I apologise Ole!

[Renegade]

That's not what I said at all. I'm saying the squad isn't a title-winning one and still needs work.

Do we have a superior player to Shaw? We bought Telles but the jury is out on him. I'm not sure what you're getting at, to be honest.

Are you trying to claim Shaw would get into the City or Liverpool team?

City won a league with Delph at LB & currently have midfielder Zinchenko playing there. Not a great example.I’m sure Chelsea won the league with Marcus Alonso. Shaw is definitely good enough to be a title winning defender.

 

[elmo]

It's been 11 months mate, it's more than "just a good run". We've lost 3 games in the league during that period entirely, which goes up to 9 if you want to include the CL, and the semi-final exits during this run. It's not bad at all, all things considered.

And we've still won feck all, end of story.

Until this team proves to be something more than just a team which can achieve a top 4 finish, we've proven nothing.

We aren't Arsenal, ending up in semi finals and just achieving top 4 is the bare minimum, not the goal.

Wait till the end of the season before making a level headed judgement on the team and Ole. Threads like this are embarrassing when you've posters flip flopping their judgements on a game to game basis.

 

[elmo]

It's almost as if we have a young and inconsistent team.........

The CAF wants a world beating team instantly but also want the best young talents but are never patient enough to wait for said best young talents to become world beaters that get the constant wins that they so desperately desire.....very confused fanbase.

Apart from Rashford and AWB, most of our starting players are supposed to be approaching their prime....

We need to stop making excuses for the team and actually hold them up to standards which we want the club to reach.

There's no real reason for us to constantly feck up and concede on set pieces.

 

[Relevated]

Its like he's feeling the side effects of finasteride because he just can't get beyond a semi

 

[Gary_Walsh_Nou_Camp_Hell]

So we can only be critical if we have a replacement manager in mind who can guarantee success? No manager can guarantee success. We have Klopp and Pep (arguably the two best managers active in the world at the moment) in the Premier League and with only one league trophy neither of them can guarantee success. I've said before that Ole's level of achievement does make it much harder to find an improvement but for a club of this caliber is it sufficient to lose 4 semi finals in a row?

My point is that it's futile talking about replacing Ole if there's no viable candidates available.

 

[Gary_Walsh_Nou_Camp_Hell]

So we can only be critical of him if we state who we want to replace him? fecking madness and one of the new things that seems to be done to absolve a certain amount of blame on the manager.

Suppose I suggested a manager, I'm sure you'd pipe up with the time tired shit of how they've also proved nothing and don't know the club like Ole does.

Did you hold this same standard when people were critical of Moyes, LvG or Jose?

My point is that it's futile talking about replacing Ole if there's no viable candidates available.

When Moyes was fired there was options available for managers likely to improve us, same when LVG went, a bit more mixed when Jose went but he had to go no question.

Unless an available coach is available who is likely to improve us significantly there's no point having the upheaval again.

 

[Withnail]

City won a league with Delph at LB & currently have midfielder Zinchenko playing there. Not a great example.I’m sure Chelsea won the league with Marcus Alonso. Shaw is definitely good enough to be a title winning defender.

If you go back to my initial post I listed 4 positions that need strengthening before I got dragged into this nonsense about Shaw.

My initial point wasn't to do with Shaw in isolation. I don't think a new LB wins us the league.

 

[elmo]

My point is that it's futile talking about replacing Ole if there's no viable candidates available.

When Moyes was fired there was options available for managers likely to improve us, same when LVG went, a bit more mixed when Jose went but he had to go no question.

Unless an available coach is available who is likely to improve us significantly there's no point having the upheaval again.

We're Manchester United.

Apart from a handful of managers who are in a club that has a realistic chance to win the CL, almost everyone else would resign from their existing job to sign for us.

But realistically, let the season end before making a judgement on Ole and deciding if he needs to be replaced.

In an ideal world, Woodward would get replaced before we hire any new manager.

 

[Withnail]

You're splitting hairs. Mounting a title challenge is akin to potentially winning it. While there are certain elements of luck involved over 38 games generally the best performing, consistent team wins. Something we won't reach, not because the players aren't good enough, but because the manager isn't.

Do you think with the manager of either of the other two in charge of us we could win the league? That's the difference between us and them right now.

Well now, this is just getting into hypotheticals. If they had the current squad I don't think that's a given, no.

 

[rotherham_red]

And we've still won feck all, end of story.

Until this team proves to be something more than just a team which can achieve a top 4 finish, we've proven nothing.

We aren't Arsenal, ending up in semi finals and just achieving top 4 is the bare minimum, not the goal.

Wait till the end of the season before making a level headed judgement on the team and Ole. Threads like this are embarrassing when you've posters flip flopping their judgements on a game to game basis.

That's fair, but surely we should be able to appreciate the progress made from where we were pre-Ole? Those who are flip flopping are irrelevant in this, but recognising where we are and where we need to be headed is common sense, surely?

 

[b82REZ]

My point is that it's futile talking about replacing Ole if there's no viable candidates available.

When Moyes was fired there was options available for managers likely to improve us, same when LVG went, a bit more mixed when Jose went but he had to go no question.

Unless an available coach is available who is likely to improve us significantly there's no point having the upheaval again.

So when would you deem is acceptable to sack Ole?

I'm not necessarily advocating for his dismissal immediately, but if we flatter to deceive for the remainder of the season there is little benefit to keeping him, beyond his affiliation with the club.

It almost feels like he's getting an easy ride because of who he is, regardless of how he performs. Ffs we have a thread basically saying they don't care we lost again last night, the post amounted to nothing more than an excuse ridden eulogy to the boss.

If we were the exact same situation, but our manager was Sean Dyche, there would be far more calls for a new manager. Its nothing to do with upheaval, it's the inability to see past the managers name and their history with us.

 

[b82REZ]

Well now, this is just getting into hypotheticals. If they had the current squad I don't think that's a given, no.

You started the hypothetical questions, of course its all fecking hypothetical.

 

[elmo]

That's fair, but surely we should be able to appreciate the progress made from where we were pre-Ole? Those who are flip flopping are irrelevant in this, but recognising where we are and where we need to be headed is common sense, surely?

So better player morale after the cancerous shit fest under Jose?

Apart from that, it's still the same old playing favourites under Ole where different players have different standards to meet.

Take away Ole's identity as a former fan favourite from his playing days and I honestly think he wouldn't have gotten the job full time, let alone lasting till now.

 

[b82REZ]

That's fair, but surely we should be able to appreciate the progress made from where we were pre-Ole? Those who are flip flopping are irrelevant in this, but recognising where we are and where we need to be headed is common sense, surely?

What progress though? There's absolutely no way we can guarantee where we're heading simply because of how inconsistent we have been under Ole.

A big step forward for him would be that we don't implode after last night, as we have in the past after bad results.

If he can keep us there or thereabouts until May I'll concede there are greenshoots of progression, but as likely as we are to push Liverpool and City for a league title, we're just as likely to have another bad run and end up in a battle for top 4. If the latter happens that is not progress, that's regression or if you're being kind, stagnation.

 

[rotherham_red]

So better player morale after the cancerous shit fest under Jose?

Apart from that, it's still the same old playing favourites under Ole where different players have different standards to meet.

Take away Ole's identity as a former fan favourite from his playing days and I honestly think he wouldn't have gotten the job full time, let alone lasting till now.

What favourites? Unless you're saying Bailly should have been risked after 4 consecutive 90+ minute games in the space of ten days with his injury record? I honestly don't know who else could be categorised as a 'favourite'. DDG who he showed loyalty to after he was the only good player we had for years? Maguire who is our best defender? Shaw, who is being challenged by Telles? McFred, who have been the few consistent and reliable performers we've had? Bruno? Rashford and Martial?

It's pointless going in to hypotheticals when it comes to that. Ole obviously got the caretaker gig because of his status, but he got the job full-time because of how well he performed during that stint and how he got a previously unruly mob into something that was genuinely good. To say otherwise is obtuse to the point of being ignorant. If Ole had performed to his expectations when he was the caretaker, he would have been quietly let go and we'd have wished him all the best for the future, like Arsenal did with Ljunberg. The fact he spectacularly confounded those expectations is what got him the job, not his status.

 

[Gary_Walsh_Nou_Camp_Hell]

We're Manchester United.

Apart from a handful of managers who are in a club that has a realistic chance to win the CL, almost everyone else would resign from their existing job to sign for us.

But realistically, let the season end before making a judgement on Ole and deciding if he needs to be replaced.

In an ideal world, Woodward would get replaced before we hire any new manager.

Personally, I think Ole should be here for another 3 years (unless something horrific happens). I think the club needs to stick to this project, it seems we on the right path and currently experiencing the natural ups and downs of a young team developing.

I'm no fan of Woodward, but sometimes it's better the devil you know. God knows who the Glazer family would appoint to replace him.

 

[lysglimt]

Why the feck do you apologise for? What did he win? The league? The champions league? He has been here for over two years and cant even get to a fecking league cup final. If it wasn't for angry fans like us this club would go into mediocrity while the "top reds" are happy to clap for every result and in no time this club will turn into Arsenal or even Leeds. Real Madrid, Barcelona and Munich are top because they have ruthless fans that never will accept mediocrity. Yesterday was an example to why not to trust him in winning titles. And I dont fecking trust him.

And those 3 playing in leagues that generally are fairly uncompetitive has nothing to with why they are where they are ? There isn't a single club in Germany who can sign a very expensive player - apart from Bayern. Dortmunds transfer record is €30 million - Wolfsburg €43 million, Leverkusen €32 million. There are roughly 15 clubs in the UK who can match the transfer record of the club with the 3rd most expensive transfer in Germany.

No other clubs in Germany have ever signed a player over €25 million.

Compare that to the Premier League - where roughly 2/3 of the clubs have signed players more expensive than that. You don't think that can explain why Bayern is completely dominant ?

 

[Gary_Walsh_Nou_Camp_Hell]

So when would you deem is acceptable to sack Ole?

I'm not necessarily advocating for his dismissal immediately, but if we flatter to deceive for the remainder of the season there is little benefit to keeping him, beyond his affiliation with the club.

It almost feels like he's getting an easy ride because of who he is, regardless of how he performs. Ffs we have a thread basically saying they don't care we lost again last night, the post amounted to nothing more than an excuse ridden eulogy to the boss.

If we were the exact same situation, but our manager was Sean Dyche, there would be far more calls for a new manager. Its nothing to do with upheaval, it's the inability to see past the managers name and their history with us.

I think United should commit to this project with Ole for another 3 years,

Prior to Ole we had 3 managers in 5 years, ot was disastrous. I think we need stability and as long as we keep seeing progression and improvement in the team then that's the best approach imo.

I think Ole is given a bit of leeway because he's a club legend. But perhaps we needed that to enable some stability. He has also made us far better to watch, on the whole. Equally, he gets more scrutiny and pressure than any other manager in the league.

 

[Withnail]

You started the hypothetical questions, of course its all fecking hypothetical.

You seem very grumpy. Talk to you later

 

[rotherham_red]

What progress though? There's absolutely no way we can guarantee where we're heading simply because of how inconsistent we have been under Ole.

A big step forward for him would be that we don't implode after last night, as we have in the past after bad results.

If he can keep us there or thereabouts until May I'll concede there are greenshoots of progression, but as likely as we are to push Liverpool and City for a league title, we're just as likely to have another bad run and end up in a battle for top 4. If the latter happens that is not progress, that's regression or if you're being kind, stagnation.

Some people just deserve to have Jose, ffs.

We've not gone on long losing runs for over a year and we have had 11 months of very steady progression. We've lost only 3 times in the league during this period and have lost 9 in total in all competitions. That isn't bad at all. Compare it to where we were when Ole came in and it isn't even close.

The longest losing run we've been on in all competitions since February last year, has been the grand total of 2 games. So where are you getting the idea that we are just as likely to go on a losing run as we are a winning run?

If we get top 4 again this season then it is a sign of progression. We haven't sustained two consecutive top 4 finishes once since SAF went 8 years ago, and considering that we had a clusterfeck of a transfer window, it would be a sign of progress even if it ended up being a battle for it. The only reason why there is a possibility of a title challenge right now is solely because of Liverpool's injuries and City's poor early form, as well as Ole expertly handling the congested fixture list which the others haven't done as well to do. Especially Liverpool and City (who have only started to look good after they took advantage of the week they had off when their game against Everton was called off).

 

[lysglimt]

We're Manchester United.

Apart from a handful of managers who are in a club that has a realistic chance to win the CL, almost everyone else would resign from their existing job to sign for us.

But realistically, let the season end before making a judgement on Ole and deciding if he needs to be replaced.

In an ideal world, Woodward would get replaced before we hire any new manager.

A manager at United should always be under scrutiny (the more trophies the less scrutiny of course) - but the fact that people still talk about replacing him as a manager when we will be top of the table if we earn a point against Burnley is stupid. We might lose the next 5 games and then it will be fair discussion to have, but it's the constant criticism when United lose a game, from people who never show up when United win a game - that makes this place so awful.

And as for your handful manager - yes maybe - but these are the best managers, and let's be honest - so far this season, next to no managers would have picked up more points than what we have had. Because many of the best managers in the world already are in the Premier League - and they haven't

 

[lysglimt]

So when would you deem is acceptable to sack Ole?

I'm not necessarily advocating for his dismissal immediately, but if we flatter to deceive for the remainder of the season there is little benefit to keeping him, beyond his affiliation with the club.

It almost feels like he's getting an easy ride because of who he is, regardless of how he performs. Ffs we have a thread basically saying they don't care we lost again last night, the post amounted to nothing more than an excuse ridden eulogy to the boss.

If we were the exact same situation, but our manager was Sean Dyche, there would be far more calls for a new manager. Its nothing to do with upheaval, it's the inability to see past the managers name and their history with us.

Easy ride ? Are you for real ? We take one point from Burnley and we are top of the table, and still he is one of the most criticized managers in the league. He will be above Pep and Klopp after 17 games if we win against Burnley. And I can promise you - if Sean Dyche took us to the top of the table he would be hailed as the next manager for England.

 

[elmo]

A manager at United should always be under scrutiny (the more trophies the less scrutiny of course) - but the fact that people still talk about replacing him as a manager when we will be top of the table if we earn a point against Burnley is stupid. We might lose the next 5 games and then it will be fair discussion to have, but it's the constant criticism when United lose a game, from people who never show up when United win a game - that makes this place so awful.

And as for your handful manager - yes maybe - but these are the best managers, and let's be honest - so far this season, next to no managers would have picked up more points than what we have had. Because many of the best managers in the world already are in the Premier League - and they haven't

It's why threads like this are dumb midway through the season, it'll eventually boil down to arguments over whether Ole should be sacked/backed when in reality our best option is to decide at the end of the season.

The caf is toxic as it is with everybody taking sides and making snap judgements over every single game. Keep the congratulations/dismissal till the end of the season and just enjoy the rollercoaster feckfest that it this season.

 

[b82REZ]

You seem very grumpy. Talk to you later

Not at all, but I could sense you were backing out of a conversation you started by accusing me of what you did.

 

[b82REZ]

I think United should commit to this project with Ole for another 3 years,

Prior to Ole we had 3 managers in 5 years, ot was disastrous. I think we need stability and as long as we keep seeing progression and improvement in the team then that's the best approach imo.

I think Ole is given a bit of leeway because he's a club legend. But perhaps we needed that to enable some stability. He has also made us far better to watch, on the whole. Equally, he gets more scrutiny and pressure than any other manager in the league.

It's pointless debating this with you then.

Fairly certain you'd absolve blame on Solksjaer even if he relegated us.

This is the danger when appointing ex players, especially ones who have such a rich history with the club. Also exactly why I feel the board jumped the gun and appointed him when they did, to capitalise on the feel good factor after Paris (and I was supping the Cool-Aid with you at that point).

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Thread title of the year winner in the bag.

I salutise OP.

 

[croadyman]

It's pointless debating this with you then.

Fairly certain you'd absolve blame on Solksjaer even if he relegated us.

This is the danger when appointing ex players, especially ones who have such a rich history with the club. Also exactly why I feel the board jumped the gun and appointed him when they did, to capitalise on the feel good factor after Paris (and I was supping the Cool-Aid with you at that point).

They massively jumped the gun on the appointment

 

[tomaldinho1]

Personally, I think Ole should be here for another 3 years (unless something horrific happens). I think the club needs to stick to this project, it seems we on the right path and currently experiencing the natural ups and downs of a young team developing.

I'm no fan of Woodward, but sometimes it's better the devil you know. God knows who the Glazer family would appoint to replace him.

Define 'horrific'

 

[Gary_Walsh_Nou_Camp_Hell]

It's pointless debating this with you then.

Fairly certain you'd absolve blame on Solksjaer even if he relegated us.

This is the danger when appointing ex players, especially ones who have such a rich history with the club. Also exactly why I feel the board jumped the gun and appointed him when they did, to capitalise on the feel good factor after Paris (and I was supping the Cool-Aid with you at that point).

I said he should be here for the next 3 years as long as we keep seeing progression in the team.

 

[Gary_Walsh_Nou_Camp_Hell]

Define 'horrific'

Results and performances tail off, slump down the league and we stop seeing signs of hope.

 

[el3mel]

I think United should commit to this project with Ole for another 3 years,

Prior to Ole we had 3 managers in 5 years, ot was disastrous. I think we need stability and as long as we keep seeing progression and improvement in the team then that's the best approach imo.

I think Ole is given a bit of leeway because he's a club legend. But perhaps we needed that to enable some stability. He has also made us far better to watch, on the whole. Equally, he gets more scrutiny and pressure than any other manager in the league.

There's nothing called "commit for X number of years to a manager". No club does this. Do well in a season, he earns the next, and so on.

 

[Aretak]

It's almost as if we have a young and inconsistent team.........

The CAF wants a world beating team instantly but also want the best young talents but are never patient enough to wait for said best young talents to become world beaters that get the constant wins that they so desperately desire.....very confused fanbase.

United are only 7th in terms of average age of players this season, a whopping 0.3 years younger than City in 9th (with Aston Villa being way out in front as the youngest team). I'm also a little confused as to who all these hot young talents who are going to develop into "world beaters" are. Let's say Rashford and Greenwood fit that category to avoid argument. Who else? The only other players in the first team squad under 25 are McTominay, Wan-Bissaka, James, Williams, Tuanzebe, Henderson and Van de Beek. Henderson perhaps can be a top class keeper. Van de Beek... maybe? Through sheer unknown factor? You can even toss in the 25 year-olds in Martial and Shaw if you like, players who've been at the club for six and seven seasons respectively and haven't improved one bit during that time. It'd probably be unfair not to throw in Lingard as well, who is a young lad and just needs more time.

And that's the list of hot young talent that's suddenly going to blossom into a dominant, "world beating" side? Maybe I'm just a pessimist, but I'm not seeing it.

 

[7even]

An idiot for creating this kind of thread in the middle of the bloody season. It's a caf tradition, this type of thread never ends well.

As I've stated, we've seen this in previous years under Ole where everything looks good for a run of games before it all falls apart again.

Until the season is over and the team maintains the form, nothing has changed in terms of us as a team beyond the morale of the players. Wait till the damn season is over before flip flopping over Ole's achievements.

It's ridiculous how so many kept shitting on him after the Leicester game and started jerking off after the Villa game and now are calling him and the players bad again after the City game.

It's literally 3 games one after the other, the caf is mental at times with how they keep changing their mind over this team and the manager.

Is it possible to see progress and positive signs in the middle of the season or is the summer the only time we supporters can change our mind regarding the manager?

What’s your criteria before you make up your mind regarding supporting our manager. Only great results (trophies) as a factor before you make your judgement? Honest question.

There where two things that made me change my mind.

Stability and I could visibly see a long term plan.

Good results made it off course easier to stop being negative, hands down, but the positive vibes inside and outside the club where there for all to see. Instead of Sancho we bought Diallo, I liked that. Ole took the challenge with Pogba and turned it around to something good. I liked that too. I saw a team that turned losses into wins. We scored late goals. Maybe not exactly the same feeling but it was like Sir Alex spirit was back. That made me think that Ole is the right guy. Maybe I was a little bit wrong with my criticism against him.

I looked at the PL table. I saw all our results in 2020. We lost a few important games and that’s a disappointment but we also won most of our easy matches. I remember Sir Alex formula. Win against the bottom half, against the better teams draw away and win at home. Somewhere there I saw the light and that’s the reason I’m willing to support Ole long term, despite his tactical flaws.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Personally, I think Ole should be here for another 3 years (unless something horrific happens). I think the club needs to stick to this project, it seems we on the right path and currently experiencing the natural ups and downs of a young team developing.

I'm no fan of Woodward, but sometimes it's better the devil you know. God knows who the Glazer family would appoint to replace him.

Bizarre. Which top club sets the bar at "not horrific"? Lofty ambitions indeed.

 

[Giggsyking]

And those 3 playing in leagues that generally are fairly uncompetitive has nothing to with why they are where they are ? There isn't a single club in Germany who can sign a very expensive player - apart from Bayern. Dortmunds transfer record is €30 million - Wolfsburg €43 million, Leverkusen €32 million. There are roughly 15 clubs in the UK who can match the transfer record of the club with the 3rd most expensive transfer in Germany.

No other clubs in Germany have ever signed a player over €25 million.

Compare that to the Premier League - where roughly 2/3 of the clubs have signed players more expensive than that. You don't think that can explain why Bayern is completely dominant ?

The money is relative, even Munich do not buy expensive players. Their net expenses is way less than most of the top 6 in England. It is not a excuse, the reality thought is Munich and Us are huge clubs and we should have the same attitude toward the players, the manager and the board. Any sign of underperforming should never be accepted.

 

[UnitedSofa]

United are only 7th in terms of average age of players this season, a whopping 0.3 years younger than City in 9th (with Aston Villa being way out in front as the youngest team). I'm also a little confused as to who all these hot young talents who are going to develop into "world beaters" are. Let's say Rashford and Greenwood fit that category to avoid argument. Who else? The only other players in the first team squad under 25 are McTominay, Wan-Bissaka, James, Williams, Tuanzebe, Henderson and Van de Beek. Henderson perhaps can be a top class keeper. Van de Beek... maybe? Through sheer unknown factor? You can even toss in the 25 year-olds in Martial and Shaw if you like, players who've been at the club for six and seven seasons respectively and haven't improved one bit during that time. It'd probably be unfair not to throw in Lingard as well, who is a young lad and just needs more time.

And that's the list of hot young talent that's suddenly going to blossom into a dominant, "world beating" side? Maybe I'm just a pessimist, but I'm not seeing it.

25 is still 3 seasons off Prime years too....but Man Utd fans are too impatient to wait for them to develop so the CAF likes to class them as "over the hill" at 25.

Anyway, 7th?! United don't fall down to 7th in the space of 6 months......

Manchester United have had the youngest team, on average, in the Premier League this season.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's commitment to youth and a reboot at the club is evident in the figures compiled by the transfermarkt.com website.

The average age of the Reds' line-up in the top flight is only 24 years this term, younger than nearest challengers Bournemouth, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Everton.

https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/man-utd-are-the-youngest-team-in-the-premier-league#

 

[elmo]

Is it possible to see progress and positive signs in the middle of the season or is the summer the only time we supporters can change our mind regarding the manager?

What’s your criteria before you make up your mind regarding supporting our manager. Only great results (trophies) as a factor before you make your judgement? Honest question.

There where two things that made me change my mind.

Stability and I could visibly see a long term plan.

Good results made it off course easier to stop being negative, hands down, but the positive vibes inside and outside the club where there for all to see. Instead of Sancho we bought Diallo, I liked that. Ole took the challenge with Pogba and turned it around to something good. I liked that too. I saw a team that turned losses into wins. We scored late goals. Maybe not exactly the same feeling but it was like Sir Alex spirit was back. That made me think that Ole is the right guy. Maybe I was a little bit wrong with my criticism against him.

I looked at the PL table. I saw all our results in 2020. We lost a few important games and that’s a disappointment but we also won most of our easy matches. I remember Sir Alex formula. Win against the bottom half, against the better teams draw away and win at home. Somewhere there I saw the light and that’s the reason I’m willing to support Ole long term, despite his tactical flaws.

Improvements in results is merely the after effects of replacing our worst player in the starting lineup in Lingard/Andreas with a world class star in Bruno. Him having a bad game and we're reduced back to looking entirely toothless and it says a lot that the best football we've played under Ole was his initial run as the interim manager.

He's ultimately doomed to fail the moment he went back on his words that we will only keep players that want to be here and that players should be playing based on merit.

Unless we win the league / Europa this season, we should be moving on from him in the summer because all he's done is just to bring us back to the standard that Jose brought us initially before Jose started downing tools when he didn't get the players he wanted.

 

[gerdm07]

Apart from Rashford and AWB, most of our starting players are supposed to be approaching their prime....

We need to stop making excuses for the team and actually hold them up to standards which we want the club to reach.

There's no real reason for us to constantly feck up and concede on set pieces.

And we've still won feck all, end of story.

Until this team proves to be something more than just a team which can achieve a top 4 finish, we've proven nothing.

We aren't Arsenal, ending up in semi finals and just achieving top 4 is the bare minimum, not the goal.

Wait till the end of the season before making a level headed judgement on the team and Ole. Threads like this are embarrassing when you've posters flip flopping their judgements on a game to game basis.

I didn't know a team should be coached to perfection where you never concede on set pieces. Most of us are not making excuses, we just recognize that City are a good team and we will not beat them every match.

The goal is not to win the EPL this year (though where we are gives us an outside chance) and the goal was not to win the CL this year. The goals were to improve on last year by finishing at least a strong 3rd or better, be in the race till March or so, and maybe win the league or FA cup. The following year, though, I think with Ole we could be looking at possible titles on all fronts.

I don't understand why you would fire Ole at the end of the season if he doesn't win anything. It's takes every organization time to change things and improve things and a football club is no different.

 

[rotherham_red]

Improvements in results is merely the after effects of replacing our worst player in the starting lineup in Lingard/Andreas with a world class star in Bruno. Him having a bad game and we're reduced back to looking entirely toothless and it says a lot that the best football we've played under Ole was his initial run as the interim manager.

He's ultimately doomed to fail the moment he went back on his words that we will only keep players that want to be here and that players should be playing based on merit.

Unless we win the league / Europa this season, we should be moving on from him in the summer because all he's done is just to bring us back to the standard that Jose brought us initially before Jose started downing tools when he didn't get the players he wanted.

The way you make it sound, management is just a case of bringing in a world class player and everything is set. It doesn't work that way. Ole developed a system and identified the best possible fit for that system which suits the abilities of Bruno down to the ground. If it was anything less than a perfect fit, we'd be nowhere near. That's a credit to Ole, as well as to Bruno for coming in and firing straight away. It's not something that came by chance, and there was a reason why we were linked to him for the best part of 18 months before he arrived.

What players are not being picked on merit, please tell me? Bailly came in and displaced Lindelof in the Leicester game, where the latter was played RB. The fact that he hadn't had a look in until then was because of injury issues and him absolutely shitting the bed v Spurs. Cavani has been involved whenever he's been available. The only player who you could argue needs more of a chance is VdB, and he plays in the same position as one of the very best players in the league and Europe.

Likewise, the only player that he has kept who wanted to go, was Pogba, who is now essentially a squad player and when he does play, is out on the left rather than being the main man. We know he's gone, and that is why we likely bought VdB.

So please tell me, bearing all of the above in mind, where has Ole gone back on his word?

 

[Gary_Walsh_Nou_Camp_Hell]

There's nothing called "commit for X number of years to a manager". No club does this. Do well in a season, he earns the next, and so on.

If said if the team keeps showing progression and improvement Ole should be here in 3 years time, or indefinitely really.