28 Feb 2014 11:52:08
I read a really good article that was comparing SAF tactics with Moyes' tactics. The difference in style was quite telling. Under SAF, our variations in play utilised the strengths of our players'; while under Moyes, the lack of tactical consistency and general lack of understanding of what Moyes' is trying to implement on the part of the players', is basically ruining us as an effective unit. Even with the frailties we have had in the CM area over the past few seasons, SAF tactical style would get the best out of the vast majority of the players'. Case-in-point: RVP last season. Because we always had three points of attack, the width of the pitch always covered, giving multiple options. Under Moyes' the players' have shown very little fluidity. There is one point of attack: Down the wings; and the players' don't seem to know what they are meant to be doing, hence they get in each other's way.

The game against Olympiakos the other day; it looked like the United team had been thrown together over-night, such was the disjointedness - and general lack of cohesion in our play. In fact, I have seen Sunday league sides play a better, more cohesive brand of football.

Undoubtedly, the team needs several players'; but wholesale changes are not needed. We already have some extremely talented footballers', who could adapt to any modern playing system. What we need is the right man to implement the right tactics. And unless Moyes' can adapt his tactics, it won't matter how much money he spends; the net result will be the same: failure!

1.) 28 Feb 2014
Without wishing to offend steviek or aaajl, I agree with you samthered.
Our team might lack in few areas but we have bought two midfielders and introduced adnan, and we're still looking disjointed.
My worry also, is the way the players seem to be going thru the motions, no urgency, no anger, no spirit. This has to be sorted and the only person who can sort it is the manager.

2.) 28 Feb 2014
Do you want him to sort out why professional players can't pass accurately over 5 yards, or control the ball simply with their first touch?

Remember, these are largely the same players you spent all last season gurning about. Was it theirs or Fergies fault then?

3.) 28 Feb 2014
28 Feb 2014 15:36:41
whilst I agree steviek about the quality of passing etc we have to be honest and say last years manager instilled belief and passion into our play(considering many believe the players are not good enough we still won the league) and this managers style of play is still up for debate and his body language is that of a beaten man. if the players are unable to pass etc then it says all confidence and belief has gone and Moyes seemingly cannot turn it round. all those saying he needs time to bring his own style of play and players in after following sir alex then how has Martinez managed to follow a 10yr serving manager and completely transform their style of play with the same personnel. granted Everton results wise are similar to last yr but they have not dipped whereas ours have dropped alarmingly. people overplay the transition and poor players, we have a bigger and better squad than spurs and everton but are playing like a bottom half team right now. if its not Moyes responsibility then we may as well not have a manager

4.) 28 Feb 2014
But ajs, Fergie didn't just arrive last season. He'd spent 26 years instilling that belief and passion into the club, and I can't believe that people thought that we would just glide serenely on once the father figure and driving force behind the club left.

Any new manager, of those available would have struggled to varying degrees, and none of us know for sure if we'd be any better or any worse off under a different pick. It's just guessing and opinion to state otherwise.

We are where we are. We need to deal with it, get over it, and accept the reality of the situation. He's not going anywhere any time soon, and Jose, Klopp and most likely, Pep, were not available. In those circumstances, why shouldn't a well-respected, British manager, with good Premiership experience have been given a go? We're always moaning about British managers not being given a chance, but really we're saying, give them a chance, but just not at our club. We want someone with a tan.

Sites like this allow everyone to vent their frustrations, and fair, objective criticism is warranted after some of our performances this season, but I think the reactions of guys and girls who actually go to the games week in week out, is a fairer barometer of how fans feel - despite, according to one poster, the dramatic threat of physical violence hanging over those at the ground who don't support the manager.

5.) 28 Feb 2014
What Ferguson did will never be replicated, he took average players i.e carrick, evans, welbeck, valencia, placed them in a team with world beating talent and made a united team. All of sudden this manager is gone and these players have been exposed as the players they are. Moyes is working with players that ultimately know there days are numbered, some of them have never played under another manager at club level or have had the same man in the dressing room for many years.

Personally I believe this blip has been down to sentimentality and holding onto players that should have been sold a few years back i.e Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Carrick.

Moyes can only work with what he as got, his style has to accommodate weak full backs, no centre midfield, which has been the case for many years, and very average wingers. Ferguson knew that this team was not going to sustain itself after he went, and if reports are correct he virtually tried to force players upon Moyes and what should they be? A centre back and two centre midfielders.

Moyes has not just become a bad manager over night, the reason Martinez is being successful is because the foundation was set for him, whereas this is not the case for Moyes. Players are aware of there stane within the club and managers plans and you can tell that they know their days are numbered.

Moyes has persuaded Chelsea's best player over the last 2 years to give up champions league football and contribute to his vision. I don't know about anyone on this sites experience as a professional footballer, but I think Mata has more awareness and knowledge of the game than me.

aaallj5

6.) 28 Feb 2014
Aaallij5
Very sensible post imo

7.) 28 Feb 2014
Aaallj5,

No doubt SAF could motivate a player; make him better then his talent would allow under normal circumstances; but he was also very good tactically; better than a lot of people give him credit for.

8.) 28 Feb 2014
Round we go again, you keep posting this stuff
StevieK
"We are where we are. We need to deal with it, get over it, and accept the reality of the situation"
Accept he is manager, yes, we have no choice, but accept he is the right manager for Manchester United, No, and that is different. Most won't "get over it" as you put it. We won't just roll over and accept the ordinary.

"why shouldn't a well-respected, British manager, with good Premiership experience have been given a go?"
Because he isn't good enough and doesn't have the experience or gravitas to do the job.

"We want someone with a tan"
Poor, we want someone with the requisite experience who has demonstrated they have the experience, someone who has won something.

"I think the reactions of guys and girls who actually go to the games week in week out, is a fairer barometer of how fans feel"
I can tell you the match going fans I know want rid of him, badly and it is getting to the point where it will come out.

As to aaa's post yes sentiment, but the sentiment was allowing SAF to make the decision on his successor, then the use of sentiment to support him and then the continuing sentiment that we must support him because it's our way.

9.) 28 Feb 2014
28 Feb 2014 19:44:30
steviek. agreed fergie had been there 26 yrs and a I accept a new manager would not come in and have the same degree of success frpm day one but at least instill a style of play befitting our club and to go from champions to potentially finishing 7th 8th or 9th cannot be acceptable. are we saying a captain of a large industry in the job for 20 years and retires but hissuccessor comes in and within 8 months mks the company a laughing stock and they lose millions that the business would not take swift and decisive action?

aaalij. u said utd won the league because of the manager and the players are poor and within 8 months we perform shockingly and surprise surprise the manager is impervious to any blame and its the players alone at fault. amd you seem to have identified all the players who shpuld have gone years ago then why the heck did moyes not see that when he took over and even more bizarrely continue playing them?
you mention foundations at utd and everton. moyes inherited the champions and had funds to buy if he wanted
everton have distin osman howard pienaar barry all over 30 and playing week in week out and he left them with no strikers wprth speaking about so what are these foundations you refer too. accept Martinez has had just as difficult a task but performed much better, oh and he lost there supposed best player on the last day of transfer window and still performing better than Moyes. oh and we apparantly bought that player who was part of this supposed foundation

10.) 28 Feb 2014
Aaallj

I agree there is an element of the problem that SAF should have prepared and dealt with some of the problem areas, and maybe that was because he couldn't face making some difficult decisions towards the end but I don't believe that is the sole reason for the level of decline we have seen.

11.) 28 Feb 2014
Red Man, I'll keep posting my guff, as long as you keep posting yours. Is that a fair deal?

12.) 28 Feb 2014
And you don't have to roll over and accept it. You could stop moaning over and over again on here, and get out and organise some protests with these friends of yours.

13.) 28 Feb 2014
Stevie k
I am a match going fan and have been for about forty years and I am well peed off as are lot of my mates who are match going fans.

14.) 28 Feb 2014
Pancho, who isn't peed off? But until I hear mass booing at OT, then I'll assume fans there may be unhappy, but they're not yet ready for a mass show of disapproval against the manager.

15.) 01 Mar 2014
Stevie k
As I have said in previous posts I wouldn't boo anybody anyway no matter how bad. However as I have said the tide is turning for a lot of fans and if we lose against the scousers and that lot from over the road you may start to see a lot of match going fans showing their dissatisfaction . There are a lot fans who have supported him who are starting to talk about getting rid. And as I have said before we should be able to criticise amongst reds and I will back the managers up if arguing with a city fan if a scouser etc but I think it's becoming more and more difficult to defend what's going on.