That's great and all; I find the whole calling out posts thing pretty sad, but hey, it is what it is. Maybe there's some extreme circumstances that warrant it, and some of it has been amusing. However, in a thread where there's rational debate going on, and someone comes in asking for posters previous on Neville to be called out, then that's a whole other thing. I mean, I've never once looked at a posters previous on a topic when debating with them... If something obvious came to mind, I would bring it up, but that's about it. I think this whole 'accountability' spiel all sounds a tad bit pretentious at this point. I'm sure loads from that General thread have some absolute gems in their post history. You say you want good debate, yet come into a thread with good debate, and post what you posted...
Nah, you don't always have to throw in a caveat, I'm not buying that, sorry. You can be critical in logical, non hyperbolic fashion. It doesn't always have to contain a caveat, that can often be construed as an excuse or blind optimism. Imo, it's no better than an 'out' poster starting a post with feint praise and signing off with Ole out. It's the lack of nuance that makes the Ole debate utterly ridiculous.
You could read a post on here claiming he's doing a fantastic job, only for the next post to call him a League 2 manager. The fact is, neither are true. If he were doing as good a job as some of you make out, then why are we talking about his credentials nearly 3 years in? Conversely, if he were doing a terrible job like some maintain, he would be gone. I mean you're too intelligent to believe that anyone who wants him out is a 'clueless idiot' etc. I know some genuinely hold that view, but it says more about them and their emotional intelligence tbh. The truth obviously lies in the middle, but the harsh reality is that he needs to deliver this season. Repeatedly shouting 2nd place, rebuild, semi finals, cultural reset, just won't cut it anymore. He absolutely needs to deliver now as he's had sufficient time and backing.
My expectations - which can be quoted away - was a title challenge and decent run in Europe this season. I came into the season with a huge air of positivity, but yeah I'm worried now. I'm not screaming for his sacking, as I think barring a major feck up, he should see out the season. However, my initial positivity is waning, as our performances have offered me little encouragement. We can spin the positivity meter to max, and talk about 1 point off the top etc. The reality is, it's only glossing over context and our generally poor performances. Can he still meet the fair expectations that have been placed upon him this season? He absolutely can, and maybe he will. But pretending the early signs aren't great, is being dishonest. As is playing down defeats with excuses or its only the LC etc. At the end of the day, you guarantee the same people saying it's only the LC, would have a very different tune had we won convincingly. The pressure appears to be building so the petty point scoring and micro analysis is well underway.
Regarding what Neville said: I happen to agree with the general premise of it. If you don't, and others don't, that's fair enough. I certainly wouldn't be pushing his opinion onto anyone, but at the same time, I would be bemused if people were hand-on-heart happy with how we play. I've seen some calling it buzzwords etc. but it's no different than the positive buzzwords such as 'rebuild' and 'cultural reset'. Neither side like when the other uses these phrase, but both do it. I've always found the general attitude by some towards the phrases 'patterns' or 'patterns of play' to be ridiculously childish. Yes, some talk through their arse when they say it, but others have posted very good, methodical posts about the phrase and it's definition. Of course, I'm sure they were scoffed at by the ones that have made up their minds that the phrase is for weirdos. That's the nature of this place these days, you can't discuss Ole with certain posters without passive aggression, insults or constant deflection. Despite that, there's good discussions to be had, even though some like to pretend it's all frothing at the mouth posters screaming for him to go. You seem to not like the hyperbole from one side only, but it's actually coming from both sides. If posters from both sides had their bullshit called out, it would make for far more interesting debate.
