The Art of War by SAF

VII · 16th May 2008, 23:43

Been thinking constantly about the last few games, the final and how the league panned out eventually and how about this for a thought?

This may sound far fetch but is it conceivable that SAF took the 'gamble' by resting players at Stamford Bridge and playing in that containing manner confident that even if it goes down to the wire we'll win by the goal difference?

What I'm trying to say is that it's a gamble he know that he'll win. So why did he do that if we can win the title right there and then?

First, it will be to our advantage to keep the league open as far as possible. If we lose, it'll go down to the last game. If we drawn, that's one more game Chelsea had to win instead of resting all their key players depending on our 2nd last game's result. Like how a true hustler try to win his mark by as little as possible and lose a few in return.

Secondly, making Chelsea lose as close as possible is a bigger blow to their confidence and mentality and less time to recover.

Last but not least, we gave them a false prelude of our tactics in the final. Now, they can almost anticipate how we're gonna play in Moscow based on that day and they won't know what hit them when we're through with them.

If you're familiar with The Art of War, you'll know that the masters employ all kind of tricks and strategies to gain an advantage no matter how small and SAF is The Master.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not your enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” - Sun Tzu

TakeMeHome · 16th May 2008, 23:52

I studied that cunt in my business module. Him and Machiavelli.

lorcanjc · 16th May 2008, 23:54

I don't know it he thought that much about it to be honest

brophs · 16th May 2008, 23:58

There were a few interviews last year, where Reo-Coker said his favourite book is the art of war, so not sure there's too much to be said for it in a footballing sense. Unless of course SAF is looking for the secret to absolute mediocrity.

Domino · 16th May 2008, 23:59

Basically he rested players against chelsea because he wanted us to get to the champions league final.

NFT

Suedesi · 17th May 2008, 00:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by VII

Been thinking constantly about the last few games, the final and how the league panned out eventually and how about this for a thought?

This may sound far fetch but is it conceivable that SAF took the 'gamble' by resting players at Stamford Bridge and playing in that containing manner confident that even if it goes down to the wire we'll win by the goal difference?

What I'm trying to say is that it's a gamble he know that he'll win. So why did he do that if we can win the title right there and then?

First, it will be to our advantage to keep the league open as far as possible. If we lose, it'll go down to the last game. If we drawn, that's one more game Chelsea had to win instead of resting all their key players depending on our 2nd last game's result. Like how a true hustler try to win his mark by as little as possible and lose a few in return.

Secondly, making Chelsea lose as close as possible is a bigger blow to their confidence and mentality and less time to recover.

Last but not least, we gave them a false prelude of our tactics in the final. Now, they can almost anticipate how we're gonna play in Moscow based on that day and they won't know what hit them when we're through with them.

If you're familiar with The Art of War, you'll know that the masters employ all kind of tricks and strategies to gain an advantage no matter how small and SAF is The Master.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not your enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” - Sun Tzu

Except he didn't know Chelsea would be in the final, so that's where your argument breaks down.

He did so that we could win against Barca, enough said.

Erics_Collar · 17th May 2008, 00:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakeMeHome

I studied that cunt in my business module. Him and Machiavelli.

Im a big fan of Niccolo Machievelli

Ronaldo07 · 17th May 2008, 00:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by brophs

There were a few interviews last year, where Reo-Coker said his favourite book is the art of war, so not sure there's too much to be said for it in a footballing sense. Unless of course SAF is looking for the secret to absolute mediocrity.

There's a difference between applying the philosophy's in a book to your own life on the level that someone like Sir Alex probably would (if he's read the book, of course) and someone like Reo Coker who may have understood only small patches of the book

olesmyhero · 17th May 2008, 00:17

He knew we could still win the league even if we lost at Chelsea, so he took a gamble. We won the league by 2 points and are in the CL Final. I'd call that a solid gamble.

VII · 17th May 2008, 00:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suedesi

Except he didn't know Chelsea would be in the final, so that's where your argument breaks down.

He did so that we could win against Barca, enough said.

That's why it was a gamble. Chelsea had the away goal advantage coupled with the unbeaten home record. Which made them the more likely opponent.

He did it because we can afford to do it and my point being it was actually better to take the gamble than not. Would he had done the same if Chelsea had 1 more point? Possibly not.

Suedesi · 17th May 2008, 00:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by VII

That's why it was a gamble. Chelsea had the away goal advantage coupled with the unbeaten home record. Which made them the more likely opponent.

He did it because we can afford to do it and my point being it was actually better to take the gamble than not. Would he had done the same if Chelsea had 1 more point? Possibly not.

Right, so

Quote:

First, it will be to our advantage to keep the league open as far as possible. If we lose, it'll go down to the last game. If we drawn, that's one more game Chelsea had to win instead of resting all their key players depending on our 2nd last game's result. Like how a true hustler try to win his mark by as little as possible and lose a few in return.

Secondly, making Chelsea lose as close as possible is a bigger blow to their confidence and mentality and less time to recover.

Last but not least, we gave them a false prelude of our tactics in the final. Now, they can almost anticipate how we're gonna play in Moscow based on that day and they won't know what hit them when we're through with them.

is gibberish

VII · 17th May 2008, 00:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suedesi

is gibberish

To the untrained mind.

brophs · 17th May 2008, 00:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by VII

To the untrained mind.

Or to anyone with a basic grasp of logic, and risk. It just contains too many variables to be remotely realistic, outside of a game of Football Manager.

VII · 17th May 2008, 00:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by brophs

Or to anyone with a basic grasp of logic, and risk. It just contains too many variables to be remotely realistic, outside of a game of Football Manager.

Thanks for proving my point.

BahamaRed · 17th May 2008, 00:29

Fergie works very closely with CQ as regards tactics and statistics and stuff like that and I do believe it's their combined genius that has produced what we have.

Raven_Blade · 17th May 2008, 00:29

Fergie is very clever and he is a gambler. You cant get your rewards without taking a few risks.

brophs · 17th May 2008, 00:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by VII

Thanks for proving my point.

Disproving.

Bynni · 17th May 2008, 00:54

SAF might as well have written the book

Chorley1974 · 17th May 2008, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suedesi

Except he didn't know Chelsea would be in the final, so that's where your argument breaks down.

He did so that we could win against Barca, enough said.

bingo!

skillz · 17th May 2008, 15:18

Yeah but tbh, he has been around long enough to know you don't leave anything to chance. He would have wanted to get the title done and dusted asap. At Wigan, on another day things could have gone horrendously for us with another Ref. SAF knows how decisions were not going for us towards the end of the season, so it would have added to the pressure too, as it is a key variable that you "know enemy, and know self" philosophy leaves out too.

16th May 2008, 23:43	#1 (permalink)
VII Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sir Alex Ferguson, Greatest Manager Ever, Bar None. Posts: 1,141	The Art of War by SAF Been thinking constantly about the last few games, the final and how the league panned out eventually and how about this for a thought? This may sound far fetch but is it conceivable that SAF took the 'gamble' by resting players at Stamford Bridge and playing in that containing manner confident that even if it goes down to the wire we'll win by the goal difference? What I'm trying to say is that it's a gamble he know that he'll win. So why did he do that if we can win the title right there and then? First, it will be to our advantage to keep the league open as far as possible. If we lose, it'll go down to the last game. If we drawn, that's one more game Chelsea had to win instead of resting all their key players depending on our 2nd last game's result. Like how a true hustler try to win his mark by as little as possible and lose a few in return. Secondly, making Chelsea lose as close as possible is a bigger blow to their confidence and mentality and less time to recover. Last but not least, we gave them a false prelude of our tactics in the final. Now, they can almost anticipate how we're gonna play in Moscow based on that day and they won't know what hit them when we're through with them. If you're familiar with The Art of War, you'll know that the masters employ all kind of tricks and strategies to gain an advantage no matter how small and SAF is The Master. “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not your enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” - Sun Tzu

16th May 2008, 23:52	#2 (permalink)
TakeMeHome TakeMeHome Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: I dunno... Posts: 1,143	I studied that cunt in my business module. Him and Machiavelli.

16th May 2008, 23:54	#3 (permalink)
lorcanjc First Team Sub Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dublin Posts: 5,591	I don't know it he thought that much about it to be honest

16th May 2008, 23:58	#4 (permalink)
brophs Reserve Team Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dublin Posts: 2,512	There were a few interviews last year, where Reo-Coker said his favourite book is the art of war, so not sure there's too much to be said for it in a footballing sense. Unless of course SAF is looking for the secret to absolute mediocrity.

16th May 2008, 23:59	#5 (permalink)
Domino Reserve Team Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: London Posts: 888	Basically he rested players against chelsea because he wanted us to get to the champions league final. NFT

17th May 2008, 00:17	#9 (permalink)
olesmyhero has a lazy eye...japs eye Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 4000+ miles west of old trafford Posts: 9,709	He knew we could still win the league even if we lost at Chelsea, so he took a gamble. We won the league by 2 points and are in the CL Final. I'd call that a solid gamble.

17th May 2008, 00:29	#15 (permalink)
BahamaRed Legend Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Location: Location: Posts: 8,571	Fergie works very closely with CQ as regards tactics and statistics and stuff like that and I do believe it's their combined genius that has produced what we have.

17th May 2008, 00:29	#16 (permalink)
Raven_Blade Attention Whoring Common Crow Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Earth. Milky Way Galaxy. Posts: 13,808	Fergie is very clever and he is a gambler. You cant get your rewards without taking a few risks.

17th May 2008, 00:54	#18 (permalink)
Bynni Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: In close proximity to bacon and beer. Posts: 501	SAF might as well have written the book

17th May 2008, 15:18	#20 (permalink)
skillz Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 2,494	Yeah but tbh, he has been around long enough to know you don't leave anything to chance. He would have wanted to get the title done and dusted asap. At Wigan, on another day things could have gone horrendously for us with another Ref. SAF knows how decisions were not going for us towards the end of the season, so it would have added to the pressure too, as it is a key variable that you "know enemy, and know self" philosophy leaves out too.