So then doom merchant... What would you do?

[FreakyJim]

First - I'd get rid of all slow and weak players. Wait, that's two-thirds of the squad. Not possible.

Honestly, I don't have a fecking clue. Don't envy Mourinho or whoever comes after him. The job is beyond difficult, to put it mildly.

 

[RyRy11]

Look at playing 442 or 433 variations.. Not once have I seen us play well in a 4231 even in Fergie's later years.

Work on set peices: looks sunday league attacking and defending them.

Defence: Get rid of Smalling & Jones and replace them with defenders that know what positioning means. If we could aquire a wing back that can help transitional play out the back then great.

Midfield: Get rid of Fellani, keep hold of Carrick but find someone who is going to play most of our games in the holding role that is solid. With a 442 Herrera, Pogba, new holding mid are interchangeable for the two positions, In 443 I would like herrera and pogba to play further infront to aid the attackers in numbers.

Attackers: Get rid of Rooney and start to phase Zlatan out. Move Rashford and Martial to permanent strikers. Need to start ditching the thought that we can play 10's or forwards as wingers. See whether Mhiki and Mata can play along side a striker in a 442, if not move them on. Play Lingard less, Buy a pacey winger and a top class 9 should one come available.

Probably not the most coherent lists but thats my view.

 

[Vida5Nick]

Sell Rooney, Fellaini, Young,Valencia and Ibrahimovic, basically those 30+s and approaching the end of thier careers or average enough to be moved on. Bring in a mix of potential youths and established players to replace. Basically a new team but heck, we need one anyway. We need a fast team based on pace and attacking potential to move the ball up fast yet defend solidly.

4-3-3 False nine

-----------------DDG------------
De Sciglio---Bailly---Niklas Sule-----Shaw

----------------Goretzka---------------


----------Saul------------Pogba---------


Mkhitaryan--------Griezmann-------- Martial

Subs:Brandt,Herrera, Rashford,Gaya, Blind, Son, Mata,Darmian.


Going to be expensive but our squad does need an overhaul irregardless; this can be negated by buying young players with potential and one or two halo players in Griezmann should help the talented younger players mature

 

[ghagua]

Hire a competent manager who can win with some style. But then again, I don't get paid millions to make decisions like that. I do pay to go to matches whenever I can, so will criticize something I don't like. If people did not complain, then we would still be stuck with Moyes in charge for 6 years.

 

[Ramshock]

There's an awful lot of negativity on the Caf these days, the vast majority non constructive. I understand expectations aren't being delivered but this thread isn't about that. This is for you to say, realistically, what you'd do with your club.

Jose Mourinho leaves and you take over. For arguments sake we don't have CL football.

You have the current squad and resources at your disposal. I want to hear how you'd put things right and how long it would take?

Tactics, transfers, strategy, objectives..

Id delete my fingers

 

[berbatrick]

Improve key positions-one top quality DM, one target man (need not be 1st choice), 1 left-footed quick player (for RW).
More importantly, have faith in our flair players and give them an extended run.
Sell Rooney for sure, and possibly also Fellaini, Carrick, Jones, Darmian.

 

[Freak]

I don't know man. Probably lose any competitions that we have, get us relegated so that all the players leave and we can start fresh. In the Long run it's better that way.


I'm obviously wumming.

 

[Fosu-Mens]

First i would give Mourinho another summer window and then 12 months from now to judge him! But for the sake of the argument this is how my 3 years plan(article style) for "saving" us! Doing the same as every other failing multibillion$ corporation would do:
1. Set yearly goals:
Year 1: Qualify for CL.
Year 2: Use CL qualification to lure some top players to the club. Challenge for PL-title.
Year 3:Win PL and challenge for CL-win (Semifinals).

2. Benchmarking:
Compare us to the best current teams in Europe(Juventus and Reak Madrid) in regards to squad composition and tactics. Hopefully see some differences in how we play and what abilities players in certain positions should have.

3. Most likely findings from the benchmarking:
Tactics: The use of traditional wingers is outdated. When team is in possession of the ball the "wingers" goes central supporting the lone striker and with a somewhat free roaming role. Fullbacks pushed high taking the role as wingers on both sides. Putting in crosses, while the "wingers" are in the box. Also one holding/sitting midfielder, so called destroyer with decent technical, but good physical abilities. All players should be comfortable on the ball, playing short, fast passes on small areas. Recommend watching this video-analysis of how Real Madrid play: youtube
Squad composition/player abilities: Players in general are more balanced in regards to abilities, meaning that a defender should be able to play technical, or an attacker should be able to defend to some degree. Furthermore the need for physical abilities: you can't be slow and weak at the same time(called a hobbit), especially important for wide players.

4. Tactics and formations:
I would like to differentiate between attacking(on the ball) and defensive(off the ball) tactics. Attacking tactics should not so much be dependent on who you play, whereas defensive tactics should(especially against top teams.).
Attacking T&F: Straight out copy the way Real Madrid play, as shown in the video. On paper a 4-3-3 but not really so. Fullbacks playing as wingers, wingers going central etc. 3 in the midfield where one is holding/destroyer, 1 is the playmaker/spielfuhrer and the third is a more dynamic attacking B2B.
Defensive T/F: Dependent on opposition, but usually 4-4-2, where one winger goes into the midfield and the other as striker. High pressure, try forcing long balls and win possession.

5. Squad composition/Transfers(DDG stay or go? Who knows? Will not touch the subject). Have more or less a clear 1/2 second string.
Will sell/release these players the first window:
Rooney - Finished.
Zlatan - Due to injury.
Blind - Weak for a CB, slow for a FB. And actually not that good on the ball.
Jones - Injuries
Smalling - Injuries
Shaw - Has the qualities of a modern FB, but the injuries. Get the money while we can.
Darmian - Would have been a great fullback in 1960.
Mata - Hobbit.
Januzai - Attitude, lack of coachability etc.
Total: 75£-100£

Transfers in(Some of the transfers might not come, based on the no CL fact):
Starting LB - Emerson, Roma. Fast, crossing, dribbling got it all. Not more than 30£.
Starting CB - Van Dijk, Southampton. Strong, fast, technical defender. Uncertainty regarding lack of CL. 50£ max.
Starting CDM - Hopefully Fabinho, but he may not want to come. Then i would go for a short term solution in Luiz Gustavo. Big, strong, "only" 29, decent on the ball. 20£
Starting RB - Aurier. Second string in PSG, rumored this summer anyways. National link with Bailly. 25£ max.
Attacking player - Thomas Lemar. Versatile attacking player. Might be going to Juventus though. 40£. Other options would be Bruma at Galatasaray. Since we got no CL then no Dybala or Griezmann.
Backup CB - Micheal Keane. If it is true that we managed to bake in a re-signing clause in the contract for only 15£, then sign him up.
Backup CF - Defoe on free. 15 goals for Sunderland managed by Moyes. Says it all. Short term.
Backup CDM - Soualiho Meïté, 23, Zulte Waregem(loaned from Lille). 15£. Wanyama with two feet and technique. Don't know why he hasn't been linked to a big club yet.
Total: 185£
Keep Carrick and Fellaini for another year.

6. Lineup(Clear first 11 and second 11)
Giving us a first 11(Second string) 4-3-3(Same tactics as Real Madrid):
DDG(Romero)
Aurier(Tony V) - Bailly(Keane) - Van Dijk(Rojo) - Emerson(Young)
Herrera(Carrick) - L. Gustavo(Meïté) - Pogba(Fellaini)
Lemar(MhikiT) - Rashford(Defoe) - Martial(Lingard)

Additional youngsters like Tanuezebe and TFM given playtime in cups etc. Pereira kept and be tried as a midfielder as he has in LaLiga this season. And replace Fellaini if he is usable.

7. Season 2 transfers(Assuming that we get CL qualification)
Young - Replaced by some young LB. Like Ryan Sessegnon.
Carrick retired - Leandro Paredes, Roma, in. Great passing and vision. Long and short balls. Can attack and tackle, control the game. Herrera moved to second string.
Fellaini sold - Some fast B2B midfielder, Naby Keita, Saul, Koke or something like that.
Defoe out - Break the bank for Dybala.
8. Season 3 Transfers:
Splash cash on world class replacements for Gustavo and Mhikyarian. Too far into the future to name specifics.

So why might this work:
1. Real Madrids tactics is really simple, modern and made for breaking down teams that park the bus against them.
2. Replacing so many players the first season does not necessarily mean that the squad needs time to settle or that it will be useless for 6 months. Remember that Mourinho sold 8+ and bought 8+ players his first season at Chelsea and still won the league comfortably.
3. Having players with abilities suited to their position might be an idea? I mean Blind as a CB, or let Darmian touch the ball above midfield.

 

[BlueViper]

Given the moaning about moaners should we soon expect to see a lengthy essay on how you would fix this and make the forums great again (with a full complement of tactics, strategy and objectives)?

 

[beergod]

EBOUE

 

[Werd.]

Ask the players to be more horny on the pitch.

 

[yellowandgreens]

Get rid of the deadwood:

Jones - Injuries
Darmian - Not good enough as an attacking full back
Rooney - Too old
Zlatan - Doubtful that he recovers from the injury - and if he does the wages until he is fit would be huge
Januzaj - Hasn't developed

Promote youngsters and give more playing time:

Tuanzebe
Fosu-Mensah
Pereira

Buy 2 of:

Lukaku or Greizman or Bale

&

A defnesive midfielder who can play - Fabinho?


------------------De Gea-----------------
--------Bailey-----------Tuanzebe-------
Valencia------------------------------Shaw
---------------Fabinho--------------------
------Herrera---------Pogba-----------
Greizmann-----Rashford------Bale-----



----------------Romero-------------------
--------Smalling---------Rojo---------------
Fosu-Mensah-------------------------Blind
-------------------Carrick------------------
-----------Pereira---------Fellaini
---------------------------------------
Mata----------Martial--------Mkhitaryan

 

[Raees]

90% of this thread seems like Brexiteers moaning about Remoaners and sucking each other off about how top red they are for never complaining.

If you want a proper constructive thread with good discussion how about you just tag people that you wanted to hear from? And see if they can give explanations or put forward their ideas.

 

[Green_Red]

There's an awful lot of negativity on the Caf these days, the vast majority non constructive. I understand expectations aren't being delivered but this thread isn't about that. This is for you to say, realistically, what you'd do with your club.

Jose Mourinho leaves and you take over. For arguments sake we don't have CL football.

You have the current squad and resources at your disposal. I want to hear how you'd put things right and how long it would take?

Tactics, transfers, strategy, objectives..

Sign all me mates as the starting XI and play every game until I was sacked.

 

[esmufc07]

You lot play too much football manager

 

[Kag]

You'll find the worthless moaners, who the Caf would do well to feck off, will come in here and try and be funny/smart without answering the question.

@Kag

How can you possibly see or tell where @TheReligion head is at while your is up your own arse?

Do lighten up, boys.

On a more topical note. I'd argue that the vast majority of 'moaning' directed at both Mourinho and the quality of our football in recent months is completely fair as justified. Other than that, very few, if any, people are seriously suggesting that Mourinho should be sacked.

You're seeing things.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

There's an awful lot of negativity on the Caf these days, the vast majority non constructive. I understand expectations aren't being delivered but this thread isn't about that. This is for you to say, realistically, what you'd do with your club.

Jose Mourinho leaves and you take over. For arguments sake we don't have CL football.

You have the current squad and resources at your disposal. I want to hear how you'd put things right and how long it would take?

Tactics, transfers, strategy, objectives..

Naah, I'll do so bad, not even manage to managing one game, for sure I'll get fired.

Haha being a manager is not easy, especially managing this big club, the pressure is insane.

Tbh, I'm not good handling pressure, definitely will flunk for sure.

Thinking about it, it's funny how many posters seem to indicate they know better than Mourinho, a proven winning manager with good impressive records. Too much FM? Too much FIFA Career manager?

Saying is easy though.

Part of why I have not much problem with Jose overall (except the few things like public criticism of players, too much excuses), and decide to put my trust on this winning manager. Mourinho won't want to tarnish his good records with losing.

 

[Varun]

Step down immediately.

And give it Giggsey till the end of the season.

 

[Varun]

By the same sentiment if you do not like a meal at a restaurant you have no right to act like a spoilt brat, cause a scene and upset the other customers.

If you don't like the restaurant make a complaint and never go back again.

I hope you remember this is a football forum.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

Naah, I'll do so bad, not even manage to managing one game, for sure I'll get fired.

Haha being a manager is not easy, especially managing this big club, the pressure is insane.

Tbh, I'm not good handling pressure, definitely will flunk for sure.

Thinking about it, it's funny how many posters seem to indicate they know better than Mourinho, a proven winning manager with good impressive records. Too much FM? Too much FIFA Career manager?

Saying is easy though.

Part of why I have not much problem with Jose overall (except the few things like public criticism of players, too much excuses), and decide to put my trust on this winning manager. Mourinho won't want to tarnish his good records with losing.

Whenever someone makes one of these arguments I like to remind them that even someone like David Moyes has a lot more knowledge and experience in regards to Football than anyone here. So by that measure none of us should be able to question his decisions.

 

[wolvored]

We need a CB, a DM, a LW with a left foot, 2 F, at least, whatever system we use. Go 4-4-2 against the weaker teams and away against better teams, (because there would be next season), 4-5-1. Get rid of some of the dead wood and players too old and slow now. Rooney Carrick Smalling and Jones would be my first to shift. You cant shift too many in one transfer window. Try and play with more pace, more urgency. Take risks to score, especially against 'weaker' teams. Rotate in these matches, trust playing the likes of Tuanzebe TFM etc. you dont know what you got until you try. experiment more in EL, LC and FA cup. Prioritise the league.

 

[An Irish Red]

I'd sell Fellaini and then buy him back again just so that I could sell him twice.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Whenever someone makes one of these arguments I like to remind them that even someone like David Moyes has a lot more knowledge and experience in regards to Football than anyone here. So by that measure none of us should be able to question his decisions.

Not really, I'm okay with the posts that criticise well Mourinho's way of managing, it's not perfect, and there is a lot of things to be questioned about like ethical dimensions of it like when he criticised them publicly or his media comments, and more so on to his decisions in games like substitutions, formations, tactics, player selections, and then his other decisions like the players he sold and will sell this upcoming summer.

David Moyes is not really a winning manager is he.

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

You lot play too much football manager

Well the OP asked how people would change things and changing personnel is how we are going to progress. Cannot really criticize people without making a point of your own to counter it.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

Not really, I'm okay with the posts that criticise well Mourinho's way of managing, it's not perfect, and there is a lot of things to be questioned about like ethical dimensions of it like when he criticised them publicly or his media comments, and more so on to his decisions in games like substitutions, formations, tactics, player selections, and then his other decisions like the players he sold and will sell this upcoming summer.

David Moyes is not really a winning manager is he.

But, he has still accomplished a lot more in Football than anyone else here. And just keeping his job at Everton as long as he did is a major accomplishment considering how much managers get sacked every season.

 

[AXVnee7]

None of us do. Which is why we're not football managers.

We can all type a load of stuff, but whether you're a whinger or optimist, no one here knows thr answer.

What an odd thing to say...

In which case perhaps the whingers could cut Jose some slack? That's essentially the whole point of this thread. People complaining about this or that, without offering suggestions for improvement whether presented constructively or not. Everyone likes the moan when things aren't going there way. Myself included, I've had a moan at things from time to time BUT I don't make it a habit because in the long run it's detrimental to fruitful discussion. For many it's become a culture on the forum, and that's the problem.

I'll give you one example, Romero is being played over DDG in the Europa League, and most likely will in the final too. Yet that thread is full of moaners who instead of making their case as to why they think DDG should start over Romero (perfectly fair argument to be made there), would rather prefer to fashion a stick to beat Mourinho with. Another? Have a look in the Spurs v United match day thread yesterday and see the number of people who used the term 'embarrassing'. Yet if someone like Rashford got injured, then the same ones would the first slating Jose for not resting him.

 

[ROFLUTION]

Not a moaner but:
- Save money in defence. Go for a guy with no contract left or 1 year left, sell smalling.
- buy two BIG hungry players. Griezmann, Belotti, Sanchez, Griezmann, Lukaku
- Buy Semedo
- get some sort of buy option on Dolberg by paying for having such option. Buy him after 1-2 years in Ajax.
- Play this:

De Gea
Valencia-Bailly-Rojo
Semedo - - - - - - - - Mkhi
Herrera - Pogba
Rashford - Belotti - Griezmann
​

Results of this:
- it might make us more pacy and flexible like Chelsea. Griezmann can roam like Hazard.
- Big guy up front to have more options than playing it over the line
- Semedo/Mkhi offer ability to put even more pressure on against midtable sides
- it takes some reschooling of Mkhi and Valencia, but both have the abilities to pull it off - Pogba will learn the cm role. First season is always tough.

 

[Mihai]

I just dont see buying half an new starting XI and hoping they gel as a realistic option.

Realistically, we need reinforcements in all those areas, apart from maybe Costa. But, if he is willing to leave Bayern, then we should be in for him imo. I would add LB as well. And this doesn't take into account the situation with De Gea.

We bought 4 players last summer, 3 of those went straight into the first team. We could do the same next season.

 

[Mihai]

I'd decide on a system. Say, robust defensively, don't need to dominate the ball, but can spring a counter attack decisively and quickly. Soaking pressure and catching teams out on the break. In games where teams sit back, similar strategy but obviously more on the front foot and attack decisively. No dilly dally on the ball.

This is how we play, no?

 

[Mihai]

I don't know man. Probably lose any competitions that we have, get us relegated so that all the players leave and we can start fresh. In the Long run it's better that way.


I'm obviously wumming.

Wumming in disguise. The new trend on redcafe.

 

[RoadTrip]

This is how we play, no?

Not really. We hardly attack quickly.

 

[ivaldo]

Realistically, we need reinforcements in all those areas, apart from maybe Costa. But, if he is willing to leave Bayern, then we should be in for him imo. I would add LB as well. And this doesn't take into account the situation with De Gea.

We bought 4 players last summer, 3 of those went straight into the first team. We could do the same next season.

And we hardly started the season terrifically. Adding another 5/6 players into that side isn't going to solve the problem.

 

[VivaObertan]

In all seriousness, you're not going to get many serious replies @TheReligion because the whingers complain, for the sake of it. The majority of them genuinely have no idea how to answer this question.

This!!!

I think we've had a good season, all things considered. If we don't make the UCL group stage next season I'll be disappointed but on the whole I'm still happy with the job Jose's done.

 

[Mihai]

And we hardly started the season terrifically. Adding another 5/6 players into that side isn't going to solve the problem.

I don't think the issue has been the new additions. Besides, we need at least for players in key positions. I don't think Jose is going to rely on both Smalling and Jones, so a new central defender needed. We still don't know what is going to happen with Shaw, he is too injury prone to rely on him. We need a central midfielder and a striker. This is minimum.

 

[Rusholme Ruffian]

People complaining here on this forum would be the equivalent of a negative Yelp review.

Yep, and if some of those reviews began "I've always hated the chef at this restaurant, I hated him when he was at the cafe down the road, and I hate the way he cooks - I'll NEVER enjoy his food...." then I'd be well within my rights to think that those reviewers were never going to give him a chance in his new restaurant and I'll just make my own mind up using my own tastebuds.

Am I doing this right?

 

[TheReligion]

I hope you remember this is a football forum.

Yep that's why I'm trying to encourage something more interesting that pure dross.

By all means moan but at least bring something to the table of interest. Far too many posters get away with posting drivel without any actual context and it's frustrating. I'm not saying JM is perfect but I'm more than willing, and able, to put a balanced argument across with anyone as to why we should invest in him as a fanbase given he's not even been here 12 months and the difficult job I feel needs doing with the core of our side.

 

[TheReligion]

Yep, and if some of those reviews began "I've always hated the chef at this restaurant, I hated him when he was at the cafe down the road, and I hate the way he cooks - I'll NEVER enjoy his food...." then I'd be well within my rights to think that those reviewers were never going to give him a chance in his new restaurant and I'll just make my own mind up using my own tastebuds.

Am I doing this right?

There's an element of this too I agree.

A portion of people desperate for him to fail at the expense of our club. I'd go as far to say there are 'fans' on the forum with a word document typed up ready to gloat if we don't win the EL final.

 

[Ballache]

Assuming we win the EL:

---------------------------DDG/Romero--------------------------
Valencia/Semedo-Bailly/Smalling-Rojo/Tuanzebe-Shaw/Darmian
------------------------Fabinho/Carrick--------------------------
----------Herrera/Fellaini---------------Pogba/Perreira---------
Mata/Costa---------------------------------------------Martial/Mikhi
-------------------------Rashford/Lukaku------------------------

Those would be the main players going into the season, the we have the likes of Lingard, Blind, Joel Perreira, Young (I'd keep him around for another season) to complete the squad.

Sell Rooney, Jones, Januzaj; release Zlatan and Loan TFM.

I'd keep Carrick around for one more season as back-up, I reckon he'd be ok in the LC and against weaker teams at home. Fellaini offers something different and has proved himself to be a decent squad option this season, I hate buying too many players and I reckon the squad above is enough to get a top 3 finish and fight for the cups (we have no chance of winning the CL). Then we build on that, I don't think throwing stupid money on Griezmann and James is going to solve anything.

 

[Varun]

Yep that's why I'm trying to encourage something more interesting that pure dross.

By all means moan but at least bring something to the table of interest. Far too many posters get away with posting drivel without any actual context and it's frustrating. I'm not saying JM is perfect but I'm more than willing, and able, to put a balanced argument across with anyone as to why we should invest in him as a fanbase given he's not even been here 12 months and the difficult job I feel needs doing with the core of our side.

It's an interesting thread. I was talking about your "put a complain and leave never to come back" post. We don't want that as we want people to discuss things here.

 

[Rusholme Ruffian]

There's an element of this too I agree.

A portion of people desperate for him to fail at the expense of our club. I'd go as far to say there are 'fans' on the forum with a word document typed up ready to gloat if we don't win the EL final.

I absolutely guarantee that. Someone wrote the other day that even when we win it is 'bittersweet' for them cos Jose is in charge?! There will be plenty that are actually hoping that we lose the final to hasten his departure.