07 Nov 2020 18:44:00
Ole prevails!

Someone joked earlier in the week that the best manager in the World was Ole facing the sack and he's survived another tough run of fixtures by the skin of his teeth. We've seen the good, the bad and the ugly in recent weeks but unless Ole can inject some consistency into the team he's destined to run out of lives eventually.

It's hard to defend Ole, some results and performances speak for themselves but he did want a RW in the summer and we mustn't forget that whatever we think about his tactical acumen or managerial ability he was badly let down by Woodward and Co and their embarrassing pursuit of Sancho and frantic deadline day dealings. If they were working to a plan it was scribbled on the pack of a fag packet in eligible writing.

If we want to improve as a football team then we might need a better manager but we definitely need more proficient decision makers and negotiators at board level.

I find it a touch disingenuous to suggest Ole doesn't have a style of play. He clearly wants to use a 4-2-3-1 formation, with the full backs pushed high up the pitch providing the width for a fluid, mobile and interchangeable front 4 with the creativity predominantly provided by a No10.

Ole still needs a genuine RW to get the best out of this system and the midfield pivot is problematic.

Fred and Mctominay are absolutely fundamental for this system. They can both lack composure on the ball and their passing can be erratic at times but their effort, energy, industry and positional discipline gives the team a platform to play. Some may suggest that playing both is too defensive but they actually help us sustain attacks by winning the ball back when an attack breaks down and they also allow the full backs to go forward without leaving us terrible exposed at the back.

I think Ole would prefer to play Pogba as part of the double pivot as he obviously has more quality on the ball but he doesn't work anywhere near hard enough and can be a liability defensively. Ole just can't trust him in that position to do a job for the team. it's a conclusion Mourinho drew which to some degree led to his eventual demise. Pogba has responded pretty well to being benched but this won't last forever and he must be sold before he becomes a disruptive influence in the dressing room again.

Towards the end of last season many teams had figured out that if they stifled Fernandes, defended deep and forced the ball out wide to our full backs our attacking intent was severely restricted. They also realised that Pogba would often push forward in advance of the ball and leave our defensive organisation is disarray. Fred and Mctominay provide the defensive shape but their lack of vision and creativity can make it difficult for us to break down teams that sit deep behind the ball and defend in numbers.

The signing of Telles should provide us with a better attacking outlet from full back although Shaw has been decent in recent games with two goals coming from his crosses is as many games.

If Ole can find a consistent presence on the RW we are a very solid team. I see no reason why VdB can't perform a similar role to Mata. He retains good possession of the ball and his intuitive movement would make him a real threat from that position. He's a bit quicker than Mata, he presses the ball better and could help the team win the ball ball back higher up the pitch. I certainly think it's something worth trying as I think he's too good to sit on the bench. I suspect his attacking instincts might leave us vulnerable to the counter attack if he played deeper as part of the double pivot and he just won't play regularly enough ahead of Fernandes at No10.

At some point this team will reveal its true persona. Whether it's Dr Jekyll or Mr Hyde remains to be seen. to be continued.

1.) 07 Nov 2020
07 Nov 2020 19:10:06
Yes DLIB Sancho would've fixed it all 🤦‍♂️ Honestly this narrative, that somehow had he got a RW, it would've solved all his problems.

I'm sick of tired of seeing this. He's a bad coach, full stop, not good enough for this club. He could have both Messi and Ronaldo and he still wouldn't be good enough.

Just stop.

2.) 07 Nov 2020
07 Nov 2020 19:43:39
Angel - We'll if he's that bad it won't be long until he's sacked pal.

It's my opinion that had Ole got Sancho or another competent RW we'd be much better. Whether that would be good enough to mount a title challenge or appease some of the Ole doubters I just don't know but we must acknowledge the good performances as well as the bad and identify mitigation where it exists.

Any new manager will have to take their chances with this board and if history tells us anything they will probably have to work with players that they either didn't want or need. How any coach can be successful under those conditions I honestly don't know but I also accept that it isn't a good enough excuse not to sack Ole if results don't improve significantly.

Consistency is the key moving forward can Ole find it only time will tell.

3.) 07 Nov 2020
07 Nov 2020 20:17:12
Angel,

If you’re sick of other people’s opinions perhaps take some time off the page.

Good post DLIB enjoyed reading it.

{Ed025's Note - we should all respect other posters views even if we dont agree with them guys, its an opinion based site and there is no right or wrong views..cheers..

4.) 07 Nov 2020
07 Nov 2020 20:48:33
Good post DLIB - some I agree with, some I don’t. Here is a question to all. I was discussing with my mate the other day about Ole’s preferred system which is a 4231. He likes to play a high line and wants his FBs to push up high. This requires two things: attacking FBs and quick CBs. My question to my mate was why buy Maguire and AWB?

Maguire doesn’t have the pace for a high line, AWB is poor going forward. I like the latter, Maguire can be decent next time a top CB, but those two signings go against what Ole is trying to do. Sancho may have won us a few points extra, but the main issues with our defence and transition remain.

I thought today we were good in parts. Fred/ McT have emerged as Ole’s favoured midfield duo and as you said, they provide the platform and solidity for us to build our attacks. My concern is both their passing ability, and our ability to transition from defence to attack. Today worked because fred was able to thread passes through the lines to Bruno. Which he did go great effect today. But the reality is we employed the exact same system against Arsenal and Chelsea and it failed.

My biggest issue is we don’t move the ball quick enough, the intensity isn’t there and we often don’t seem drilled in a pattern that’s needed to break down sidea. Whilst I think Ole can be versatile and change the system game on game, a skill in itself, he will never be a manager who can coach the players into a set system/ philosophy. And that’s what separates the average from the greats.

All today does is buy him a bit more time and delays the inevitable. The frustration is there are good players out there who should be more consistent. Whilst I think the players are playing for him, I do think they feel under coached and know they aren’t as well drilled as their rivals. Ole did well today, got it right, but the problem is we are consistently inconsistent. Anyway, positive to go into the international break on a high.

5.) 07 Nov 2020
07 Nov 2020 21:37:52
Interesting post but Utd are getting/ have a terrible reputation in the industry now about how the club is run - transfers, infrastructure, amateurs in charge etc.
What makes anyone think we can get better than OGS in the current climate?

6.) 07 Nov 2020
07 Nov 2020 21:44:19
It's the narrative I'm sick of, not DLIBs opinion or anyone elses. Everyone is entitled to their own. He's a very good poster.

You're right DLIB, shouldn't be long but you never know with the amateurs in charge. They put a man not fit for the job in this position so anything is possible.

GDS, get off your high horse. If you don't like my opinion, maybe you should take some time off the site or alternatively not reply to it?

7.) 08 Nov 2020
08 Nov 2020 01:38:18
🙄 no high horse mate, you disagreed with an opinion and make out it’s a ‘narrative’, it’s just a post on a site, respect it, I was just saying if you’re sick of it then maybe take some time out over the international break, it should be fun at the end of the day you don’t come on here to be annoyed.