Some good points here. I suppose though, it is worth adding that we've had some horrible runs under him, and he's obviously made mistakes. Putting the OTT hyperbole aside - that he's either done a shit job or a great one - I would say he's done a good job, no more, no less. He has done brilliantly in some areas and less so in others. What I do like about him, is that, he seems to be constantly learning and adapting to managing such a mammoth of a club. Considering who he managed before us, that's totally understandable.
I couldn't agree more with your second paragraph. I hold my hands up to being someone who took time to appreciate the job he had on his hands, with the squad that he inherited. It really was a mismatch from three different managerial eras. I'm mostly very pleased with his transfers, and I'm loving that he seems really invested with our youth signings too. This summer was just amazing, it really was. Signing Varane, Sancho and Ronaldo was different level stuff. Obviously plenty have concerns with the DM area, but if Ole neglected it for other areas, that's his decision. The truth is, he's been backed now and there will be big pressure to deliver this season. Any excuses - even the ones dressed up as fair concerns - won't fly anymore. The thing is, Ole is extremely diligent and he will know the stakes have obviously risen after our summer business.
I'm not overly fussed by Martial. I think Ole was more than willing to let him go this summer, and he'll likely only feature when needs must. It's a credit to Ole that he gives nothing away to the media regarding our players futures. Away from watchful eyes, I'm pretty sure he has let the likes of Martial and Lingard know that they are surplus to requirements. It's odd that people criticise him for saying positive things about perceived 'deadwood players' in the media. I mean, it's obviously a facade and infinitely better than Jose's toxic nonsense.
I'm also absolutely buzzing for the season ahead, and the signing of Ronaldo has added extra excitement! I honestly think we have the squad to challenge this season. However, he's here 3.5 years at the end of the season and anything less than a good title challenge (within 7 to 8 points of the leaders), and a QF CL run, with an honourable exit, isn't good enough imo. Of course there are plenty of variables to both scenarios which have to be anslysed on an ongoing basis. If we finish a distant 4th,for example, and get humiliated in the CL, then he has to go.
Giving him another summer to sign a DM, who would close a huge gap, isn't reality. I have no issue if we finish 8 points off the top, and people claim that signing a top DM would get us closer to the title, as that's logical. However, if we're 15 odd points off, a DM isn't going to suddenly have us in contention. That's when we have to really question the coaching. All in all though, I feel super positive that we'll meet most people's targets. The targets most rational posters have set, are are on par with the length of his tenure and money spent. Obviously the agenda posters will set the bar too high, or too low, depending on their stance. A domestic cup isn't an outright requirement obviously, but it would be nice to get that first trophy. I really wish we had of won the EL, just purely as a platform to build upon.
