United Thread 2014/15

[KentBlue]

That's precisely the point. Who else could have won the title with that lot?

Any half decent manager could, with the assistance of Howard Webb and his companions.

 

[Allendintiers]

Credit where it's due, City's current squad is mind blowing, but one cautionary tale from United is to look at the ages of your current squad and imagine where they will be in 6 years time, coz that's what we did. We had our own Victor Kompany in Vidic, and Silva in Scholes, and Evra flying up the wing like Zabaletta (and Ronaldo knocking in 34 goals in one season.) It was all so easy...but then they all passed 30 and we didn't have anyone in the wings to replace them. We took a punt on Jones and Smalling and signed them as ones for the future, but how could they develop with so many changes in coaching staff, and limited playing time. Now we are panic buying, and trying to clear the decks, but I think that a quiet season with just PL football will be a blessing in disguise for LVG. He's buying better players than we had available when he arrived, and the attacking options are still pretty decent with Mata, Di Maria, RVP.

That's the point I'm making though. City are well enough run now, with a DoF in place who knows the game inside out, that they simply wouldn't let themselves get into that position in the first place. I just wonder whether there is anyone at Trafford who is thinking in those terms? Managers come and go. Their main focus is what is best for them and the team in the here and now. Results are all that matter, not a future that they won't be involved in.

You would hope that, but can you imagine a day when you have to say to your club captain and leader for a decade, "Sorry Vinny, but your legs aint what they used to be. We're farming you out to QPR?" And not just him, but Yaya, Silva, Zabaleta, Dzeko...or will you be all misty eyed and say, "well they can go on for at least another season!"

 

[aguero93:20]

Credit where it's due, City's current squad is mind blowing, but one cautionary tale from United is to look at the ages of your current squad and imagine where they will be in 6 years time, coz that's what we did. We had our own Victor Kompany in Vidic, and Silva in Scholes, and Evra flying up the wing like Zabaletta (and Ronaldo knocking in 34 goals in one season.) It was all so easy...but then they all passed 30 and we didn't have anyone in the wings to replace them. We took a punt on Jones and Smalling and signed them as ones for the future, but how could they develop with so many changes in coaching staff, and limited playing time. Now we are panic buying, and trying to clear the decks, but I think that a quiet season with just PL football will be a blessing in disguise for LVG. He's buying better players than we had available when he arrived, and the attacking options are still pretty decent with Mata, Di Maria, RVP.

That's the point I'm making though. City are well enough run now, with a DoF in place who knows the game inside out, that they simply wouldn't let themselves get into that position in the first place. I just wonder whether there is anyone at Trafford who is thinking in those terms? Managers come and go. Their main focus is what is best for them and the team in the here and now. Results are all that matter, not a future that they won't be involved in.

You would hope that, but can you imagine a day when you have to say to your club captain and leader for a decade, "Sorry Vinny, but your legs aint what they used to be. We're farming you out to QPR?" And not just him, but Yaya, Silva, Zabaleta, Dzeko...or will you be all misty eyed and say, "well they can go on for at least another season!"

It's not up to us it's up to Txiki and he wasn't half quick getting rid of Deco, Ronaldinho, Marquez, Eto'o and Henry was he? Not to mention a few others.

 

[blueplan]

That's precisely the point. Who else could have won the title with that lot?

Any half decent manager could, with the assistance of Howard Webb and his companions.

Bullying of FA Officials. Arresting point was Wiley else the DECLINE would have started earlier & no 20th. title.

 

[manimanc]

allendintiers,go and get your head down,you`re obviously suffering from sleep deprivation and your mrs won`t want you nodding off feeding the baby...
go on,off you pop,we`ll still be here when you wake up flower...

 

[supercity88]

The problem for Utd and their many followers, is that they've essentially been living in a bubble from 1986-2013. The game moved on in leaps and bounds over that period, on and off the field. Fortunately for them, and much as I hate to say it, they had one of the best managers this country has seen. They also had the money to back him up. Build a very good team, add one or two top end, expensive signings to it every season, happy days. Added to this was the 'class of 92' (pardon me while I vomit), which also helped immensely. They also had David Gill.
However, as more money came into the game, first for Chelsea, then City, Ferguson increasingly became an anachronism. 'No value in the market' etc. The value is whatever people are paying at that time, and the likes of City and Chelsea were prepared to pay more. Hence they caught up (and, indeed, surpassed) Utd. The academy will no longer save them, as City and Chelsea have equally good or better ones, and the gulf between academy players and the first team is harder to jump than ever before.
Now they find themselves as just another well off club, but without the infrastructure and professionalism of their rivals. The squad is way below par mainly due to the inaction of Ferguson, other than his vanity purchase of Van Pussy, to win the title back before retirement. He knew what was happening, he could see the writing on the wall. That's why he went when he did.
Now they find themselves with a CEO who wouldn't know a football from a landmine, and owners who are only in it for the money. All being told what to do, who to buy, by a bloke who might not even be there that long. What happens to all his signings if it goes tits up again? Signed with a 3-5-2 in mind, when the next manager wants to play 4-4-2?
Not very holistic. No long term thinking there. It's just 'give him whatever it takes to get us back in the CL next season, or we're commercially f*cked'. What if it doesn't? Do the same again next season? With the same manager, or a different one? When the Glazers realise how much of their lovely profits are going on players every season, with the rest going on paying off the debt, what then?
A lot of people in this country, myself included, balked at the idea of Directors of Football. A lot of City fans on this very site, myself again included, were somewhat skeptical about our stated 'holistic' approach after the sacking of Mancini. But by God, the difference between the two clubs now is plain for all to see. One is being run as a football club, with football success in mind, the other as nothing more than a commercial enterprise with no interest in anything other than sponsorship deals, and how many shirts it can flog to the Ultras in Singapore, Thailand and Milton Keynes. The desperation, evidenced by the hugely inflated transfer fees they are getting ripped off for, is palpable. Where's the value in the market now? Nearly £30m for a 19 year old fatty who wears gay jeans, apparently.
No, I think if they don't get CL this season, and I don't think they will as it currently stands, then they are going to fall further and further behind the likes of us and Chelsea. Possibly others, if they get themselves sorted out.

Not that I'm complaining, mind. Long may it continue.

Credit where it's due, City's current squad is mind blowing, but one cautionary tale from United is to look at the ages of your current squad and imagine where they will be in 6 years time, coz that's what we did. We had our own Victor Kompany in Vidic, and Silva in Scholes, and Evra flying up the wing like Zabaletta (and Ronaldo knocking in 34 goals in one season.) It was all so easy...but then they all passed 30 and we didn't have anyone in the wings to replace them. We took a punt on Jones and Smalling and signed them as ones for the future, but how could they develop with so many changes in coaching staff, and limited playing time. Now we are panic buying, and trying to clear the decks, but I think that a quiet season with just PL football will be a blessing in disguise for LVG. He's buying better players than we had available when he arrived, and the attacking options are still pretty decent with Mata, Di Maria, RVP.

You can't take any warning from the Rags - Fergie was narrowminded and whilst the whole world knew Scholes still hadn't been replaced he wasted money on Anderson and to replace Vidic and Ferdinand he went Jones and Smalling! We will play it two ways, academy products who may make it and younger purchases to replace outgoing players. As long as the spine stays strong we will compete, even if we fall away slightly. For the amount of money the rags have it is mad how much has been wasted. We've still got several years with the majority of players. Mangala can take the lead from Kompany, Fernando can run the midfield potentially, Aguero has a number of seasons left. You have to spend big to replace players instantly, or you scout young players and give them gametime. I think it is clear that Smalling, Jones, Cleverly in particular aren't good enough at the top level, and Carrick and Fletcher are probably past it too. You also have to adapt the formation. Look at Barca, they had a bad season last time but were still competitive. They dropped Mascherano into central defence, and have spent big to bolster their attack. United meanwhile haven't addressed their key issue - central midfield and central defence.

 

[No6]

Tbh there doesn't seem to be any harm in Allendintiers aside from the delusion and blinkers. Seems to be polite, not particularly wumming, and capable of arguing a point (even when it's wrong). I think we should all play nice.

Think I've got to agree with you HC. Allendintiers, get yourself down to the cellar, you may just like it, lol

 

[Tuearts right boot]

Tbh there doesn't seem to be any harm in Allendintiers aside from the delusion and blinkers. Seems to be polite, not particularly wumming, and capable of arguing a point (even when it's wrong). I think we should all play nice.

Think I've got to agree with you HC. Allendintiers, get yourself down to the cellar, you may just like it, lol

I like the guy.......got balls, so to speak. It's what makes a healthy forum. He'll go down a treat on derby days and in the cellar.

 

[No6]

Tbh there doesn't seem to be any harm in Allendintiers aside from the delusion and blinkers. Seems to be polite, not particularly wumming, and capable of arguing a point (even when it's wrong). I think we should all play nice.

Think I've got to agree with you HC. Allendintiers, get yourself down to the cellar, you may just like it, lol

I like the guy.......got balls, so to speak. It's what makes a healthy forum. He'll go down a treat on derby days and in the cellar.

I don't think we'll see him for a week or so after derbies TBH. ;)

 

[aguero93:20]

Mata dropped from Spanish squad.