I would argue that last season we had draws and defeats against these so-called inferior teams because of individual errors/not doing the basics well (e.g., Everton at home, Spurs at home). Moreover, we had a slow start because of fitness issues. If we consistently beat these inferior teams this season - with the odd draw/loss of course - I have no doubt that we will compete this season.
Solskjær press conference vs West Ham (A)
- Thread starter Samid
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Ok well the extent it’s working to so far is pretty good, it’s just shy of winning something and I agree we need to win something this year and I think we will. The number of points we’ve got, wins and big teams/managers we’ve beaten makes any notion we have no tactics or no philosophy laughable. Further to this he’s transformed the recruitment, culture and overall atmos around the club following the shambles of years we had with moyes/LVG/Jose. He’s more than earned the good will you refer to, hence the contract extension.
Trouble is, all our rivals also have that desire. There’s nothing about City, Liverpool or Chelsea that make me think their players don’t have the stomach for a fight. And they also have great tacticians for managers. So where’s our advantage?
Agree, it's a massive lift from the dour football from those managers mentioned . Not only that but the recruitment has been much better in the last 2 seasons. I think this squad is very good place.
No but that answer was drivel from someone very uncomfortable with the question
Absolutely spot on.
I mean, he's given a lot of ammo to people that call him a PE teacher. I can't lie. I am disappointed with some of the things he said. I can't say I'm shocked, though. I don't believe any elite manager would say some of the things he said today. I just hope vibes and passion will work for us in the end.
These statements are pretty damning and confirm a lot of our fears. And I've seen comments in this thread again excusing his words, saying it's only a press conference, he doesn't want to reveal his tactics (what tactics btw?), but he could explain what he is trying to do without revealing anything of note. Many other managers have done it. Klopp, Guardiola, Tuchel, Nagelsmann, etc have all gone on hourly long rants about how they want their team to play. With Solskjaer it's what I and many have feared - his job is basically that of a life coach who tells the players nothing more than "go out there and score some goals, my son"... That's not the markings of a top manager, it's nowhere near. Which fully explains why 3 years later we still have no identity, no team cohesion about anything that we do and why we can't seem to pass our way out of our own half. And why our players still look like a bunch of people just thrown together on a pitch to play Saturday league football. His staff credentials doesn't breed much confidence either.One poster in this thread or the Ole thread (can't remember which) posted an image of his coaching staff and it is appalling to look at. Literally 99% of them have a amateur resumes who have been hired out of sheer nepotism. Why do we play so badly with these players? There's your answer, Ole just told you. And btw, Ole inners are in for a rude awakening if they think a world class CDM is going to change this team. It's gonna look like the same disjointed mess it is currently. Maybe it will make us better, but we'll still play like shit and we'll still rely on whichever star in our team has his day. You can give him a world class player in every position and i'd still be sceptical of our chances of winning the league. Might win a cup or two due to the sheer quality, but title winning teams are not only dependent on good players, but actual patterns of play that teams can implement and enforce.
As for the Jesse's comments, I'll let them slide as a PR statement. But it is worrying nevertheless because our club is known for making quite frankly ridiculously stupid decisions. Imagine Jesse staying for 10 year at Madrid. He would have been sold before he even hit 18. And until we get rid ourselves of this small time mentality, we'll be stuck in the mud for years to come.
Em, no.
I don't know why some of you are surprised or annoyed with his comments.
There was a theatre director of an amatuer company once. The job cycled about through the seasons; some of the directors were quite technical and theoretical and hands on. When it came to her turn, she shrugged. 'Ye can all act. Ye know what to do. Get on with it there, read the lines, for God's sake'.
Who's Em?
Fergie would do feck all in the modern European context. Different era. Different vibe. Different philosophy, the cracks were beginning to show even during his tenure, whenever we played in CL; I know we had our moments but overall the game was changing before Fergie's eyes. Sickening to hear this reference back to Keane and Scholes, good as they were.
Be rest assured, he will be under serious pressure if we don't challenge.
Ignoring everything else, I would like to know his reasoning for calling Robson and co proper midfielders. I would also like to know his opinion of specialists in a 3 man midfield.
Sorry, just realized you were saying 'no' to whether he had an answer for the question outside the presser. I misunderstood...too many beers.
I haven't read all the comments but I think this particular remark speaks volumes about Ole's approach.
It's a balance between how many you commit forward and how you defend because one little mistake and there’s a counter attack towards you.
The fact that he's talking about what the other team is doing instead of his instinct being to talk about what he wants to do explains why we play such reactive football and make such reactive decisions (if at all). Maybe he's terrified of losing his job. When he first joined we played very free attacking football with a squad far worse. Was that simply because the players were released from the Mourinho shackles, or was it that he managed without fear.
Nowadays, fear is all I see. With good coaching, we should and I'm sure would have beaten Young Boys even with 10 men. To basically resort to trying to hold onto a 1-0 for an hour as though we were playing against prime Barcelona proves how far he's regressed from his early attacking philosophy when he was under no pressure.
Also bringing on Jessie cos he's going to run around a bit seems like a very basic level of thinking. Surely, Martial woulda have been a better bet to hold onto the ball.
I thank Ole for completely transforming our culture and building the best squad we've had since Fergie. But now that he's got that squad, I'm not exactly confident he has what it takes to make the most of it.
The best thing he can do right now is hire better coaches. I don't think we'll succeed without them.
It's a balance between how many you commit forward and how you defend because one little mistake and there’s a counter attack towards you.
The fact that he's talking about what the other team is doing instead of his instinct being to talk about what he wants to do explains why we play such reactive football and make such reactive decisions (if at all). Maybe he's terrified of losing his job. When he first joined we played very free attacking football with a squad far worse. Was that simply because the players were released from the Mourinho shackles, or was it that he managed without fear.
Nowadays, fear is all I see. With good coaching, we should and I'm sure would have beaten Young Boys even with 10 men. To basically resort to trying to hold onto a 1-0 for an hour as though we were playing against prime Barcelona proves how far he's regressed from his early attacking philosophy when he was under no pressure.
Also bringing on Jessie cos he's going to run around a bit seems like a very basic level of thinking. Surely, Martial woulda have been a better bet to hold onto the ball.
I thank Ole for completely transforming our culture and building the best squad we've had since Fergie. But now that he's got that squad, I'm not exactly confident he has what it takes to make the most of it.
The best thing he can do right now is hire better coaches. I don't think we'll succeed without them.
Chelsea were a side giving away goals for free looking shite under Lampard, and Tuchel came in, spent 0 and won a Champions League within half a year.
Conte & Ole have spent similar amounts, with the exception that Conte won the league with 93 points and Ole has won nothing in 4 years.
Pep may be bankrolled but he's still won a lot of silverware and had his side looking unplayable often enough.
Klopp did the best job - far less spent and won in good time. Saying he took ages is just daft. He joined half way through what 15/16 season and ended up winning the Champions League in 18/19. He was a finalist the year before and he won the premier league for the first time in club history by 19/20.
^ That's what tactics does.
Of course you need both. I never said you didn't. But this insinuation that philosophy and tactics are overrated is a pile of wank.
I don't deny Ole has shown tactical sense in a range of big games. What I do deny is this silly insinuation that one doesn't need to have consistent tactical focus to flourish.
He has admitted himself he doesn't focus on it as much as his peers, and that is a problem. As I said earlier - a manager who can motivate players and has an ability to drill his sides tactically on top will be more successful. I've given 4 examples to this end. Lets be honest no manager should be here for 3 years and have nothing to show for it - but Ole is an ex player and has extra good will. That's fine, but now he has to win something major with no excuses. As a minimum he has to make a complete challenge for the league, not fall away with 2 months to go.
My god people in here really do massively over analyse what's said in a managers press conference.
It's 90% horse manure with these and always has been for as long as I can remember. I actually don't even know why they're bothered with anymore.
It's 90% horse manure with these and always has been for as long as I can remember. I actually don't even know why they're bothered with anymore.
Thought he explained that he is talking about midfielders who can keep shifting between defending and attacking with ease. Not someone who is good at only one of those.
Woefully misinformed eh...so given that you have Ole's hear, tell us what he thinks about Lingard. No shit Lingard wanted to stay - that's hardly new information. The point is that he should have been told in no uncertain terms that he isn't wanted; unfortunately, it appears Ole does want him around. You need to grow up as well.
So we'll extend to theoretically maintain his sell-on value. Is that what you're getting at? Well given that his refusal to leave means we can't sell him (according to people like you), then what good is it maintaining his value?
To be fair, teams have been hitting us on the counter attack for fun so far this season. I don't see our issue as not committing enough players forward because we fear the opposition. Our ball retention is pretty horrific by elite team standards, as is our pressing.
True and they will continue to do so. And I agree with what you said about our ball retention and pressing. You can add chance creation to that too. We are extremely weak at that. Which, given the players at our disposal is pretty shocking.
@jem so because I pointed out that his loan ended, I'm close with Ole? Calm down mate.
Yeah I would have sold him to get a DM, but in the future us getting a DM will likely not be tied to a sale of Lingard.
You clearly don't rate him which is fine, but if you think he should be frozen out, I'm glad you're not in charge.
Right now he'll get fair chances and if he does well he gets into the team on merit, if he doesn't, guys like VDB, Mata, Martial go up in the pecking order. I really don't get what's so upsetting to you about his refusal to be sold or Ole's attitude towards him.
He's being treated fairly and you think that shouldn't happen because he didn't move so we could buy a DM? How dare he! He deserves to be frozen out for that!
Yeah I would have sold him to get a DM, but in the future us getting a DM will likely not be tied to a sale of Lingard.
You clearly don't rate him which is fine, but if you think he should be frozen out, I'm glad you're not in charge.
Right now he'll get fair chances and if he does well he gets into the team on merit, if he doesn't, guys like VDB, Mata, Martial go up in the pecking order. I really don't get what's so upsetting to you about his refusal to be sold or Ole's attitude towards him.
He's being treated fairly and you think that shouldn't happen because he didn't move so we could buy a DM? How dare he! He deserves to be frozen out for that!
So basically, Ole did admit he has no tactical game plan or philosophy at all.
Great way to end up this debate and shut up people who were desperately trying to prove otherwise.
Also if Lingard somehow ends up signing a new long term contract, heads need to roll.
Great way to end up this debate and shut up people who were desperately trying to prove otherwise.
Also if Lingard somehow ends up signing a new long term contract, heads need to roll.
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I’m always amazed by the sheer number of folk who take everything Ole says to the media at face value, and then get bent out of shape about it without considering why he might have said what he said.
I only see a Cardiff and Molde manager. He is out of his depth. Someone hire this man a proper coach, as he doesn't know what he is doing. United is too big for him.
Really doesn’t help himself sometimes
Its so funny that every single thing Ole said is defended as a cover up for something else. Guys, he isn't part of Men In Black and Will Smith isn't his assistant. Neither is he part of Mi5 or anti terror.
Its simple. He gave you the answer that he focuses more on simple things, such as getting to the ball first, because he says football is a simple game. Why can't you accept it?
What would he have lost by saying he likes his wingers to be direct, or to create patterns or whatever. Nothing. He'd have lost nothing. But he didn't say it because he doesn't go that far.
Its simple. He gave you the answer that he focuses more on simple things, such as getting to the ball first, because he says football is a simple game. Why can't you accept it?
What would he have lost by saying he likes his wingers to be direct, or to create patterns or whatever. Nothing. He'd have lost nothing. But he didn't say it because he doesn't go that far.
Let’s be straight forward Ole. WTF!? You just must be better then this.
First of all his comments are defensive. Basic PR strategy. Don’t be judgmental if you don’t know your shit. Right now the media just wait for your next fckup. Next mistake is his attempt to replicate Sir Alex in his presser. Talking yada yada without any authority and credibility to back up his shit is just stupid. Double fail. Some Supporters care and when they hear shit like this they lose faith. Not that hard to understand.
Explaining his philosophy (if you don’t like this word call it a blueprint) is basic for any entrepreneur, CEO or successful managers. Some of them do it daily. Almost anybody with some sort of football knowledge can easily explain Klopp and Pep‘s philosophy in one word. If I trying to explain Ole’s philosophy after today’s presser it sounds like United have a glorified cheerleader with excellent man management as his biggest asset.
And btw I don’t want him sacked but this amateurish shit has to stop. How fckng hard can it be.
First of all his comments are defensive. Basic PR strategy. Don’t be judgmental if you don’t know your shit. Right now the media just wait for your next fckup. Next mistake is his attempt to replicate Sir Alex in his presser. Talking yada yada without any authority and credibility to back up his shit is just stupid. Double fail. Some Supporters care and when they hear shit like this they lose faith. Not that hard to understand.
Explaining his philosophy (if you don’t like this word call it a blueprint) is basic for any entrepreneur, CEO or successful managers. Some of them do it daily. Almost anybody with some sort of football knowledge can easily explain Klopp and Pep‘s philosophy in one word. If I trying to explain Ole’s philosophy after today’s presser it sounds like United have a glorified cheerleader with excellent man management as his biggest asset.
And btw I don’t want him sacked but this amateurish shit has to stop. How fckng hard can it be.
Another awe-inspiring presser to make everyone believe in the United way.
What would he have gained? Would some supporters sleep better at night?
He doesn't help himself at times.
That said, what he says in public is often not what he says in private.
What he says in pressers is largely unimportant. What he says behind closed doors is way more important, so hopefully we see a good response vs West Ham.
That said, what he says in public is often not what he says in private.
What he says in pressers is largely unimportant. What he says behind closed doors is way more important, so hopefully we see a good response vs West Ham.
I don't think people really listened to what he said. He started by literally saying he's not going to give out his tactics - I see that as keeping it close to his chest so teams can't predict him. He then diverted to what he wants in a midfielder, wanting more complete midfielders rather than specialists. Then stated that intricacies arent important because at the end of the day, its the players who have to produce the performance and the performance is based on their talent, passion and desire, not just instructions.
I think the sooner we accept that Ole is no tactical scholar of the game like Pep, the easier it will be to understand the inexplicable decisions he makes in matches.
We can’t always rely on moments of brilliance to bail us out of tricky situations.
This press conference proves that we might need to temper our expectations of what Ole can achieve, since he will probably remain manager for the foreseeable future.
I’ve been a strong Ole advocate since he arrived but sadly my views have since changed.
We can’t always rely on moments of brilliance to bail us out of tricky situations.
This press conference proves that we might need to temper our expectations of what Ole can achieve, since he will probably remain manager for the foreseeable future.
I’ve been a strong Ole advocate since he arrived but sadly my views have since changed.
I get your point and to a certain extent we might be over-intellectualising what Ole is saying.
But what he said could as well be seen as an effort to gloss over something he doesn’t have in-depth ideas or knowledge about.
Pep for example has been mostly forthcoming in speaking about his tactical approaches providing top-level detail without ever going into its intricacies. There is an innate confidence that the tactical approache he divulges to the media are not worth much to any opposition unless one is aware of how to implement it.
Ole doesn’t have that level of confidence. His go-to buzz words are “passion” and “desire to win”.
Again, the above is just my opinion.
The club has no standards. It’s shocking. Protect the brand, say the right things, the football is secondary.
That interview from Ole reads like satire. If Moyes had said that at any point he’d have been skewered. Heart and passion. Sherwood esque.
Lingard will be another player rewarded for incompetence who we’ll struggle to get off the books when needed. Not even surprised.
That interview from Ole reads like satire. If Moyes had said that at any point he’d have been skewered. Heart and passion. Sherwood esque.
Lingard will be another player rewarded for incompetence who we’ll struggle to get off the books when needed. Not even surprised.
Did you choose your tag line or someone give it you?
Fergie would adapt and win like he always has. He is still the goat.