Well said Gary

[Neil Thomson]

"We were criticised at the time for not speaking, but how can you say sorry to the fans in those circumstances? What does sorry mean?
"All we can do is give them days like we did against Liverpool and Arsenal. At the time the manager was as angry as I have seen him for a long time. It was humiliating and embarrassing and the criticism was justified.
"We were devastated after the game - that is why none of the players spoke. There was no need for any of the players to talk afterwards, as the manager said everything for us.
"Any words we said were not going to be laughed at, but would be unimportant. The only way we could respond was on the pitch and I think we have done that in the last few weeks.
"We were ashamed, but when you are that low there is only one way to go - and the Liverpool result was massive for us."
"The performances against Arsenal and Liverpool were fantastic but not in terms of football, it was all about grit and staying together; being compact and defending well.
"But against Deportivo La Coruna last Wednesday there were signs that the class going forward again was back. Some of the link play between Scholesy and Ruud, Giggsy and Ole was fantastic. That was the most pleasing thing.
"Four or five weeks ago we were nowhere near that level going forward. It was a bit worrying. Defensively we have not been too bad all season apart from the odd blip but to start to show the signs that the real class going forward is back is great."

 

[Julian Denny]

Yes and I think Fergie was also stung by the criticism of himself as a manager who was showing all the signs of losing his touch and ready for retirement. He was hurt by the comments in the media and at the annual general meeting. Typically he responded in the best way possible under extremely difficult circumstances with half the side out injured and all the credit must go to him for that. He takes the flak when things go wrong but he certainly should take the plaudits when they go right.

 

[One Remi Moses]

The nice thing about Gaz is his humility.

This run has been won on the back of sublime defending by the back four, and he says the defence "have not been too bad all season".

And him and Phil gave it loads last night when we won.... because they care.

 

[redevil2]

Originally posted by Julian Denny:
<strong>Yes and I think Fergie was also stung by the criticism of himself as a manager who was showing all the signs of losing his touch and ready for retirement. </strong><hr></blockquote>

i think he has for a long time ignored what is written writing him (and united off!) cos he has from time to time proving those critics wrong! And i can say for sure he did not need those criticism to give himself the push! This man is a genus, his believe in his vision and his when he has faith in his players, he couldnt care less about criticism. The sity defeat is the most hurtful though cos he saw his players falling apart!

Originally posted by Julian Denny:
<strong>He was hurt by the comments in the media and at the annual general meeting.</strong><hr></blockquote>

it's quite well known that he has always asked his players to ignore the media's criticism (when they have done badly, they dont need to rely on the media to tell them what has gone wrong! The gaffer knows best, doesnt he?' I think what is more hurtful is those who claimed to be supporters who are calling for his head!

Originally posted by Julian Denny:
<strong>Typically he responded in the best way possible under extremely difficult circumstances with half the side out injured and all the credit must go to him for that. He takes the flak when things go wrong but he certainly should take the plaudits when they go right.</strong><hr></blockquote>

It must be very difficult for him when things are not going our ways, but having said that, i always have faith in him, 'he will sort it out!' And in my mind, his difficulty (when so many of his players are out injured, a situation out of his control!!!) lies not on trying to prove critics wrong, but rather to prove his 'true' supporters (believers) right!!

And he did it!!

 

[Julian Denny]

Redevil2 you make some good points but you appear to be coming from a Fergie can do no wrong at any time standpoint. I think it's impossible to completely shut yourself off from the media and what they are saying if you are someone in Fergie's position. In fact I think Fergie has cleverly used what the media has said negatively about him and United over the years to imbibe an almost seige mentality of "us versus them" in his players, particularly during times when things are not going well. In fact he has been very successful in this ploy. This is certainly the reason why he becomes quite tetchy with certain journos over what they have written. He also gave short shrift to someone at the recent AGM who suggested he was past it. I think Fergie is fully aware of what goes on around him and what is being said. I still believe the City game and its aftermath was a wake up call not only for the team but also for him as well. Both have responded magnificently.

 

[redevil2]

Originally posted by Julian Denny:
<strong>Redevil2 you make some good points but you appear to be coming from a Fergie can do no wrong at any time standpoint. I think it's impossible to completely shut yourself off from the media and what they are saying if you are someone in Fergie's position. In fact I think Fergie has cleverly used what the media has said negatively about him and United over the years to imbibe an almost seige mentality of "us versus them" in his players, particularly during times when things are not going well. In fact he has been very successful in this ploy. This is certainly the reason why he becomes quite tetchy with certain journos over what they have written. He also gave short shrift to someone at the recent AGM who suggested he was past it. I think Fergie is fully aware of what goes on around him and what is being said. I still believe the City game and its aftermath was a wake up call not only for the team but also for him as well. Both have responded magnificently.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Who said he is 'who can do no wrong'??? You missed my point there! What i meant was, when you support a team (and in my case, the manager as well) i want them to do well and even they make mistake, i have faith in this manager to 'sort it out, to fix it!' (it takes more to correct a wrong than not doing any wrong in my opinion, cos you always come back wiser, for some people anyway, when you made a mistake) Fergie is the sort of manager i have that sort of faith and trust (i read his book too, so call me a fanatic!). When the media is crying the so called crisis of united and fergie out in a few, would i panic? you bet i wouldnt!! That doesnt mean i regard him as someone doing no wrong. 'nff said.

so in your opinion, (correct me if i am wrong) the media has 'helped' fergie during the so called crisis? Of course the media (positive or negative opinion) affect the team and the manager! But Fergie has wisely used it positively to help himself and the team, no doubt. Fact is, if the media has been positive when we were not doing well, i think fergie can still pull it through (cos i trust that he does not need the media or his so call supporters, to tell him they were 9 points from the top, right??) Of course he is fully aware of what was written about him. I am not sure whether he has used it as a challenge to do better. It;s more likely he hasnt. But he might have taken note of more contructive criticism.

What i was saying is you cant deny that he is just.... top!

 

[Julian Denny]

Redevil2, you seem to be saying opposite things in your posts regarding whether or not Fergie is aware of media criticism. Personally I think he is very aware and sensitive to it. He's had a full go at one or two people including banning them from news conferences before now. There was even talk that he would not allow MUTV to interview the players following criticism from Stuart Pearson, although I understand that was rescinded later. Having said that I think he uses this sort of stand off with the media as a motivating ploy ie "it's us versus them, and we'll show them". It may not be everybody's cup of tea but I think it's worked on the whole over the years. Fergie has lots of friends in the game but enemies in the media and I don't think he gives a damn about the latter.

Personally I think Fergie has made plenty of mistakes over the last couple of seasons and I have gone on record from time to time as saying that I thought his time was up. At the same time, however, I have said that he's not someone to be underestimated and therefore despite my scepticism we should not be surprised if he pulls something out of the bag once again. Perhaps he's in the process of doing that right now - let's hope so.

 

[LenSharkey]

just for my twopennorthworth a true test of a manager is his ability to rebuild out of adversity. houlier better remember that too. <img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" />

 

[redevil2]

Originally posted by Julian Denny:
<strong>Redevil2, you seem to be saying opposite things in your posts regarding whether or not Fergie is aware of media criticism. Personally I think he is very aware and sensitive to it. </strong><hr></blockquote>

if you read my posts carefully enough, you would have noted that i NEVER said that he is not aware of what is said about him and the team in the media. I SAID he just asked his players to ignore them (who cares what ABU said anyway!?? But being aware of it DOESNT MEAN that he has taken them seriously! Being angry with them (banning them etc) only goes to show that he is well aware of those ABU blast (or from supporters who have lost faith in him, somebody like yourself, that is!!!). IT DOESNT necessary mean that he was HELPED when faced with criticism. (Let me emphasis, he did not need those to be given a push!!! )

I would have made the same enemies in the media if i was in his shoes and have the same level of football caliber as him to be honest!

It appears that you were among those skeptical supporters before (or maybe even now!) Well, let's wait and see.

My guess is, he is going to prove me right again. <img src="graemlins/snowman.gif" border="0" alt="[Snowman]" /> <img src="graemlins/santa.gif" border="0" alt="[Santa]" />