Really good reply, I should have been clearer in that I wasn't specifically ranting about your post, more the wider issue of him being written off as useless etc. Your last paragraph is pretty much on the money with where I am.I didn't expect a wall of text as a reply, and dare I say with a 'holier than thou' attitude. I'm fine with it though, we all have our viewpoints.
I didn't say Ole was tactically inept all the time but sometimes he is. If you've watched us over the last 2 years and the number of draws we've had against low block teams, I'm not sure how this is even debatable. He has surely got his high points, his record against the better managers in PL talk for themselves, but he's not a top tier tactical manager like Klopp or Guardiola or Tuchel. I don't think he has hidden this at all, where he has candid in his interviews about his job. I'm sure every manager have been made to look like a fool in a one off game, but you just can't compare Guardiola's over the top tinkering with Ole's tactical nous at all. To state it again, he's tactically inept sometimes. not on every other game he has led United. I think there's a big difference between the two. It's not a sackable offense, but what I said is not wrong. Feel free to disagree though. I'm just going to ignore the entire narrative in your head blah de blah because it comes across as overly defensive.
I'm glad you didn't bother at all with the other points but went ahead with the rant. I'm ok with a slow overhaul of team and I'm glad we are not doing a 'replace the entire XI' approach. But the fact remains that we have to use McFred / Matic in midfield while we bought VdB, Ronaldo, Sancho, Cavani and Varane, with Lingard still on the books. This is something that could and should have been addressed in the window, and I just don't understand keeping Lingard and VdB in the squad at all. Anyway, not everything in can be laid at the feet of OGS which is why I have said that he has at least had a say in retaining some of the deadwood. Not sure what Mata adds to the team, never mind there are only 25 slots in the team. I've always backed Fergie to carry players like Anderson in the squad, but Fergie kept winning while he did it. Maybe OGS doesn't have the luxury yet.
My point though is ultimately different. I don't need to prove my top red creds to you but I'll tag someone who has been consistently been critical of OGS but have said he will happily support him if he wins something (@Kush) . I've been in discord groups with Kush and he can attest to the fact that I'm shamelessly pro OGS. I'm more than happy to have him manage the squad in spite of these shortcomings that I can readily agree. OGS is the first manager post SAF to put United front and center in every issue. He subtly protects his players, doesn't mind telling nonsense to the press to protect the club and acts with a refreshing integrity. Having hated Mou's resign vociferously. I'm glad that OGS is the manager of the club that I can identify with. I've stopped posting on football threads mostly here but while it may be controversial, I'm of the view that OGS be retained a manager for a couple of years more irrespective of the results and standings (obviously, a caveat in place for dangerously inexplicable drop in form) as he brings tangible progress in other areas of the club.
While I understand that there is a dichotomy of people here as Ole Inners and Ole Outters, I'm a Ole Inner who is proud to own his limitations and will have him as the manager. I'll also happily state that If he wasn't one of my favorite players and a club legend, I will probably be more critical of him. If I'm a hypocrite, I'll happily tell the world that I am.
Of course it is. You just sign any one of a dozen midfielders that people like and hire a coach that someone has heard of. That will solve all of our problemspeople act like managing a massive football club is a piece of piss
I do a pretty good job on Football Manager to be honest.people act like managing a massive football club is a piece of piss
There is no need to apologize for your post and I didn't take any offence. It's all good.Really good reply, I should have been clearer in that I wasn't specifically ranting about your post, more the wider issue of him being written off as useless etc. Your last paragraph is pretty much on the money with where I am.
Apologies if the attitude came across bad, I don't typically interact on forums, I type as I hear things in my head and my tone wasn't directed that way, I feel this conversation would have been very amicable face to face in all fairness.
Appreciate the reply though, can't really disagree with it.
When we got calamity squad people were complaining.there are lots of things I could criticise him for (and do sometimes) but we're heading in the right direction, he's done a fantastic job so far
people act like managing a massive football club is a piece of piss
Not sure if you are really that important tbhSo basically criticism is fine and encouraged as long as I agree with it?
If there is a sentence that sums up how things would be in an ideal world then it would be this. Its fine to have reservations, and to write a fair critique is of course acceptable, but the level of anger and frustration that is all too apparent on here at times is not warranted. In fact its downright unhealthy and its putting a lot of people off of visiting this forum. So many posters on here come across as people that don't really enjoy following this club nowadays.I'm happy to support the club if they feel that OGS is pulling things along nicely.
Genuine question.So basically criticism is fine and encouraged as long as I agree with it?
Come on now, mate. This is an Internet forum!I only wish to convey that there is a happy medium between OGS is a total waste of space and OGS is the next SAF
So I'm still torn two ways on Ole.I've been meaning to make this thread for a while. There seems to be some people who think that there are fervent Ole inners who can't take any criticism of the club. That is simply not true. What I (and others evidently) on this forum can't stand are illogical and stupid arguments. Here are some of them:
1) Ole is inept tactically
The fact Manchester United have just set a record for the longest unbeaten record is evidence of this. You simply can not go that long in the most competitive league unbeaten if you don't have a clue what you are doing. The fact that Ole has the best record against Pep of anyone who has ever played against him (as far as I am aware) should also go to dismissing that fallacy. If you want to argue that tactics can be improved, then I would love to read your posts. I don't really understand a lot about football myself. But the idea that he's completely useless is thrown around here a lot and it doesn't follow.
2) Ole is poor at changing the game
The simple fact that we have come from behind to win so often is proof that this is also nonsense. We gained thirty-one points from being behind at different points last year. That is insane. The idea that follows that Ole doesn't react quick enough or is poor at making subs is therefore silly as well. Are there instances where Ole didn't make the exact decision you would have done? Sure. Is Ole clearly understanding the pattern of the games and adapting accordingly. Well obviously.
3.) Ole has ignored the midfield problem
Not at all. He just can't solve everything at once. We are now seeing Ole assembling the most exciting United team for almost a decade. But there probably is an issue with our midfield. The problem is before this window there was also a problem with our right wing and our CB. At centre back we've just signed a world class defender (as far as we can assume so far) and means we now have a great back up option in Lindelof to rotate. Otherwise we were one injury away from relying on Baily and Tuanzebe. Sancho will hopefully prove to be an exceptional talent in a role where we literally had Greenwood and Dan James. Now of all the pressing concerns we had, CB and RW seemed to be a massive priority. Effectively we've spent 90 million this summer and upgraded both significantly.
4.) Ole has kept the deadwood around/we are fleeced for our player sales.
Now this one I get but some people have both these views simultaneously. We know there are some players in the squad that are not up to our standard. However, you simply can not get rid of these players for nothing else you will have a weaker position in the transfer market next time. I've seen some people say we should just accept a couple of million for Lingard and get him to West Ham. If you do that, you won't get £25 million for James later in the window. Ole has absolutely turfed out around 15 first team players in his time at the club who weren't good enough and now we finally look to have a squad of players ready to contribute. Lest you forget that Young, Valencia, Rojo, Darmian, Fellaini, Sanchez, Smalling, Perreira were all around the first team when he arrived and have since been deemed no longer good enough.
Again, there are issues with the team. If you want to point out we often go behind in games and make it hard for ourselves, that is fair enough. If you want to argue that Ole should have strengthened midfield rather than CB that is also fair enough, it's just much more complicated than flat out saying he has ignored it.
No-one wants a forum where people can't complain. We just want reasonable posts and some of you have clearly decided Ole is not good enough and make up any old reason to justify your opinion.
Cheers for that. Yep, that's pretty much exactly where I'm at. There's rarely much middle ground in football, a player or manager is either dog shit or world class it seems.There is no need to apologize for your post and I didn't take any offence. It's all good.
I only wish to convey that there is a happy medium between OGS is a total waste of space and OGS is the next SAF. I think he's good for us, even with his limitations. Tactical masterminds like LvG didn't take us anywhere and lesser said the better about Mou. I'm not saying a manager like Tuchel won't improve us but I'm happy to support the club if they feel that OGS is pulling things along jnicely.
Good post. I agree with a lot of what you said.So I'm still torn two ways on Ole.
I don't think he gets enough credit for the improvements he's made, or any of the positive things he's done. Our squad compared to when he took over undeniably has more quality in it. The attitude and level of performance of almost every player has improved. We are much more fun to watch in spite of the kind of fair criticisms about us not having a clear style of play. We show character now, the team is more likeable. We have had some great moments even without a trophy. Some of it you can put on the players, but Ole is the manager so you have to give him the credit where it is due.
But...a lot of the criticisms to be honest are fair. I wouldn't say he is tactically inept. We don't set up and spend 70 minutes not trying to score a goal, or with wingers playing up front and strikers in midfield and everything just hoofing the ball to Fellaini so he can head it to no one, as we did under known tactical genius LVG. He is though a bit tactically unaware...but I would say there are few managers who are tactical geniuses, partly because a football game isn't actually a game of chess, so it's not a massive criticism. Sir Alex for example would do some very strange things and Pep at times is bafflingly stubborn and seems to insinuate it's the other team's fault for not playing football correctly if they tactically outsmart him.
He is undeniably poor at recognising when a change is needed in a game for me. Last season for example...Brighton away...9-10 times they get a chance at the far post due to Bissaka being exposed there. Ole does nothing and it should cost us the game if it wasn't for us being awarded a penalty after the game had finished. Everyone watching this game could see that we should have changed it, and this is a frequent pattern in our games. Sometimes it is obvious before the game even starts...last week for example. I knew before the game that Matic would sit too deep and our midfield would struggle with Fred there on his own...and a lot of other people watching would have thought/known this as well, and this is exactly what happened, and it didn't get addressed at any point. Firstly, if as a fan you know where your team is going to struggle before the game starts, then it is perfectly fair to criticise the manager if he cannot spot this. Secondly, the problem isn't so much making the mistake in the first place, it's the fact he will make the same mistake again within the next few weeks. Indicating that he is actually completely oblivious to it.
He has clearly ignored the midfield problem, in that the midfield is clearly a problem. Even if you really rate Fred and McTominay, there are only two of them and we play 50+ games over a season. We have spent £80m on Sancho, then signed Varane and Ronaldo. The midfield has either been ignored or whatever attempt to address it that there was has failed. Its also not a problem that has cropped up overnight. The midfield has been a problem since before Ole took over. The one bit of progress Ole has made is recognising that Pogba is far better suited playing in front of it, but then every 2-3 games he still sticks him back there again because we have no one else. We can argue about whether midfield was a bigger priority than signing a centreback, Sancho, etc...but the midfield has not been addressed, that much is just a fact.
I don't care about the deadwood argument. I would be with you on that. "deadwood" has been a buzzword on here for years. As soon as we sell one player who is supposedly deadwood, people just lable someone else as it. Its quite childish really. Often it'll be used to describe players who are actually important over the course of a season. We do have too many players now, but I think that's more a legacy of Woodward's ridiculous attempt to run down the contracts of half our squad at the same time a few years ago. It's certainly not something Ole is the main culprit for.
The other thing though, is that these criticisms aren't unique to Ole. As someone else in this thread rightly pointed out, you can put fair criticisms at any manager. Sir Alex was guilty of a lot of the things Ole is. He spent nearly a whole season playing KEane at centreback and O'Shea/Phil Neville in midfield. He brought on O'Shea as a striker when we needed a goal against Bayern Munich. Pep/Klopp do some very silly things. The difference with these managers is that they are exceptional in other areas so the mistakes might cost the odd game here and there, but are generally eclipsed by the fact they drive the team to being a succesful one. This is what Ole hasn't quite been able to do. The mistakes he makes almost seem to be the difference between the team being succesful or not. His weird management in the Europa League final you could argue was a major contributor to us not winning it.
So for me he either needs to cut down on the errors (unlikely as he doesn't seem to learn from them), or prove he can be succesful in spite of them, which I have doubts about but am still not at a point where I have given up hope...especially not after 3 games...but it is very frustrating to see us struggle in games for the same reasons over and over. We have had three games this season, and the midfield problem has surfaced in two of them, and we also won a game 5-1 and then thought it was clever to pick a completely different attack for the next one. Its hard to understand at times.
I'm not sure what the issue supposedly is with Greenwood as he's 19 and has mostly been extremely good. I would agree James isn't really good enough and Rashford should never be on the right both because he is rubbish there and because its a complete waste even when he is in form...but I wouldn't agree its a bigger problem than the midfield. We scored plenty of goals last season and when there was an issue with attacking it was usually the lack of a reliable striker in the absence of Cavani. Then there is the issue that Sancho is actually seemingly more comfortable on the left so we can't even be sure he addresses the problem.Good post. I agree with a lot of what you said.
However not the part of the midfield. I was also crying for a midfielder this summer but rationally speaking, seeing McFred playing is a lot less worse than seeing Lindelof at the back or Rashford, Greenwood of the last season or James at RW. We basically couldn't attack there to a point teams didn't bother to defend their left flank.
Had McT was not injured imo the midfield issue would not be regarded as seriously as atm. He tried Matic Fred it didn't work, then he switched on Pogba Fred. Guess next time it might be VDB Fred. It's not like he has many choices anyway I think.
We probably spent all of our money on Sancho and Varane and it's also true there was not many good CM available. I'd rather wait and get the right one than panic and get another deadwood, we had more than enough already.
Still, I don't know if loan is possible after the window closed but in case it is we should get a good CM on loan I think. Or by Jan.
1 - I feel we have the most individual players that change the game in the whole league. Bruno, Pogba, Greenwood, Martial, Rashford, Cavanni and Ronaldo now are all capable of changing the game with a moment of brilliance. We shouldn't be relying on that though and thats the issue. We are a tea of moments rather than patterns, and that worrying. When players are having a bad game, its the patterns that can get you a goal. Who knows, maybe Oles plan is to load up as many players capable of good moments and hope for the best.I've been meaning to make this thread for a while. There seems to be some people who think that there are fervent Ole inners who can't take any criticism of the club. That is simply not true. What I (and others evidently) on this forum can't stand are illogical and stupid arguments. Here are some of them:
1) Ole is inept tactically
The fact Manchester United have just set a record for the longest unbeaten record is evidence of this. You simply can not go that long in the most competitive league unbeaten if you don't have a clue what you are doing. The fact that Ole has the best record against Pep of anyone who has ever played against him (as far as I am aware) should also go to dismissing that fallacy. If you want to argue that tactics can be improved, then I would love to read your posts. I don't really understand a lot about football myself. But the idea that he's completely useless is thrown around here a lot and it doesn't follow.
2) Ole is poor at changing the game
The simple fact that we have come from behind to win so often is proof that this is also nonsense. We gained thirty-one points from being behind at different points last year. That is insane. The idea that follows that Ole doesn't react quick enough or is poor at making subs is therefore silly as well. Are there instances where Ole didn't make the exact decision you would have done? Sure. Is Ole clearly understanding the pattern of the games and adapting accordingly. Well obviously.
3.) Ole has ignored the midfield problem
Not at all. He just can't solve everything at once. We are now seeing Ole assembling the most exciting United team for almost a decade. But there probably is an issue with our midfield. The problem is before this window there was also a problem with our right wing and our CB. At centre back we've just signed a world class defender (as far as we can assume so far) and means we now have a great back up option in Lindelof to rotate. Otherwise we were one injury away from relying on Baily and Tuanzebe. Sancho will hopefully prove to be an exceptional talent in a role where we literally had Greenwood and Dan James. Now of all the pressing concerns we had, CB and RW seemed to be a massive priority. Effectively we've spent 90 million this summer and upgraded both significantly.
4.) Ole has kept the deadwood around/we are fleeced for our player sales.
Now this one I get but some people have both these views simultaneously. We know there are some players in the squad that are not up to our standard. However, you simply can not get rid of these players for nothing else you will have a weaker position in the transfer market next time. I've seen some people say we should just accept a couple of million for Lingard and get him to West Ham. If you do that, you won't get £25 million for James later in the window. Ole has absolutely turfed out around 15 first team players in his time at the club who weren't good enough and now we finally look to have a squad of players ready to contribute. Lest you forget that Young, Valencia, Rojo, Darmian, Fellaini, Sanchez, Smalling, Perreira were all around the first team when he arrived and have since been deemed no longer good enough.
Again, there are issues with the team. If you want to point out we often go behind in games and make it hard for ourselves, that is fair enough. If you want to argue that Ole should have strengthened midfield rather than CB that is also fair enough, it's just much more complicated than flat out saying he has ignored it.
No-one wants a forum where people can't complain. We just want reasonable posts and some of you have clearly decided Ole is not good enough and make up any old reason to justify your opinion.
You probably didn't remember but Greenwood was not really in top form last season. He usually tried to cut in from the right but blocked then he basically made no impact. Adding AWB offensive liability to that and our right wing often didn't exist. Which lead to teams able to shift their defense more to their right and block both our flanks.I'm not sure what the issue supposedly is with Greenwood as he's 19 and has mostly been extremely good. I would agree James isn't really good enough and Rashford should never be on the right both because he is rubbish there and because its a complete waste even when he is in form...but I wouldn't agree its a bigger problem than the midfield. We scored plenty of goals last season and when there was an issue with attacking it was usually the lack of a reliable striker in the absence of Cavani. Then there is the issue that Sancho is actually seemingly more comfortable on the left so we can't even be sure he addresses the problem.
Midfield would have been up there as the priority for me along with centreback (obviously no complaints there). I actually think Fred and McTominay are fine, as a pair, but the idea they'll both stay fit and unfatigued for every game goes beyond gambling and into being completely unrealistic. McTominay always picks up injuries, Fred always has bad runs of form, and both get tired when played too often. We didn't need to try Matic and Fred to know it wouldn't work because we already know Matic will go and sit in with the centrebacks as soon as the opposition press. We already know we can't really play Pogba there either so that leaves no alternative options unless we try VDB which Ole evidently does not see as an option. Its going to make a lot of games this season into a struggle where the defence and forwards will be trying to compensate for carrying the midfield. For me its a fundemental problem, where as the right wing was just somewhere that we could do with improving.
The fact Chelsea were able and also felt the need to bring in a quality midfielder on loan, despite already having a stronger midfield than us, kind of emphasises the point. I think its fair to make arguments about whether it was a priority...I just wouldn't necessarily agree with them, but we'll see...Its not accurate to say we haven't ignored the midfield though when other teams we are competing with were able to address their own midfields, without even spending any money on a transfer.
Spot on. This is going to become obvious to everyone the second Sancho hits his stride.I was also crying for a midfielder this summer but rationally speaking, seeing McFred playing is a lot less worse than seeing Lindelof at the back or Rashford, Greenwood of the last season or James at RW. We basically couldn't attack there to a point teams didn't bother to defend their left flank.
Maybe to some people, but we had some really good league wins fighting against good Arsenal, Chelsea and then City teams. The league is a better standard now overall (though the invincibles Arsenal and Jose's Chelsea were as good as any right now), but I do think last season was a bit of an anomaly in terms of performance of other big teams. A bit like the 2015 season, which also can't be denied was a weak season for the biggest teams.It's a weak argument which gets trotted out any time United finish higher than Liverpool.
Thw whole league was shit for a good 20 years when fergie was in charge.
Greenwoood was a bit off last season but then he's a teenager so that is just going to happen. Sancho is barely older than him so I'm not sure how signing him solves that problem specifically. At the moment if you had to pick one of them to play on the right its a very easy decision and the decision isn't Sancho.You probably didn't remember but Greenwood was not really in top form last season. He usually tried to cut in from the right but blocked then he basically made no impact. Adding AWB offensive liability to that and our right wing often didn't exist. Which lead to teams able to shift their defense more to their right and block both our flanks.
You should check some of the RW thread last season and you'd see how big that issue was for us.
It's not ideal that we couldn't address our midfield this summer but imo it's understandable. Anyway it's not on Ole I think, he of course would love to buy or loan a better CM if possible.
Because Sancho is a winger and already one of the best in the world despite his age. We didn't buy him for this season but also for the next 5 - 10 years. At least supposedly so.Greenwoood was a bit off last season but then he's a teenager so that is just going to happen. Sancho is barely older than him so I'm not sure how signing him solves that problem specifically. At the moment if you had to pick one of them to play on the right its a very easy decision and the decision isn't Sancho.
I think Bissaka's shortcomings going forwards are overstated as well. At some point on here people started expecting whoever we play at right back to somehow be better at attacking than almost any right back in the history of football. There is basically nothing Bissaka can do that people will be happy with. Its all a bit bizarre to me as I think the right wing is an area where we could do better but its not like we've been losing or unable to compete in games due to who we play there. The most frustrating thing has been seeing Ole pick Rashford to play there completely unecessarily over and over (which I bet he'll still do this season, btw) and weakkening our left wing in the process...and the most frustrating thing with Bissaka for me is actually his inabillity defensively to cover the far post on crosses.
To be honest I don't pay too much attention to the general consensus on here because it is often quite bonkers. At one point Lukaku was rubbish for us while scoring nearly 30 goals in a season. At another point the biggest issue was apparently that Rooney was secretly picking the team (no seriously). A year or so ago the consensus was that Ole was rubbish because his name wasn't Pochettino and because he doesn't know how to coach a team in the way Lampard does...and I also remember most people on here wanting Ronaldo sold because he supposedly wasn't good enough. I often feel like I just watch completely different games to this forum.
I think it is on Ole because the way he picks and sets up his teams and constantlly fails to address the same repeating issues in midfielld, suggests he doesn't really recognise that there is a problem there. Or doesn't think its a particularly significant one...where as the two of our three games this season and the inevitable injury to McTominay would suggest that it certainly is a significant problem. Setting up how we diid against Wolves and letting the opposition run riot through the middle almost certainly would cost us games or stop us being able to compete in them.
Bang on.Spot on. This is going to become obvious to everyone the second Sancho hits his stride.
The vast majority of pundits and Twitter fans have goldfish memories, so right now the line after two games where we've lost the midfield battle is that Sancho was an unnecessary luxury and there was no need to sign a right winger. As limited as they are, McTominay and Fred will look miles better once we start building attacks using the entire damn pitch instead of having everyone standing in the same spot.
Agree with a lot of what you've said in the last few posts, but I just find it too much of a stretch to believe that Ole isn't seeing or expecting to see what happens when a midfield other than the McFred combination takes the field. He knows these players way better than we do. For me it has to be filed in the 'there are things we don't & can't know' column because there is no way any manager at this level is missing anything this clear. A lot of what we've seen in the last two games is the same as the start of last season - the team simply don't look physically ready yet. Wolves was a shambles in the same way that Spurs and Brighton were this time last year, and they were probably the only performances all season that conveyed that same level of disarray that we saw at Wolves.I think it is on Ole because the way he picks and sets up his teams and constantlly fails to address the same repeating issues in midfielld, suggests he doesn't really recognise that there is a problem there. Or doesn't think its a particularly significant one...where as the two of our three games this season and the inevitable injury to McTominay would suggest that it certainly is a significant problem. Setting up how we diid against Wolves and letting the opposition run riot through the middle almost certainly would cost us games or stop us being able to compete in them.
The 'individual brilliance' thing is what annoys me the most, as though all the top teams haven't had players who won games through moments of individual brilliance.The funniest thing I have seen is when we win, people say, put 11 good players and they will find a way to win, when we score good goals they put it down to the players being so good and nothing tactically.
We have a Wolves performance and its Ole's fault, he is tactically inept, Ole ball is crap, bla bla bla.
At least have the same energy for both, if you criticise Ole for one game, you have to praise him when we win.
I saw somewhere where on twitter Rants and his crew saying Ronaldo is finished so I thought I go have a look at it. They are the most disgusting and disrespectful bunch of fans, I watched it for 10 minutes and the crap coming out of their mouth is special.
The Greatest manager ever also had players with individual ability, that is the reason they get paid alot and signed for alot of money.The 'individual brilliance' thing is what annoys me the most, as though all the top teams haven't had players who won games through moments of individual brilliance.
No successful team are purely a tactics system, all cogs in a machine working perfectly and programmed by a genius in the background. It's complete nonsense.
Barca ten years ago were the best team in the world, and that was in huge part due to the tactics Pep put in place but take out 2 or 3 individuals and their associated brilliance and what do they actually achieve?
I can already see now that if we achieve any success this season the "individual brilliance" card will be played by the usual hacks.
To win you need a good manager, yes, but you also need great players who can pull amazing moments out of the bag without specific direction.
Just look at Liverpool last season. How much did Klopp's system help them when they were missing some of their best players through injury? And lest someone imagine that a perceived clear system at least gives you more predictability against weaker teams, Liverpool dropped almost twice as many points against lower half sides last season as we did, while they did a little better than us against top half sides. Which would appear to indicate that they have a style of play that is hard to make work effectively against teams that primarily defend, unless they have top individual quality available.The 'individual brilliance' thing is what annoys me the most, as though all the top teams haven't had players who won games through moments of individual brilliance.
No successful team are purely a tactics system, all cogs in a machine working perfectly and programmed by a genius in the background. It's complete nonsense.
Barca ten years ago were the best team in the world, and that was in huge part due to the tactics Pep put in place but take out 2 or 3 individuals and their associated brilliance and what do they actually achieve?
I can already see now that if we achieve any success this season the "individual brilliance" card will be played by the usual hacks.
To win you need a good manager, yes, but you also need great players who can pull amazing moments out of the bag without specific direction.