British Football Thread (all divisions)

[Threadfin]

I guess we will see

[Jimbuna]

I'm going to watch the Palace game this afternoon and it should be interesting to see if Jones has made any difference to the style and effort of the squad.

[Threadfin]

Yes it will, we almost always see a new manager bounce in the EPL, even an interim one. I suppose those out of favor suddenly see another chance with the new gaffer, or that could be part of it.


Different tactics, shape, motivation, could all play a part today. Palace aren't invulnerable and there's a chance for a result today. Scoreless at the half. All to play for.

[Threadfin]

A draw having 25% of the ball is a good result. Maybe not the performance, but a point's a point.

[Jimbuna]

Possibly only the first or second time I've been in favour of VAR but I'll take a point away any day.

One positive being we looked less vulnerable in defence.

Next up is Chelsea so anything less than conceding seven would be another positive

The squad as it is atm will not stop relegation so everything hinges on the January transfer window.

[Threadfin]

Yes, Chelsea are strong this season, they have a very deep squad. Getting a point off them would be a victory for Newcastle.


January recruitment should be quite interesting for your club. Not sure what to make of it really.

[Jimbuna]

Can't believe the scoreline in the match Manure v The Bin Dippers (0-5)

[blackswan40]

[Threadfin]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Can't believe the scoreline in the match Manure v The Bin Dippers (0-5)

I know, should have been more right?

United are paying the price of putting perception ahead of pragmatism. It's the disaster of employing Ed Woodward for so long, or at least giving him the keys to the sporting side, manifesting itself in mediocrity.

There are a number of clubs in English football that seem to be incapable of critical self-analysis, such as Arsenal, who are about to sack Arteta after each loss, but will see the flowers of his vision bloom with each victory.

United though are in a league of their own. Woodward is/was a distinctly terrible director of football, or whatever his title is/was. His transfer policy has been disastrous, handing out suicidal contracts and extensions, getting it all wrong in terms of recruitment, timing, costs and at least displaying a modicum of competency.

His expertise, if it is indeed, is in the marketing side of football, and it's difficult to suggest he has not been successful there. But why they entrusted him with the sporting side is a mystery, and this United side are a reflection in whole of Woodward's mismanagement and ineptitude.

Players like McTominay, Fred, Martial, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof and Luke Shaw are not the level of player needed in a starting eleven for a side with domestic and European title aspirations. Good players, on their day, but not starter-level for an elite club. Would any of those players get a match at City, or Liverpool or Bayern or PSG? United still have Phil Jones on the books! And Mata (who I like but can't get a game) and Matic. These players cost a small fortune to keep around and never play.

He overpaid for De Gea's renewal, clear then, and clearer now. Good keeper, but he's on 375k per week! Allison's on 150 by contrast. Sancho's on 350k and can't get a sniff. And what about van de Beek? Woodward paid 35 million for him and he never plays. There's no common vision here, just buy the names and the rest takes care of itself.

Except it doesn't, clearly. And then there's Solksjaer himself, overmatched from the beginning, but can anyone at the club (aside from the playing staff) actually see this? This has always felt like a nepotistic appointment, one of the boys, who had success and by extension would just carry it to the club like success is a commodity, his glittering past overcoming tactical naivety and the inability to inspire top players. He was managing Molde for a reason. If you have little tactical nous, and are not a man-manager, what is it you bring? That's right, he brought the treble with that goal 30 years ago.

Cavani hardly gets a start, Pogba is a shadow of his potential under Ole, Rashford's always out wide, Maguire's overrated, and their midfield is below the required standard. Yet the squad has cost a fortune, with results that in no way reflect the enormous outlay. It all looks disjointed from here, not that I'm complaining, mind

[mapuc]

@ Jim

Is the the appointment of Eddie Howe as the new head coach a good thing or ?

Well it can't get any worse than it already is. No victory yet.

Markus

[Threadfin]

I like it. Unfancied perhaps, but this is the sort of appointment I think is grounded in realistic expectations. He's a fine manager, but he has it all to do.


I think the supporters will have had a more glamorous name in mind, so he will need to win them over, which comes with good play and results. It's a big ask really.


Is he an upgrade over Bruce? Time will tell. He's got seven months to state his case.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by mapuc

@ Jim

Is the the appointment of Eddie Howe as the new head coach a good thing or ?

Well it can't get any worse than it already is. No victory yet.

Markus

I think Threadfin has echoed my thoughts.

[Jimbuna]

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Man Utd sack manager with club seventh in Premier League.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54826343

Sol Campbell is being quoted online as saying Manure should hire Steve Bruce as an interim manager

[mapuc]

Maybe it will have some effect. Whether the effect will be positive or negative is to be seen.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

If they enlist the services of the Cabbage Heed it will certainly be a 'negative' effect.