I still stand by him and trust him to do the job in the longer term, I think his influence will truly kick off after the turn of year. We have shown glimpses of quality football but our consistency throughout the games is baffling, we seem not to be able to go 30 minutes at a similar level.
United under LvG: verdict so far!
- Thread starter LawCharltonBest
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B minus so far. I expect his grade to improve as the season goes on.
Maybe one day after Maureen's moved on, your club will appoint Moyes (or his future equivalent) and you can enjoy his 'good performances' against mid-table teams and you can chat to other Chelski fans about how statistically he's not quite as hideously bad as he appears to be.
If you keep on talking up the Moyes era to stir emotions on opposition forums, you might just find that, as John Lennon brilliantly put it - instant karma's gonna get you.
I couldn't wish it on a nicer team
Maybe one day after Maureen's moved on, your club will appoint Moyes (or his future equivalent) and you can enjoy his 'good performances' against mid-table teams and you can chat to other Chelski fans about how statistically he's not quite as hideously bad as he appears to be.
If you keep on talking up the Moyes era to stir emotions on opposition forums, you might just find that, as John Lennon brilliantly put it - instant karma's gonna get you.
I couldn't wish it on a nicer team
Bizarre post, why would Karma get Chelsea because of my posts?
Anyhow Im not exactly talking it up, but I am pointing out that certain games made it seem worse than it was, it wasnt a constant stream of awful performances as much as you may have thought it was. So far this season has been worse.
That's just me being jovial, old chum. British humour.
You are talking it up/looking for reaction - I've read this forum for years before joining, and you've devolved from probably the absolute best opposition poster to a borderline WUM during the 'Moyes era'. Quite understandable as I can only imagine how much fun that season was for opposition fans.
Problem is - it's over, he's gone but you're still constantly babbling on about it, and you're not even a United fan. You reduce many threads to pointless debates about Moyes where you take on the role of a Moyes apologist to get reaction.
You have to be a United fan to understand what we went through last year. No way was leicester worse than any of the back to back losses we took last year. Against Leicester we crumbled after a stupid decision went against us, there wasn't such a thing last season Vs any of the teams that beat us at home. That moment from Valencia showcased his own particular shittyness, not the teams.
Take it like this, I am gutted we didn't win against Chelsea - I thought before the game we would win. In contrast, I was happy with a draw last year.
With Van Gaal, one gets the impression that even our losses and underachievements don't go to waste - in that he uses them as character building exercises with the squad; which lets face it, the core of this group is significantly different than the league winning side of two years ago when we had Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra et al still in the side.
I'd be lying if I said I was happy with LVG so far tbh, actually I'd say I'm quite annoyed, because at the end of the day, we had the easiest start out of everyone and absolutely botched it. Even before we signed our new players, we still easily had enough quality to beat Swansea, Sunderland, Fecking Burnley, Leicester and West Brom, you simply don't need Di Maria and Falcao to beat teams like that. Van Gaal's silly 3-5-2 formation cost us a lot of points, Imagine just picked up 3 from Swansea, 2 from Sunderland and 2 from Burnley, we'd be 2nd in the league right now with our hardest home fixture out the way. Instead we're sitting in 8th albeit only a few points of 4th.
The positives are that we seem to be getting better after every performance, and there is clearly a sense of direction when compared to last season, so it isn't all doom and gloom, but nothing to shout about yet either.
2/10 for results and position in the table
6/10 for football and all round improvement in our game
But seriously though, he really needs to start picking up some points from teams like Sunderland etc.
The positives are that we seem to be getting better after every performance, and there is clearly a sense of direction when compared to last season, so it isn't all doom and gloom, but nothing to shout about yet either.
2/10 for results and position in the table
6/10 for football and all round improvement in our game
But seriously though, he really needs to start picking up some points from teams like Sunderland etc.
Very relaxed that we will finish quite high this season despite our unconvincing league position. I think we will gain more consistency and come above Arsenal and Liverpool over the course of the season but Man City and Chelsea is a step too far for this season, although you never know.
And this is a problem thats arisen since the Moyes era, some of you have devolved into people who are wound up when they shouldnt be.
You were the one reading wums in my post because its actually nothing of the sort, as I wasnt the person who brought Moyes into this. I am stating what is factually in front of me plain to see. Im not a Moyes apologist, but have always maintained a similar feeling about him and what happened.
I don't think that's unfair at all. I'm willing to basically write off the first few games - we were playing a new formation that didn't work, had tons of injuries and had to field players who are now nowhere near the team. Since getting our proper first team more or less worked out and moving back to a more familiar system, we've been much better and I do feel a sense of progression. So certainly not perfect, but in context pretty decent.
Fair enough.
I think he under estimated the PL teams as the way we played against Chelski without Rooney, Herrera and Falcao was amazing. If we played with that spirit every game we would be much higher up the league.
The biggest thing for me is that I feel confident again, even against Chelsea I thought we would win, his got his tactics spot on and we are playing attacking football again.
We have been jinxed with injuries so for what we've achieved so far is ok but we have dropped points, I just hope they don't become vital points at the end of the season...
I'd give him 7/10.
The biggest thing for me is that I feel confident again, even against Chelsea I thought we would win, his got his tactics spot on and we are playing attacking football again.
We have been jinxed with injuries so for what we've achieved so far is ok but we have dropped points, I just hope they don't become vital points at the end of the season...
I'd give him 7/10.
I am totally biased as I have wanted LVG since the first time Fergie said he was going, so am big fan. Always, felt that the closest European team to United as far as philosophy is concerned is Ajax. So if we went for a European I wanted it to be a former Ajax man.
Anyway, the biggest Pro's for LVG are;
1. Using youth when he has to. Moyes, and to a certain extent Fergie, would often use a player out of position, rather than play a youth in his natural position. We have seen Carrick at the back, Jones/Smalling at RB/LB, even had the Rafael and O'Shea in midfield. He used Blackett and McNair, which was nice to see. Also bringing on Wilson for a game like Chelsea.
2. He has rectified our biggest weakness, our midfield. Though currently still Getting to grips with the PL, it is quite a bit better than last year.
3. He has created an attacking threat, something that Moyes destroyed through being too cautious.
4. He has given clear direction to the players and it can be seen in their play.
5. He has restored confidence in the players to do what they think is right. Last year, players had no confidence and did the easy thing.
6. We appear to be getting better each game, so the coaching is working.
7. Made a quick decision after Pre-season who to keep and who to let go.
8. His demeanor will improve perception of United
As with every team bar Chelsea and Southampton this year hasn't gone to plan. Same for United.
1. Same players are getting injured Jones/Smalling/Evans
2. Same players losing their head Rafael/Rooney
3. Loss of form Mata/RVP
Anything to blame LVG for, probably
1. Too much reliance on RVP.
2. Yet to see a game changer sub, even though Fellani at WBA could be considered one.
3. Didn't see Plan B when Leicester looked like they were getting back in the game.
4. Took easy choice with Captain, rather than best choice.
Obviously points total is not as high as we expected, however, 1 defeat since he got his players on the pitch is enough for me to feel satisfied. Turning WBA and Chelsea into draws when we were losing also points to the fact we are getting the fighting spirit back. The more this happens themore the fear factor will return.
So work in progress, but I am glad we have the man we have. Still feel that it is between us, Arsenal and Liverpool for 3rd and 4th. Regardless of who has played who, none of these teams fans will be impressed with their points total or the way they are playing.
Anyway, the biggest Pro's for LVG are;
1. Using youth when he has to. Moyes, and to a certain extent Fergie, would often use a player out of position, rather than play a youth in his natural position. We have seen Carrick at the back, Jones/Smalling at RB/LB, even had the Rafael and O'Shea in midfield. He used Blackett and McNair, which was nice to see. Also bringing on Wilson for a game like Chelsea.
2. He has rectified our biggest weakness, our midfield. Though currently still Getting to grips with the PL, it is quite a bit better than last year.
3. He has created an attacking threat, something that Moyes destroyed through being too cautious.
4. He has given clear direction to the players and it can be seen in their play.
5. He has restored confidence in the players to do what they think is right. Last year, players had no confidence and did the easy thing.
6. We appear to be getting better each game, so the coaching is working.
7. Made a quick decision after Pre-season who to keep and who to let go.
8. His demeanor will improve perception of United
As with every team bar Chelsea and Southampton this year hasn't gone to plan. Same for United.
1. Same players are getting injured Jones/Smalling/Evans
2. Same players losing their head Rafael/Rooney
3. Loss of form Mata/RVP
Anything to blame LVG for, probably
1. Too much reliance on RVP.
2. Yet to see a game changer sub, even though Fellani at WBA could be considered one.
3. Didn't see Plan B when Leicester looked like they were getting back in the game.
4. Took easy choice with Captain, rather than best choice.
Obviously points total is not as high as we expected, however, 1 defeat since he got his players on the pitch is enough for me to feel satisfied. Turning WBA and Chelsea into draws when we were losing also points to the fact we are getting the fighting spirit back. The more this happens themore the fear factor will return.
So work in progress, but I am glad we have the man we have. Still feel that it is between us, Arsenal and Liverpool for 3rd and 4th. Regardless of who has played who, none of these teams fans will be impressed with their points total or the way they are playing.
I see this as still a work in progress. I never expected anything much in the first few months as this was the learning period. The season started much like how it ended last season. The team was poor, no spirit and the players simply weren't adjusted to the new manager and tactics yet. Totally disorganized with only glimpses of quality. To compound things, there were numerous injuries as well.
3 months later, and I can see a huge improvement. The team is playing better. There is so much more balance across the board now. In terms of team selection and also in terms of quality of play. Build up play can now start from defence. The attack doesn't look so isolated anymore. The defence, although still shaky, doesn't look like it will be ripped to shreds all the time. The team looks more comfortable on the ball. There is more variety of play. There are more choices in players across positions. There are choices for physicality and technique. As I said, the balance is much better. Oh and the team is so much more organized now and the fighting spirit is slowly returning too. All this is good.
While the players are adapting to the manager and his tactics, the manager has also adapted to the players and this league. He preferred technical players, but realised after Leicester (and maybe before that, even) that we needed more muscle. The team was good but too easily bullied by physical players. He also switched quickly from a back 3 to a back 4 when he realised it wasn't working. It is a testament to the manager and his team of their ability to analyse quickly and take decisive action.
I expected the season to start poorly, and for the team to gradually improve towards the new year while keeping pace of the top 4. So far, we are still within touching distance of the top 4 and I can clearly see, even before this, how much the team is improving week after week. So, for me, things are still on track. It's nothing spectacular, as some would have hoped, but it's progress, and it's a lot of good progress we are making.
3 months later, and I can see a huge improvement. The team is playing better. There is so much more balance across the board now. In terms of team selection and also in terms of quality of play. Build up play can now start from defence. The attack doesn't look so isolated anymore. The defence, although still shaky, doesn't look like it will be ripped to shreds all the time. The team looks more comfortable on the ball. There is more variety of play. There are more choices in players across positions. There are choices for physicality and technique. As I said, the balance is much better. Oh and the team is so much more organized now and the fighting spirit is slowly returning too. All this is good.
While the players are adapting to the manager and his tactics, the manager has also adapted to the players and this league. He preferred technical players, but realised after Leicester (and maybe before that, even) that we needed more muscle. The team was good but too easily bullied by physical players. He also switched quickly from a back 3 to a back 4 when he realised it wasn't working. It is a testament to the manager and his team of their ability to analyse quickly and take decisive action.
I expected the season to start poorly, and for the team to gradually improve towards the new year while keeping pace of the top 4. So far, we are still within touching distance of the top 4 and I can clearly see, even before this, how much the team is improving week after week. So, for me, things are still on track. It's nothing spectacular, as some would have hoped, but it's progress, and it's a lot of good progress we are making.
I think while this is true, it also gives people cause for patience/optimism.
This guy can do good things at the club, he's not only shown that we should persevere with him on a larger scale with Barca and Bayern, but also gave a small dose to us United fans when he beat Madrid and got Ashley Young playing well.
There's a reason to believe that if we wait, we will become the best side in England again. With Moyes there was never a guarantee that waiting it out would prove fruitful, due to him basically being a gamble. A step into the unknown versus a proven track record.
i think we will improve as the season progress but it might be too late too challenge for the tittle by then. at this moment i'll take 4th place but maybe in a few months time we could be hoping for more if the typical van gaal effect and philosophy started to bear it's fruit.
defense need to stay fit first and foremost. we are going nowhere if we cannot have a stable backline although i doubt that would happen anytime soon. maybe a january signing perhaps could change things short term.
pretty happy with the midfield. blind is doing alright, herrera is okay and fellaini is showing sings of improvement lately. di maria is top class. carrick's return could be vital too.
expect more goals from rvp, rooney and falcao once they reach full gear as a trio.
defense need to stay fit first and foremost. we are going nowhere if we cannot have a stable backline although i doubt that would happen anytime soon. maybe a january signing perhaps could change things short term.
pretty happy with the midfield. blind is doing alright, herrera is okay and fellaini is showing sings of improvement lately. di maria is top class. carrick's return could be vital too.
expect more goals from rvp, rooney and falcao once they reach full gear as a trio.
I am not very impressed so far. It's good to talk about philosophies and ideas; it's the implementation that brings results. The results so far have been disappointing. I, personally, have found it hard to judge whether the improvements are due to the spend (Di Maria, Blind and Herrera basically) or the "philosophy". Still see a lot of aimless crossing, lot of hoofing, and defensive disorganisation. The expectations have been lowered so far that I was thrilled with a draw against Chelsea at home. I want to believe that Chelsea was an inflection point and we'll see a turn towards the positive from here on. Though there have been too many false dawns over the course of last season and this, that I choose to remain sceptical. Once bitten, twice shy.
The defense remains a major worry. Rojo and Blackett as left sided CB's give me jitters, and the stellar injury record of the right sided CB's means that McNair will have a huge role to play this season. Hard to fathom that Sir Alex had Garay lined up with our 5 CB's, still the two subsequent managers chose to ignore the area (Ya, Rojo, but is he a defender? I have my doubts). Anyone with two eyes knows that we need a defensive leader to marshall our defense (His name is neither Matt, Ryan or Ron). I only have time to follow two sports regularly - Basketball and Football - and in either, I have hardly seen a team win championships with only a stellar offense.
The squad remains as unbalanced, if not more, after a big transfer window. 433/4231 looks the way forward, but we are heavily loaded in the striking/SS positions. 442 diamond with two offensive players on either side of Blind leaves too many open spaces. Our main two strikers and Mata are not hardworking enough and lack pace to make the system work. Van Persie becomes half the player when he is not in the center and has to move towards the right or the left to get the ball. And I am fearful that we may be a di Maria injury away from a total catastrophe. Currently, he is the only one who brings that little extra that keeps the opposition honest.
Van Gaal has a huge challenge on his hands. We are already behind the eight ball and there are hardly any freebies in the premier league. You have to go out and win each game in this league.
It would be preposterous to give a verdict at this moment. Will have to wait at least till the turn of the year to see how things pan out. However, our performances in the next three, especially against City and Arsenal will give a glimpse of where we might end up this season.
The defense remains a major worry. Rojo and Blackett as left sided CB's give me jitters, and the stellar injury record of the right sided CB's means that McNair will have a huge role to play this season. Hard to fathom that Sir Alex had Garay lined up with our 5 CB's, still the two subsequent managers chose to ignore the area (Ya, Rojo, but is he a defender? I have my doubts). Anyone with two eyes knows that we need a defensive leader to marshall our defense (His name is neither Matt, Ryan or Ron). I only have time to follow two sports regularly - Basketball and Football - and in either, I have hardly seen a team win championships with only a stellar offense.
The squad remains as unbalanced, if not more, after a big transfer window. 433/4231 looks the way forward, but we are heavily loaded in the striking/SS positions. 442 diamond with two offensive players on either side of Blind leaves too many open spaces. Our main two strikers and Mata are not hardworking enough and lack pace to make the system work. Van Persie becomes half the player when he is not in the center and has to move towards the right or the left to get the ball. And I am fearful that we may be a di Maria injury away from a total catastrophe. Currently, he is the only one who brings that little extra that keeps the opposition honest.
Van Gaal has a huge challenge on his hands. We are already behind the eight ball and there are hardly any freebies in the premier league. You have to go out and win each game in this league.
It would be preposterous to give a verdict at this moment. Will have to wait at least till the turn of the year to see how things pan out. However, our performances in the next three, especially against City and Arsenal will give a glimpse of where we might end up this season.
David Moyes:
NONE ( Kid you not, there's not even a "Managerial Honor" Section on his Wikipedia)
Louis Van Gaal:
Ajax
AZ
Bayern Munich
Netherlands
NONE ( Kid you not, there's not even a "Managerial Honor" Section on his Wikipedia)
Louis Van Gaal:
Ajax
- Eredivisie: 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96
- KNVB Cup: 1992–93
- Johan Cruijff Shield: 1993, 1994, 1995
- UEFA Champions League: 1994–95; Runner-up 1995–96
- UEFA Cup: 1991–92
- UEFA Super Cup: 1995
- Intercontinental Cup: 1995
AZ
Bayern Munich
- Bundesliga: 2009–10
- DFB-Pokal: 2009–10
- DFB-Supercup: 2010
- UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2009–10
Netherlands
- FIFA World Cup third place: 2014
- World Soccer Manager of the Year: 1995[78]
- Onze d'Or Coach of the Year: 1995[79]
- Rinus Michels Award: 2007, 2009[80]
- Dutch Sports Coach of the Year: 2009[81]
- Die Sprachwahrer des Jahres (3rd place): 2009[82]
- German Football Manager of the Year: 2010[83]
- Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau: 1997[84]
I'll wait after the City game to make such analysis.
So far, I'm impressed by what i see in terms of where we are heading. But one bad game against City and it will all count for absolutely nothing. If we win by playing good football there, i will really believe that this team can go far. We'll see.
So far, I'm impressed by what i see in terms of where we are heading. But one bad game against City and it will all count for absolutely nothing. If we win by playing good football there, i will really believe that this team can go far. We'll see.
What's your point here? This thread has nothing whatsoever to do with any comparison between Moyes and LVG. In case you missed it in your hysterical anti-Moyes zeal, the originator of the thread was asking how you rate LvG so far.
Oh, sorry, I didn't know it's a sin to compare our current manager with David Moyes.
It's impossible to rate LVG without looking back on last year, if you only take this year alone (and leaving behind last year where we're unfortunately managed by david moyes) then LVG is shit, because we're 8th. Only if you take last year fiasco then we can appreciate what he has done.
Progress / regress needs a starting point, you can't rate anything without a benchmark.
And FWIW : I think we're doing Fine, because that man has won many things, I'm sure he's doing something right.
EDIT: And I never hide the fact that I don't like Moyes. Wasn't it you that verociously defending Moyes last year?
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The one thing that makes me want us to stick with LVG is the clear progress we are making our general play. The results havent gone our way yet but that will come. As compared to last season there seems to be a sense of direction and ambition. I also think that LVG is a bit surprised with the quality of the league and wasnt fully prepared for how tough it can get. That being said I would expect us to have a storming second half of the season and turn around our fortunes. We are not far from being the force that we were a couple of years ago and have definitely improved under him
We could turn up at City and have a collective bad day. The problem with the previous regime was that those sort of days started occurring frequently, and the people in charge didn't know how to turn it around. I'm not saying that City game is a write off, I'm saying that nothing is lost by just one game. LvG himself said that he's not satisfied to say that we have played well without collecting points.
Usually takes around 6 months before you manage a new organisation effectively so I will wait with my verdict. I don't think he is going to panic over bad results like Moyes did. As long as he keeps believing in what he is doing and keeps a cool head in front of the players it will come good. If he gets lost in reactive management he will lose the players and any consistency of form.
It's utter nonsense to say you can't rate performance under LvG without comparing it to performance under Moyes. It's a stand-alone issue. Others seem to be capable of assessing the performance without needless comparisons. In any case, you made no reference whatsoever in your post to anything other than Moyes' and LvG's history. What did that have to do with LvG's performance so far? The thread was asking how you rate LvG so far and you completely ignored the question.
Well, for the moment it's not good enough. I expected better after that outlay.
Our attack is reasonably effective but not nearly as ruthless as some make it out to be. With the material we've got, this is the least we should expect.
Defensively we still look disorganized and whoever decided to spend the last money getting in Falcao, creating a luxury problem and forcing Danny out the door, instead of strengthening the weak areas, should consider another line of work.
We're improving slowly but steadily, but a bit slower than I had hoped. Everything but top-4 is unacceptable after spending that much money.
Our attack is reasonably effective but not nearly as ruthless as some make it out to be. With the material we've got, this is the least we should expect.
Defensively we still look disorganized and whoever decided to spend the last money getting in Falcao, creating a luxury problem and forcing Danny out the door, instead of strengthening the weak areas, should consider another line of work.
We're improving slowly but steadily, but a bit slower than I had hoped. Everything but top-4 is unacceptable after spending that much money.
Well, given our fixtures at the start of the season, I would've expected more points by now, but I like how we improve each game, which couldn't be said at any point last season. We will get there under LvG. It's nice to have a man with a vision again.
Depends on how you look at it
Positive: we play better football, players look happier, he has given youth a chance, he has managed to bring in world class players despite not playing in the C.L and a few of our players are starting to look decent again - and we are starting to pick up points. We will be much better next season.
Negative: results have been poor, defensively we still look weak, he failed to sign a quality defender, failed to find a proper balance in the side
So for me it has to be a C. I simply can't give him more than that when we are trailing Southampton and West Ham despite having a much easier start to the season. Having said that - I am very optimistic, but I can't rate him based on points we WILL or at least SHOULD take. I have to judge him on where we are today - and regardless of how you look at it - points and position will always be the most important and that part hasn't been good enough. So C
Positive: we play better football, players look happier, he has given youth a chance, he has managed to bring in world class players despite not playing in the C.L and a few of our players are starting to look decent again - and we are starting to pick up points. We will be much better next season.
Negative: results have been poor, defensively we still look weak, he failed to sign a quality defender, failed to find a proper balance in the side
So for me it has to be a C. I simply can't give him more than that when we are trailing Southampton and West Ham despite having a much easier start to the season. Having said that - I am very optimistic, but I can't rate him based on points we WILL or at least SHOULD take. I have to judge him on where we are today - and regardless of how you look at it - points and position will always be the most important and that part hasn't been good enough. So C
The thing I love most about this season is how we are not afraid to keep the ball in our half and play it out most of the time. Last season, whenever DDG hadthe ball from an opposition attack it went straight downfield with a hoof (although his hoofing is incredibly accurate) but this season most of the times he sees a runner and simply rolls the ball to him immediately irrespective of the opponents around him. I love how we are not getting run over in midfield and how we actually are dominating possession, even against the likes of Chelsea.
You seems to cherry picking stuffs. You can't accept that not everyone loves Moyes don't you?
If you actually bother to read the response, most of us are acknowledging that :
1. The result hasn't been good
2. Progress has been made
3. LVG is credible enough for most to believe him and give him time
4. Almost everyone here is comparing us today under LVG and the United of last year
It's not a fecking stand alone issue, because Moyes performance correlated closely with LVG and how I assess him. If Moyes tenure didn't exist, people will be baying for LVG's head because he inherited a championship winning team. I remain patient and confident even when we're 8th because I see progress from last season.
If you can't bother to understand and just want to find excuse to bash anyone bringing Moyes, then fine by me.
EDIT: Here's a simple thing for you
Last season 1st - This season 7th = Regress
Last season 7th - This season till today 8th = Equal, but with better play.
How the hell I can say whether or not LVG has been doing a good job if I can't look past how the team have performed before he took over? Please educate me.
I think this season under LvG has been very exciting. I feel that we are on our way to greatness again. A little more balance and less injuries, I think we are well inside top four.
On the one hand he has a superior squad (offensively) and an by far easier start to the season and less point on the other hand you can see where we are heading, what he wants us to play like and with all the ups and downs a little improvement. It's not only crossing. Individual errors still cost us points but the way we play is more promising than last season's headless chicken tactics.
It's been poor so far, and I think he's been shielded from criticism due to his past glories. Having said that, I don't think any manager should be judged before Christmas.
Results need to pick up, and the defending needs sorting. That doesn't necessarily require further transfer activity. Teams with far worse resources than United manage to organise a solid defense.
Hopefully we can get a run of form going to get us up the table.
Results need to pick up, and the defending needs sorting. That doesn't necessarily require further transfer activity. Teams with far worse resources than United manage to organise a solid defense.
Hopefully we can get a run of form going to get us up the table.
Question is has the excitement been because of LVG's tactics and style or because of the better players brought in? You could argue that some of them may not have come in if not for LVG, but thats hypothetical. Herrera, Falcao, and particularly ADM are the primary reasons behind the improvement in play, I dont think LVG himself has excelled when it comes to setting his teams up to play exciting football, yet.
This.
It's kinda hard to tell, with new players like Falcao, ADM, Herrera, Blind, Rojo, and Luke Shaw Imo even Moyes can get some improvement in play style.
It's too early to judge him by anything other than result : which hasn't been good so far.
This is how I feel as well. I think this is a transitional year, even though top 4 is a realistic goal for us. Having said that, it's hard to judge him, but he has given me faith for this year.
For all of those comparing LvG start vs moyes start, the biggest thing to consider is trajectory, moyes too over the champions, a strong confident group of players only losing scholes who had had limited involvement as the prior year came to close. You would expect a good start and tail off as moyes methods took over but the trajectory is in mistake ably down, and this continued for 9 months getting steeper particularly after Christmas.
Van gaal in contrast took over a shell shook bunch losing its spine (Rio, vida, evra, giggs - Carrick to injury), and experience. The team lacked confidence in themselves and each other and looked like strangers on the pitch. We've had poor results but the trajectory is unmistakably positive, if not quite as dramatic as we had hoped. We finally have a team again, look more cohesive and if anything the last two games show we have desire and belief we'll score which wasn't evident against burnley....
Van gaal in contrast took over a shell shook bunch losing its spine (Rio, vida, evra, giggs - Carrick to injury), and experience. The team lacked confidence in themselves and each other and looked like strangers on the pitch. We've had poor results but the trajectory is unmistakably positive, if not quite as dramatic as we had hoped. We finally have a team again, look more cohesive and if anything the last two games show we have desire and belief we'll score which wasn't evident against burnley....
I like LVG and think he really analyses everything which is great. His lack of perfect English is slightly annoying but that will improve (although it doesnt seem to bother him remotely!) Because of that you dont criticise him like Moyes, when he always used to say words like ''try'' to improve and refer to the history etc, but LVG doesnt do this.
In terms of style / philosophy I'm actually still struggling to see what it is that LVG wants our players to do. I think we do have more impetus in attack but actual style it still seems quite confusing - I think Blind is still left alone far too much with too much space around him. Other than Di Maria players arent getting quick balls into the box, full backs arent over lapping as much as some.
LVG quotes are interesting after the game, where he is pleased with different aspects from other managers, I believe he was saying how well we played against Chelsea and West Brom because of the ''chances'' created...but few of these weren't great chances really in my mind, long shots on goal etc. He seems to appreciate different things. But Im still slightly confused as to what his perfect game / perfect utd performance would look like. Di Maria seems to want to be productive every time he gets the ball but is that LVG or him (Crosses or shots or something creative). Shaw seems to go forward but then give the ball backwards is that LVG trying to not loose possession or Shaw being cautious. Mata seems to pick it up and play it wide every time, him or LVG? Against West Brom we kept trying the chip through ball for an RVP volley, was that a deliberate tactic? Blind is often left alone in CM with large spaces either side, is that deliberate, LVG asking him to cover space pick up the ball and then find our CM's for a quick counter allow us to bring space into the middle of the park?
Im looking forward to his ideas getting installed as he's a quality manager and players trust him. The biggest thing too is that fans trust him, even though our results havent been great and our general play questionable even though spending a lot of cash etc (we do have injuries so think everyone realises this) but I like other fans have not got on the teams case and are just looking forward to watching the next game.
Anyone who thinks they can shed light on what LVG has implemented, and what he is trying to do in each position with our team, let me know?
In terms of style / philosophy I'm actually still struggling to see what it is that LVG wants our players to do. I think we do have more impetus in attack but actual style it still seems quite confusing - I think Blind is still left alone far too much with too much space around him. Other than Di Maria players arent getting quick balls into the box, full backs arent over lapping as much as some.
LVG quotes are interesting after the game, where he is pleased with different aspects from other managers, I believe he was saying how well we played against Chelsea and West Brom because of the ''chances'' created...but few of these weren't great chances really in my mind, long shots on goal etc. He seems to appreciate different things. But Im still slightly confused as to what his perfect game / perfect utd performance would look like. Di Maria seems to want to be productive every time he gets the ball but is that LVG or him (Crosses or shots or something creative). Shaw seems to go forward but then give the ball backwards is that LVG trying to not loose possession or Shaw being cautious. Mata seems to pick it up and play it wide every time, him or LVG? Against West Brom we kept trying the chip through ball for an RVP volley, was that a deliberate tactic? Blind is often left alone in CM with large spaces either side, is that deliberate, LVG asking him to cover space pick up the ball and then find our CM's for a quick counter allow us to bring space into the middle of the park?
Im looking forward to his ideas getting installed as he's a quality manager and players trust him. The biggest thing too is that fans trust him, even though our results havent been great and our general play questionable even though spending a lot of cash etc (we do have injuries so think everyone realises this) but I like other fans have not got on the teams case and are just looking forward to watching the next game.
Anyone who thinks they can shed light on what LVG has implemented, and what he is trying to do in each position with our team, let me know?
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