Armchair Manager Culture

[RUCK4444]

Is in full swing these days with so many knowing exactly what should be happening, transfer wise, budget, contracts, etc. Many not bothered with opinion, humble or arrogant ones, little assumptions, just facts eh. Why, cause they know better.

Who’s upset you bud?

There is a culture of being talked down to here, or shouted down. Can be hard to hold your own opinion at times.

Unless you think Ole and Pogba are rubbish in which case I know I’m right and your wrong!

 

[SirAnderson]

Who’s upset you bud?

There is a culture of being talked down to here, or shouted down. Can be hard to hold your own opinion at times.

Unless you think Ole and Pogba are rubbish in which case I know I’m right and your wrong!

No one, just trying to reel some hard facts in. Not that it will do anything mind you.
In this case we are both right...FACT!

 

[LilyWhiteSpur]

It’s much worse because people can hide behind their screen, and are able to write any drivel they fancy with little consequences.

Agreed, and even if you post that much rubbish that you become a joke, simply start a new account and start over.

 

[SirAnderson]

Agreed, and even if you post that much rubbish that you become a joke, simply start a new account and start over.

Or fly to India for a while

But yeah, it's rough out there. I think I've also seen more aggressiveness. Like the immediate approach for some is just to attack a posters thoughts or opinions. I think I do it myself at times, and have to step back and just take a breath.

 

[horsechoker]

I prefer the term "divano manager" as I have a much more continental style of arm chair management.

 

[SirAnderson]

I prefer the term "divano manager" as I have a much more continental style of arm chair management.

Noted. Just get rid of last years 3rd kit, you not a Zebrachoker ffs! And get with the times!

 

[Jezpeza]

Dont forget the Armchair scouts! find a random player you think is good then try to explain how he would fit a system that you designed in your head. Usually involves playing luke shaw left centre back and AWB in DM.

once remember someone posting a dossier on what Pochettino was going to do when he took over and how much Poch would enjoy working with Dalot and Demetri Mitchell as our attacking wingbacks then getting furious when I said it was never ever going to happen.

People can post what they want but I find the attempted deep tactical dives and analysis by fans followed by the obligatory no patterns of play argument just low quality tbh.

 

[SirAnderson]

Dont forget the Armchair scouts! find a random player you think is good then try to explain how he would fit a system that you designed in your head. Usually involves playing luke shaw left centre back and AWB in DM.

once remember someone posting a dossier on what Pochettino was going to do when he took over and how much Poch would enjoy working with Dalot and Demetri Mitchell as our attacking wingbacks then getting furious when I said it was never ever going to happen.

People can post what they want but I find the attempted deep tactical dives and analysis by fans followed by the obligatory no patterns of play argument just low quality tbh.

@Adnan Always see him coming up with some player he knows. Some good thoughts, but yeah, never a guarantee with any player. Tbf, I haven't read enough of you to assign you the title

 

[horsechoker]

Noted. Just get rid of last years 3rd kit, you not a Zebrachoker ffs! And get with the times!

Wtf is that gif?

 

[romufc]

People act as if we are managed by someone completely incompetent.

Believe it or not, Ole does have some ability or else he would not be Manutd manager. We have seen it at alot of clubs, if the players do not believe in the manager, they can easily get him sacked.

Pogba, Bruno, Rashy and the like wont just stick around because Ole is a nice guy, they want to win things.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

Armchair Expert:
"Someone who claims to know all the answers to a problem, situation or scenario but has little or no experience or real understanding of it."

I really need to understand this, or just probably accept its reality.

Somehow I feel it's increasing every single season though.
It's one thing to have an opinion, and a strong one at that, but to go around spouting as if we know better and defend it so vehemently, while bashing players and managers alike as if we could do better is just mind boggling.

This feels like it's becoming the predominant culture of fans these days, rather than trying to enjoying the game. Granted the 2 aren't mutually exclusive, but some just take it to another level.

It's probably always been like that maybe, but hey, guess it's part of the spectators game too now.

It's emotional as a fan, I get that, and unless you winning the league every year at a canter like Bayern and others, we will always have turbulent times. During which, I feel it's better to give the benefit of the doubt to a manager who has, (and in Ole's case) in my view done so much better than any of our preceding managers post Fergie, and results will eventually match it, we seeing it in patches, at that's to be expected, just like Fergie didn't conquer all before him in his first few years.
I've had my fair share of arm Chair managing, make no mistake, I just wish we can enjoy the game more than critize at every opportunity, sure it will get frustrating and demoralizing at times, so it's fair to vent and point out what your opinion of how you think it should have gone or what should have been done differently, but at the end of the day, don't spout of as if you know better, for the most part, you don't.
Otherwise, go coach your local team, earn you badges and make your way up the ladder so you can show people just how clued up you really are.

You're on a Man Utd message board. What do you expect?

Go on a Marvel message board, a Parent message board or anything of interest to a person. They won't just talk about what they like, they will talk about what can be improved and what they can do differently

 

[JJ12]

People act as if we are managed by someone completely incompetent.

Believe it or not, Ole does have some ability or else he would not be Manutd manager. We have seen it at alot of clubs, if the players do not believe in the manager, they can easily get him sacked.

Pogba, Bruno, Rashy and the like wont just stick around because Ole is a nice guy, they want to win things.

We wouldn’t finish 2nd or go far in cup competitions with somebody incompetent. Problem with message boards you don’t know who the feck you are talking too and whether or not they should be ignored.

 

[SirAnderson]

You're on a Man Utd message board. What do you expect?

Go on a Marvel message board, a Parent message board or anything of interest to a person. They won't just talk about what they like, they will talk about what can be improved and what they can do differently

You missing the point. No worries, as you were.

 

[crossy1686]

My favourite part about armchair management is the people who have the strongest opinions about how to manage have never actually managed anyone in their life, but could certainly manage Manchester United better.

Anyway, games like Football Manager and FIFA have simplified managerial roles as the reality is, management is quite boring and mostly conflict resolution/managing personalities. They've simplified these roles to make the games enjoyable and boiled things down to "make x decision, get x result". I think a vast majority of people don't realise how much grey area is involved when dealing with people on a daily basis, it's rarely black or white as you'd be led to believe.

All that aside, there's a selection of people who just come here to moan about anything and everything. They probably have bigger issues in their life though and this is the only outlet they have.

 

[Tallis]

I don’t see any issues with people being armchair managers or scouts. Everyone enjoys football in different way - as long as they are not loosing their mind, it’s all fun.

If we all just towed the line, what would we post on the forums - great game by the boys or we played well but lost ? That’s so boring

 

[SirAnderson]

I don’t see any issues with people being armchair managers or scouts. Everyone enjoys football in different way - as long as they are not loosing their mind, it’s all fun.

If we all just towed the line, what would we post on the forums - great game by the boys or we played well but lost ? That’s so boring

Again, if you read the OP, which mind you was written over a year ago. It specifically points out there's that leave nothing for debate or discussion, or open to changing opinion. They right and everyone else is wrong, no giving an inch. They know how the club should be ran, they know which players we should be getting, they know what our wage budget should be, who should be sacked etc. Again, they KNOW, not discuss what their opinion on transfers, budgets, etc are and have a logically and discussion without insult and aggression. A quick look at some of Pogba's or Oles or even anything less controversial and you will always find some that KNOW best.

 

[Someone]

It's a Football message board so we're all here to give our opinions. We don't need to be experts because nobody cares about what we say here.

I also think that while things might be a bit complicated behind closed doors, football at its heart is a simple game, and it's not necessarily being run by the most brilliant people in the world. I read a lot of great opinions here, much better than what you'd usually see from pundits on tv or even some journalists.

All in all I think being an armchair manager is completely fine, it's only bad when people start being aggressive about it, some go as far as targeting players online, but other than that, I'd happily read a discussion about anything football related here or anywhere online.

 

[Borys]

Armchair Expert:
"Someone who claims to know all the answers to a problem, situation or scenario but has little or no experience or real understanding of it."

I really need to understand this, or just probably accept its reality.

Somehow I feel it's increasing every single season though.
It's one thing to have an opinion, and a strong one at that, but to go around spouting as if we know better and defend it so vehemently, while bashing players and managers alike as if we could do better is just mind boggling.

This feels like it's becoming the predominant culture of fans these days, rather than trying to enjoying the game. Granted the 2 aren't mutually exclusive, but some just take it to another level.

It's probably always been like that maybe, but hey, guess it's part of the spectators game too now.

It's emotional as a fan, I get that, and unless you winning the league every year at a canter like Bayern and others, we will always have turbulent times. During which, I feel it's better to give the benefit of the doubt to a manager who has, (and in Ole's case) in my view done so much better than any of our preceding managers post Fergie, and results will eventually match it, we seeing it in patches, at that's to be expected, just like Fergie didn't conquer all before him in his first few years.
I've had my fair share of arm Chair managing, make no mistake, I just wish we can enjoy the game more than critize at every opportunity, sure it will get frustrating and demoralizing at times, so it's fair to vent and point out what your opinion of how you think it should have gone or what should have been done differently, but at the end of the day, don't spout of as if you know better, for the most part, you don't.
Otherwise, go coach your local team, earn you badges and make your way up the ladder so you can show people just how clued up you really are.

It's fine to discuss opinions, I like talking about formations/ setup / coaching etc, it's fun and usually people take those discussions lightly.
Summer on the other hand is wild because there's a lot of active posters who draw their conclusions based on Tweets, comments and more bullshit we're being fed by the press. There are people on here blaming CLubs for not offering Pogba a contract earlier (how the feck would we know that?), and today I read something about United not being attractive for English players because Grealish signed for City. People are being naive and read way too much into those "news" being spouted, it creates agenda in their heads.

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

Sack ole
Play x
Rotate y
Sell a,b,c
Net income x
Buy d,e,f
Net sales y
Turn x to position y

Repeat 100x

Buy d?! He’s shit!

 

[SirAnderson]

It's fine to discuss opinions, I like talking about formations/ setup / coaching etc, it's fun and usually people take those discussions lightly.
Summer on the other hand is wild because there's a lot of active posters who draw their conclusions based on Tweets, comments and more bullshit we're being fed by the press. There are people on here blaming CLubs for not offering Pogba a contract earlier (how the feck would we know that?), and today I read something about United not being attractive for English players because Grealish signed for City. People are being naive and read way too much into those "news" being spouted, it creates agenda in their heads.

Yeah media plays a huge part in how some people behave, taking bs sources as gospel (Muppetry is different). Pre-season shite again, yeah we know how it should have been done etc

But 100%. I love to discuss and try to add my 2 cents where I can, knowing full well its all surmising and opinion.

 

[Matthew84!]

Well I always give my opinion on a starting 11 or someone's performance but that's just it, it's just an opinion, many times I've said someone played well and many others thought they played rubbish.
It would be very rare that everyone agrees with what Ole does but always fun to think you can do better.
I think its all good fun as long as the banter doesn't get taken to far,

 

[Oranges038]

Oh look, I bumped my own thread that hasn't been looked at in a year to show off my new photshop skills.


Most football fans don't give a toss, and everyone that posts in here, doesn't matter what they post you can guarantee that you would meet someone at a game, in the pub or at work that would say someting similar. It's nothing new, a lot of the talk is about what people would do if they were in the position, or he should have done this or that, no different than any of those god awful pundits that are on the television for every game. There are probably fans who could be more insightful than a lot of them.

 

[SirAnderson]

Oh look, I bumped my own thread that hasn't been looked at in a year to show off my new photshop skills.


Most football fans don't give a toss, and everyone that posts in here, doesn't matter what they post you can guarantee that you would meet someone at a game, in the pub or at work that would say someting similar. It's nothing new, a lot of the talk is about what people would do if they were in the position, or he should have done this or that, no different than any of those god awful pundits that are on the television for every game. There are probably fans who could be more insightful than a lot of them.

Cheers, thanks.

 

[VanDeBank]

Why would we need to know what we're talking about when our own manager isn't an expert either?

Relegated with Cardiff ffs. Our rivals are laughing all the way!

 

[SirAnderson]

Why would we need to know what we're talking about when our own manager isn't an expert either?

Relegated with Cardiff ffs. Our rivals are laughing all the way!

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Is in full swing these days with so many knowing exactly what should be happening, transfer wise, budget, contracts, etc. Many not bothered with opinion, humble or arrogant ones, little assumptions, just facts eh. Why, cause they know better.

Let's not criticize Governments and politicians as well since we aren't professionally involved in those aspects and clearly don't know anything.

For some reason it's usually in sports and among right wing facists that we see this "don't criticize what you don't understand" line (And Bon Dylan of couse).

 

[SirAnderson]

Let's not criticize Governments and politicians as well since we aren't professionally involved in those aspects and clearly don't know anything.

For some reason it's usually in sports and among right wing facists that we see this "don't criticize what you don't understand" line (And Bon Dylan of couse).

Yup, that's exactly what I said in my OP. No criticizing allowed. Let's close the thread.

 

[Crustanoid]

I'm an armchair PE teacher. You need a certain set of skills, and insight. For example, I bet you a pound to a pinch of shit you could show me a Youtube compilation of any footballer and I would, to 100% accuracy, be able to tell you whether they had been properly coached or not. Likewise, show me a 60 second highlight of and I could tell you whether the winning team won because of individual brilliance or tactical expertise. I dare ya to challenge me!

 

[Hailee]

I have seen too many Armchair managers getting it right though to believe that the "experts" know it all and the fans are just being dumb. At least try to do what the Armchair managers say and if that fails I'd believe you.

A good example is the Milwaukee Bucks' championship run this season. Fans are sick of Mike Budenholzer being a regular season manager and not knowing how to adjust for the playoffs. Many of the fans were demanding for the coach to be sacked unless he can win the championship because they think they will never win in the playoffs with this guy. Indeed, he has crashed out the past couple of years due to his puzzling tactics.

When the Bucks went down 2-0 against the Nets, the writing seems to be on the wall for him. Everyone was calling for his head. But something surprising happened. Coach Bud suddenly followed what the armchair internet critics were telling him to do! He started playing his stars over 40 minutes a game when he had previously insisted on a strict rotation policy. He moved Giannis to Center, allowing him to dominate inside and reduce his attempts at running into a wall. He severely reduced the number of 3 pointers that Giannis is shooting, as he went 1-8 in the previous game. He let Jrue playmake instead of playing Giannis from the perimeter.

All these things were what the armchair critics were calling for him to do for years. He finally did it when he faced the end of the road. The rest is history. The changes worked amazingly well, the Bucks came back to win in a huge reversal and proceeded to dominate the next 2 matchups as well leading to an easy championship.

So yeah, many things seems immediately obvious but somehow the coach or the club simply doesn't want to do it for some strange reason. Until those suggestions were tried and failed, I won't call the armchair critics stupid.

 

[Adnan]

@Adnan Always see him coming up with some player he knows. Some good thoughts, but yeah, never a guarantee with any player. Tbf, I haven't read enough of you to assign you the title

I watch a lot of continental football so do share my thoughts from time to time. I know my 'opinions' don't go down well with everyone but I also know there's a number of posters on here do appreciate my thoughts, which gives me the incentive to post on the forum.

 

[SirAnderson]

I watch a lot of continental football so do share my thoughts from time to time. I know my 'opinions' don't go down well with everyone but I also know there's a number of posters on here do appreciate my thoughts, which gives me the incentive to post on the forum.

Hence your tag. Like I said, I have seen you post a few obscure names of players before, but not saying you an armchair scout, just the only one I've seen actively doing reports on players.
Good to have opinions and share them, no problem with that, and being able to debate with those who disagree.

 

[chiz2kul]

Man, who cares. We are all arm chair experts. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. No matter how brilliant or dumb, they are all completely irrelevant. Its irritating to read folks opine about someone else's opinion. Guess they are also entitled to whine. Full circle.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

I think there’s a balance to certainly play here. On one hand, I completely agree that none of us get to watch training and a large majority hardly watch individual players throughout a match, so having ultra strong opinions on certain players is stupid.
On the other hand, I also disagree with the notion that no fans have a clue what’s actually going on and we should just listen to experts, because there are plenty of brilliant analysts in any sport that didn’t actually play/coach.

But overall I think armchair managers have existed since the beginning of sport, it’s just much easier to encounter them on the internet and social media than it would have been 20+ years ago

 

[tenpoless]

Im kinda glad that I have never watched football in a public place together with strangers, like cafe, pubs, etc. Because you just know there will be Ty's and DT's among that crowd who thinks he is a licensed football manager and the worst part is they are real, its not online persona. If its online armchair managers I dont really mind, if posters disagree with me its just texts so no big deal.

 

[hobbers]

Ole was an armchair expert himself not so long ago.