City, chelasea, arsenal are nailed to finish top 3. Pool, Spurs, ourselves, Evrton will fight for 4th.
Woodward (old thread)
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How much time does it take to watch "highlights" of last season??
I know its very simplistic but addtions such like CB, LB, CM are obvious.
I respect the fact that LVG wants to give everyone a fair chance but this should apply mainly to people we want ship out.
August, football month now. No LVG signings brought in. What's he doing? Our rivals all strengthening so there's no excuses.
The shipping out will effect who to bring in...
Hes already said we need to fix the squad with some transfers and Woody has already said things are happening in the background.
It sucks but I guess we just have to be patient, I expect things to move forward once the tour ends.
You can already see signs of this re Hernandez comments, I think the same applies with the players who will be coming in.
Only City and Chelsea IMO.
Based on team mentality maybe. Arsenal's squad suggests they should be competing for top spot, especially if Sanchez hits the ground running (which he probably will).
I rather think Woody needs to get his finger out sharply. With the media comments yesterday warning investors that United will basically suffer football wise and financially if we don't make top 4 this season, well, it's fairly obvious that to make that a much better probability we need to recruit. You can't lose players like Giggs, Rio, Vidic, Evra and possibly Fellaini (not too big a lost grant you) and maybe chico without bringing people in. It would be suicide...
Why is there an assumption that the reason we're buying no-one is because Woodward is being slow? LVG has publicly stated he wants to take his time with choosing new players.
You're wasting your time.
Woody's being hoist by his own petard, to be fair. His ill-judged comments in that recent interview were bound to raise unrealistic expectations.
We can almost certainly add Nani and Anderson to that list.
Which is a fairly significant exodus of players who have been fairly integral to our recent success with a very short list of players coming in. In the context of a club which badly needs a swift improvement, that's pretty much the opposite of what you would expect to see.
LVG has already publicly criticised the club's over-emphasis on commercial activities during the pre-season tour, without apparently consulting Woody before speaking. If Van Gaal is forced to go into next season with a squad that he considers unfit for purpose, due to Woodward's procrastination, then I expect the manager to state or at least strongly imply that that is the case.
In almost everything LVG has asked for, the club have acceded to his demands immediately. Carrington too windy? The diggers arrive the next day. In such a climate it seems odd that the one thing Woodward would hold out on is player recruitment. I suspect the delay is down to LVG not giving Ed the green light to sign the targets, rather than Ed dragging his heels.
In almost everything LVG has asked for, the club have acceded to his demands immediately. Carrington too windy? The diggers arrive the next day. In such a climate it seems odd that the one thing Woodward would hold out on is player recruitment. I suspect the delay is down to LVG not giving Ed the green light to sign the targets, rather than Ed dragging his heels.
How do we know they are unrealistic though? There could be things going on behind the scenes that none of us are party to?
If, come the end of the window we've signed nobody else, or nobody of quality, then by all means it's free season on Woodward for talking shit again, but until then we've no idea how realistic our expectations are.
I agree, I think the fact he said the same thing last summer though it what is worring people
Yeah, he probably shouldn't have said it at all, this summer or last, but until it proves untrue or unrealistic this summer, we can't really say he's wrong.
If by the end of the window it's proven to be shite talk again, then he'll come under pressure. Until then we just don't know.
I'm not even sure he's as much to blame for our failings as he's made out to be. He's a CEO or Chairman or whatever his actual title is. He tries to do the deals the manager wants him to do, and bids for the targets the manager selects. He's not a football man. Fellaini, for example, wasn't his fault. Moyes wanted to sign him, Woodward signed him. It's not his fault Moyes picked a shite player to sign.
No I totally agree and perhaps my post was misleading. I don't think the lack of transfer activity is down to woody. In fact, just a theory of course as are a lot of things with this transfer window, but I think Woody is trying to urge LVG on. Recently he stated that money is no object, seemingly letting LVG know that they will go for whoever he wants. LVG wanted to asses his squad before any commitments..fair enough. Then yesterday the media comments about needing to get 4th etc. Almost like Woody/the board saying..hey. Louis...times moving on..who d'ya want to strengthen...we'll nail them..but give us time.
Considering Woody is perhaps still learning the transfer game, he probably wants as much time to do the deals as he can!
I didn't quote you or comment on any post you made?
It isn't his job to select our targets but it is his job to negotiate for them in the most effective manner possible. Those double bids for Fellaini and Baines (and the low valuation placed on Baines) seemed ineffective at the time, let alone in hindsight. It was also Woodward's job to know when negotiations weren't working and when we had to move on to other targets, a skill that seemed to desert him during the never ending Fabregas saga. Surely he has to take blame for those mistakes?
Signing Fellaini might not have been his fault but the ridiculous price we paid may well have been, along with our failure to secure other targets.
I didn't quote you or comment on any post you made?
woops sorry...should have been to someone else....
Not to worry, thought I'd missed something!
Agreed and I'm always of the opinion that you can't judge our transfer activity until the window has closed. That said, we've a new manager trying to instil new tactics and ideas into a bunch of players he's never worked with before in order to try and turn things round after our worst season in decades. With this in mind, every additional hour he gets to work with new signings is massively significant. We're also in a state of rude financial health. So, all in all, it's difficult for us fans to accept that it's worth negotiating long and hard - until the season is two weeks old - in order to get the best possible price. Things have definitely been pushed out by Van Gaal wanting to get a handle on his squad but I don't think it's unreasonable for fans to feel a sense of urgency here. A sense of urgency that will have been heightened by Woody's bullishness about our transfer strategy last week.
I agree, but Woodward might be feeling that sense of urgency too. For all we know he's ready to pull the trigger on a deal or two and LVG wants to see what he has first, which I find perfectly reasonable.
We'll know more come the end of the summer, but it's clear the pressure is on so hopefully Woodward can rise to it and get what needs done (whatever van Gaal decides he needs) in time to give us a chance next season. I'm not giving up hope yet!
I also realise it's a little unfair to accuse Woody of delaying things by trying to negotiate the best possible price when the fee we've paid for all our most recent signings indicates that this wasn't a priority!
I can't recall this much panic last season, especially as Fellaini was our only signing.There's also a month left in the transfer market. Patience is key here. Too many people questioning Woodward after his One of only Two interviews he's done since he arrived at the club as a CEO. It doesn't matter when they sign this window, as long as they do.
It's impossible for to know exactly why we haven't brought in a second central midfielder, which is what the moaning right now really comes down to, yet.
The safest bit of speculation is that we're focused on Vidal and that Juve are holding out for crazy money. How much is too much I have no idea but I really can see us being driven up to the high 50s. Point is, this isn't a case of Woody being at fault, but Woody being careful not to be taken to cleaners for a single player.
We'll get our second central midfielder soon enough.
The safest bit of speculation is that we're focused on Vidal and that Juve are holding out for crazy money. How much is too much I have no idea but I really can see us being driven up to the high 50s. Point is, this isn't a case of Woody being at fault, but Woody being careful not to be taken to cleaners for a single player.
We'll get our second central midfielder soon enough.
I guess the standard I use to measure Woodward's performance on the football side is a function of his ability to implement the manager's plans.
Assuming that Woodward has little if any say on selecting targets, his job is to close deals for players requested by LvG.
The problem, IMO is that we really don't know who is on LvG's radar-and so I think it's unfair to kill Woodward for not signing Vidal if he really isn't in LvG's plans.
That said, if nothing happens by the end of the window, "Watch this space" will go down with "You're doing a heckuva job, Brownie" as one of the dumbest quotes in years.
Assuming that Woodward has little if any say on selecting targets, his job is to close deals for players requested by LvG.
The problem, IMO is that we really don't know who is on LvG's radar-and so I think it's unfair to kill Woodward for not signing Vidal if he really isn't in LvG's plans.
That said, if nothing happens by the end of the window, "Watch this space" will go down with "You're doing a heckuva job, Brownie" as one of the dumbest quotes in years.
And probably Hernandez who was also an important player for us.
It really is going to be a stressful last few weeks for Woody if we keep delaying looking for players due to LvG assessing his squad. Or we won't make any business at all anymore which would result in us having to fight really really hard to make the CL next year.
Maybe Nev is right an we are ready to pull the trigger on quite a few targets the moment LvG says so.
That's not totally true though is it? One or two weeks more can be essential under a new coach with a new system. LvG already said the first 3 months will be difficult. Imagine how difficult it will be for new arrivings if they are signed when the season is already running.
Or, imagine how much it will help the new system by bringing players in who excel in that position?. Although i do agree it would be ideal to bring them in as early as possible. It's not the end of the world imo. The main thing is, that we bring the right player in.
Chocolate tea pot
What if he's actually a Chocolate Messiah?
Since the shambles of last summer Woodward has gotten the Mata, Herrara and Shaw deals done with minimal fuss. He's sacked Moyes and his staff and replaced them with a world class manager and his staff.
I don't think he's done much wrong surely other than perhaps being a bit of a big mouth. But even the people use to moan all the time that Gill was far too secretive.
I actually believe Van Gaal when he says that he's going to take a few weeks to assess what he needs. Any lack of deals IMO are due to this more than anything I think/hope.
I don't think he's done much wrong surely other than perhaps being a bit of a big mouth. But even the people use to moan all the time that Gill was far too secretive.
I actually believe Van Gaal when he says that he's going to take a few weeks to assess what he needs. Any lack of deals IMO are due to this more than anything I think/hope.
yeah well, of course. Just was disagreeing that it doesnt matter at all.
In case of Vidal, Juventus seemingly want it all sorted asap and preferably before they go on tour. Doesnt look like we will be getting him in those 2 reamining days at all though.
So yeah, atm he can shove his "watch this space" up his chocolate tea pot's arse.
I'll tell you one thing, we're fecking lucky we're not starting this season with the same fixtures we had last summer. Even if we don't get anyone in until the very last day of the window we've got enough quality already to get maximum points from our first few games, then a handy wee European break for Van Gaal to do his genius coaching thing before we take on the big boys.
Compared to last seasons decision making at the club, it does seem to have perked up somewhat. It's not about individual signings as far as i'm concerned, it's more about the long term vision for the club. Woody seems to have all angles covered in that respect. People just need to be patient.
Edit: Even if people dislike the Glaziers, or Woody because he's part of that. They should also be rejoicing, because they have to spend big to uphold the brand. Or franchise in their language.
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Well if the club sees themselves has the biggest in the world, any club would have done that. His job is too make sure he can require the targets most needed, has it stands the vidal deal still not over the line
Excellent post.
I would say Chelsea and City are nailed on for 1st and 2nd, and then it is between Arsenal and us for 3rd/4th. The others (Pool, Spurs, Everton) will battle it out for the europa league.
This is assuming no further signings by anyone and just looking at the squads as they stand now.
I think you could signed these players mate.
Herrera was a buy-out transfer, Shaw we did overpay for him, Mata was done by 3rd party. Sacking Moyes was long over due.
woodie is a magcian of sourcing money. Football-wise he still has a lot to prove.
I think you'll find on that one that his sole contribution was passing on the news to Moyes. He wouldn't have made that decision, it would have been the Glazers.
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