Is Big Ron totally full of shit or...

wythykid

Guest
might this actually work?

Ron Atkinson
Monday September 16, 2002
The Guardian

Manchester United are struggling for goals at the moment, with their blank at Leeds meaning they've scored only five in six Premiership matches. They're not getting the best out of Ruud van Nistelrooy and it's time Diego Forlan got a chance to partner him.
United tend to do better with a link striker and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not cut out for that. He and Van Nistelrooy are too similar to be an ideal partnership and, with Paul Scholes injured, I feel Forlan should be given at least six starts to prove his worth.

Without a man in the hole to link things, United played the ball a bit too long for Van Nistelrooy at Leeds. David Beckham knocked a lot of what I call Hollywood balls, trying to get the Dutchman in behind. They look spectacular if they come off but more often than not don't produce anything.

Beckham was hitting the ball early from deep positions and, because the pass was in the air for so long, Lucas Radebe could back off and head it away. When Van Nistelrooy came towards the ball to have it to feet, his marker could stay tight and pressure him.

You only need to think of Eric Cantona, Teddy Sheringham and Dwight Yorke to realise the value a link striker has given United. I know Forlan hasn't come up to scratch so far but he hasn't had a decent run at it either. Let's at least see if he's up to it.

United are at their best playing fast, one-and two-touch passes over shorter distances which turn defenders and make them move about. With Forlan off the front, Beckham can knock a ball in to him and United have far better attacking options.

One possibility is that he can release Van Nistelrooy with a quicker, shorter and more incisive pass. One of the centre-backs might get lured towards Forlan, leaving more space in behind for Van Nistelrooy.

Another benefit of the link man is that it allows United's midfield to come up in support. Once Beckham has played the first pass, he can look for a return higher up the park or Forlan might play Ryan Giggs in on the left.

United haven't got their usual number of crosses in from wide areas in the last third. Van Nistelrooy thrives on those and I think teams have made a point of trying to push United infield. Let's see if Forlan can get them flowing again.
 
Originally posted by wythykid:
<strong>might this actually work?

Ron Atkinson
Monday September 16, 2002
The Guardian

Manchester United are struggling for goals at the moment, with their blank at Leeds meaning they've scored only five in six Premiership matches. They're not getting the best out of Ruud van Nistelrooy and it's time Diego Forlan got a chance to partner him.
United tend to do better with a link striker and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not cut out for that. He and Van Nistelrooy are too similar to be an ideal partnership and, with Paul Scholes injured, I feel Forlan should be given at least six starts to prove his worth.

Without a man in the hole to link things, United played the ball a bit too long for Van Nistelrooy at Leeds. David Beckham knocked a lot of what I call Hollywood balls, trying to get the Dutchman in behind. They look spectacular if they come off but more often than not don't produce anything.

Beckham was hitting the ball early from deep positions and, because the pass was in the air for so long, Lucas Radebe could back off and head it away. When Van Nistelrooy came towards the ball to have it to feet, his marker could stay tight and pressure him.

You only need to think of Eric Cantona, Teddy Sheringham and Dwight Yorke to realise the value a link striker has given United. I know Forlan hasn't come up to scratch so far but he hasn't had a decent run at it either. Let's at least see if he's up to it.

United are at their best playing fast, one-and two-touch passes over shorter distances which turn defenders and make them move about. With Forlan off the front, Beckham can knock a ball in to him and United have far better attacking options.

One possibility is that he can release Van Nistelrooy with a quicker, shorter and more incisive pass. One of the centre-backs might get lured towards Forlan, leaving more space in behind for Van Nistelrooy.

Another benefit of the link man is that it allows United's midfield to come up in support. Once Beckham has played the first pass, he can look for a return higher up the park or Forlan might play Ryan Giggs in on the left.

United haven't got their usual number of crosses in from wide areas in the last third. Van Nistelrooy thrives on those and I think teams have made a point of trying to push United infield. Let's see if Forlan can get them flowing again.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I hate to say it but I think Ron has a point.
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I DON`T hate to say it - Big Ron has more than a point. He is a shrewd observer of the game and despite Sir Alex`s digs at him in his autobiography, I think he was not a bad manager.

Let`s face it - he has pinpointed exactly what is wrong with Manchester United`s play and why we can`t score enough goals at the moment. Big Ron has even given a blueprint for a successful way to play Diego and I welcome any such suggestions as despite my pessimism on the player, I like him and want him to do well.

Sir Alex has to start swallowing his pride and consider constructive criticism.
 
Hey he's got a point. Right on in my opinion about those "Hollywood balls" that Becks keeps trying to play.We need to move the ball up front via either Butt or Veron through the middle then out to the wings to the "wingers" as in Becks or Giggsy
 
Originally posted by giggsgirl:
<strong>Sir Alex has to start swallowing his pride and consider constructive criticism.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Can you really see him doing that? Fergie's pig-headedness and stubbornness has served him well at times. But it's also a double-edged sword. I think sometimes he refuses to admit even to himself that he may have made a mistake...whether it's in regards to a player, a playing system or whatever... It's almost as if it the whole thing becomes personal for him and he's going to prove to everyone that he's right...whatever the cost.
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Originally posted by Red15:
<strong>
It's almost as if it the whole thing becomes personal for him and he's going to prove to everyone that he's right...whatever the cost.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Is that a bad thing?
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Originally posted by Murt:
<strong>

Is that a bad thing?</strong><hr></blockquote>

If his original decision is bad, then yes. Sometimes he just needs to cut his losses and go on from there rather than making the same mistake over and over again... I don't fault him for making mistakes, because everyone does. It's not accepting that he's made a mistake at times...
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Originally posted by Red15:
<strong>

If his original decision is bad, then yes. Sometimes he just needs to cut his losses and go on from there rather than making the same mistake over and over again... I don't fault him for making mistakes, because everyone does. It's not accepting that he's made a mistake at times...</strong><hr></blockquote>

What mistake has he made, the 451 tactic?
I cant blamb Fergie for the Bolton loss, whatever team he put out under whatever formation should be able to beat them, i blamb the players.
For the Leeds game i blamb poor finishing which in essence is bad luck imo.
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Originally posted by Murt:
<strong>

What mistake has he made, the 451 tactic?
</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yeah, I really do think this system has become a personal obssesion for SAF. Without arguing the merits/drawbacks of the system, because I believe there's a time and place for both 4-5-1 and 4-4-2, I do believe he's become so personally wedded to this sytem that we often use it to our detriment.

He's a brilliant manager in so many ways, but the one area where people have questioned him is his tactical ability. 4-5-1 is his tactical system...it's his baby so to speak...and because of this I truly believe he's determined to stick with it to the bitter end if necessary.

I also think he's been really stubborn with regards to Seba. Fergie never found a way to get the best out of Seba last year. I don't necessarily blame either one of them for that. Although Seba is obviously a world-class player, it's quite possible Seba's simply not suited to the premiership or to our style of play. Only time will tell..

I do feel that last year Seba was unfairly slaughtered in the press and the press conveniently made him the scapegoat for all of our failings. I think there were several reasons for this: his price tag made him an easy target, also because he's a United player, and finally because the press could attack Fergie through Seba (as there's certainly no love lost between certain elements of the press and Fergie). I think Fergie's reaction to this was to play Seba every match that he was fit -- regardless of how he was/wasn't fitting into the team. It became personal to him...because Seba was his buy and it was his judgment that was being questioned.

For me, this stubbornness with 4-5-1 and with Seba all came together in the Bayer Leverkusen away match. If there was ever a match crying out for 4-4-2, that was the match for me. We knew in all likelihood we'd have to score at least 2 goals. Realistically, there was no way our leaky defence was going to be able to hold Bayer Leverkusen for 90 minutes without scoring. Ole was in red hot form and, after Keane, would have been the second name on my team sheet that night. Instead, we got 4-5-1, with Ole on the bench, and with Seba bizzarely playing as the second striker when he hadn't played in that position for us all year. But I think in Fergie's mind, Seba had to play and that was the only way he coluld slot him into the team. We, of course, got knocked out of Europe, and poor Seba, playing out of position...got slaughtered in the press again.
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He could do with taking a leaf out of Venables book. Look at the Leeds match, the team he sent out in the first half wasn't working so he changed it at half time.
Sir Alex must have realised we had lost control of the game after half-time. He should have change it earlier, although the options on the bench weren't up to much.
 
i hate big ron and his ronisims! hes a twat, never liked him as a champage manager and hate him as a pundit, the jimmy savile wannabe.. but he has a point!
 
Give Forlan 6 games <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" />
Then kiss the League's championship goodbye
 
Originally posted by ALGred:
<strong>Give Forlan 6 games <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" />
Then kiss the League's championship goodbye</strong><hr></blockquote>

PM for you
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Oh, that's what you were doing. Are you weary of discussing things on this board now then?
 
He's got a point about Man Utd desperately needing someone to play in the dreaded hole.

Look at our success

Hughes was great at dropping off and holding the ball up
Then came Sir Eric
Then O Teddy Teddy
Then Yorkey

What have we won since we havent had anyone to play there - roxy.

The problem is that dont think Forlan, Scholes or Giggs is the answer. You need someone who will hold the ball, check his options and deliver the right ball.

Veron SHOULD be the answer
 
Originally posted by Dans:
<strong>Oh, that's what you were doing. Are you weary of discussing things on this board now then?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Not weary but nowadays I do prefer to discuss footie topics privately.

Hence the PM.
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But surely you are seeking out those who agree and having very one dimensional pm sessions. Is this really fulfilling?
 
Originally posted by Dans:
<strong>But surely you are seeking out those who agree and having very one dimensional pm sessions. Is this really fulfilling?</strong><hr></blockquote>

How do you know these pm sessions are one dimensional?
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I don't. I hinted at it though.

lchk : So and so is shit isn't he? We should get so and so in from so and so FC.

PMer : Yes, I agree so and so is shit and we should get so and so in from so and so FC.

lchk : Ahhhhh. Finally.
 
Originally posted by Dans:
<strong>I don't. I hinted at it though.

lchk : So and so is shit isn't he? We should get so and so in from so and so FC.

PMer : Yes, I agree so and so is shit and we should get so and so in from so and so FC.

lchk : Ahhhhh. Finally.</strong><hr></blockquote>

That's funny <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" />

Not all my PMs are of such a nature, mate. I had my fair share of some pretty ferocious barneys via PMs and e-mails.
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Originally posted by lchk:
<strong>

That's funny <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" />

Not all my PMs are of such a nature, mate. I had my fair share of some pretty ferocious barneys via PMs and e-mails.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I don't mean your entire PM history, just your new footy discussion methods!
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Originally posted by Dans:
<strong>

I don't mean your entire PM history, just your new footy discussion methods!</strong><hr></blockquote>

I don't even PM much nowadays, I believe this was the only one I sent for the last fortnight or so.
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