Marc Skinner | one year extension confirmed

[top1whoisman]

Definitely agree on last season when I couldnt understand the amount of fans giving him abuse, this season it's more understandable

He's done a decent job overall, probably just time for some new ideas

Yeah I feel that way too, we need someone with a fresh approach to try to take us to the next level.

 

[Demon Barber]

Yeah that’s fair, can’t disagree with any of it really. Just find the abuse and some criticism over the top.

I agree with this, but also share the frustration. I have not directly criticised Skinner but stated that he has taken us as far as he can.

Team selection, game management, tactics against specific opposition - all of these are key areas to address and I think that new ideas are needed.

We are still a young club and way behind Chelsea, Arsenal and City in terms of investment. Obviously we are disappointed in how this season is going, especially after last year, but fourth is about where we deserve to be.

 

[top1whoisman]

I agree with this, but also share the frustration. I have not directly criticised Skinner but stated that he has taken us as far as he can.

Team selection, game management, tactics against specific opposition - all of these are key areas to address and I think that new ideas are needed.

We are still a young club and way behind Chelsea, Arsenal and City in terms of investment. Obviously we are disappointed in how this season is going, especially after last year, but fourth is about where we deserve to be.

Yep, can’t disagree with any of that. Fair, constructive criticism for this season is justified.

 

[Demon Barber]

Interestingly, 59 people have voted in the poll and yet only a handful of people have anything to say.

As far as I'm aware, this is the only forum where the women's team are treated seriously and with respect. Let's hear your thoughts!

 

[cletus7]

Way too much favouritism. There are certain players who are put on a pedal-stool. It’s not good for them and not good for the team. I don’t know why he cant see that’s no way to run a competitive club. Final straw for me was the talk of how ‘deep’ Arsenals bench was. There’s no point having a deep bench if you don’t sponsor a competitive squad.

 

[Demon Barber]

Way too much favouritism. There are certain players who are put on a pedal-stool. It’s not good for them and not good for the team. I don’t know why he cant see that’s no way to run a competitive club. Final straw for me was the talk of how ‘deep’ Arsenals bench was. There’s no point having a deep bench if you don’t sponsor a competitive squad.

These are valid points. That said, he has dropped Ladd for Naalsund in recent weeks. He has also replaced Galton with Garcia. He has or has had very few options in defence. Zelem and Toone do seem pretty untouchable though.

 

[croadyman]

I think he has run his course. I agree with a lot of what has already been posted, although not with the injuries point - Arsenal have had worse (Mead, Williamson, Miedema)

As for losing our strong players, James to Chelsea was an obvious choice for her, as was Batlle back to Barca. Russo, it could be argued, went for glory. Losing such players could be down to the manager, but could also reflect the lack of ambition at United. Remember, we may well be a huge name, but are minnows compared to Chelsea, Arsenal and City.

I derailed myself! Yes it is time for Skinner to depart at the end of the season. Jojojo mostly said my thoughts. As for a replacement - INEOS should be ambitious - Wiegman rather than Phil Neville!

Yeah think we don't lose all of those three players if INEOS had been here earlier. They all have just seen a lack of ambition so don't blame any of them for going somewhere else

 

[FlexoRodriguez]

I’d say replace, but to be fair I have no idea who with! I’ve been a season ticket holder only for the last two seasons, but this season has just felt like it hasn’t ever really got going. I know at the start there were new players who needed to bed in, and language barriers to overcome which can explain the disjointed start. Losing Battle was huge, and the injuries at right back were unlucky. Jayde has grown so much with regular play, one of my players of the season so far.
However, the fight back against PSG at Leigh was energised, urgent and positive - why haven’t we seen that again in games that need it? That is what I think of when looking at Skinners game plans and ability to change games, why can’t he do that? Not saying it is a given that anyone can always turn games around, but it is very samey every match, he is not showing any new ideas. Apart from Galton at left back, which is so bad I don’t know what to do with that one!

 

[Universal61]

Yeah think we don't lose all of those three players if INEOS had been here earlier. They all have just seen a lack of ambition so don't blame any of them for going somewhere else

james was always going her brother plays for chelsea Ona went home Russo is from the south and also saw more chance of winning something with Arsenal is Skinner inspirational in team talks tactics i doubt it likes the sound of his own voice A p.e teacher at best

 

[croadyman]

james was always going her brother plays for chelsea Ona went home Russo is from the south and also saw more chance of winning something with Arsenal is Skinner inspirational in team talks tactics i doubt it likes the sound of his own voice A p.e teacher at best

Who is out there we can get in the summer?

 

[TMS]

I can't see how you can renew him at this point with how the season has gone. The results of last season were fantastic pushing Chelsea to the last day and making the cup final, but there was still some discontent over how we performed at times. Then in the summer we made some quite exciting sounding signings, but we've gone backwards it seems. If the goal is to kick on and actually start winning trophies I don't know how you can say Skinner is the man based on the results in front of you, which he doesn't seem to have a plan for how to improve.

Add in the constant rumours of players being unhappy behind the scenes, departed players making thinly veiled comments over how bad it was, and the obvious lack of desire to rotate through the squad and give people a chance. With all that and the results not being where you want them it's time to move on and bring in someone new. I'd hope with INEOS coming in they'd have some ambition for the womens team as well as the mens team and they try to make a statement appointment.

 

[StretfordEnd78]

I think the coaching needs to be improved.
We've been sussed out too often and haven't really had the answers.
Whoever recruits has created an unbalanced squad.
Players also out of position doesn't help.

 

[Demon Barber]

I think the coaching needs to be improved.
We've been sussed out too often and haven't really had the answers.
Whoever recruits has created an unbalanced squad.
Players also out of position doesn't help.

Other than Galton at LB, I cannot think of others playing out of position. I think Blundell is well-suited to LB, despite being a RB. The midfield and forwards are fluid. Who did you have in mind? Evans?

 

[jojojo]

Other than Galton at LB, I cannot think of others playing out of position. I think Blundell is well-suited to LB, despite being a RB. The midfield and forwards are fluid. Who did you have in mind? Evans?

I think I'm most conscious of those "surprise" formations, especially the ones used in big matches. Rivière and Naalsund got their first serious minutes in our CL tie with PSG. Rivière played on the right wing.

Blundell and George looked slow and we quickly overwhelmed by their wide players in the first half. Partly because they are slow, compared to a Batlle or a Rivière, but also because of the lack of support and structure around them. That's not a one-off though - we've had similar surprise formations in other big matches - featuring players who have scarcely had minutes from the bench and combinations that look like they've never played together in that formation.

As for our midfield I'm frequently left guessing what its formation is supposed to be. The objective might be fluidity but in big matches that regularly turns into disorganised.

 

[Demon Barber]

I think I'm most conscious of those "surprise" formations, especially the ones used in big matches. Rivière and Naalsund got their first serious minutes in our CL tie with PSG. Rivière played on the right wing.

Blundell and George looked slow and we quickly overwhelmed by their wide players in the first half. Partly because they are slow, compared to a Batlle or a Rivière, but also because of the lack of support and structure around them. That's not a one-off though - we've had similar surprise formations in other big matches - featuring players who have scarcely had minutes from the bench and combinations that look like they've never played together in that formation.

As for our midfield I'm frequently left guessing what its formation is supposed to be. The objective might be fluidity but in big matches that regularly turns into disorganised.

I don't disagree, apart from the fact that I have never seen Blundell as slow. Skinner tinkered a bit too much in that PSG game and ended up taking Riviere off at half time. Then Malard replaced Naalsund and scored almost immediately.

This has me thinking. Do we actually have a best starting XI? We seem to have an excess of riches in attacking midfield/wide positions - good players who must get frustrated by lack of regular playing time. It does not surprise me that we look disjointed when Skinner changes things.

 

[OsloRed]

I don't know a lot about women's football, but I try to watch United when I can. Isn't Martin Ho pretty interesting? I know he only left United in the summer, but he has done pretty well at Brann. He is young and has got them playing well and punching above their weight.

 

[arthurka]

I find the team has regressed under him.

 

[whitbyviking]

There was a lot of momentum at the end of last season coming close in the cup and qualifying for the Champions League. (although even them positives were overshadowed somewhat by ultimately falling short in both competitions, and the manner in which it happened). There was even some positivity around the transfer business, despite losing arguably the two biggest stars, and the whole Earps saga.

That was all lost very early in the season though with baffling selections, tactics and a seeming lack of motivation or inspiration. Think he has to go now, he's clearly not the one to take the team to the next level, and missing out on the Champs league makes that even harder than it already was. Club need to think outside the box on this as there seems no appetite to take the "easier" route of buying or way into the top spots, although with Ineos you never know.

 

[Grande]

I don't know a lot about women's football, but I try to watch United when I can. Isn't Martin Ho pretty interesting? I know he only left United in the summer, but he has done pretty well at Brann. He is young and has got them playing well and punching above their weight.

Ho is interesting, as he has been well talked of during his stint at United, even questions about wether he had as much to do with last seasons good results as Skinner did.

Can Ratcliffe lure Casey Stoney back from the US?

 

[OsloRed]

Can Ratcliffe lure Casey Stoney back from the US?

That would be the dream!

 

[Rood]

Interested to know the logic for the 3 people who want Skinner to get a new contract !

 

[StretfordEnd78]

Other than Galton at LB, I cannot think of others playing out of position. I think Blundell is well-suited to LB, despite being a RB. The midfield and forwards are fluid. Who did you have in mind? Evans?

Evans sure and for me Mallard down the middle and Geyse wide. We've meddled around with that front line and it's took way too long to settle on a preferred 11 f9rmation. Credit Parris this season.

 

[CristianRon7]

Yeah, Skinner's getting us close, but those big games make you wonder if he's the right fit. Budgets matter, but so does having the right experience. Tough call, but results will tell.

 

[Demon Barber]

Evans sure and for me Mallard down the middle and Geyse wide. We've meddled around with that front line and it's took way too long to settle on a preferred 11 f9rmation. Credit Parris this season.

I've raised this before, but I don't think Skinner knows his current preferred XI, unlike last season. Personally I like Geyse playing wide right, especially with Parris playing so well in the middle, but they could easily swap.

I really like Galton, but Garcia has been playing well starting on the left. Ladd seems out of favour recently, but I would start her instead of Naalsund in tougher games. Toone and Zelem will always start. Earps, Riviere, Maya, Turner and Blundell are a given, assuming George is unavailable.

If everyone was available that leaves a very, very strong bench - Phallon, Evans, George, Mannion, Rabjohn, Naalsund, Miyazawa, Aherne, Watson, Guerrero, Malard, Williams, Galton.

Of course its good to have depth, flexibility and serious competition for places, but I do question the transfer strategy, and I assume Skinner was involved in that. I doubt many of the above are happy sitting on the bench, and I doubt that Clinton will be happy to return and not start. There is very little opportunity for players coming through too.

Jojojo referred to the PSG game where Skinner bizarrely started Riviere on the wing.

Sorry for the long post. In summary, I do think Skinner has done what he can. He should have got more from such a strong pool of players. The transfer strategy and squad balance needs an urgent review.

 

[Ubik]

Time to change my vote I think. Wouldn't do it today given it's his birthday, but fair game once it hits midnight.

 

[Ubik]

Am I being thick or is he saying he needs more squad depth but also needs to keep playing the same team?

 

[Scanny]

Am I being thick or is he saying he needs more squad depth but also needs to keep playing the same team?

The man just utters sound bites that make no sense.

 

[jojojo]

Am I being thick or is he saying he needs more squad depth but also needs to keep playing the same team?

I've given up trying to decipher his press conferences. I've got a certain amount of sympathy with the idea, "winning team stays on," given how few games we play in WSL - but that's only relevant if you're winning.

As for the left sided fullback I'm not quite sure how many backup players per position he expects to have in his squad depth. Of his back 5, 4 of them (Earps, Blundell, Turner, le Tissier) have started every game.

Injuries at fullback really don't explain why Mannion can't come on as a sub. If we ever do need a centre back, how is she supposed to hit the ground running?

In big games our midfield routinely gets overrun, players get caught on the ball, gaps open straight through the middle, we give up possession and position. But that doesn't explain why Irene Guerrero hasn't played half an hour in the League.

I could go on, but I won't, my complaints are too predictable - just like Skinner's subs, his game management and his press conference excuses playbook.

 

[Redlambs]

It's clear as day he is out of his depth.

There's nothing deep to decipher there, that's a man who is trying to sound deeper than he is who has gone as far as he can.

Maybe it's not all his fault, the club clearly aren't great, but he is just not good enough even if we were to magically get our shit together and actually keep our talent let alone attract the best.

 

[Grande]

Am I being thick or is he saying he needs more squad depth but also needs to keep playing the same team?

The funny thing is, that’s a very apt explanation for Ten Hag’s selections for the men’s team this season. Using it for thw women’s team makes little or no sense.

 

[Demon Barber]

I could go on, but I won't, my complaints are too predictable - just like Skinner's subs, his game management and his press conference excuses playbook.

Your complaints may be predictable, but that's because they are accurate and justified.

His "reasoning" is all over the place. As you say, four of our back five have played every game. Galton at LB and Riviere at RW are on him. With Jayde now injured do we get to see Maya at RB and Mannion in the centre?

But, last season he did okay because he had consistency! No, Skinner - last season you did okay because you could select Batlle and Russo. Galton and Ladd had a good season but now seem out of favour.

I think INEOS need to make some big decisions quickly otherwise I fear a mass exodus of perfectly good enough but disgruntled players.

 

[Berbaclass]

 

[Lightbringer]

INEOS not giving a darn about the womens team and letting it run itself?

 

[RedDevilQuebecois]

INEOS fecking around and showing zero seriousness about the women's game.

Have they not seen how terrible that dude is? Sure, it's all fine if you want this team to not make it into the top 3 ever again. Please just kill me right now because nothing is about to change if you don't include losing key players soon.

 

[Grande]

I wont put all my toys in the pram of ‘ Sinner must go’, but if I get the sense that ‘sporting achievemen is no 1’ doesn’t go for both first teams at the club, it will take away most of my optimism about Jim Radcliff.

 

[croadyman]

INEOS not giving a darn about the womens team and letting it run itself?

Yeah this doesn't look good for the Women's team,it's alright them saying we will sort out the Men's team first but how many of our best players will we lose waiting for that to happen.

 

[jojojo]

The ultimate kick the can down the road decision - assuming that the Athletic are right. The club is going through a major restructuring and the women's team are way down their list of priorities. If there was an obvious candidate for the manager's job or even for the job of recruiting a manager it might have been easier.

The trouble is that for the women's team it will feel like a statement. A statement to the fans and the players that we don't care about competing. Unfortunately it's too easy for me to imagine we'll lose a chunk of the squad and spend plenty of money over the summer and we'll still be kicking the can down the road in a year's time.

 

[Himannv]

Terrible decision if true.

 

[Lightbringer]

The ultimate kick the can down the road decision - assuming that the Athletic are right. The club is going through a major restructuring and the women's team are way down their list of priorities. If there was an obvious candidate for the manager's job or even for the job of recruiting a manager it might have been easier.

The trouble is that for the women's team it will feel like a statement. A statement to the fans and the players that we don't care about competing. Unfortunately it's too easy for me to imagine we'll lose a chunk of the squad and spend plenty of money over the summer and we'll still be kicking the can down the road in a year's time.

I see people saying Chelsea cant find a new coach, so how could United replace Skinner with a better one and such? Thoughts on that?

Do you think Clinton that was not even ready to play for United in the league cup last season will be embraced by Skinner?

I think the rumors of players being unhappy with Skinner also factor in the harsh treatment he gets atm - whether there is any truth to these rumors I have no idea, I hope not if Skinner is getting a new contract.

Fans dont rule the club, but in this case, you think the fan base partially giving up on Skinner should be a factor or should the top brass just discard that? Normally I would just say disregard that but at the same time the womens team need a spark to keep growing and dont get too far away from the top 3 who are all doing insanely well!

 

[RedDevilQuebecois]

I see people saying Chelsea cant find a new coach, so how could United replace Skinner with a better one and such? Thoughts on that?

Do you think Clinton that was not even ready to play for United in the league cup last season will be embraced by Skinner?

I think the rumors of players being unhappy with Skinner also factor in the harsh treatment he gets atm - whether there is any truth to these rumors I have no idea, I hope not if Skinner is getting a new contract.

Fans dont rule the club, but in this case, you think the fan base partially giving up on Skinner should be a factor or should the top brass just discard that? Normally I would just say disregard that but at the same time the womens team need a spark to keep growing and dont get too far away from the top 3 who are all doing insanely well!

Chelsea have a deal with Sonia Bompastor, who is the dominant women's football coach in France right now. That is a sign of ambition of a club that treats women's football very seriously, even when they have won it all or so.

If you ask me, plenty of people at the top don't have a clue about what is going on with the women's team right now. Anyone who watches football of any kind knows when a manager is no longer fit for the job, especially when he was given this many talented players over last summer.

I hope Wilcox and Ashworth will come in and see enough of this mess to finally drop the axe on Skinner. That stupid idea of a new contract was Murtough's idea before he was shown the door.