I hear ya! I'm sick of the leaked stories to the press. They dont like training, they dont like getting home in the dark. The constant apologies after each bad result. All they care about is their Social Media persona.
Press Conference vs Southampton
- Thread starter AngeloHenriquez
- Start date
Yea this infuriates me.
Seems to me there are some mouthy, spiteful little cnuts at United, they should be fecking embarrassed, hope they’re weeded out.
I just saw the press conference. That question about Ted lasso was extremely unprofessional. I hope the journalist is blacklisted.
Agreed. And its probably nonsense made up by the media themselves. I think Ralf should have just said "next question."
Imagine if you were Maguire and you’re subjected to the incessant criticism (justified or otherwise) both online and in the media. The manager has to at least offer a bit of confidence in the player. It is the professional thing to do. In my opinion, RR’s words on Maguire have nothing to do with the board’s influence and everything to do with proper player management.
Maguire been total shite, but what Ralf meant to say, he can hardly say aye Harry is brutal but he has to play as no one is available to replace him.
Some of the comments at times on here are comical, not grounded in reality
Some of the comments at times on here are comical, not grounded in reality
Out of the current players, the only player I would say that is good enough for a Fergie peak 11 is De Gea.
Everyone else is average in comparison.
Varane might improve the more he plays, but again, we are buying players past their best or we fail to improve them.
Everyone else is average in comparison.
Varane might improve the more he plays, but again, we are buying players past their best or we fail to improve them.
Part Two :
Hi Ralf, given Cristiano Ronaldo turned 37 last week, Edinson Cavani is turning 35 next week and given the amount of games played this month, rotation will be needed. Looking ahead and given their ages, will the club need a younger forward for next season?
“This is obvious. Edinson’s contract is running out in the summer and the club needs the best possible centre forward. This is a obvious one and I think everyone is aware of that.”
You mentioned earlier the positioning of the number eights in your team, how would you ideally like Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes to interact with each other during games?
“I think both positions fit perfectly to their profile. Both Paul and Bruno in my opinion have a lot of things you need for a modern number ten, or a modern eight or six. Most of the top teams in Europe play with a holding six with two eights and I think this is one of the reasons we have improved when in possession. When we have the ball in recent weeks we have created chances. Although we didn’t score the goals we should have done, I think the way we produced and prepared those chances have got to do with the change from a 4-2-2-2 to a 4-3-3.”
Do you think there is a problem with mental and physical fatigue at the moment, given you said there was a drop in performance late on in the game against Burnley?
“I don’t think this has anything to do with fatigue because if that was the case we wouldn’t have dominated the game once again in the last 20-25 minutes against Burnley. I think it's more of phycological mental issue that when you are aware how much you have dominated the game, then all of a sudden it's not 2/3-0 to us it's still 1-1, it affects the phycological momentum and probably the players, much like us on the bench, couldn’t believe it was still 1-1 after the first 55-60 minutes. This is something again we have spoken about yesterday with the team, even if that happens, it shouldn’t but it can in football, we should still be aware of why we are so dominant and why we're so successful. Coming back to our two number eights in those 15 minutes, Paul was all of a sudden collecting the ball between our centre-backs at times and so was Scotty at times too. Bruno was trying to collect the ball on our wing position and we showed that to the team. In the last period of the game there was almost no player in the centre of the pitch. This is something we did in the first half extremely well, by keeping a very close distance between each other and always had our triangles, we were always able to play in that way during those rotations, combining between ourselves but in the last 15 minutes this was not the case. We didn’t stick to our positions and this is exactly what we spoke about with our players yesterday that we should not do. Even if something unexpected should happen between the game.”
In the past two games you have not been happy with some of the VAR calls that have gone against you, is that something you have considered taking further by talking to the FA, Premier League or the PGMOL about at all?
“No, I wouldn't even know who to speak to. I don’t think it would change anything, of course we were extremely unlucky with those decisions, both with the handball decision against Middlesborough and the two disallowed goals at Burnley. But again this is football, we have to learn and deal with it. Of course we would have wished those decisions to be different but in the end they were as they were and even if I was to call somebody now this will not change anything in regards to the result. We must put our full focus on those things we can influence. Again what we can influence is the development that has already taken place and I’m sure this will happen again in the next couple of weeks, that we improve our performances and create as many chances as we possibly can, plus allow a minimum amount of opportunities to the other team. It sounds pretty simple but this is what it is about, to create as many chances as we possibly can and allow the other team as few as possible or only very few maybe just one, two a game. Under normal circumstances you also win the games.”
Not for the first time Ronaldo went down the tunnel and didn't stay out to shake hands or appluade the away fans, what’s the problem there?
“This is a question you will have to ask Cristiano, I only realised that after the game, or saw it after the game. This is not a question I can answer.”
On the switch from 4-2-2-2 to 4-3-3, was that to try and control the games better and should you have perhaps tried to implement that when you first arrived. Is there regret you didn’t do so sooner?
“No because this is something we had to find out. Of course now Paul Pogba has only been available as of two weeks ago, also Fred can play in that number eight position and to start with for me it was logical to stick with the formation that we were used to and the team had played before. As you know the first game against Crystal Palace and against Norwich we played in a 4-2-2-2 quite like how Southampton is playing. Once we realised all our players Bruno, Fred and for Paul Pogba we fit better playing to their assets and their strengths, it suits us better when we play them in an ‘eight’ position, then we did that and I think this is the right formation for us, where most of the players if not all of the players play in their best position.”
Just touching on Ronaldo post-match against Burnley again, is that something that you don't like to see? You have spoken quite a lot about the fans and how good they are, particularly in away matches, do they not deserve to be acknowledged?
“Yes but Cristiano as we all know is 37 and I think he knows himself what he should do or should not do and also what he has to do. As I said, our focus is on those things that can we can influence and develop and why he didn’t do it and why he left the pitch directly after the full-time whistle was perhaps because he was also disappointed that we only got a draw and that he or the team couldn't score. Again, this is not any kind of energy we should waste at the wrong ends. We should put our full focus on things we can influence.”
Hi Ralf, given Cristiano Ronaldo turned 37 last week, Edinson Cavani is turning 35 next week and given the amount of games played this month, rotation will be needed. Looking ahead and given their ages, will the club need a younger forward for next season?
“This is obvious. Edinson’s contract is running out in the summer and the club needs the best possible centre forward. This is a obvious one and I think everyone is aware of that.”
You mentioned earlier the positioning of the number eights in your team, how would you ideally like Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes to interact with each other during games?
“I think both positions fit perfectly to their profile. Both Paul and Bruno in my opinion have a lot of things you need for a modern number ten, or a modern eight or six. Most of the top teams in Europe play with a holding six with two eights and I think this is one of the reasons we have improved when in possession. When we have the ball in recent weeks we have created chances. Although we didn’t score the goals we should have done, I think the way we produced and prepared those chances have got to do with the change from a 4-2-2-2 to a 4-3-3.”
Do you think there is a problem with mental and physical fatigue at the moment, given you said there was a drop in performance late on in the game against Burnley?
“I don’t think this has anything to do with fatigue because if that was the case we wouldn’t have dominated the game once again in the last 20-25 minutes against Burnley. I think it's more of phycological mental issue that when you are aware how much you have dominated the game, then all of a sudden it's not 2/3-0 to us it's still 1-1, it affects the phycological momentum and probably the players, much like us on the bench, couldn’t believe it was still 1-1 after the first 55-60 minutes. This is something again we have spoken about yesterday with the team, even if that happens, it shouldn’t but it can in football, we should still be aware of why we are so dominant and why we're so successful. Coming back to our two number eights in those 15 minutes, Paul was all of a sudden collecting the ball between our centre-backs at times and so was Scotty at times too. Bruno was trying to collect the ball on our wing position and we showed that to the team. In the last period of the game there was almost no player in the centre of the pitch. This is something we did in the first half extremely well, by keeping a very close distance between each other and always had our triangles, we were always able to play in that way during those rotations, combining between ourselves but in the last 15 minutes this was not the case. We didn’t stick to our positions and this is exactly what we spoke about with our players yesterday that we should not do. Even if something unexpected should happen between the game.”
In the past two games you have not been happy with some of the VAR calls that have gone against you, is that something you have considered taking further by talking to the FA, Premier League or the PGMOL about at all?
“No, I wouldn't even know who to speak to. I don’t think it would change anything, of course we were extremely unlucky with those decisions, both with the handball decision against Middlesborough and the two disallowed goals at Burnley. But again this is football, we have to learn and deal with it. Of course we would have wished those decisions to be different but in the end they were as they were and even if I was to call somebody now this will not change anything in regards to the result. We must put our full focus on those things we can influence. Again what we can influence is the development that has already taken place and I’m sure this will happen again in the next couple of weeks, that we improve our performances and create as many chances as we possibly can, plus allow a minimum amount of opportunities to the other team. It sounds pretty simple but this is what it is about, to create as many chances as we possibly can and allow the other team as few as possible or only very few maybe just one, two a game. Under normal circumstances you also win the games.”
Not for the first time Ronaldo went down the tunnel and didn't stay out to shake hands or appluade the away fans, what’s the problem there?
“This is a question you will have to ask Cristiano, I only realised that after the game, or saw it after the game. This is not a question I can answer.”
On the switch from 4-2-2-2 to 4-3-3, was that to try and control the games better and should you have perhaps tried to implement that when you first arrived. Is there regret you didn’t do so sooner?
“No because this is something we had to find out. Of course now Paul Pogba has only been available as of two weeks ago, also Fred can play in that number eight position and to start with for me it was logical to stick with the formation that we were used to and the team had played before. As you know the first game against Crystal Palace and against Norwich we played in a 4-2-2-2 quite like how Southampton is playing. Once we realised all our players Bruno, Fred and for Paul Pogba we fit better playing to their assets and their strengths, it suits us better when we play them in an ‘eight’ position, then we did that and I think this is the right formation for us, where most of the players if not all of the players play in their best position.”
Just touching on Ronaldo post-match against Burnley again, is that something that you don't like to see? You have spoken quite a lot about the fans and how good they are, particularly in away matches, do they not deserve to be acknowledged?
“Yes but Cristiano as we all know is 37 and I think he knows himself what he should do or should not do and also what he has to do. As I said, our focus is on those things that can we can influence and develop and why he didn’t do it and why he left the pitch directly after the full-time whistle was perhaps because he was also disappointed that we only got a draw and that he or the team couldn't score. Again, this is not any kind of energy we should waste at the wrong ends. We should put our full focus on things we can influence.”
Wat the feck were they on about Ronaldo? Such a waste of time to ask and expect an answer.
We need to get Ronaldo out of the club in the summer. I said when we signed him he'll be our best and worst ever signing. Cavani should definitely be gone in the Summer.
To even thing about challenging for the league I reckon short a LB/RB/CM/CM/CF.
We are not going to sign anything like that this summer so maybe better off keeping Ronaldo.
To even thing about challenging for the league I reckon short a LB/RB/CM/CM/CF.
We are not going to sign anything like that this summer so maybe better off keeping Ronaldo.
Jo*rnalists.
Going to matches, there's 4 or 5 players who almost never acknowledge the fans - always straight down the tunnel - yet certain journalists are trying to manufacture a narrative solely focused on Ronaldo.
Even on the match that birthed the first round of 'Ronaldo didn't clap
' stories, Laurie Whitwell had posted on Twitter immediately after the game that Rashford had done exactly the same thing; yet almost every media outlet completely ignored that and ran two days of Ronaldo hit pieces.A lot of our English players are so, so protected by the sports media establishment. Mostly because they actively feed them stories.
That is such a brilliant answer. I genuinely like Ralf a lot - let’s hope we can start getting the results and keep improving.
Completely agree, and so true, often there is no one in between the lines of the opponents midfield and defence to receive the ball.
Thanks for this. Really interesting to hear Ralf talk about the formation change and what went wrong against Burnley. His comments on our midfielders position play was actually insightful, instead of some bland platitudes.
@el3mel your midfield question has been answered. Again, you can't blame coach if players aren't executing it in the pitch.
It’s an unfair comparison and also DDG wouldn’t get into Fergies peak first 11’s. He had at least 3 exceptional sides that peaked in 94, 99 and again 2008. It’s a big ask for any of this side to make it in those teams. Squad players is a different story and we have a few that Fergie would happily use