I don't see a problem with motivation or effort. It's not been an issue with us in the post-Moyes era.
How do we motivate ourselves and keep going?
- Thread starter Suedesi
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
We must play like water, formless but powerful like an ocean. We must assume the shape of a cup, preferably the european one. When you become like water you can free yourself from bullshit threads.
The only ones who aren’t motivated are some babies whose world seems to have ended. Every match is exciting and a chance to make things right. We haven’t locked down anything, not even top 4 so there’s plenty to play for including doing well in two other Cup competitions. Finishing a strong second also sets us up for the summer and give another go next season in the league.
Well, the league is not over yet.
Tbh I thought become a laughing stock is motivating enough for players to keep pushing it. If the title cannot be reached then try to get 2nd place. Not getting 2nd place after all the talk and promise would be a joke.
This is the one.
And this...Playing for their places in next year's title winning side!!!
If playing for a team in a better position than anyone else in the country bar one with the CL knockout stage to look forward to isn't doing it for one or two of our players they know where the door is.
Luckily I don't think such a problem exists. Some recent results have been a bit of a pain in the arse but there are plenty of challenges ahead to look forward to.
By grasping the fact that we could easily fall out of the top 4 and not get back. No Europa route this year.
If they can't motivate themselves anymore because they're second in the league, they should retire.
Silly question
Silly question
Hm, how do you motivate someone who is paid a fortune to do their job...wonder what it could be. How do you motivate the dove on the corner?
We are 2nd in the league and some of them are playing for the future. Whether if it is Mourinho or a new manager at the end of the season, this team needs refreshing so everybody is being judged. Besides Chelsea is breathing down our necks and Liverpool's form is picking up. If this does not motivate them on top of their salaries they deserved to be sold.
If they can't motivate themselves anymore because they're second in the league, they should retire.
Silly question
So you motivate a team just by offering a paycheck? I guess Fergie's man management and motivational skills can be summed as "just paying the salaries on time."? Don't think so.
Managers, CEO's, team leaders etc spend a lot of time rallying troops, motivating teams, setting and constantly recalibrating goals - otherwise if you're working on a project that is doomed to fail (winning the league) you may slack off, it's just human nature. Google, Intel and other successful companies go through a quarterly process called OKR's (look it up, John Doerr, Rick Klau etc) to keep their teams focused, motivated and generally get shit done.
It's clear we've been less sharp since the City defeat. That 1% lack of focus could be a -4 point swing. So what should be our goals for the remainder of the season? How do we stay on track?
PS Not expecting an answer, but would like to generate some meaningful discussion.
We're two defeats away from dropping out of the top 4, with Chelsea, Spurs Liverpool and Arsenal breathing down our necks. That should be motivation enough.
Here's an answer anyway, since the topic does deserve some attention.
Being a professional athlete is completely different and should not be compared to an employee of a corporation. In fact, it resembles being part of a small business or a startup if we have to compare. Why?
Less than 30 players make up a team and the weight of every single one is enormous. In contrast, big corps individual is insignificant which is why they run teams of people who all work in sync.
In football, every player has their own unique set of skills and is supposed to adapt to completely different tasks ( the opposition) every match. There is a lot of creativity involved as well, especially true for the more attacking players.
Another difference is the career itself. Most footballers work what they love and the well-paid ones get to live a life reserved once for royalties.
Ok, what does all this have to do with motivation and money and what my suggestion is? Introduce fines or stop salaries for a month or so. Cut the gold from these spoiled kids and let's see how motivated they become
I don't think money is enough of a motivator, but trying to close the gap with City should be. I doubt the team is content with admitting to be second best behind their hated rivals. That alone should be enough to go all out.
Google implemented OKR's when they were a startup.
Finishing second is the next best thing to winning the title, but the players shouldn't give up on winning the League anyway, if they do they shouldn't be at United.
Bear in mind Newcastle's collapse in 96 and United a year later and also 2012. Apples and oranges, but it does happen.
Bear in mind Newcastle's collapse in 96 and United a year later and also 2012. Apples and oranges, but it does happen.
This changes everything
Fascinating @walkinhop - fines for underperforming players. You should try managing a PL team next, sounds easy.
Football really hasn't caught up with the money poured into it. At this point average players and managers keep making the rounds and collect wages. Whether it's fines or any other way to hold people accountable for poor results, the responsibilities should increase to match the influx of money.
Some of our fans have given up also, I see. Half a season to go, we should come out fighting and frighten the life out of teams with good attacking football.
Its not about motivation but more about tactical work. Whatever what Jose intend to do, its not working 100%. All of them need more time in training field to get things click. Its just when ball finally enter final third everybody doesn't know what to do, they either took second too long to make a pass or wait for a cross when opposition defenders have made their position correct first. Thats useless.
Play for the second place, get back to winning ways or we might lose our C.L spot, and get over from that City defeat start playing for your future place in the team, words are important and Jose should tell them and motive them.
It's very very odd that this and our lack of movement has plagued us for more than 3 seasons now. I am surprised that Jose hasn't addressed it. What I fear is he has no idea how to. He's a safety first, game by game reactive manager. We have no initiative on the field and the buck stops with management.
I really do believe that we are only a few players short of being a great side. But with what we've got, unleash them and let them play attacking football .
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We need to beat Southampton by a big score and more importantly beat Everton away. It is going to be very difficult as Big Sam seems to get Jose's goat.
Should be fecking loving it. Massive challenge ahead to tackle city over next couple of years while all around us relentless in same aim. Mourinho won't have a bigger challenge in his career. It's kick on or be left behind. People need to calm down about not winning a title this year, embrace the challenge and look forward to it
How do most of us motivate ourselfs going back to work on Tuesday?
This is why modern football annoys me sometimes, players today get messages and pampered everyday along with £200k a week going into their banks - Then you hear about how they are 'tired' because they kick a ball of wind around 90min or tired because they had to sit on a plane (private) all the way back from the other side of Europe (1st class/plenty of leg room) for a few hours.
Best thing about it is they complain to us working class folk who work 8-10 hours a day (everyday) and expect us to feel sorry for them
it works though it seems hence threads like this.
This is why modern football annoys me sometimes, players today get messages and pampered everyday along with £200k a week going into their banks - Then you hear about how they are 'tired' because they kick a ball of wind around 90min or tired because they had to sit on a plane (private) all the way back from the other side of Europe (1st class/plenty of leg room) for a few hours.
Best thing about it is they complain to us working class folk who work 8-10 hours a day (everyday) and expect us to feel sorry for them
it works though it seems hence threads like this.The problem is when a team, not one or two players but a team look uninterested on the field and it also shows in the performance then often that is the first signs of the manager loosing the dressing room.
Fully agree but I am of concern we can buy all the players we want, if you are going to tell players defending is your first priority and attack using your own discression we won't get a step further. Secondly if you look at the football being displayed/played at Man Utd at the moment which top quality players will want to join the club if there are other options to choose from.
Or players plain feeling sorry for themselves
That’s why we pay the likes of Jose Mourinho millions. That’s his bloody job.
Also, with the World Cup coming up you’d think players like Martial, Lingard, Rashford even the likes of Lukaku and Pogba would be playing their heart out to either secure a seat on the plane or be one of the first names on the team sheet. Complacency and slipping into a string of bad performances is one of the worst things in football, and maybe Lukaku will get a shock if they decide Mertens or someone is a better, in form and more motivated player to stick up top come the end of the season. Anything is possible.
I’m not saying Lukaku has been shit by the way. I know he could be doing better but I think he’s been quite good. Just using him as an example.
Also, with the World Cup coming up you’d think players like Martial, Lingard, Rashford even the likes of Lukaku and Pogba would be playing their heart out to either secure a seat on the plane or be one of the first names on the team sheet. Complacency and slipping into a string of bad performances is one of the worst things in football, and maybe Lukaku will get a shock if they decide Mertens or someone is a better, in form and more motivated player to stick up top come the end of the season. Anything is possible.
I’m not saying Lukaku has been shit by the way. I know he could be doing better but I think he’s been quite good. Just using him as an example.
Yes we need to look at the teams behind us and realise we are only a couple of bad results dropping out of the top 4. Our goal difference is being caught up as well. The players need to gee themselves up and fight to hold on to 2nd spot. Mou should drop anyone not giving 100%