So what is it then?

Livvie

Executive Manager being kept sane only by her madn
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Jun 5, 2000
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What's made the difference? Why the determination now that wasn't there earlier in the season?

Self-belief must play a part.

Humilation after City.

If I had to settle on one thing, it would be thanks to the injuries - there's been no other options, so the team has been settled, and has gelled.

Make a note Fergie - you little tinker. ;)

When it aint broke, you don't need to mend it.
 
I think its the hunger in the players which is due to the players getting a chance to perform in situations that they always wanted to be in.

Take for example, Silvestre in the center of defense, take O'Shea and Forlan getting first team action, take P. Neville and Fortune being thrust into positions of responsibility instead of playing cameo roles, take Scholes being allowed a free-man role without strict duties as a link-man.

Don't ask me about Barthez though-I can't explain him. A true enigma, he is. That save on Pires was brilliant.
 
the city game was the definite turning point.

I thoiught last yrs losses to the Hamers, Chelsea, Pool, Arse etc would do it but they never seemed to affect us.
The city game stung and the siege mentality s back, everyone was writing us off. The day of the West Ham game the papers were full of shit bout us being finished for good.
Yesterday was vintage Utd stuff.
 
I think it was the City game, which must have deeply hurt Gary and Phil's pride, and no doubt Alex's comments about breaking up the nucleus of the team, particularly those who've been there nearly 10 years, made everyone realise that you have to continuously earn the right to play for United, and now everyone is playing to stay. I don't think its a coincidence that Gary, Phil, Veron and Barthez have produced some of their best ever displays for us, they're probably the ones who've most been afraid of being sold and are now playing to stay.

He showed Yorke the exit for the same thing, and Stam's exit was a reminder to everyone of Alex's ruthlessness so I'm sure that they all know that they must produce what they are capable of. Thats the most frustrating thing about our players, they're all capable of exceptional performances when they're playing with great hunger, but have let themselves down in the past. Its been great to see almost every player in each game playing to their best, which is why we've beaten our challengers.

The injuries have actually had a beneficial effect as a number of reserve players have come in and been given a chance to stake their place in the side, players like Fortune, Phil, Brown, O'Shea and Forlan have all been playing out of their skin and taking their opportunities to show that they deserve to play if a regular first teamer isn't at their best. Players like Beckham, Rio, Blanc, Butt and Veron are now having to earn their way back into the side and this is what interests me, will these players come back with the same enthusiasm and determination and quality as those who've been in the team recently? If they do, then it could be '99 all over again.
 
It was a combination of a few things.
The injuries - they made fergie have to select virtually the same team every match and that gave the players a chance to gel.
The result against City was also a turning point, the players knew that they had to start performing and quick. Things couldn't have got much worse after that match.
The defense - I think that the fact they were inexperienced in playing together meant they felt free to just play and not worry about making mistakes. There was very little expectation on their shoulders and no of us could have ever expected them to perform the way that they have done.

In truth i don't think there is one single element that has dragged this team from inconsistancy to the fantastic standard we have shown in the past 5 games.
It shows that when there backs are against the walls that they have a tremendous fighting spirit and that is one of the things that set a United player apart from others
 
Originally posted by mzak22:
<strong>I think its the hunger in the players which is due to the players getting a chance to perform in situations that they always wanted to be in.

Take for example, Silvestre in the center of defense, take O'Shea and Forlan getting first team action, take P. Neville and Fortune being thrust into positions of responsibility instead of playing cameo roles, take Scholes being allowed a free-man role without strict duties as a link-man.

Don't ask me about Barthez though-I can't explain him. A true enigma, he is. That save on Pires was brilliant.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Agree with the above. You never know what you're going to get with Fabien, do you? If he didn't make that vital save against Pires yesterday, it could have all been so different. And that save in that Liverpool match... We all know he's had some blunders, but I also think sometimes he doesn't get the credit he deserves.

I think there's been a silver lining with these injuries. Like you say, now Mickey is playing where he's always wanted to play and he has a point to prove. JOS is simply happy to be playing in the team and he's fighting hard to keep a place week-in/week-out. I'm sure Wes has seen JOS's performances while he was out and knows he's going to have to fight hard for a place in the team. And he's put in brilliant performances since returning from injury. I really think the 3 of them have galvanised the team.

Then you have players like Ole, playing out of position on the right, but who you can always count on to do a job for you wherever you play him. To be honest, we really haven't missed Becks out on the right. And then there's Diego who'll always give you 100% but who's also started scoring. He's young, he's hungry and I think his performances have put pressure on Seba. And I think we saw Seba's response yesterday.

I just hope that when all our "stars" are fit again that they're not going to be allowed to simply walk back into the side. Who would have guessed that Seba/Phil would win the midfield battle against Vieira/Gilberto yesterday? But names and reputations don't win you matches. And they also shouldn't guarantee you a place in the United team. It should come down to performances...plain and simple.
 
Originally posted by Neil Thomson:
<strong>to. Players like Beckham, Rio, Blanc, Butt and Veron are now having to earn their way back into the side and this is what interests me, will these players come back with the same enthusiasm and determination and quality as those who've been in the team recently? If they do, then it could be '99 all over again.</strong><hr></blockquote>

It's vital that Fergie only puts them back in the team for a good reason and not just because of who they are. No harm will be done if they start on the bench. As you say they've now got to earn their places.
 
The City game was a mega kick up the arse. It hurt as a fan, and I guess as a player.

The fact that everyone wrote us off too, seems to inspire us. I like that; proving the feckers wrong.

We'll never die...
 
It is excellent management by Fergie who is most definitely back. He's answering his critics very emphatically.

1) Man management: reading his players the riot act after City. Telling his players Liverpool was the best team in the country (untrue and he knows it) - guaranteed to spark a reaction. Being prepared to ditch players who aren't performing. Not criticising any player by name in public even with us being rubbish at times (something Houllier has yet to learn - funny how few points they've taken since he rapped Gerard).

2) Tactics - Fergie has clearly rethought his approach. He approaches each game with us as the underdogs and organises the team accordingly. His tinkering with the formation has paid off, we are very flexible now, we can respond to anything. We are analysing our opposition much better - each player has clearly been very clearly instructed how to play each game - look at P. Neville yesterday, he knew exactly what he had to do.

3) Coaching - no doubt Queiroz's influence is paying off. Scholes is playing the best I've seen him, the defense has massively improved this season.

Overall, it's looking good but there's a long way to go yet, let's hope the players continue their run.
 
It has also made an impact on the fans too I think. The atmosphere at OT seemed incredible.
 
Originally posted by rz99:
<strong>It has also made an impact on the fans too I think. The atmosphere at OT seemed incredible.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Very true. It seems everyone to do with the club - players, management, fans - have rediscovered their hunger and enthusiasm.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going!

(or fold like a deckchair if you're Liverpool <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" /> )
 
City match was the main turning point.


Since then we played well against WHU, where a draw is historically, a great result... we've put the effort in...and out fought and outplayed everyone.


re: FAb, neil... he's been very good this season... the only dodgy game he's had was against Siddy... but his saves against Liverpool and Arsenal were phenomenal.

Veron also has been playing some good stuff.. at home to So'ton he was very good, he was also good in the first half against WHU..


If he shows the same hunger in the rest of the PL games... i don't think anyone will complain........


PS SAFs threat to kick out the core of team, seems to have worked...
 
He gave them a good bollicking...period. I hear he was at the training ground every day after the siddy game.
 
Originally posted by sidsutton:
<strong>

Very true. It seems everyone to do with the club - players, management, fans - have rediscovered their hunger and enthusiasm.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going!

(or fold like a deckchair if you're Liverpool <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" /> )</strong><hr></blockquote>


defeat is healthy!! i think its made us realise that we shouldn't take success for granted.

I've not been as ecstatic, when we've scored, for a long time! every goal means so much........

bit like the 80's.
 
Originally posted by giggzy:
<strong>


defeat is healthy!! i think its made us realise that we shouldn't take success for granted.

I've not been as ecstatic, when we've scored, for a long time! every goal means so much........

bit like the 80's.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Ain't that the truth.
 
Let's face it Guggzy, we ain't played well all this season and a great part of last. The talent we have got us through even playing below capacity. Now when they start to play as we know they can/should then we all see the end results.
This loss of form has been going on for the best part of a year now, hopefully it has now changed and I can see the likes of Becks, Rio and even Keano having to "earn" their place back. The way the team is playing right now I would let them at it.
 
One of the best quotes of the year for me was after the City game when Fergie said "There'll be a reaction alright, don't worry about that".

Now that was fighting talk.

I even trembled meself.
 
Originally posted by ukbob:
<strong>Let's face it Guggzy, we ain't played well all this season and a great part of last. The talent we have got us through even playing below capacity. Now when they start to play as we know they can/should then we all see the end results.
This loss of form has been going on for the best part of a year now, hopefully it has now changed and I can see the likes of Becks, Rio and even Keano having to "earn" their place back. The way the team is playing right now I would let them at it.</strong><hr></blockquote>

since 99, we've won the league at a canter..perhaps its been too easy.....


last year we started badly, i think the Stam incident didn;t help.. but once we picked up i thought we played some great stuff, especially going forward.. however, we didn't defend well as a unit...

The thing most have noticed since the city game, and especially against Arse and Pool, is that we've defending amazingly as a collective.. even giggs has been tracking back, like a few seasons ago...


we've got a great spirit..and with it i think we can win the PL..if we do, it'll be the sweetest since 92 IMO.
 
Originally posted by Julian Denny:
<strong>Has Mike Phelan had anything to do with this, I wonder ?</strong><hr></blockquote>

A good question. It was only a few weeks ago that Ricky Sbragia was appointed to take on the reserves from Phelan.

Since that time, we have seen a more physical midfield, providing better cover for the defence.