stw2022
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2021
- Messages
- 3,687
The way we play is under examination not whether we win individual matches. If we were constantly creating chances, looking a threat, dominating possession and playing well then sure 'coaches don't fluff headers' might work, but that isn't the case. The criticism of how we're coached seems to be based around the fact we often don't create much, we often don't play well (even if we end up getting the result) we don't really have a style of play and there rarely ever seems to be a plan B tactically. With very few exceptions we will start the game with the same basic set-up, formation and approach as when we started with most subs being like for like changes.
That isn't down to someone fluffing a header, nor really is it right to overlook it even if the header isn't fluffed.
The old adage is that not playing well but getting results is a positive. And that's true but it's almost always used in the context of the clubs at the top as a way to praise resolve and determination when an otherwise excellent team is going through a rough patch. It should be something in the arsenal of a top side to use occasionally or in short spells. It shouldn't be the norm and I'm sorry but for us it's been the norm for two years. Those initial dozen games, or whatever it was, remains the peak of how we played post-Ferugson. Since then, since he's been able to bring his own people in and has had time to set up the coaching arrangement he wants it hasn't improved. In fact in terms of our style and approach - the entertainment factor if you will - it's markedly worse and I don't think if you put those first dozen games aside there is much difference to how we played under Van Gaal and Mourinho
"We're second in the league"
We finished 2nd under Jose and we won the Europa League. LVG won the FA Cup. These things are either mitigations for the drab football we play or they're not. They can't only be considered mitigations to the criticism unless you've already been fired.
That isn't down to someone fluffing a header, nor really is it right to overlook it even if the header isn't fluffed.
The old adage is that not playing well but getting results is a positive. And that's true but it's almost always used in the context of the clubs at the top as a way to praise resolve and determination when an otherwise excellent team is going through a rough patch. It should be something in the arsenal of a top side to use occasionally or in short spells. It shouldn't be the norm and I'm sorry but for us it's been the norm for two years. Those initial dozen games, or whatever it was, remains the peak of how we played post-Ferugson. Since then, since he's been able to bring his own people in and has had time to set up the coaching arrangement he wants it hasn't improved. In fact in terms of our style and approach - the entertainment factor if you will - it's markedly worse and I don't think if you put those first dozen games aside there is much difference to how we played under Van Gaal and Mourinho
"We're second in the league"
We finished 2nd under Jose and we won the Europa League. LVG won the FA Cup. These things are either mitigations for the drab football we play or they're not. They can't only be considered mitigations to the criticism unless you've already been fired.