Maticmaker
Full Member
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2018
- Messages
- 4,769
Its not really a question of explaining decisions, as others have pointed out some have been unavoidable. Ole is now aware (if he wasn't already) of the problems he and the club face;
a) like the previous manager he faces a 'hotch-potch' squad of players left over from previous managerial reigns, stretching all the way back to SAF;
b) the highest earners in this squad are not performing on a regular basis, so we repeat the Rooney problem, in effect in a way we have swapped Wayne for Pogba and Sanchez; this must have an effect on other players who are only earning half what the top earners are;
c) its not just a question of how much money Woodward makes available to spend, its also what conditions he attaches to Ole's spending plans; clearly there were issues of this sort with Mourinho;
d) hard decisions have to be made with some players, many of whom are fans 'favourities' but the best time to do this is at the beginning, he made a start with Fellaini, but this has to continue and it will cause some fan resentment.
e) the overall fitness of the squad is suspect, when we 'press' its not properly co-ordinated and only lasts for a few minutes, similarly the misunderstandings between players e.g. De gea's distribution to players who are obviously not ready to receive the ball, a continuing problem of ineffectual corner taking, the absence of breaks from midfield beyond the front men, into the box; when/if Lingard plays and makes his cross-field runs someone has to take advantage and use the space created, we need some plan in respect of free kicks, it all seems to be confusing, even to those taking the kicks, etc.
All the above is nothing new, but now these matters have to be addressed, lets hope Ole leads the way.
a) like the previous manager he faces a 'hotch-potch' squad of players left over from previous managerial reigns, stretching all the way back to SAF;
b) the highest earners in this squad are not performing on a regular basis, so we repeat the Rooney problem, in effect in a way we have swapped Wayne for Pogba and Sanchez; this must have an effect on other players who are only earning half what the top earners are;
c) its not just a question of how much money Woodward makes available to spend, its also what conditions he attaches to Ole's spending plans; clearly there were issues of this sort with Mourinho;
d) hard decisions have to be made with some players, many of whom are fans 'favourities' but the best time to do this is at the beginning, he made a start with Fellaini, but this has to continue and it will cause some fan resentment.
e) the overall fitness of the squad is suspect, when we 'press' its not properly co-ordinated and only lasts for a few minutes, similarly the misunderstandings between players e.g. De gea's distribution to players who are obviously not ready to receive the ball, a continuing problem of ineffectual corner taking, the absence of breaks from midfield beyond the front men, into the box; when/if Lingard plays and makes his cross-field runs someone has to take advantage and use the space created, we need some plan in respect of free kicks, it all seems to be confusing, even to those taking the kicks, etc.
All the above is nothing new, but now these matters have to be addressed, lets hope Ole leads the way.