The Footie Thread

[Billysboots]

Anyone who has any interest in Manchester United, if you didn’t see Gary Neville’s post match assessment on Sky, I urge you to try and catch it. Fifteen minutes of banging nail after nail squarely on the head.

Love or loathe him, he doesn’t half talk sense when it comes to that club.

 

[Bdill93]

If the league finished now you’d be 2nd on goal difference. Just saying

I do not care

 

[4LEX]

Anyone who has any interest in Manchester United, if you didn’t see Gary Neville’s post match assessment on Sky, I urge you to try and catch it. Fifteen minutes of banging nail after nail squarely on the head.

Love or loathe him, he doesn’t half talk sense when it comes to that club.

Totally disagree. He's one eyed and has made excuses for managers for years and years. He says one thing on Sky and when it comes to his own club (Salford), does the opposite. If Man Utd want to progress, they need to get serious football people in and not listen to the likes of Gary Neville.

Man Utd have issues with the football set up but their biggest problem has been hiring the wrong managers and then giving them too much time (which Neville has called for).

 

[Aztecs27]

Yes Forest! A deserved win and nice to get some revenge on Man U after Rashford cheated to win a penalty in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Decent night on the banks of the Trent.

Took my United supporting in-laws as a Christmas treat as two of my mates couldn’t make it….car’s a bit quiet driving home

I will say, bit pathetic some of our fans booing turner after his mistake. I didn’t much like it either but booing home isn’t going to help. He was superb after the mistake too. And a decent save led to MGW’s goal.

I’m all in on Nunoball.

 

[4LEX]

Decent night on the banks of the Trent.

Took my United supporting in-laws as a Christmas treat as two of my mates couldn’t make it….car’s a bit quiet driving home

I will say, bit pathetic some of our fans booing turner after his mistake. I didn’t much like it either but booing home isn’t going to help. He was superb after the mistake too. And a decent save led to MGW’s goal.

I’m all in on Nunoball.

I reckon you need a ball playing keeper. I hear Onana will be available soon

 

[Tashyboy]

Heard a comment today about old Trafford being called old Scaffold. Made me chuckle.
Joking aside I would seriously question why someone would invest £1. 25 billion in that and not have a Major share. If he is serious in investing in Utd he should walk away and let the Glaziers sink

 

[Tashyboy]

Decent night on the banks of the Trent.

Took my United supporting in-laws as a Christmas treat as two of my mates couldn’t make it….car’s a bit quiet driving home

I will say, bit pathetic some of our fans booing turner after his mistake. I didn’t much like it either but booing home isn’t going to help. He was superb after the mistake too. And a decent save led to MGW’s goal.

I’m all in on Nunoball.

What’s the main difference between coopers side and Nunos.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

I reckon you need a ball playing keeper. I hear Onana will be available soon

One of the few clubs to be strengthened by Acon

 

[Billysboots]

Totally disagree. He's one eyed and has made excuses for managers for years and years. He says one thing on Sky and when it comes to his own club (Salford), does the opposite. If Man Utd want to progress, they need to get serious football people in and not listen to the likes of Gary Neville.

Man Utd have issues with the football set up but their biggest problem has been hiring the wrong managers and then giving them too much time (which Neville has called for).

Did you listen to what he said this evening?

He reinforced, yet again, that United are the only (alleged) top club still operating without a CEO, sporting director and head of recruitment. Successive managers have been asked to operate without any structure in place to support them and, more importantly, make sure there are checks and balances in place. As Neville put it, Ten Hag has been given the keys to the safe and it shows. Casemiro for £60m and on a five year contract at £400k a week. Antony for £85m. Real and Ajax, respectively, must have thought all their Christmases had come at once.

If Man United want to progress they absolutely need to listen to Neville and get an off field structure in place. They need those three posts filled so that the post holders can sit down with the manager, whoever that might be, discuss what the plan is, and together identify and recruit the players with the attributes to fit into that plan. Importantly, they also need to be confident that the attributes of any transfer targets are such that they can perform in the Premier League. Antony is way short. And Andre Onana has a way to go before he’s a Premier League ‘keeper, Champion’s League finalist or not.

When Neville has argued that managers need time, he has always done so with the caveat that a support structure needs to be in place. He has contested, quite rightly in my view, that it is utterly pointless constantly chopping and changing managers if the structure supporting those managers is absent. All that achieved is a cycle of rinse and repeat.

So when he says Ten Hag needs to be given until at least the end of the season, much as I have started to run out of patience I agree with him. He argues that Ineos need to come in, take a long hard look at the off field structure, recruit the right people to plug the gaping holes, and THEN look at the manager’s position.

Neville adopts a calm, measured approach in much of what he says. He consistently argues against the club making knee jerk decisions. Get the right structure in place, then the right manager (that may yet turn out to be Ten Hag), and then give that manager time to make his mark.

The days of managers like Ferguson are pretty much consigned to the history books, where one man ruled the roost over everything. Football has evolved, and most top clubs have evolved with it. Most, that is, apart from United. The Glazers could not give two hoots about what goes on out on the pitch as long as the tills keep ringing. That is Neville’s biggest gripe and he is absolutely spot on.

 

[Slime]

Did you listen to what he said this evening?

He reinforced, yet again, that United are the only (alleged) top club still operating without a CEO, sporting director and head of recruitment. Successive managers have been asked to operate without any structure in place to support them and, more importantly, make sure there are checks and balances in place. As Neville put it, Ten Hag has been given the keys to the safe and it shows. Casemiro for £60m and on a five year contract at £400k a week. Antony for £85m. Real and Ajax, respectively, must have thought all their Christmases had come at once.

If Man United want to progress they absolutely need to listen to Neville and get an off field structure in place. They need those three posts filled so that the post holders can sit down with the manager, whoever that might be, discuss what the plan is, and together identify and recruit the players with the attributes to fit into that plan. Importantly, they also need to be confident that the attributes of any transfer targets are such that they can perform in the Premier League. Antony is way short. And Andre Onana has a way to go before he’s a Premier League ‘keeper, Champion’s League finalist or not.

When Neville has argued that managers need time, he has always done so with the caveat that a support structure needs to be in place. He has contested, quite rightly in my view, that it is utterly pointless constantly chopping and changing managers if the structure supporting those managers is absent. All that achieved is a cycle of rinse and repeat.

So when he says Ten Hag needs to be given until at least the end of the season, much as I have started to run out of patience I agree with him. He argues that Ineos need to come in, take a long hard look at the off field structure, recruit the right people to plug the gaping holes, and THEN look at the manager’s position.

Neville adopts a calm, measured approach in much of what he says. He consistently argues against the club making knee jerk decisions. Get the right structure in place, then the right manager (that may yet turn out to be Ten Hag), and then give that manager time to make his mark.

The days of managers like Ferguson are pretty much consigned to the history books, where one man ruled the roost over everything. Football has evolved, and most top clubs have evolved with it. Most, that is, apart from United. The Glazers could not give two hoots about what goes on out on the pitch as long as the tills keep ringing. That is Neville’s biggest gripe and he is absolutely spot on.

Superb post, Billy.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

Did you listen to what he said this evening?

He reinforced, yet again, that United are the only (alleged) top club still operating without a CEO, sporting director and head of recruitment. Successive managers have been asked to operate without any structure in place to support them and, more importantly, make sure there are checks and balances in place. As Neville put it, Ten Hag has been given the keys to the safe and it shows. Casemiro for £60m and on a five year contract at £400k a week. Antony for £85m. Real and Ajax, respectively, must have thought all their Christmases had come at once.

If Man United want to progress they absolutely need to listen to Neville and get an off field structure in place. They need those three posts filled so that the post holders can sit down with the manager, whoever that might be, discuss what the plan is, and together identify and recruit the players with the attributes to fit into that plan. Importantly, they also need to be confident that the attributes of any transfer targets are such that they can perform in the Premier League. Antony is way short. And Andre Onana has a way to go before he’s a Premier League ‘keeper, Champion’s League finalist or not.

When Neville has argued that managers need time, he has always done so with the caveat that a support structure needs to be in place. He has contested, quite rightly in my view, that it is utterly pointless constantly chopping and changing managers if the structure supporting those managers is absent. All that achieved is a cycle of rinse and repeat.

So when he says Ten Hag needs to be given until at least the end of the season, much as I have started to run out of patience I agree with him. He argues that Ineos need to come in, take a long hard look at the off field structure, recruit the right people to plug the gaping holes, and THEN look at the manager’s position.

Neville adopts a calm, measured approach in much of what he says. He consistently argues against the club making knee jerk decisions. Get the right structure in place, then the right manager (that may yet turn out to be Ten Hag), and then give that manager time to make his mark.

The days of managers like Ferguson are pretty much consigned to the history books, where one man ruled the roost over everything. Football has evolved, and most top clubs have evolved with it. Most, that is, apart from United. The Glazers could not give two hoots about what goes on out on the pitch as long as the tills keep ringing. That is Neville’s biggest gripe and he is absolutely spot on.

So true. For years we operated with Sullivan acting self appointed technical director and the club was run like a circus

Big Sam used to say he would ask for a defender and Sullivan would sign him a striker or a winger he didn't want and say it's a gift

Only dealing with his mate salthouse and his clients

Then Daniel kretski injected some money and some professionalism appeared. The club had direction

We appointed Tim steinten in the summer as tech director and he got to work using the rice money to get in JWP, already and kudus .. then we added Dino's

We have direction and a plan for the first time ever

Sure we won't win the league but at least we aren't run like a shambles anymore

 

[IanM]

Superb post, Billy.

Agree. Especially about the tills ringing.

My Cheshire cousins who were season ticket holders before they could walk have all stopped going. Said they won't go back till Glasers hop it.

But, how long before the next generation of "footy tourists" who keep the tills ringing, latch on to another, um, "brand?"

 

[Aztecs27]

What’s the main difference between coopers side and Nunos.

Just more positive all round. Looking back, Cooper, a lot of the time, played not to lose. Nuno (so far) plays to win.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

 

[Hobbit]

Did you listen to what he said this evening?

He reinforced, yet again, that United are the only (alleged) top club still operating without a CEO, sporting director and head of recruitment. Successive managers have been asked to operate without any structure in place to support them and, more importantly, make sure there are checks and balances in place. As Neville put it, Ten Hag has been given the keys to the safe and it shows. Casemiro for £60m and on a five year contract at £400k a week. Antony for £85m. Real and Ajax, respectively, must have thought all their Christmases had come at once.

If Man United want to progress they absolutely need to listen to Neville and get an off field structure in place. They need those three posts filled so that the post holders can sit down with the manager, whoever that might be, discuss what the plan is, and together identify and recruit the players with the attributes to fit into that plan. Importantly, they also need to be confident that the attributes of any transfer targets are such that they can perform in the Premier League. Antony is way short. And Andre Onana has a way to go before he’s a Premier League ‘keeper, Champion’s League finalist or not.

When Neville has argued that managers need time, he has always done so with the caveat that a support structure needs to be in place. He has contested, quite rightly in my view, that it is utterly pointless constantly chopping and changing managers if the structure supporting those managers is absent. All that achieved is a cycle of rinse and repeat.

So when he says Ten Hag needs to be given until at least the end of the season, much as I have started to run out of patience I agree with him. He argues that Ineos need to come in, take a long hard look at the off field structure, recruit the right people to plug the gaping holes, and THEN look at the manager’s position.

Neville adopts a calm, measured approach in much of what he says. He consistently argues against the club making knee jerk decisions. Get the right structure in place, then the right manager (that may yet turn out to be Ten Hag), and then give that manager time to make his mark.

The days of managers like Ferguson are pretty much consigned to the history books, where one man ruled the roost over everything. Football has evolved, and most top clubs have evolved with it. Most, that is, apart from United. The Glazers could not give two hoots about what goes on out on the pitch as long as the tills keep ringing. That is Neville’s biggest gripe and he is absolutely spot on.

Not sure the detail of Ratcliffe’s role but I did see a clip that he will be head of football operations. Maybe he’ll put the structure in place.

 

[4LEX]

Did you listen to what he said this evening?

He reinforced, yet again, that United are the only (alleged) top club still operating without a CEO, sporting director and head of recruitment. Successive managers have been asked to operate without any structure in place to support them and, more importantly, make sure there are checks and balances in place. As Neville put it, Ten Hag has been given the keys to the safe and it shows. Casemiro for £60m and on a five year contract at £400k a week. Antony for £85m. Real and Ajax, respectively, must have thought all their Christmases had come at once.

If Man United want to progress they absolutely need to listen to Neville and get an off field structure in place. They need those three posts filled so that the post holders can sit down with the manager, whoever that might be, discuss what the plan is, and together identify and recruit the players with the attributes to fit into that plan. Importantly, they also need to be confident that the attributes of any transfer targets are such that they can perform in the Premier League. Antony is way short. And Andre Onana has a way to go before he’s a Premier League ‘keeper, Champion’s League finalist or not.

When Neville has argued that managers need time, he has always done so with the caveat that a support structure needs to be in place. He has contested, quite rightly in my view, that it is utterly pointless constantly chopping and changing managers if the structure supporting those managers is absent. All that achieved is a cycle of rinse and repeat.

So when he says Ten Hag needs to be given until at least the end of the season, much as I have started to run out of patience I agree with him. He argues that Ineos need to come in, take a long hard look at the off field structure, recruit the right people to plug the gaping holes, and THEN look at the manager’s position.

Neville adopts a calm, measured approach in much of what he says. He consistently argues against the club making knee jerk decisions. Get the right structure in place, then the right manager (that may yet turn out to be Ten Hag), and then give that manager time to make his mark.

The days of managers like Ferguson are pretty much consigned to the history books, where one man ruled the roost over everything. Football has evolved, and most top clubs have evolved with it. Most, that is, apart from United. The Glazers could not give two hoots about what goes on out on the pitch as long as the tills keep ringing. That is Neville’s biggest gripe and he is absolutely spot on.

You don't need a world class structure to realise appointing ETH and letting him waste £400m on rubbish wasn't a wise idea. I can assure you at the time of these signings Neville was lauding the club for backing the manager especially after the League Cup win. Now it's all turned out to be another false dawn he's come out with his usual 'Captain Hindsight' nonsense. He's got zero credibility as everything he's done as a manager at Valencia and as an owner at Salford City has contradicted his monthly rantings on Sky Sports. The guy is a parody of himself these days.

For a club the size of Man Utd to fail so badly is actually harder than it is for them to succeed. They've got everything in their favour and have still failed. For sure they need a better set up off the pitch but it's really not that difficult to identify world class players when you've got a bigger budget and wage structure than any other club. ETH doesn't deserve more time, he deserves the sack tonight.

You say the days of managers like Ferguson have ended but the likes of Pep, Klopp and even Arteta would have a huge say in their transfer targets and they're the clubs constantly at the top. Pep fell out with Cancelo and he was gone within a few weeks. Chelsea are the opposite where the manager has no say in transfers and look how that's worked out.

Neville is right on the Glazers but he was happy enough to take their money from 2005 to when he hung up his boots.

 

[Billysboots]

You don't need a world class structure to realise appointing ETH and letting him waste £400m on rubbish wasn't a wise idea. I can assure you at the time of these signings Neville was lauding the club for backing the manager especially after the League Cup win. Now it's all turned out to be another false dawn he's come out with his usual 'Captain Hindsight' nonsense. He's got zero credibility as everything he's done as a manager at Valencia and as an owner at Salford City has contradicted his monthly rantings on Sky Sports. The guy is a parody of himself these days.

For a club the size of Man Utd to fail so badly is actually harder than it is for them to succeed. They've got everything in their favour and have still failed. For sure they need a better set up off the pitch but it's really not that difficult to identify world class players when you've got a bigger budget and wage structure than any other club. ETH doesn't deserve more time, he deserves the sack tonight.

You say the days of managers like Ferguson have ended but the likes of Pep, Klopp and even Arteta would have a huge say in their transfer targets and they're the clubs constantly at the top. Pep fell out with Cancelo and he was gone within a few weeks. Chelsea are the opposite where the manager has no say in transfers and look how that's worked out.

Neville is right on the Glazers but he was happy enough to take their money from 2005 to when he hung up his boots.

We’re going to have to agree to disagree.

 

[srixon 1]

Is this a footie thread or a Manchester United thread? Get over yourselves. Football is cyclic and teams come and go. Man U are a great club, but just because they had fantastic success with Fergie for 20 years does not mean that they have the right to win every match they ever play, for evermore . When Man City lose Pep as manager I’m sure that they will go the same way. It will be interesting to see which team replaces them as top dog.

 

[backwoodsman]

What an absolutely splendid afternoon of football! Forest beat United, and all the other teams at our end of the table lose. More of the same again please..

 

[Billysboots]

Is this a footie thread or a Manchester United thread? Get over yourselves. Football is cyclic and teams come and go. Man U are a great club, but just because they had fantastic success with Fergie for 20 years does not mean that they have the right to win every match they ever play, for evermore .

What a curious post to add to a football related thread in the hours after a game involving a particular club. Liverpool are discussed after Liverpool games, West Ham after their games and so on.

I didn’t realise there was an embargo on discussing Manchester United just because they used to be half decent, and are now anything but.