At this rate, Ole is making a strong case for the club to hire him permanently. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that Poch will retain Carrick, McKenna, and Phelan if he takes over. If he doesn't, that would be a recipe for disaster. I would be livid if the current coaching staff were released. It would be a reversal to 2013. I have no desire to see that happen.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer | W15 D2 L4
- Thread starter Tom Van Persie
- Start date
How was it obvious?
I voted no because I didn't think we had time for experiments. Identify the best manager in the world and pay him whatever it takes to get him here even if it is midseason. I was wrong but nothing about Ole was obvious for me at the time.
Because in reality you can't just pick the best manager in the world if they are employed by a rival, especially midseason. The only other option at the time was Zidane and there was talk that even he didn't want to take over midseason. Ole's appointment wasn't seen as an 'experiment'. Almost no-one at the time thought he had a chance of getting the full time job.
My point wasn't about other managers anyway. At the time there was plenty of people saying we should have kept Jose instead, given it to Carrick or a different ex United player. A lot were doubtful on the ability of Ole to improve us and thought he would damage his legacy. I thought it was a great appointment and made perfect sense.
The pure romance around Ole getting the job full-time now is irresistible and inescapable as far as I'm concerned. But it's not just that; with every game we learn a little bit more about how he's developed as a man-manager and tactician, and it's vividly clear he's a guy who just *gets* this club. We've played the best football in the past 2 months than we have since Fergie retired, barring one or two games under LvG and Jose, and that's no fluke or aberration.
My heart and my head both say yes. I would honestly be massively disappointed if we gave the job to someone else at this point. It just feels right, and he deserves his chance.
My heart and my head both say yes. I would honestly be massively disappointed if we gave the job to someone else at this point. It just feels right, and he deserves his chance.
PSG was always a free hit. They have an outrageously good squad and infinite budgets. Winning this comes down to luck.
City similarly are unstoppable on form so little Ole can do to influence that game. Either it's a bad day for City and we get something or on form they win near enough regardless of what we do.
Liverpool this weekend could have been a big game and how we handle them is important, but in absence of two top players we'll be lucky to get anything.
So in summary, no I don't think these games define anything beyond a gauge of the gap between us and them, I.e. how much do we need to spend to play catch up.
Ole has already jumped through all kinds of hoops and shown he deserves the job. The Chelsea game on paper was a loss, but was there to be won with the right setup and Ole found it. This to me along with what he has already done is enough to show he deserves the job. Everything now is just defining the length of his contract! And arguably that should only be 2-3 years as an initial contract. It's a major job, the first of this scale for Ole so we don't need to get carried away offering long contracts. Ole is loyal to us and frankly a long contract is just a bigger burden. Better off a mid length contract with a chance to review after the first year or two.
Part of what we need to define is who is driving the player purchases. Ole clearly has no experience at top level recruitment, so either we learn heavily on our chief scout (which I'm sure we will) or we need a Football Director with the right level of experience.
its just more and more excuses for losing the game. ole tactically outclassed them 1st half and surprised everyone with his tactics. for some reason it got lost when talking about this game. poch and spurs wrestled back the control of the game from minute 60 onwards but I don't see why it's any less of an achievement to do it from the start. ddg saves were nothing out of the ordinary either it was a succession of poor finishing.
Yeah IIRC they barely created anything till 60th min and we had some good 2-3 chances.
one of the worst post I have seen. Solskjaer inherited a team that cost over half a billion pound. Even before Pochettino took over, the team he inherited was nothing like what Ole inherited. I m not using that one defeat to make a final judgement. But, rather to build a case. Ole was tactically outsmarted in that game, which doesn’t mean he is tactically naive overall. My assessment is still ongoing. Comprehensively doesn’t me a a large scoreline. 3-0 would suffice as a result and I can’t recall whether we have accomplished this under Mourinho LVG or Moyes these past few years. A look at google can help determine that. However, a good manager as seen with Pochettino, Klopp and Guardiola are able to do this.
Because De Gea is one of the best goalkeepers on the planet and Lloris is not. Furthermore, Pochettino has had one of the best defense in the league in the season that they came short of beating leceister to the title. Even now, their defensive record is still impressive. You just further showed my original point about how one can nitpick a situation that favors their argument.
With a squad that cost upward of a billion pound, the quality is already there as Ole already stated. A lot of managers doesn’t take look to implement there philosophy especially when they inherited an expensive team with quality players in abundant. It is understandable when the squad is depleted with talent, but this United team came second last season and won the Europa league. The quality is here.
I was the only poster on here that saw through the facade of Ranieri when he won leceister the title with my assessment. Everyone was claiming he was a brilliant manager and that he should become Manchester United manager or deserve all the credit for their win. However, next season he was found out and sacked. What, I am trying to say is anomalies happens in football. I was more convinced that Ranieri win was that moreso I am with Ole. However, I just want to make sure that I am not missing anything. The part you said was unreasonable, I would say is reasonable when you look at our performance against smaller team. If we can show dominance against those teams, it shouldn’t be that hard to put in a complete performance against a top team. The standard to Pochettino might be different because he will most likely bring in a whole new staff. Ole already has a staff who has been working with these players for the past few years, so they get him up to pace. So there will not be so much change in personal relationship which will take time for these players to adjust to. In regards to his record against top 6 teams, when you spend not even half of what your competitors spend to make you competitive, it is hard to improve that record. It is like saying the record against the top 6 team with Everton or west ham is poor.
So you don't read your own message before posting?
Funny how logic is not consistent when every manager inherited teams and clubs spent decent money.
I didn't say Spurs were as good when Poch took over but asking why the logic isn't consistent.
The only thing that people can aim criticism of Ole to date is the 2-0 PSG game. I would strongly contend that 0-0 would have been a good result with United's counter-attacking style under Ole for the second leg. The only criticism I can find to level at Ole , and I completely agree that I do not have the health stats to back this up, is that he could have taken a risk of playing Smalling instead of Bailly. It is entirely possible that both PSG goals would not have been scored with Smallimg on the pitch. Certainly he would most likely have cut out the cross for the second goal, a bit of really poor play by Bailly on this one.
I m not using that one defeat to make a final judgement. But, rather to build a case. Ole was tactically outsmarted in that game, which doesn’t mean he is tactically naive overall. My assessment is still ongoing. Comprehensively doesn’t me a a large scoreline. 3-0 would suffice as a result and I can’t recall whether we have accomplished this under Mourinho LVG or Moyes these past few years. A look at google can help determine that. However, a good manager as seen with Pochettino, Klopp and Guardiola are able to do this.
Because De Gea is one of the best goalkeepers on the planet and Lloris is not. Furthermore, Pochettino has had one of the best defense in the league in the season that they came short of beating leceister to the title. Even now, their defensive record is still impressive. You just further showed my original point about how one can nitpick a situation that favors their argument.
With a squad that cost upward of a billion pound, the quality is already there as Ole already stated. A lot of managers doesn’t take look to implement there philosophy especially when they inherited an expensive team with quality players in abundant. It is understandable when the squad is depleted with talent, but this United team came second last season and won the Europa league. The quality is here.
I was the only poster on here that saw through the facade of Ranieri when he won leceister the title with my assessment. Everyone was claiming he was a brilliant manager and that he should become Manchester United manager or deserve all the credit for their win. However, next season he was found out and sacked. What, I am trying to say is anomalies happens in football. I was more convinced that Ranieri win was that moreso I am with Ole. However, I just want to make sure that I am not missing anything. The part you said was unreasonable, I would say is reasonable when you look at our performance against smaller team. If we can show dominance against those teams, it shouldn’t be that hard to put in a complete performance against a top team. The standard to Pochettino might be different because he will most likely bring in a whole new staff. Ole already has a staff who has been working with these players for the past few years, so they get him up to pace. So there will not be so much change in personal relationship which will take time for these players to adjust to. In regards to his record against top 6 teams, when you spend not even half of what your competitors spend to make you competitive, it is hard to improve that record. It is like saying the record against the top 6 team with Everton or west ham is poor.
So you don't read your own message before posting?
Funny how logic is not consistent when every manager inherited teams and clubs spent decent money.
I didn't say Spurs were as good when Poch took over but asking why the logic isn't consistent.
Yes, every manager inherited a team worth near half a billion pound. If that is the case, there will be a top 20 rather than a top 6 discounting pochettino Spurs as has not spend as much as his rivals.
For me the Spurs game was also a point of criticism, but most people look at the scoreline and overlook the performance on the pitch. Regardless, I agree that Smalling should have started. I believe him and Lindelof are our best central defender individually. They definitely need more time to form an understanding with each other to make that partnership more solid. As noted in the three signings I will make for United, I put Smalling and linderlof together in centerback. Even had Smalling as captain, which shows how highly I rate him. So, I believe when fit, he should have definitely started.
Because World Cup runs don't count... And seriously, while yes, DDG is considered one of the top three in the world right now, Lloris is in most of the top-10 lists I've found. Like this one:
https://iffhs.de/iffhs-awards-2018-the-worlds-best-goalkeeper-thibaut-courtois-still-crowned/
(Which interestingly, ranks De Gea way down in 8th to Lloris' #2 ranking.)
So what exactly is the point is saying manager X spent y pounds when they are not starting from scratch?
Poch has done superb job and I was always a big fan of his achievements but if you talk about money spent by manager then Solskjaer has not spent anything just like how Klopp got free pass in 2015-16 when Liverpool spent 250 million in previous 2 years before he took over. Ateast logic should be consistent or the useless net spend should be binned for good.
Btw I haven't read every message, did you post any excuse for why we beat Chelsea?
Who was saying these things ?
Lots of delusions of grandeur on display in this thread.
I don’t know of any sane United supporter in the last 3-4 years that would have traded De Gea for Lloris. No matter what that ranking list says, De Gea is an unbelievable keeper that we should be glad we have.
The point is the quality of team they have at their disposal reaching this current season. Plus, with Ole transfer history, I doubt he would be more productive as any of our last manager. I would rather have a DoF handle that part of our football. With regards to Chelsea, I praised Ole for that victory initially, but then I realize that Sari has gotten humiliated this season and I shouldn’t go to overboard with my praise of that victory.
Countless poster that were against my criticism of Ranieri. I was vindicated next season and no doubt I gloated as if I won the lottery after getting fired from a job.
Didn’t we put in a complete performance against a top team away at the Bridge now on Monday night? I mean, that’s what you’ve been waiting for, isn’t it?
A top team doesn’t get hammered 6-0 a few matches before or 4-0 at fecking Eddie Howe Bournemouth
. Even though this is not Chelsea at their strongest, I did commend a great performance and a good result. If it was a Chelsea side that was earlier on in the season where they were unbeaten and looked a bit solid before Pochettino outclassed them, then that would have been the performance I was looking for. But any team top team that loses like that recently, I tend to believe something is not right in their camp.A top team doesn’t get hammered 6-0 a few matches before or 4-0 at fecking Eddie Howe Bournemouth
aaargh fair play to you bud. Thought it would be a “aargh but Chelsea are shit” type response.Yh agreed, I would have said of the 'big' games we have played PSG would definitely have been favourites, Spurs would have been and Liverpool also are this weekend. Chelsea & Arsenal are probably about equal to us given how unpredictable our form has been this season.
The difference for me is that I genuinely enjoy watching us, obviously there are still things that make me shout at the tv but you can see overall we are trying to play front foot, attacking football. Hand on heart we were incredibly lucky against Spurs but it was a "game of two halves" in that it was only second half where they absolutely dominated us & PSG have a better squad and we had two key injuries (I know they did too but this is in relation to the game). If we were still under Mou, we'd play for a 0-0 against L'Pool but Ole will try and win. I'd rather lose trying to win in a big derby game than just watch one team repeatedly attack us as we camp around our box for 90mins.
An article detailing Ole's approach. Says that we may need a manager with 'complex' tactics to move forward as a club.
https://statsbomb.com/2019/02/solskjaers-manchester-united-the-real-deal-or-just-a-good-run/
https://statsbomb.com/2019/02/solskjaers-manchester-united-the-real-deal-or-just-a-good-run/
I was not sure what to expect when Ole took over.
It looked to me like 4th was impossible, I had allowed myself to be convinced that most of the squad
were not United standard, and did not care less.
I thought the season was already gone, so assumed Ole was brought in to keep the seat warm, so that
Poch or someone could join us at the end of the season.
I was happy enough with that, brought back a bit of feel good factor, a bit of of romance, and helped drag us out of the
period of doom and gloom.
No pressure, no expectations, and not a great deal to play for in the league, with little chance in the cups with this squad.
The squad still needs a few quality additions to step up to the next level, but they play football that is now enjoyable to watch,
they show effort and passion, amazingly 4th is a possibility, the behaviour of players that are now motivated along with the mood
and behaviour is now fitting of people who represent Manchester United.
All because of Ole and I am sure his back room team have made a massive contribution to that as well.
Whether we win, lose or draw against teams who are actually better than us at this point, PSG, City and maybe Liverpool.
should not be the reason or criteria about Ole getting the job or not. As enjoyable as that it is, its not just about winning.
Its much bigger than a few results against top teams, its about the atmosphere, players and fans alike, the effort, playing to win, rather than playing not to lose,
its about the whole feeling, mood and attitude of the club, players, fans, comments from outside of United, media, pundits and how we are perceived around the world.
Ole and his team have given us our club back, but its silly to think we are now number 1, we are much closer since Ole walked through the door,
and I think he has also demonstrated he should be given the chance to take us that next step.
No idea what Poch thinks, maybe he really does not want to come, but I doubt that, following Jose, Van Gaal and Moyes, would have been much easier for him than following Ole.
Until Ole arrived, I was convinced Poch should be the next manager if he was available. He is still a great manager in the making, I think Spurs are holding him back from the next step
that will elevate him to the next level, if he does not end up at United, a bigger club than Spurs will chase him in the next year or two.
Ole for manager
It looked to me like 4th was impossible, I had allowed myself to be convinced that most of the squad
were not United standard, and did not care less.
I thought the season was already gone, so assumed Ole was brought in to keep the seat warm, so that
Poch or someone could join us at the end of the season.
I was happy enough with that, brought back a bit of feel good factor, a bit of of romance, and helped drag us out of the
period of doom and gloom.
No pressure, no expectations, and not a great deal to play for in the league, with little chance in the cups with this squad.
The squad still needs a few quality additions to step up to the next level, but they play football that is now enjoyable to watch,
they show effort and passion, amazingly 4th is a possibility, the behaviour of players that are now motivated along with the mood
and behaviour is now fitting of people who represent Manchester United.
All because of Ole and I am sure his back room team have made a massive contribution to that as well.
Whether we win, lose or draw against teams who are actually better than us at this point, PSG, City and maybe Liverpool.
should not be the reason or criteria about Ole getting the job or not. As enjoyable as that it is, its not just about winning.
Its much bigger than a few results against top teams, its about the atmosphere, players and fans alike, the effort, playing to win, rather than playing not to lose,
its about the whole feeling, mood and attitude of the club, players, fans, comments from outside of United, media, pundits and how we are perceived around the world.
Ole and his team have given us our club back, but its silly to think we are now number 1, we are much closer since Ole walked through the door,
and I think he has also demonstrated he should be given the chance to take us that next step.
No idea what Poch thinks, maybe he really does not want to come, but I doubt that, following Jose, Van Gaal and Moyes, would have been much easier for him than following Ole.
Until Ole arrived, I was convinced Poch should be the next manager if he was available. He is still a great manager in the making, I think Spurs are holding him back from the next step
that will elevate him to the next level, if he does not end up at United, a bigger club than Spurs will chase him in the next year or two.
Ole for manager
Probably Man Utd 4 - 2 Man City during the Spring of 15 under LVG?
That was a fairly comprehensive win, even if City scored twice, (the first and last goal of the game). In all fairness, the mini winning streak during that period probably was the best phase of Utd in terms of performances in the post SAF era, (not the Europa win for me), until Ole took over. However, it turned out to be false dawn, as we all soon realized, with this phase followed by 3 consecutive defeats....
Good read which echoes my doubts. I want him to get the job but i dont know if he is able to build a team that creates chances based on off the ball movment and passing. It seems that Ole has a different recipe.
We’ll just have to agree to disagree. Imo, we’ve been mismanaged, and Moyes, Mou, and LVG all had their say in our squad building, leading to a terribly failed scattergun approach. We’ve gone from bad to worse, and finally we’re fun to watch, and more importantly, getting an extended run of results. I just want to round it off with a question: if Ole didn’t say he had a great squad full of talent, maybe alluding to the opposite, do you think he’d be as big a success? Using his praise of the squad as evidence of the fact is, at best, naive.
I m not using that one defeat to make a final judgement. But, rather to build a case. Ole was tactically outsmarted in that game, which doesn’t mean he is tactically naive overall. My assessment is still ongoing. Comprehensively doesn’t me a a large scoreline. 3-0 would suffice as a result and I can’t recall whether we have accomplished this under Mourinho LVG or Moyes these past few years. A look at google can help determine that. However, a good manager as seen with Pochettino, Klopp and Guardiola are able to do this.
Because De Gea is one of the best goalkeepers on the planet and Lloris is not. Furthermore, Pochettino has had one of the best defense in the league in the season that they came short of beating leceister to the title. Even now, their defensive record is still impressive. You just further showed my original point about how one can nitpick a situation that favors their argument.
With a squad that cost upward of a billion pound, the quality is already there as Ole already stated. A lot of managers doesn’t take look to implement there philosophy especially when they inherited an expensive team with quality players in abundant. It is understandable when the squad is depleted with talent, but this United team came second last season and won the Europa league. The quality is here.
I was the only poster on here that saw through the facade of Ranieri when he won leceister the title with my assessment. Everyone was claiming he was a brilliant manager and that he should become Manchester United manager or deserve all the credit for their win. However, next season he was found out and sacked. What, I am trying to say is anomalies happens in football. I was more convinced that Ranieri win was that moreso I am with Ole. However, I just want to make sure that I am not missing anything. The part you said was unreasonable, I would say is reasonable when you look at our performance against smaller team. If we can show dominance against those teams, it shouldn’t be that hard to put in a complete performance against a top team. The standard to Pochettino might be different because he will most likely bring in a whole new staff. Ole already has a staff who has been working with these players for the past few years, so they get him up to pace. So there will not be so much change in personal relationship which will take time for these players to adjust to. In regards to his record against top 6 teams, when you spend not even half of what your competitors spend to make you competitive, it is hard to improve that record. It is like saying the record against the top 6 team with Everton or west ham is poor.
I believe if he stated anything negative about the quality of the squad, he would not be doing as great as he currently is doing. Not only because it would hurt morale, but also because he knows more about the quality of his team than most fan. As such, if he sees something lacking in his team, he would disclose that as a source where the team needs improvement on.
Of course, he may want to keep his negativity discrete, but I believe him when he stated positive comments about his squad. The performance he put on only backs that claim. Anything negative he sees in the squad, I believe it is minor as he has not stated too much displeasure of the team he has.
A) He probably knew he wouldn’t get reinforcements in January, which lead to
B) Building up players,all of them, because he needs them to do their absolute best, and give 100% effort. Not exactly limonade of lemons, but doing his best with what he got. The opposite of Mou.
Just my take.
@Amadeus, why doesn't the the 3-1 away win (tactics) at Arsenal impress you and count as a massive game when the legendary pochettino lost there 4-2 just a few months before? Spurs were leading as well until Emery tactically outsmarted Poch if memory serves me correct?
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I think you have it spot on. He hasnt got the job permanent as far as we know and cant really call anyone out. If he gets it, he will want to shake it up and bring in his own players. Even though they have all recently had new contracts, at least one of Smalling Jones and Rojo will be let go, if we do bring in a WC CD to play with Lindelof. I also think he would move Lukaku on as it doesnt suit his style of play and bring in a quick mobile striker, Dybala? as our main striker.
member: 104076"]I think you have it spot on. He hasnt got the job permanent as far as we know and cant really call anyone out. If he gets it, he will want to shake it up and bring in his own players. Even though they have all recently had new contracts, at least one of Smalling Jones and Rojo will be let go, if we do bring in a WC CD to play with Lindelof. I also think he would move Lukaku on as it doesnt suit his style of play and bring in a quick mobile striker, Dybala? as our main striker.[/QUOTE]
We’ve feck all chance of getting Dybala.
Most likely promote Greenwood and go for some one like Joao Felix
We’ve feck all chance of getting Dybala.
Most likely promote Greenwood and go for some one like Joao Felix
I think it's more simplistic than that. Speaking negatively in public about your employees almost never improves performance. There's a reason SAF hardly ever did it. It's just the right thing to do.
If I'm Pogba even if I know, deep down, our fullbacks are shit I don't want to hear the manager say that because it's just going to erode my belief in the team and send me out with a negative mindset. OGS could have all the money in the world to spend on any player he liked and I imagine he would still talk up every player at the club as the best in the world, even as he waved them out the door and replaced them with Messi and Neymar etc.
Firstly, every man and his dog knew that Leicester season is a fluke and they can't repeat it next year, especially with CL in the mix. But it doesn't take away the impossible achievement they did, they were immortal during that moment. Football is all about that moment, Football live for that moment.
I m not using that one defeat to make a final judgement. But, rather to build a case. Ole was tactically outsmarted in that game, which doesn’t mean he is tactically naive overall. My assessment is still ongoing. Comprehensively doesn’t me a a large scoreline. 3-0 would suffice as a result and I can’t recall whether we have accomplished this under Mourinho LVG or Moyes these past few years. A look at google can help determine that. However, a good manager as seen with Pochettino, Klopp and Guardiola are able to do this.
Because De Gea is one of the best goalkeepers on the planet and Lloris is not. Furthermore, Pochettino has had one of the best defense in the league in the season that they came short of beating leceister to the title. Even now, their defensive record is still impressive. You just further showed my original point about how one can nitpick a situation that favors their argument.
With a squad that cost upward of a billion pound, the quality is already there as Ole already stated. A lot of managers doesn’t take look to implement there philosophy especially when they inherited an expensive team with quality players in abundant. It is understandable when the squad is depleted with talent, but this United team came second last season and won the Europa league. The quality is here.
I was the only poster on here that saw through the facade of Ranieri when he won leceister the title with my assessment. Everyone was claiming he was a brilliant manager and that he should become Manchester United manager or deserve all the credit for their win. However, next season he was found out and sacked. What, I am trying to say is anomalies happens in football. I was more convinced that Ranieri win was that moreso I am with Ole. However, I just want to make sure that I am not missing anything. The part you said was unreasonable, I would say is reasonable when you look at our performance against smaller team. If we can show dominance against those teams, it shouldn’t be that hard to put in a complete performance against a top team. The standard to Pochettino might be different because he will most likely bring in a whole new staff. Ole already has a staff who has been working with these players for the past few years, so they get him up to pace. So there will not be so much change in personal relationship which will take time for these players to adjust to. In regards to his record against top 6 teams, when you spend not even half of what your competitors spend to make you competitive, it is hard to improve that record. It is like saying the record against the top 6 team with Everton or west ham is poor.
Stop being overly concerned about "outplay" a top teams. It took Sir Alex 5, 6 years to finally win his first title. His World Class 99 triple team won't have happen if Bergkamp had tucked away that penalty. He won the CL twice, one with 2 very late goals, the other when John Terry slipped up his winning penalty. Does it matter to you that we almost didn't win those? Hell no.
My point is : One day the Ole bubble will burst and all those oracles will say "I told you so.." Don't be one of them. Learn to appreciate your team efforts they put in no matter they deserve the win or not.
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Valid points. If he can develop further into a top team capable of keeping the ball and playing with the ball, which is where Poch has excelled with spurs.
Having said that, he hasnt just said to the players go attack. He has brought in a new wrinkle by playing this wide forwards and a withdrawn 9 while at the same time interchanging very well. That has to be to his credit.
I dont get the Ranieri comparison, but yes anomalies do happen. Expecting us to beat bottom half teams is reasonable, expecting us to trash City and Liverpool (with style and swagger) IS unreasonable, because right now they are better than us. Also, i dont quite understand what you see as a "complete performance against a top team". We have now beaten both Arsenal and Chelsea away quite comfortably, considering the shite we have gotten served up the last years i would say thats a pretty big step up.
Also, the spending argument you keep going back to is not the be all end all when it comes to assessing the quality of a manager. Tottenham have done very well in the transfer market, both before and under Poch, no argument there, but according to this site: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/premier-league/startseite/wettbewerb/GB1
Their squad actually have a higher market value than ours. It hardly an exact science, but us squandering a lot of money on duds the past six years is really not a stick you can beat Ole with as he has not signed a single one of those players.
Solskjaer won first 5 games scoring 16 goals and conceding just 3 goals but played down as we didn't play against any strong teams (even though we played Newcastle away who won against ManCity at their home and narrowly lost vs other big teams)
Spurs was the first big test, won that game but it didn't count as De Gea made more saves. Spurs barely created any chance in first half and using caf's famous method, they had xG of less than 1 and less than Manutd till 65th min. As a home team they just went all out attack in the last 20-25 mins.
Next big test was vs Arsenal, won 3-1 and it was comfortable. But for some reason it didn't count as it's Arsenal.
So the actual test was vs Chelsea at Stamford bridge, place where we haven't won since SAF retired and won only couple of times in last 15 years. Played one of the most complete performance of the season but again that didn't count as they lost 6-0 to City and 4-0 to Bourenouth.
Only loss was vs PSG but that was the only big game that counted for some reason.
Instead of all the mental gymnastics, few can just come out with "feck whatever is done by Ole, I just want Poch as manager".
Spurs was the first big test, won that game but it didn't count as De Gea made more saves. Spurs barely created any chance in first half and using caf's famous method, they had xG of less than 1 and less than Manutd till 65th min. As a home team they just went all out attack in the last 20-25 mins.
Next big test was vs Arsenal, won 3-1 and it was comfortable. But for some reason it didn't count as it's Arsenal.
So the actual test was vs Chelsea at Stamford bridge, place where we haven't won since SAF retired and won only couple of times in last 15 years. Played one of the most complete performance of the season but again that didn't count as they lost 6-0 to City and 4-0 to Bourenouth.
Only loss was vs PSG but that was the only big game that counted for some reason.
Instead of all the mental gymnastics, few can just come out with "feck whatever is done by Ole, I just want Poch as manager".
Would agree with this. We were outsmarted tactically in both PSG and Spurs (2nd half) games.
I don't agree entirely with all you say though, but I believe it is perfectly fair to want Ole to get the job and back him, but also reserve our judgment till the end of the season or have apprehensions about his appointment. He's done a lot of good things and even exceeded some expectations, but many people in this forum can't condone even the slightest criticism of Ole and want no opinion other than a blind backing of him for permanent manager.
After 4 years of failure, fans can be excused for exercising caution in jumping to conclusions regarding managerial appointments. Sarri was going great guns just 3 months ago.
Pretty much spot on. We already see considerable improvement under Ole, compared to what Jose served us for two and a half years. Jose spent around 350 million quid and bought around 10-11 players, Ole spend zilch, bought nobody, had to work with what he has inherited since SAF, Moyes, LvG and Mourinho. The dream of top 4 which was over after November has become quite a possibility now. It is quite clear that the atmosphere in the club is quite positive, players are confident and showing results, no misery, no fights, no toxic comments, starting 11 is settled and picks itself. What else were some of us expecting within such a short period of time? if I were Woody, I'd give Ole a new two year contract now.
Amen! Can I save that for later reference?
If I were Woody I'd give Ole some decent quid to fill up the gaps during next window.
And definitely an award for Ole... like a Positivity Guru of some sort and ask him to write a best seller about all this shit and what not.
If we're counting the Spurs victory as fluke then only fair that some of Spurs wins this season should also be counted as fluke and not be considered.
Their victories against Fulham and Leicester recently come to mind.
Their victories against Fulham and Leicester recently come to mind.