The 2017-2018 Football Thread

[Lord Blackadder]

Mourinho, on the other hand, seems to diminish players, they become a lot less than they could be, les confident, less accomplished, less daring; Sanchez isn't the force he was as a sulky genius under Wenger; likewise, Pogba is not the player he could be and should be.

So, yes, serves Mourinho right.

Some players - I am thinking of Lampard, Terry, and Drogba - seemed to take well to Mourinho, though to be fair, that was the Mourinho of ten years ago. Fellaini is a Mourinho-type player: Tall, solid, makes few errors, follows instructions and is happy to play dirty.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Some players - I am thinking of Lampard, Terry, and Drogba - seemed to take well to Mourinho, though to be fair, that was the Mourinho of ten years ago. Fellaini is a Mourinho-type player: Tall, solid, makes few errors, follows instructions and is happy to play dirty.

Yet is on his way out apparently. Moved out of his house.
Never been a Fellaini fan. Lampard was a class player, but his dad taught him all the good stuff

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Some players - I am thinking of Lampard, Terry, and Drogba - seemed to take well to Mourinho, though to be fair, that was the Mourinho of ten years ago. Fellaini is a Mourinho-type player: Tall, solid, makes few errors, follows instructions and is happy to play dirty.

True.

But they don't grow under Mourinho; I've yet to see a player write to thank Mourinho for having helped him grow as man and player as so many have done with both Wenger and Guardiola.

Yet is on his way out apparently. Moved out of his house.
Never been a Fellaini fan. Lampard was a class player, but his dad taught him all the good stuff

Agreed; not a Fellaini fan, either - dirty sod.

 

[Silencio]

A fitting end to United's 2017-2018 season. A dull, dreary, feckless attack and a fatal Phil Jones error at the back.

Unfortunately, they're pretty much stuck with Mourinho for at least another season. My fear is that some disgruntled players will want to move on, offsetting any gains in talent from a tricky, World Cup year transfer market. That, and the football next season will still be painfully outdated and increasingly ineffective. Forget catching up with City: it will be a miracle to stay ahead of Liverpool, and it could be convincingly argued that United are already behind them now.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

A fitting end to United's 2017-2018 season. A dull, dreary, feckless attack and a fatal Phil Jones error at the back.

Unfortunately, they're pretty much stuck with Mourinho for at least another season. My fear is that some disgruntled players will want to move on, offsetting any gains in talent from a tricky, World Cup year transfer market. That, and the football next season will still be painfully outdated and increasingly ineffective. Forget catching up with City: it will be a miracle to stay ahead of Liverpool, and it could be convincingly argued that United are already behind them now.

Conventional wisdom holds that Mou will implode and leave during his third season, so it will be interesting to see if he manages to finish the season in the job and with his composure intact.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Conventional wisdom holds that Mou will implode and leave during his third season, so it will be interesting to see if he manages to finish the season in the job and with his composure intact.

And if he does implode (and lose the dressing room) - as character and tradition and track record to date would seem to suggest - where on Earth does he head to next?

His composure won't be - or remain - intact if he loses the dressing room, and his constant and public humiliating put-downs of some of his playing staff would seem to go well on the way to achieving that outcome.

Fifteen years ago, he was "a bright young thing" when put up against individuals such as Wenger (who always seemed middle-aged, even when young) and Ferguson, handsome, articulate, and - apparently classy.

Now, he has been completely over-taken by (and outshone by) more adventurous, flexible and generous managers ( individuals with better emotional intelligence, too) such as Guardiola, and Pochettino, (and even Conte), managers with a more positive perspective on life and football.

 

[Apple fanboy]

And if he does implode (and lose the dressing room) - as character and tradition and track record to date would seem to suggest - where on Earth does he head to next?

His composure won't be - or remain - intact if he loses the dressing room, and his constant and public humiliating put-downs of some of his playing staff would seem to go well on the way to achieving that outcome.

Fifteen years ago, he was "a bright young thing" when put up against individuals such as Wenger (who always seemed middle-aged, even when young) and Ferguson, handsome, articulate, and - apparently classy.

Now, he has been completely over-taken by (and outshone by) more adventurous, flexible and generous managers ( individuals with better emotional intelligence, too) such as Guardiola, and Pochettino, (and even Conte), managers with a more positive perspective on life and football.

Hopefully China or the US. In other words places where we don't have to hear about his antics!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Hopefully China or the US. In other words places where we don't have to hear about his antics!

Couldn't agree more; I cannot abide the man, his nastiness, lack of generosity as a human being, and the sheer bottomless negativity of his person and footballing philosophy, both.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Couldn't agree more; I cannot abide the man, his nastiness, lack of generosity as a human being, and the sheer bottomless negativity of his person and footballing philosophy, both.

Well he is the special one!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well he is the special one!

I accept that my revered Mr Wenger could have called out some of his under-performing players a bit more (but in private) but I like and respect the fact that he supported his players publicly.

And Pochettino also never bawled out his players in public.

In my earlier post, I should also have mentioned Klopp (mea culpa, I knew I had left someone out) as an excellent manager, intelligent, simpatico, yet driven - but in a positive way - and his players clearly love playing for him; even Conte, this season, though he has clearly mentally "checked out" - made it equals clear that his beef, such as it is, is with the owners rather than the playing staff. (And, on that subject matter, it is interesting to read that Mr Abramovich seems to be experiencing delays - and, perhaps, some slight difficulties - in having his UK visa renewed).

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Hopefully China or the US. In other words places where we don't have to hear about his antics!

I can't see Mourinho going to the USA or China at this point. Thus far he has only taken the choicest jobs for big money. There is nowhere to go but down at the moment, but I don’t think he’s ready to make jump overseas.

I wouldn't be shocked to see him hang on at Man Utd until a big job opens up and then jump ship under acrimonious circumstances.

In my earlier post, I should also have mentioned Klopp (mea culpa, I knew I had left someone out) as an excellent manager, intelligent, simpatico, yet driven - but in a positive way - and his players clearly love playing for him...

The Men in Blazers recently did a good interview with Klopp. He’s totally charismatic and inspirational; I can easily see players wanting to run through walls for him.

 

[Apple fanboy]

So sounds like we are closing in on Pellegrini.
Going to be the highest paid manager ever. But tbh that's hardly surprising.

In other news looks like Arsenal have decided to appoint Emery.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Emery seems a reasonable choice, not as left-field as some talking heads seem to imply. He struggled in the chaotic environment of PSG, but was very successful at Sevilla. I assume he will build a more defensively-solid unit than late-stage Wenger.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Would not have favoured the appointment of Arteta - I'm not sure he could have commanded the respect of the dressing room so early in his career - but the appointment of Emery sounds as though it could be extremely interesting.

Personally, I would have tried harder for Thomas Tuchel - or even sounded out the disengaged (at Chelsea at least) Mr Conte.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

...or even sounded out the disengaged (at Chelsea at least) Mr Conte.

Too Mourhino-like for my tastes. And he wouldn't hang around. He might be able to win something though.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Too Mourhino-like for my tastes. And he wouldn't hang around. He might be able to win something though.

Agreed.

But - as we have already seen at Manchester United, such transitions can lead to a turbulent and unsettled few years - and - while Arsenal tend to prefer a degree of stability when appointing managers - I will be surprised if this transition runs completely smoothly.

Rather, I suspect that Arsenal might be in for a few years of changing managers, even though the default preference of the club (and supporters) is for an element of long term stability.

 

[Alphazoid]

Tuchel was never gonna happen with Mislintat as head of recruitment. Conte needs money and gets touchy when he doesnt get it so also a poor fit. Ancelotti, Jardim, Allegri (wanted 200m transfer budget apparently), Enrique (more money too) were more doable.

But Emery is a solid albeit uninspired choice. Winning track record, opportunity for youth, meticulous and relatively tactical whilst working within a limited budget.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Thoughts on Pellegrini for West Ham now it's official?

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Thoughts on Pellegrini for West Ham now it's official?

Decent manager, going from his record. In terms of prestige it's a step up from China (though not financially), but a step down from his previous European clubs.

He cut a somewhat distant figure at Man City, I worry that the intense and demanding West Ham fans will not take to him.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Decent manager, going from his record. In terms of prestige it's a step up from China (though not financially), but a step down from his previous European clubs.

He cut a somewhat distant figure at Man City, I worry that the intense and demanding West Ham fans will not take to him.

I'm mostly worried he will find the type of players he can attract at West Ham.
But attacking football is on the cards, so that's a plus.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I'm mostly worried he will find the type of players he can attract at West Ham.
But attacking football is on the cards, so that's a plus.

He doesn't need to find a team of them, just a few who will be able to make a difference.

 

[Apple fanboy]

He doesn't need to find a team of them, just a few who will be able to make a difference.

Agree. But some defenders wouldn't go a miss either!
Or some creative midfielders.
Or a striker who is wanting to play week in, week out!
In fact that is our biggest issue. Malingerers who like the treatment room.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Agree. But some defenders wouldn't go a miss either!
Or some creative midfielders.
Or a striker who is wanting to play week in, week out!
In fact that is our biggest issue. Malingerers who like the treatment room.

But, as with Arsenal, there are malingerers, and there are malingerers.

A good manager will firstly, weed them out, but secondly, offer sufficient motivation and positive reinforcement to make them want to play and participate and be an active part of things.

 

[Apple fanboy]

But, as with Arsenal, there are malingerers, and there are malingerers.

A good manager will firstly, weed them out, but secondly, offer sufficient motivation and positive reinforcement to make them want to play and participate and be an active part of things.

The worst one we got from you! Freddie Lunburg. He was always unfit!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The worst one we got from you! Freddie Lunburg. He was always unfit!

I think he may have been unfit with us, as well.

But, at the end of the day, those overpaid professionals - some of whom lead very pampered lives indeed, even in less well performing - or, less fashionable - clubs - must want to play and must want to prove themselves.