We really need to start putting away our chances, in terms of chances created we are amongst the best teams in the PL. in terms of converting them to goals, we are amongst the worst. That has to start changing and soon.
True that. The games vs Arsenal and Spurs have shown that the team is starting to play well vs the top teams too.
Very good point.
And with the games he does get hell break the record and retire happy.
sadly this is a reality.
Agree completely.
Indeed. Plus he set the scene as soon as he took charge by killing the "midfield general" stuff before a ball had been kicked.
Yeah, in hindsight he's played a blinder.
Agree with that, even though I would take him over Martial right now on the left, and the way he dealt with the whole issue shows the importance of "big club" experience because someone like Moyes would have tiptoed around the issue and allowed it to cost him his job. Very good observation.
Wenger is reaping the benefits of stability, the same thing you are denying Mourinho and one which Ferguson exploited even when his squad's quality was dire. We can't afford to remain in perpetual rebuilding mode and we have seen enough to conclude that Mourinho knows what he is doing. Right now what the club needs to communicate to the players and the fans is the fact that the manager is here to stay and that those players who don't buy in to his methods face the chop otherwise we will end up with a billion pounds worth of average talent whilst remaining stuck in mid table mediocrity. As things stand the performances have improved, we are seeing guts and fight from the team and the gap between us and the challengers is still manageable so why not let him build? His signings have been top notch but we all acknowledge the fact that there is a lot of work to do before we reach the point where we can be satisfied with our squad, I think we are about three signings away from becoming a top team - a Carrick replacement, a prolific wide forward and possibly a striker (should Martial and Rashford not progress).
Very good point. We heard a few comments early on that were clearly briefed to the press but they seem to have been quickly and effectively shut down. We now seem to have a player who should be useful in the squad role he clearly deserves. Touch wood this will be the end of the non-story until at least the Summer.
Credit to Rooney too for not kicking a fuss
I think you're being incredibly unfair here. I know that this isn't necessarily a counter to the point you are making but one thing should be obvious to anyone who has seen us this season: our players (with the obvious exceptions of Martial and Rashford, who both sparkled under LvG) have all improved tremendously under Mourinho. Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo seem completely rejuvenated and the signing of Eric Bailly has proven to be a masterstroke; that's the centre half problem seemingly sorted. Mata, Herrera and Valencia are all having very good seasons, and combined with Pogba (I didn't see enough of Juve last season to know where he is at compared to last season) and with Carrick at the base, we look solid in midfield against most teams. Our attack is also clearly much better than it has been for three years. What is lacking is a bit of ruthlessness, both in terms of taking chances and in terms of seeing games out, we tend to invite pressure late in games recently.
Same logic could have always gone against Alex Ferguson, though I don't necessarily agree with it. It's not a clear cut tactical philosophy but it's not a lack of tactics whatsoever. Del Bosque I think once famously referred to Fergie as a tactical anarchist. I don't think we ever had a clear-cut pure tactical philosophy under him, but it seemed to work just fine. Also, building a match plan around a player's individual qualities is completely fine and we've done that a lot with Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy. It's pragmatism, it is different from how most top clubs operate, but it has worked for us in the past. And if it makes the boat float, well, I have no problem whatsoever with it.
While I don't entirely disagree with what you're saying, I distinctly recall Chelsea players talking about how they would go into team briefings and be given comprehensive data on the players they were likely to line up against before any given match, those players strengths and weaknesses and what they were likely to do.
Yea that makes sense. Tactician was the wrong choice of words in hindsight. He studies, analyzes and reacts accordingly. Just different from the Klopps, Guardiolas, LvG's, etc. - which isn't a bad thing.
Bit late for that no?
Not really. Thats stage 2 of the journey.
I don't see how I can take this post seriously. He worries more about the opposition? Hell yes he should. Does he do it too much? Yes, maybe he can tone it down a bit but not to the level of Guardiola who played a high line against Jamie fecking Vardy with suspect defenders.
Rooney also has to take some credit for that. He is has been dealing with it quite well so far. Most on here made it sound he would be left "angry and confused".
Absolutely. Of course, giving Rooney any credit for anything is an anathema to the caf.
Yeah, i'd rather have a pragmatic manager who may consider the opposition to much, instead of a idealist who gets shafted in big matches because he refuses to diverge from his system
This post is mental and does a huge disservice to Jose and the management staff. Have a word with yourself.
So far in this thread I've been very much "Come on, it's one/two games, let's hold off until we actually string a run of results together" - I still think that's the case, however, that post is absurd. The idea that we don't look like far more of a team, that's we're not a better footballing side, and that we're not improving under him, is dreadful.
I sure did enjoy that. Rooneys sense of entitlement was getting out of hand. We have Pogba, Herrera is showing he can put in midfield performances Rooney could only dream of, whilst Carrick has a better midfield skill set. I remember Herrera couldn't get games as Rooney had to play AMC or CM. Jose exposed Rooney for his shiteness. played it perfectly. I respect Rooney has put in better performances recently but he got too complacent.
You cant really say that about a) without knowing what goes on in the private meetings between Woodward and Mourinho. Yes he has been allowed to bring his own people in, but neither you or I know about the accountability. We have discussed the DOF and the triad or whatever it is called before, and I agree something like that could be beneficial and is worth looking at and discussing (though as i have said before I think finding the right people is another problem and I dont think Ive heard any really compelling answers on that so far) but that doesnt mean its the only way to go. A DOF isnt the only way of providing accountability.
If we had taken our chances in games we should win all day long (4 home draws in succession is a joke) we would very much be in the title race. It isn't like we are chasing Real Madrid. We threw points away so we are where we are. Costa has been the difference maker for Chelsea winning them points.
