, it's not as sweet as most.
p.s. flutter my Malaysian friend has your flava berry juice. Pretty gud
The whole brand is pretty good, they have a variety of flavors. If you're in Malaysia btw, just get them through Shopee. There's some really great deals for vape stuff there.
Good post r436.
Yeah, the draws and losses might sting but you play really good attacking football. Not to mention Kante, Rudiger, and Hudson Odoi are on the sidelines that will improve your team in the latter half of the season.
Yeah, the draws and losses might sting but you play really good attacking football. Not to mention Kante, Rudiger, and Hudson Odoi are on the sidelines that will improve your team in the latter half of the season.
By J Ciaran Go To Postapparently he was pictured smoking the other day in spite of his pneumonia much to the dismay of JuveSarri will die before he wins the scudetto.
By FortuneFaded Go To PostThe idea that lower leagues is all hoof ball has been an outdated stereotype for years. Nothing to do with Pep.
Exactly. Little more frustrating in than those fans turn their noses up at lower league football, eschewing their local club for something more glamourous - then have the fucking cheek to say anything good coming from the lower leagues must be a result of the crumbs thrown our way.
By n8 dogg Go To PostBut also a team with the spending power of a side that is established in the Premier League, that beat Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal, and drew with City, and finished seventh. Again, context is important. So what they look like, full picture on show, is a team that struggles to break down teams weaker than them that defend but thrive against stronger teams that open up. So am I glad we were better than they were and improved tenfold on our performances last season? Yes, yes I was.
You’re right, the Huddersfield game is a terrible result. But Everton in Pep’s first season beat them 4-0. Last season, they beat Chelsea and Arsenal at Goodison, two teams that finished above us and made a European final.
We agree on Wolves, they're a good side. But I'd still make the argument that last season you still shouldn't suffered two losses and a draw against them. Everton, the result against City was a complete anomaly for City. A fantastic win for Everton, but for City that loss didn't come in a run of terrible away form. Outside of context 4-0 at Gooderson looks awful, inside context it doesn't as look as bad for City as it does United. Not even close.
I would argue there is no such thing as Ole’s United; not really, not yet. He’s been in the job proper for about four months. He’s made three signings. That’s less than Bruce has made at Newcastle, in double the time.
What he has done is attempt to change our style of play to be more on the front foot, more aggressive pressing in the final third. He’s lowered our average age. He’s playing a core of British players. He’s got rid of Sanchez, Lukaku, Smalling - all players not good enough for us or who don’t want to be here. He’s doing a lot of things that are as important as getting results for me - our style of play is improving, I like watching young players (steady), I like us retaining a homegrown youth. He is doing those things.
Well that's nonsense, he's been in the job since December. He made 3 good signings, two I think United would have made regardless of manager mind. He also publically was happy with his squad and seemingly didn't push for a midfielder which you obviously need, and seemingly was more than happy to not replace Lukaku. Which to me seemed insane, and seems insane now.
Style. Style is a funny one. United are 100% more attacking than under Mourinho, no doubt about that. Far better to watch too. But a style? I'm not sure I see much of a style. Klopp at Liverpool is a good example, he came in during the season and by all accounts had a poor season (though I'd argue they had a far weaker side than United at that time), but no doubt results were sacrificed in order to implement a CLEAR style. Klopp's Liverpool have a style and an identity. City have a style and an identity. United are more attacking like I said, but I'm yet to really see a clear philosophy for United.
As someone who watched turgid football under Benitez for a few years, and especially considering his own starts to Premier League seasons, it’s a tad confusing to me that you can’t separate results from everything else. Did you like Rafa because he got results? Or did you like him for him? Did you like that his teams fought hard and showed spirit? Did you like that he seemed a thoroughly decent man who enjoyed being at the club? Because if it was results, they weren’t that fantastic, and if it was performances then my god you like watching shit football.
Results are not the be all and end all of my joy as a football fan. And even on the results side of things, why the fuck would I care about ANYTHING that happened last season, shit results at Huddersfield included?
Well context is very key, comparing United under Ole and Newcastle under Rafa is somewhat pointless because our goals and resourcesare so different. Why Newcastle love Rafa is a pretty complex question to answer but I think there's some similarities between us and your love of Ole. Mou made the atmosphere toxic, it wasn't fun watching United (which made it very fun), the press conferences were nasty, there was distain for the club publically, the players publically etc etc. Ole comes in all smiles, showers praise on players Mou went in on, got the fans on board etc etc. I think that's why you're willing to forgive what are to me, huge shortcomings for him as manager. We love Rafa because he was a caliber of manager we haven't had for 15+ years, he clearly loved the club and the city, he believed in Newcastle as a project; he turned poor players into solid, hard working players, he made us believe that the players actually cared etc etc etc. But more importantly he did his job on the pitch very well. Fun to watch? Fucking no. But he got us up and re-established us as a premier league club. It's all we could have asked for and hoped for under given the awful conditions behind the scenes.
So far we have played four games. One we’ve won, one we should have won against a side that ate us alive last year, one we unluckily lost due to our own profligacy and terrible refereeing, and one that was a fair draw. We have easily the weakest squad of the top six. We have owners who refuse to invest in the squad to the level it should be. And Ole has brought about positive changes in lots of aspects of our club.
I think we’ll finish sixth this season. But that’s because I have realistic expectations of where we are as a club, whereas you seem to keep parroting that we have a god-given right as Manchester United to beat the likes of Wolves and Everton when Chelsea aren’t winning there and Arsenal aren’t winning there but Crystal Palace and Huddersfield are. Guess what? Football’s complicated. If anyone had a right to win, then Bolton wouldn’t be on the brink of extinction and Liverpool would have one of those fucking titles we’ve so delighted in keeping from their grasp for 30 years.
You probably will finish 6th. 6th would be solid. For Ole. That's my point, you appointed a manager who I believe has a ceiling of 6th. If that's what United want to be now, fine.
You are at the most critical point in your history, you need to rebuild and you appoint a manager who only has experience in Norway, and in the PL relegated Cardiff. He is not the best manager United could have gotten for this season, he just isn't. But he's who you have, and as a result you'll be happy with 6th. It just didn't have to be that way.
By Doicare Go To PostTIf you want the actual facts & reality then it's United's team is a top 4 level team
Most of what you said I can get behind, but this is genuinely laughable. They're not close to Liverpool or City, and Spurs finished 3rd, reached a CL final and strengthened over summer. Meanwhile, Arsenal have gotten rid of their own deadwood (Welbeck, Elneny, Jenkinson, Lichtsteiner) while significantly upgrading in other areas (Pépé in Iwobi out, Tierney in Monreal out, David Luiz in Mustafi relegated to backup). Even their big loss (Ramsey) has been pretty effectively replaced with Dani Ceballos coming in.
Arsenal's first XI is stronger than Man Utd's, they have more depth than Man Utd, and their manager is more competent than Man Utd's. They also finished ahead of Man Utd last season regardless, and even then didn't finish in the top 4 themselves.
Chelsea is a more complicated argument to make. I still think they're more complete than Man Utd (and a better side overall), but Arsenal is a slam-dunk.