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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: World Cup 2014: The truly global party
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quetzalcoatl
Shipmate
# 16740
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by South Coast Kevin:
It all raises a really interesting question, I think. How to follow a legend. As the owners, do you try to find a natural successor in the image of the departed great, or someone who will make their own clear mark; and as the successor, do you adopt a 'steady as she goes' approach or deliberately distance yourself from the one whose big shoes you are trying to fill?
It's usually a huge cock-up, as the legend casts a huge shadow - I remember when Busby left, and there were a series of managers, beginning with Wilf McGuiness.
In some ways, Moyes may be the necessary sacrifice on the altar of post-Alex tribulation; and now they can start to play again, after a long mourning. Well, maybe; it might also go on for ten years like last time!
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I can't talk to you today; I talked to two people yesterday.
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
It's similar in politics: Look at the Tories after Thatcher and Labour after Blair. I'm not sure there is a right answer, to be honest.
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
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Og, King of Bashan
Ship's giant Amorite
# 9562
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by deano:
I think it was a poor decision. As far as I'm concerned Moyes was the right man for the job but he should have been given two or three seasons. You don't become a bad manager overnight and he was far from a bad manager.
When you are hired to take over a core of players who just won the title by 11 points, you are not being hired to rebuild over two or three years. The team is hiring you to win now, because it knows that the players it currently has are more than capable of it. Those expectations are probably unfair, but that was what Moyes stepped into. At least the next guy has lower expectations to work with, and might be given a little time to do something new.
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"I like to eat crawfish and drink beer. That's despair?" ― Walker Percy
Posts: 3259 | From: Denver, Colorado, USA | Registered: May 2005
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quetzalcoatl
Shipmate
# 16740
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
It's similar in politics: Look at the Tories after Thatcher and Labour after Blair. I'm not sure there is a right answer, to be honest.
Well, this is the answer, I think. You have a period of hangover and mourning, when everybody is stumbling around, looking whey-faced and not performing. This can go on a long time of course.
I don't think Man Utd are out of the woods by any means; half the players are pining for Alex, and will probably leave.
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I can't talk to you today; I talked to two people yesterday.
Posts: 9878 | From: UK | Registered: Oct 2011
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
Having listened to you guys, to the media's commentary, and having thought about this for a day or so, I'm now more convinced than ever that it's the Glaziers that are the root of the problem.
Long may they stay!! ![[Biased]](wink.gif)
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
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South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
It's similar in politics: Look at the Tories after Thatcher and Labour after Blair. I'm not sure there is a right answer, to be honest.
Oh yes, it's certainly very difficult. I don't have an answer, really, just that succession planning surely requires significant humility and willingness to delegate, on the part of the legend whose time is coming to an end. And humility doesn't often go with being a legend...
Fergie should perhaps have been giving his coaching team more responsibility and more freedom to do things their way, and of course Moyes probably shouldn't have replaced all of Fergie's assistants with his own when he took the job! I wonder if that was his biggest mistake.
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My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
Posts: 3309 | From: The south coast (of England) | Registered: Jan 2011
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South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
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Posted
Today's Daily Telegraph has an article on this exact issue - here.
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My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
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deano
princess
# 12063
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Posted
Seems a lot of you are comparing Manchester United's current season with politics... you wish!
I suspect you are HOPING that's the case. Oh well, time will tell on that.
Anyway, somebody out there in football land is going to be pissed off when we steal their manager, because let's face it, when Manchester United comes knocking on your door with a contract you don't say no. It's easy to say that before the knock comes, but when the CEO is standing there with a a contract and a pen, that no is much harder to say aloud.
Personally I hope that we pick the right man for the right reason, and that reason is of course to piss off another Premiership club, and for that reason I hope we go knocking on the Special One's door! I mean he's got to be thinking that if he turns us down he'll never get another chance, and Abramovich will get tired of him sooner or later, so why not make the move now?
If not him then Pep Guardiola as punishment for Bayern beating us in the European Cup quarter finals.
Of course there are many positive things about Guardiola and Mourinho, but I prefer to focus on the pain it will cause the "donor" club.
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"The moral high ground is slowly being bombed to oblivion. " - Supermatelot
Posts: 2118 | From: Chesterfield | Registered: Nov 2006
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South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by deano:
Anyway, somebody out there in football land is going to be pissed off when we steal their manager, because let's face it, when Manchester United comes knocking on your door with a contract you don't say no.
If you want a mercenary manager who has no concept of loyalty and long-term project then, sure, you'll be able to get who you want by offering them sufficient ££££££££. Just like you got mercenary, selfish Rooney to commit for another 5 years by offering him £300,000 a week. What a good deal that was... for Mr Rooney, who will be knackered, overweight and way past his best come the 4th and 5th years of that deal.
quote:
Originally posted by deano:
Personally I hope that we pick the right man for the right reason, and that reason is of course to piss off another Premiership club... Of course there are many positive things about Guardiola and Mourinho, but I prefer to focus on the pain it will cause the "donor" club.
How sad. ![[Disappointed]](graemlins/disappointed.gif) Don't you want the person who'll do the best job for your club? Genuine question, who do you think the best person for Man U (and not for the pain it will cause the "donor" club) would be? You can't have Pochettino, by the way! /Southampton fan who's rather nervous about all these managerial vacancies at top clubs.
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My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
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An die Freude
Shipmate
# 14794
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Posted
Frankly, I don't think a club finishing seventh could get any of Mourinho or Guardiola. Not with the meagre means provided by Glazier's financial model. Not with the meagre squad left behind by Moyes. Not without the Champions League motivation.
Think of it this way: which top managers could you see signing on for AC Milan, Lazio or Parma at present? Man U may be the world's most well-known club, but those things change quickly and help little when all the other things go against them. So what you're looking at is a situation very similar to Liverpool following Rafa Benitez's leave, and what's arguably a much weaker squad with much higher expectations, both by local fans and global ones.
Trust me, it won't take much for Korean and other Asian fans, providing much appreciated revenue and branding, to switch to City jerseys if that's the way success is going. Which is why success, the main sales point of Man U globally over the last 20 years, is an unreliable source of income.
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"I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable."
Walt Whitman
Formerly JFH
Posts: 851 | From: Proud Socialist Monarchy of Sweden | Registered: May 2009
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by deano:
Personally I hope that we pick the right man for the right reason, and that reason is of course to piss off another Premiership club, and for that reason I hope we go knocking on the Special One's door! I mean he's got to be thinking that if he turns us down he'll never get another chance, and Abramovich will get tired of him sooner or later, so why not make the move now?
![[Killing me]](graemlins/killingme.gif)
quote:
Originally posted by South Coast Kevin
... Mr Rooney, who will be knackered, overweight and way past his best come the 4th and 5th years of that deal.
So, just to clarify, you don't think he's knackered, overweight, and way past his best already?
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
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quetzalcoatl
Shipmate
# 16740
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by JFH:
Frankly, I don't think a club finishing seventh could get any of Mourinho or Guardiola. Not with the meagre means provided by Glazier's financial model. Not with the meagre squad left behind by Moyes. Not without the Champions League motivation.
Think of it this way: which top managers could you see signing on for AC Milan, Lazio or Parma at present? Man U may be the world's most well-known club, but those things change quickly and help little when all the other things go against them. So what you're looking at is a situation very similar to Liverpool following Rafa Benitez's leave, and what's arguably a much weaker squad with much higher expectations, both by local fans and global ones.
Trust me, it won't take much for Korean and other Asian fans, providing much appreciated revenue and branding, to switch to City jerseys if that's the way success is going. Which is why success, the main sales point of Man U globally over the last 20 years, is an unreliable source of income.
Yes, I think some MU fans are in dreamland. We had a golden age, and hopefully everybody had a great time. But we are unlikely to have another one. So a bit of modesty might be in order, but then when did football fans ever indulge in that? I wouldn't be surprised if next year is no better, actually, no matter who the manager is.
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I can't talk to you today; I talked to two people yesterday.
Posts: 9878 | From: UK | Registered: Oct 2011
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
I've just read that SAF will be involved in choosing his chosen successor's successor.
Hmmm.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
quote:
Originally posted by South Coast Kevin
... Mr Rooney, who will be knackered, overweight and way past his best come the 4th and 5th years of that deal.
So, just to clarify, you don't think he's knackered, overweight, and way past his best already?
I was being charitable. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
quote:
Originally posted by quetzalcoatl:
I wouldn't be surprised if next year is no better, actually, no matter who the manager is.
Agreed. I think you and JFH are right about the weakness of the Man U squad, which has been an issue for a few years - one that was covered over by the genius and iron will of Sir Alex. It pains me to say this, but the failure of Moyes just confirms Fergie's status as a legend of world soccer.
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Posts: 3309 | From: The south coast (of England) | Registered: Jan 2011
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quetzalcoatl
Shipmate
# 16740
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Posted
You can also see it as an ancient anthropological rite - the king gives up the throne, and secretly, everybody is enraged with him, and want to kill him. However, this is generally frowned upon, so instead, a sacrificial victim is found, who can be ritually cast out and slaughtered - step forward, David Moyes.
Everybody has a good time attacking the sacrificial goat for about a year, until it gets boring, when the successor to the successor can now be permitted to step forward. He will probably not be slaughtered, just complained about a lot, but this is back to normal football stuff.
In years to come, people will talk about the golden age, just as they talk about Best, Law and Charlton, and nobody will be able to reproduce it. Them's the breaks in football.
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I can't talk to you today; I talked to two people yesterday.
Posts: 9878 | From: UK | Registered: Oct 2011
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Starbug
Shipmate
# 15917
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by South Coast Kevin:
Yeah, good times for Merseyside football! Two excellent, forward-thinking young managers, and two fine teams. My main team, Southampton, are also very much on the up...
It's okay to support two Premier League teams, right?!
Absolutely! Mr Bug supports Southampton, which means I have to follow them too. (My car is red because I wasn't allowed to buy a blue one!)But I'm a Liverpool fan. Mainly because we go every year for the International Beatle Week and I love the city. It's a fabulous place.
I've walked round Anfield and been in the gift shop. I bought Mr Bug a waste paper basket which he won't use, for some reason. It's red, so I don't see why not.. ![[Snigger]](graemlins/snigger.gif)
I've also sat in the Kop, but not for a football match. It was a concert called the Liverpool Sound, with Paul McCartney as the headline act. Crikey, those seats are close together! We were packed in like sardines - when one person stood up, we all had to stand. I'm only 5ft 2, so goodness knows how the tall people cope.
On the subject of Man Utd, Mr Bug was at the Dell for this match: http://www.onthisfootballday.com/football-history/april-13-%E2%80%93-grey-day-for-united.php You may remember it for one of the worst footballing excuses in history.
[ 23. April 2014, 12:33: Message edited by: Starbug ]
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“Oh the pointing again. They're screwdrivers! What are you going to do? Assemble a cabinet at them?” ― The Day of the Doctor
Posts: 1189 | From: West of the New Forest | Registered: Sep 2010
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deano
princess
# 12063
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Starbug:
quote:
Originally posted by South Coast Kevin:
Yeah, good times for Merseyside football! Two excellent, forward-thinking young managers, and two fine teams. My main team, Southampton, are also very much on the up...
It's okay to support two Premier League teams, right?!
Absolutely! Mr Bug supports Southampton, which means I have to follow them too. (My car is red because I wasn't allowed to buy a blue one!)But I'm a Liverpool fan. Mainly because we go every year for the International Beatle Week and I love the city. It's a fabulous place.
I've walked round Anfield and been in the gift shop. I bought Mr Bug a waste paper basket which he won't use, for some reason. It's red, so I don't see why not..
I've also sat in the Kop, but not for a football match. It was a concert called the Liverpool Sound, with Paul McCartney as the headline act. Crikey, those seats are close together! We were packed in like sardines - when one person stood up, we all had to stand. I'm only 5ft 2, so goodness knows how the tall people cope.
On the subject of Man Utd, Mr Bug was at the Dell for this match: http://www.onthisfootballday.com/football-history/april-13-%E2%80%93-grey-day-for-united.php You may remember it for one of the worst footballing excuses in history.
Oh yes, I remeember that match. If I remember correctly we went on to do the double that season.
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"The moral high ground is slowly being bombed to oblivion. " - Supermatelot
Posts: 2118 | From: Chesterfield | Registered: Nov 2006
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South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Starbug:
On the subject of Man Utd, Mr Bug was at the Dell for this match: http://www.onthisfootballday.com/football-history/april-13-%E2%80%93-grey-day-for-united.php You may remember it for one of the worst footballing excuses in history.
Ha ha, yes! My memory for this sort of thing isn't normally very good but I remember this because I was out on Southampton Common (very near The Dell, for those who don't know Southampton) and heard what sounded like three loud cheers but didn't believe Saints had scored three times. Turns out they had...
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My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
Posts: 3309 | From: The south coast (of England) | Registered: Jan 2011
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
We're done for! Sixth is nuffink!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
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Posted
Just a bit more on the Wayne Rooney contract. For those who aren't familiar with the English Premier League but do follow baseball, I'd equate Rooney's 2014-19 contract with the deal that Josh Hamilton signed with the Angels a year ago (details here). Dubious value even in the first couple of years (but Making A Statement as to the club's ambition), and likely to be a massive albatross around the club's neck in the latter part.
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My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
Posts: 3309 | From: The south coast (of England) | Registered: Jan 2011
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
One more question to the United fans here:
How much do you think Moyes' decision to get rid of René Meulensteen and the rest of the coaching staff was a factor in your performance this season?
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
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quetzalcoatl
Shipmate
# 16740
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
One more question to the United fans here:
How much do you think Moyes' decision to get rid of René Meulensteen and the rest of the coaching staff was a factor in your performance this season?
I don't think that anybody knows really. There are people now pontificating that this was a huge error, but then you can dissect Moyes' performance a hundred different ways, and put your finger on one aspect as the killer.
We don't even know that it is Moyes' fault. I half-expect next year to be even worse - what do they do then? Sack the next manager? It's fun, fun, fun. I say, bring back Big Ron!
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I can't talk to you today; I talked to two people yesterday.
Posts: 9878 | From: UK | Registered: Oct 2011
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Marvin the Martian
Interplanetary
# 4360
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by quetzalcoatl:
We don't even know that it is Moyes' fault. I half-expect next year to be even worse - what do they do then? Sack the next manager? It's fun, fun, fun. I say, bring back Big Ron!
It could easily go very wrong very quickly for them. Even with such a big name and reputation in world football, the financial constraints placed on the club by the Glazer purchase and the loss of revenue from the Champions League (and from finishing a good five places lower in the league than they'd have budgeted for - that's equivalent to about £10 million in lost prize money alone) will mean they won't be able to compete for the top players in terms of transfer fees or salaries. We're even seeing that right now - very few commentators list Man Utd as a likely transfer destination for the highest-quality players, and they're reduced to taking their rivals' cast-offs like Mata and clinging desperately to the dwindling number of big names they still have, like Rooney.
They can survive that for one season, but if it turns into two or three seasons then they could fall into a financial black hole from which recovery will be slow and painful. Without top-quality players getting to the Champions League is very hard, and without Champions League revenues getting the top players to sign for you is very hard. And to add to that, there are a number of very good clubs that can challenge for that fourth Champions League spot - most of whom are already well experienced at doing so on a lower budget and so won't be losing money hand over fist if they fail to make it in any particular season. United will.
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Hail Gallaxhar
Posts: 30100 | From: Adrift on a sea of surreality | Registered: Apr 2003
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Ricardus
Shipmate
# 8757
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
You all seem to forget that playing two games a week, all high pressure, in the latter stages of important competitions is what Chelsea are used to these days.
Well Mourinho seems to disagree. Although it's possible he just thinks the season hasn't been sufficiently about him ....
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Then the dog ran before, and coming as if he had brought the news, shewed his joy by his fawning and wagging his tail. -- Tobit 11:9 (Douai-Rheims)
Posts: 7247 | From: Liverpool, UK | Registered: Nov 2004
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Og, King of Bashan
Ship's giant Amorite
# 9562
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Marvin the Martian:
[QUOTE]It could easily go very wrong very quickly for them. Even with such a big name and reputation in world football, the financial constraints placed on the club by the Glazer purchase and the loss of revenue from the Champions League (and from finishing a good five places lower in the league than they'd have budgeted for - that's equivalent to about £10 million in lost prize money alone) will mean they won't be able to compete for the top players in terms of transfer fees or salaries. We're even seeing that right now - very few commentators list Man Utd as a likely transfer destination for the highest-quality players, and they're reduced to taking their rivals' cast-offs like Mata and clinging desperately to the dwindling number of big names they still have, like Rooney.
They can survive that for one season, but if it turns into two or three seasons then they could fall into a financial black hole from which recovery will be slow and painful. Without top-quality players getting to the Champions League is very hard, and without Champions League revenues getting the top players to sign for you is very hard. And to add to that, there are a number of very good clubs that can challenge for that fourth Champions League spot - most of whom are already well experienced at doing so on a lower budget and so won't be losing money hand over fist if they fail to make it in any particular season. United will.
So are we talking Newcastle bad or Leeds bad?
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"I like to eat crawfish and drink beer. That's despair?" ― Walker Percy
Posts: 3259 | From: Denver, Colorado, USA | Registered: May 2005
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Og, King of Bashan:
quote:
Originally posted by Marvin the Martian:
[QUOTE]It could easily go very wrong very quickly for them. Even with such a big name and reputation in world football, the financial constraints placed on the club by the Glazer purchase and the loss of revenue from the Champions League (and from finishing a good five places lower in the league than they'd have budgeted for - that's equivalent to about £10 million in lost prize money alone) will mean they won't be able to compete for the top players in terms of transfer fees or salaries. We're even seeing that right now - very few commentators list Man Utd as a likely transfer destination for the highest-quality players, and they're reduced to taking their rivals' cast-offs like Mata and clinging desperately to the dwindling number of big names they still have, like Rooney.
They can survive that for one season, but if it turns into two or three seasons then they could fall into a financial black hole from which recovery will be slow and painful. Without top-quality players getting to the Champions League is very hard, and without Champions League revenues getting the top players to sign for you is very hard. And to add to that, there are a number of very good clubs that can challenge for that fourth Champions League spot - most of whom are already well experienced at doing so on a lower budget and so won't be losing money hand over fist if they fail to make it in any particular season. United will.
So are we talking Newcastle bad or Leeds bad?
Probably Liverpool or Arsenal bad. Still high profile, qualifying for the Champions League too, but rarely winning anything.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Nyone but the Aseholes, erm, I mean Gunners. One of my colleagues that I teach with is a Goonie and if his side wins, he would be insufferable!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
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Posted
Southampton take the lead in the first minute against Everton, with an own goal! ![[Yipee]](graemlins/spin.gif)
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My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
Posts: 3309 | From: The south coast (of England) | Registered: Jan 2011
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Good! I am not an Everton fanatic either: glad they shot themselves in the foot!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
It was a horror show. The good news is that Southampton deserved to win and Lukaku isn't half the player he was before his injury (when he clattered into a goalkeeper last year).
That will either make him a bargain or a pointless purchase.
btw Sir Kevin, Everton exceeded themselves, and shot themselves in both feet with another own goal!
[ 26. April 2014, 23:19: Message edited by: Sioni Sais ]
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
"This does not f**king slip now..."
Oh dear Stevie.
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
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South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
"This does not f**king slip now..."
Oh dear Stevie.
Still, good win for Southampton yesterday.
/Plastic Liverpool fan who flits between them and Southampton according to each team's recent results...
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My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
Posts: 3309 | From: The south coast (of England) | Registered: Jan 2011
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Og, King of Bashan
Ship's giant Amorite
# 9562
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Posted
As much as I'm rooting against it, if everything breaks Chelsea's way and they win the double, I'm going to be equal parts upset and impressed.
All City has to do to grab the title is win out and hope that Liverpool don't make up an 8 goal differential (good thing for City that Liverpool don't get a third go at Spurs, or they'd probably do it in one game ). And while it is always possible that City will drop one of the two games they get at home (Villa and West Ham), I'd say Liverpool's hope has to lie with Everton to beat City on Saturday.
So I guess everyone in Merseyside will be wearing dark blue this week...
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"I like to eat crawfish and drink beer. That's despair?" ― Walker Percy
Posts: 3259 | From: Denver, Colorado, USA | Registered: May 2005
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
I'm wondering (and perhaps Sioni can answer) whether the Everton faithful would be happy to throw their game against City if it helps ensure that the title doesn't go to Anfield.
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
We won't throw it. For one thing we need the points too. A fair number of Evertonians don't like Man City any more than the "other club" in Manchester. They don't love Chelsea much either - memories of the 1970(?) Cup Final v Leeds are fading.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Ricardus
Shipmate
# 8757
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Posted
Still, Branislav Ivanović does tie his shoelaces so nicely. And it was heartening to see Chelsea taking the time to get their throw-ins just right, instead of rushing in like a band of hooligans.
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Then the dog ran before, and coming as if he had brought the news, shewed his joy by his fawning and wagging his tail. -- Tobit 11:9 (Douai-Rheims)
Posts: 7247 | From: Liverpool, UK | Registered: Nov 2004
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South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
As for player of the year isn't Seamus Coleman worth a call? Not much chance of that though as just four defenders and two goalkeepers have been player of the year, in 40 years, and none of them were full-backs.
Not quite player of the year but Coleman's in the PFA team of the year. Along with Southampton's Boy Wonder Luke Shaw. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
Posts: 3309 | From: The south coast (of England) | Registered: Jan 2011
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Ricardus:
Still, Branislav Ivanović does tie his shoelaces so nicely. And it was heartening to see Chelsea taking the time to get their throw-ins just right, instead of rushing in like a band of hooligans.
These things cannot be rushed. And Atkinson added on plenty of time, so it all comes out in the wash anyway.
But while we're on the subject of less-than-sporting behaviour* I could point out the three times that we put the ball out of play because a player was injured, and Liverpool decided not to give it back.
* Yes, I admit it would have been better if the Chelsea players hadn't wasted time as they did. They were more than capable of winding the Liverpool players up in other ways.
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by South Coast Kevin:
quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
As for player of the year isn't Seamus Coleman worth a call? Not much chance of that though as just four defenders and two goalkeepers have been player of the year, in 40 years, and none of them were full-backs.
Not quite player of the year but Coleman's in the PFA team of the year. Along with Southampton's Boy Wonder Luke Shaw.
The votes would all have been cast beforehand but Coleman didn't look player of the year on Saturday! If you were to take player of the match then the best Everton player would probably be Naismith, at about twelfth.
nb, is it me or has that PFA team no ManUre in it? That must be the first in a long time.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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deano
princess
# 12063
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Posted
Some thoughts on the season past from a Man U. fan for a few Premiership clubs…
Manchester City
It looks like you’re going to win the Premiership… well done, and all the more impressive with your breach of the financial fair play regulations and the threat of sanctions hanging over you for next season. Again I say well done.
But do you think your manager is up to another season of stress? I mean that little outburst over the referee in the Barcelona game!
Liverpool
What happened? Your best chance of the title in twenty years – and for the next twenty most likely – and you’re going to blow it on goal difference! Still, it provides you with more opportunities to get lachrymose. I mean how many more tears will you cry because you screwed up in the Hillsborough anniversary year?
But you have a few club anniversaries coming up which will provide you with plenty of opportunities to get the Kleenex out. Next May for example is the 30th anniversary of Heysel, where you managed to get all English clubs banned from European competitions for five seasons.
And on the 7th February 2018 (one day after the 6th) it will be the 60th anniversary of the first song your fans made up about the Munich air disaster.
So plenty for you to look forward to.
Chelsea
What a good season you have had. John Terry has managed to keep both his mouth and his flies closed for all of it. Well done to him.
Jose Mourinho has brought you on in leaps and bounds. Well, I’m happy for us to offer him a contract. You won’t mind I’m sure. He’s been there a year so it won’t feel strange for you to have to get another manager. For you to keep one for two seasons would just be silly and you wouldn’t like it.
The sense of dislocation would be a burden on you – you be thinking that you know for certain that he has gone, it is inevitable really… but he’ll still be there! Your world will be disrupted. You don’t need that kind of stress.
Everton
It’s a blessing really. I mean Everton in the Champions League? As a fan of a team who’s been in it for 20-odd years take it from me you would feel out of place. It would be like people who enjoy The X Factor going to Buckingham Palace for a garden party. At the very least you would feel underdressed. It really isn’t for the likes of you.
The Europa League is more up your street. Honestly it will be much better for you. It’s like a wedding reception for people who shop at Primark – you will be much happier in the long run. The fans of Heerenveen are much more your kind of people than those of Real Madrid and Juventus. They will wonder whether you are “staff”.
Southampton
What a superb squad you have built up. It’s lovely to watch them, not least because all the other Premiership managers can write out their shopping list from a “One-Stop Shop”. So thoughtful of you. You’re a bit like Amazon. We can get everything we need in one convenient transaction. Do you have an online shop? If not, can I suggest www.buyoursquadnow.co.uk ?
And what a great manager you have, but don’t worry! Sam Allardyce will see you right next season after he’s left for somewhere bigger.
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"The moral high ground is slowly being bombed to oblivion. " - Supermatelot
Posts: 2118 | From: Chesterfield | Registered: Nov 2006
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
So this is what United fans get up to when they don't have anything meaningful left to play for.
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
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deano
princess
# 12063
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
So this is what United fans get up to when they don't have anything meaningful left to play for.
I know, I know. After twenty odd years of win this, win that, couple of doubles and the odd treble, next season will be a nice change of pace though.
I suppose it will do good next season to focus on the Premiership and possibly FA Cup. We might yet get into the Europa League which will be nice. It's always good to do something for the kiddies isn't it?
Sometimes you have to get off the treadmill and smell the flowers.
I guess Liverpool fans will have hay fever from it though, so too much of a good thing etc.
[ 29. April 2014, 11:45: Message edited by: deano ]
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"The moral high ground is slowly being bombed to oblivion. " - Supermatelot
Posts: 2118 | From: Chesterfield | Registered: Nov 2006
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by deano:
Sometimes you have to get off the treadmill and smell the flowers.
While you're down there smelling the roses, you'll also catch a whiff of what makes them grow
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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balaam
Making an ass of myself
# 4543
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Posted
Looks like it could me an all Madrid final.
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Last ever sig ...
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Posts: 9049 | From: Hen Ogledd | Registered: May 2003
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Og, King of Bashan
Ship's giant Amorite
# 9562
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Posted
Mourinho is loving trolling the football world right now. Don't think he doesn't love the chance to crush the dreams of the two darling teams of the season in one week. I'm sure he will have his boys primed for the task. I'll be pulling for Atletico, but something tells me Chelsea is going to be ready tomorrow.
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"I like to eat crawfish and drink beer. That's despair?" ― Walker Percy
Posts: 3259 | From: Denver, Colorado, USA | Registered: May 2005
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An die Freude
Shipmate
# 14794
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Og, King of Bashan:
Mourinho is loving trolling the football world right now. Don't think he doesn't love the chance to crush the dreams of the two darling teams of the season in one week. I'm sure he will have his boys primed for the task. I'll be pulling for Atletico, but something tells me Chelsea is going to be ready tomorrow.
Thing is this is really a game between the evil geniuses, isn't it? Do you really think Simeone is going to go down anywhere near easily to an English side? Well, I mean, without a referee looking on?
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"I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable."
Walt Whitman
Formerly JFH
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
Tonight is Chelsea's biggest game since Sunday. Will José mercilessly kill football for the third time in eight day? I honestly don't care, so long as we win.
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
I seem to remember Chelsea falling to a (very) late equaliser a few years ago, in a second-leg following a nil-nil away draw......
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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An die Freude
Shipmate
# 14794
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Posted
Is it just me or is this morning just another morning where Mourinho has proven unable to win the Champions League for Chelsea?
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"I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable."
Walt Whitman
Formerly JFH
Posts: 851 | From: Proud Socialist Monarchy of Sweden | Registered: May 2009
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
I think it's a morning where Chelsea were beaten fair and square by a better team. Can't say much more than that. It's not exactly Mourinho's fault; it's not exactly the players' fault. Collectively we weren't quite up to it.
Frankly I think it's a decent achievement for José just to get this group of players (with its clear deficiencies in the striking and defensive midfield departments) through to the semi finals. Anything after that would have been an undeserved bonus.
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
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