Manchester United Banter Archive March 22 2018

22 Mar 2018 21:11:26
There have been a few good reads on here lately with Redman and his stories, and of good players gone by.
But what is happening to football
It's like a business now, billionaire owners
But for God sake handing out song sheets are they having a laugh, If that happened in America we would be laughing at them
They will want a choir next.

22 Mar 2018 22:46:25
It has become all about money and entertainment sadly. Money talks now a days.

22 Mar 2018 23:20:54
Leahy all joking aside narrrr it’s friggin hilarious from down here mate🤣🤣🤣🤣👍 songs of praise or go the match 🤔.

23 Mar 2018 06:58:01
Most clubs in England have a atmosphere problem. It happened years ago when clubs moved fans from each other after redeveloping a ground.
Stoke can create an atmosphere at times also palace.

The others are all poor.

23 Mar 2018 08:06:12
Agree ctr. The atmosphere at grounds these days is truly awful. Did you see the besiktas fans last week against Bayern. Already 5-0 down the ground full and absolutely rocking, now that’s an atmosphere. Bring back Standing.

23 Mar 2018 09:58:54
The suggestion was having words to the songs in the program not handing out song sheets, United have said it’s not true anyway, let’s not believe everything we read in the oress.

23 Mar 2018 10:53:49
I've been to loads of games abroad, and most of them have 3 or 4 guys with megaphones to get the crowd singing and chanting. The great atmospheres there don't just happen by accident. Is there any real difference between that and supplying song sheets?

23 Mar 2018 13:51:34
good point nou. My brother actually mentioned that yesterday. He said a simple fix is to have a few people leading it with megaphones and get a couple of drums involved. Placing the more vociferous fans together is a start as well. If you want to stand and be vocal then have these fans seated in the stretford end obviously and in the L stand and lower east stand. Also the north west quadrant to liven it up a bit. Then seat those that want to sit in the north and south stand. It is easily do able but like people have mentioned football is too commercial.

23 Mar 2018 15:53:40
I live n south Czech republic. Ice hockey sends me to sleep, but the fans are something else.11000 in an indoor arena all singing and clapping . they play songs beforehand over the tannoy and everyone sings along. the streets and pubs are rocking beforehand -there is this chanting and singing traditional songs throughout the game

Last year they built and ice rink outdoor and erected 7000 temporary seats. for 3 night games. under floodlights. tickets were like golddust . there was a live band on the ice beforehand, snow was falling, stadium lit up in moonlight . i live a mile from it and it was so loud but the fans reckon the atmosphere was incredible the players said too it was something else, hopefully they repeat it and I can get a ticket.

23 Mar 2018 17:36:15
Can try all sorts of things but the bottom line is lots of people going to Old Trafford just want to sit quiet, watch the match, take there pictures, they complain if someone so much as stands up in front of them blocking there view for a second. They have no interest in getting behind the team. It’s a nice day out for a lot of them, yeh they want to win but they don’t kick every ball, they are not passionate and it’s quite sad in a way we have supporters like this. Imagine Old Trafford was like an away game? the whole stadium would be absolutely rocking and would no doubt get an extra 10 percent out of every player. One can only dream I suppose.

23 Mar 2018 18:53:20
Toatally agree stretford. Oh if you dare to swear you’ll be strung up.

23 Mar 2018 19:34:05
I agree Stretford, but away games always generate more atmosphere among fans. It's a day away, a few of us against loads of them, something to prove. Funnily enough, that doesn't really happen in league games abroad. Last time i was away, i watched Malaga against Valencia, and Valencia had about 50 fans bother to travel, and not a peep out of them. When you think of the effort Brighton fans made for example, travelling on a snowy night in Manchester.

22 Mar 2018 18:14:50
Good bye ibra enjoy the sunshine in LA.

22 Mar 2018 14:57:58
A reply to Pique post ref Roy Keane

That sums it up right there in the second last sentence. it was 'Roys Dressing Room'.
The main difference in Manchester United when they were winning things and the before and after.
So, those who say if he was such a leader then why has he not been as successful as a manager? Back then Roy was playing, so he wasn't asking anyone to do what he wasn't seen to be doing himself, and he was proving on the pitch that he had the authority to 'own' the dressing room. His actions on the pitch gave credibility to his voice off it.

22 Mar 2018 15:33:00
We lack leaders for sure and that is very evident when things are going badly. Nobody steps up and pulls the team up or calls for calmness when need be. Valencia should not be captain but I can’t see anyone in the mound of Keane in today’s football. Keane, Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand Neville were the embodiment of sir alex on the pitch. They themselves had such high standards and knew what it meant to play for united. Today the players who should be standing up such as smalling, Jones, Valencia and young do not do it. Add the high number of player turnover and managers and you can see why the values of sir alex have gone. Jose needs players on the pitch who would run through brick walls for him and fight for him. He has a few in matic Lukaku bailly and De Gea. But the others aren’t at the moment and we need the players to step up. The mentality is not right and it is clear Jose is testing the players and provoking a reaction to see if they can handle the pressure. I would give it to Lukaku as I think he clearly leads from the front on the pitch. I think he won’t shirk away from the responsibility and won’t burden him down. I think he would flourish.

22 Mar 2018 19:48:25
Park, you're either a leader or you're not. There's no in between. You can't suddenly make Shaw or martial or fellaini into leaders. They have to prove on a day to day basis that they can lead the team. This applies to training and all daily matters.

22 Mar 2018 20:25:06
I don’t see any leaders. We have some great players and some are as tough as nails but I am not seeing big personalities who can direct a team and grab them by the scruff of the neck. It’s a gap right now I think.

22 Mar 2018 20:33:14
That’s true AAA I’m not expecting shaw to be a leader. But at least step up and have a stronger mentality. That can be developed.

22 Mar 2018 14:27:22
Saw a good perspective on the whole Luke Shaw bullying saga today- which also incorporates Pogbas troubles.

It comes down to no leaders again. A tubby unfit Shaw, a preening Pogba or a sulking Sanchez wouldn't have survived 20 minutes with a Keane/ Robson/ bruce/ ferdy/ Stam/ neville - they would have said shape up or p**s off long before the manager got involved . if at all

We do miss leaders on and off the pitch. can't undeestimate what a stong leader can do in a dressing room.

22 Mar 2018 14:55:35
I agree we need a strong on-pitch leader, but I think we just need our best players showing an example on and off the field. Not sure why people think that the only way to motivate people is to have someone constantly berating them. It's not an approach I think most respond well to in the long term.

22 Mar 2018 14:57:21
It's all Mourinhos fault according to the rags, not like Shaw's been questioned by all his previous managers. the big bad wolf Jose.

22 Mar 2018 15:55:36
Not seen any sulking from Sanchez at all, he’s not playing well but he’s trying, possibly too hard, to impress.

22 Mar 2018 16:05:20
Totally agree GDS2.

22 Mar 2018 20:27:44
Sanchez seems like an intense character, he has all the skill and ability but as GDS says he does come across as someone who is trying far too hard. I think he needs to relax and let if flow.

22 Mar 2018 22:48:31
He needs to up his game very quickly or else we would have two players with huge players not performing.

We desperately need Pogba and Sanchez to start kicking on . I also think they step on each others toe when they play.

23 Mar 2018 06:34:42
Sanchez may have been great so far but I can't question his effort he runs around like a maniac for the duration if anything it'd like Tony said he's trying too hard.

22 Mar 2018 11:29:16
Just been reading with interest that Liverpool are planning to further develop Anfield and increase the capacity in excess of 60,000.

City are in the process of increasing their capacity with Spurs, Chelsea and even Everton building new modern stadiums all significantly increasing on their current capacities.

I think it's about time Manchester United started the re development of the South Stand and push our capacity towards 90,000.

In my opinion Old Trafford (certainly during the Fergie era) has always been a huge attraction. The history and sheer size of the place must make it a magical place to play for any footballer. However with a lot of top Clubs either improving or moving into new stadiums we are set to lose this advantage. We must modernise, keep ourselves ahead of the competition, prove to the rest that we won't rest on our laurels and demonstrate that not only are we still the biggest Club in England but offer an attractive and viable alternative to both Real Madrid and Barcelona. Our stadium, our beloved Old Trafford, The Theatre of Dreams should be a shining beacon of our strength and power.

I think this is crucial to the future of our Club and at the moment I just see us getting dragged back into the pack.

If we have to sell the naming rights to Old Trafford in order to fund it then so be it. Alternatively we could sell the advertising rights to the name of the stands. We could have the Budweiser Stratford End or the Kellogg's K Stand, whatever it takes to stay ahead.

With the increased capacity I'd like to see all hospitality and corporate seating moved to the North and South stands with lower and subsidised tickets behind both goals in particular the Stratford End. I wouldn't even be against certain sections behind the goals returning to pay at the turnstile, with affordable beverages inside, meaning fans would arrive earlier helping build the atmosphere before KO.

I've enjoyed reading stories from AJH, RedMan and others re counting their experiences before football became showbiz entertainment and sterile.

I can see no reason why football can't be returned to its working class roots and still live side by side with the corporate executives. Some willingness on behalf of the Club and creative thinking is all that's needed.

We need to stay ahead of the competition, now is the time to be brave not only on the field but off it as well.

22 Mar 2018 11:48:32
Good post Danny. I agree I think we have to extend the capacity at old Trafford especially with the rivals increasing or building new stadiums. I personally wouldn’t sell rights to the stands like you suggested because I feel that is the final step in selling our soul to the corporate beast. Already we seem to be more interested in commercial deals as opposed to investing to win the top honours. Really the most important thing is to get us winning on the pitch because there is a whole new generation of young football fans that we will lose to city and other teams and that could be damaging for the future. Increasing the stadium is important but we need to recapture what made people fall in love with Man Utd. The passion, the entertainment and most importantly the glory. We do that and we will still be a step above the chasing pack.

22 Mar 2018 12:06:08
Thanks Park, I totally understand your point about corporate sponsorship but if that's the difference between funding the stadium and still remaining competitive in the transfer market then maybe it's a pill will might need to swallow. Anything that can give us the competitive edge. The naming of the stands was a bit tongue in cheek but naming rights for Old Trafford are a potentially vast untapped resource. As long as any money generated would go straight back into the Club I think is something worth considering at the very least pal.

22 Mar 2018 12:16:06
I think we should develop the stadium also, however I'd be more inclined to give fans enough room to actually sit/ move around comfortably rather than cramming them in like sardines, might make fans feel the club cares about them rather than their money which in turn might have a positive effect on the atmosphere at the ground? Just a thought.

22 Mar 2018 12:40:11
Yeh that’s true Danny. I think we have to be realistic and move with the times otherwise we will be left behind. You are right the key is the money earned being re invested in the club. I thought the moving of fans to the L stand against Brighton was a really positive step and the atmosphere was definitely much better. We need to get the stadium bouncing off each other and so I love the idea about the turnstiles or cheaper seats in the heart of the Stretford end.

Dbrooks I would like to see the reintroduction of safe standing. Dortmund’s yellow wall is a sight to behold and the atmosphere is unbelievable. Whenever I get the opportunity to go the old Trafford I always get a ticket in the Stretford end as I prefer standing and the atmosphere is so much better. I’ve been told to sit down whilst sitting in other areas of the ground. Things like this will pack a huge difference in the atmosphere. It’s a universal problem though as most big clubs in England have pretty poor atmosphere.

22 Mar 2018 14:25:39
Haha DBrookes, I am guessing you have never been in an all standing stadium? Going to a football Match and moaning about legroom, Jesus Christ.


Danny,

I would be against any commercialisation of the stadium myself to be honest, it will always be old Trafford to many people even if it had a different name, the MEN arena hasn’t been called that for 7 years but you would be hard pushed to find someone in Manchester who doesn’t call it that now (I know this is commercial as well just making a point) .

Doubt they would change the name to Stratford End as well unless we are looking at moving the club closer to our southern supporters ;)

22 Mar 2018 15:11:29
GDS2 - Exactly it will always be Old Trafford but if sponsorship provided the money to modernise and increase the capacity then I personally wouldn't be against it.

I get your point and if money can be raised by other means then so be it. I'm assuming increasing the capacity would require a massive financial commitment and my worry would be we may struggle to compete in the transfer market as well as financing stadium improvements.

I really think it's important to keep progressing and maintain that competitive edge in every aspect of the Club. The playing field has been levelled and other Clubs are catching up fast.

22 Mar 2018 19:27:28
I wouldn't mind the introduction of safe standing either and believe it would be the best solution for the lower tiers. However upper tiers people should be given adequate room if they are forced to sit like they are at the moment. I'm sorry but if £50 for a seat that doesn't really have enough room for you to sit down already has fans annoyed before the games have even started. Btw no I have not been to an all standing ground but I also fail to see any relevance in that.

22 Mar 2018 05:49:25
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Review Of The Day 22nd March 2018

22 Mar 2018 07:52:16
Ed001 - interesting read, craven cottage, one of my favourite away grounds, the stand bounces, good old fashioned football experience. From hero to zero in 10mths for Jaap, he cost me a few quid last season, it will be interesting to follow his managerial career from here on, thanks again Ed.

{Ed001's Note - welcome mate. Big shame for Stam clubs have no patience.}

22 Mar 2018 11:27:27
Anyone thinks perhaps Pep can push Reading back to PL? Afterall he is such a messiah 😉🤣.