Football 2013-2014

[DomDom1984]

That Barca side listed btw. The best side to play in my lifetime.

[Wooderson]

Thats the Barcelona side that won the Treble. Scored 105 goals in the league.

[eFestivals]

One season isn't going to make much difference, after that then maybe.

I think you're kidding yourself.

The players of the level you need to guarantee CL footie are now beyond Utd.

There are plenty of very good players left to choose from, but they're not as good (unless you get lucky, eg: Liverpool with Suarez) and they make the chance of instant bounce-back less likely than if you had access to the very best.

But depending what mindset Utd go into making signings with, it's not all bad. It gives them the opportunity to think about things a bit differently, of perhaps making great young signings that will do them better over time than (not ) spunking huge amounts on the very best.

Unfortunately for Utd, I don't get the impression that things being done over time is a satisfactory way forwards for the club from a financial point of view. Which means its gamble or bust, by the look of things.

[zahidf]

I think you're kidding yourself.

The players of the level you need to guarantee CL footie are now beyond Utd.

There are plenty of very good players left to choose from, but they're not as good (unless you get lucky, eg: Liverpool with Suarez) and they make the chance of instant bounce-back less likely than if you had access to the very best.

But depending what mindset Utd go into making signings with, it's not all bad. It gives them the opportunity to think about things a bit differently, of perhaps making great young signings that will do them better over time than (not ) spunking huge amounts on the very best.

Unfortunately for Utd, I don't get the impression that things being done over time is a satisfactory way forwards for the club from a financial point of view. Which means its gamble or bust, by the look of things.

[The Nal]

Anyway, i thought the Man Utd philiosiphy was to not throw money at a problem? And to stick with their managers?

[thetime]

Well, they've gambled around 70 millions on Felliani and Mata... Wonder how much more they will need?

Anyway, i thought the Man Utd philiosiphy was to not throw money at a problem? And to stick with their managers?

Edited April 29, 2014 by thetime

[mrpman]

Baresi, Maldini, Costacurta, Rijkaard, Van Basten. Hell of a team.

I did get to see Pep's Barca in the CL against Lyon in 2009.

Victor Valdés

Rafael Márquez

Gerard Piqué

Carles Puyol

Dani Alves

Yaya Touré

Sergio Busquets

Seydou Keita

Xavi

Thierry Henry

Samuel Eto'o

Lionel Messi

On paper that is just a staggering side.

Edited April 29, 2014 by mrpman

[zahidf]

When's it been united policy not to spend money? We kept breaking the transfer record in the 80s when we were unsuccessful, carried on doing it in the 90s.

[The Nal]

[thetime]

Oh, loads of Man Utd fans said that about Man City and Chelsea.

Along with the managers being sacked after less than a year, no more moral high ground left!

[mrtourette]

Man Utd will still have pull this Summer if they make a managerial appointemnt that will convince potential signings that they'll be back in the top four straight away.

[zahidf]

Man Utd will still have pull this Summer if they make a managerial appointemnt that will convince potential signings that they'll be back in the top four straight away.

[ThomThomDrum]

Its like something you'd do with the cheats on in Pro Evo. Outrageous stuff.

That Diego youtube clip was great.

As is this Van Basten one. Hes right footed. The first few goals here are left footed and wordlies.

A complete footballer.

[eFestivals]

Cant afford to do that with owners like the Glazers anymore.

corrected for you.

[ThomThomDrum]

I see Ryan Giggs' Dad, Mr Wilson, has been chatting about him. (You can just feel the love)

http://balls.ie/football/ryan-giggs-father-is-no-fan-of-his-son/

To be a manager you have to have trust.

I don’t see how the players can trust him after what he did to his brother. You judge a man by his actions.

If you know him to be a cheat, unfaithful and a liar, how do you trust the man?

He may be respected in his football ability.

But he’s a coward and a mummy’s boy. He’s my son and I know him.

What he’s done to my other son Rhodri — he’s broken him.

I can’t even say his name, that’s how pissed off I am. I went to see him play with Manchester United v Cardiff, three or four months ago.

I went along because he was on the bench, but when he came on the pitch, I left.

Every Cardiff City supporter booed him when he came on — not because he played for United but because of what he did to his brother.

He’s dull as dishwater.

He’s got no personality. He bores me to death when he talks.

He’s not cut out to be a manager in my eyes...........................etc etc etc

[eFestivals]

But Giggs has a fantastic scoring record home and away, that makes him the perfect manager.

[mrtourette]

He also knows the fans and knows the club.

[The Nal]

I see Ryan Giggs' Dad, Mr Wilson, has been chatting about him. (You can just feel the love)

[zahidf]

He also knows the fans and knows the club.

Edited April 29, 2014 by zahidf

[The Nal]

And he's an English manager who needs to be given a chance over the flashy foreigners.

Anyway, he is the next Guardiola. If Man Utd don't give him the job permanently, they will look very stupid when he does well at a competitors club...

[DomDom1984]

Nobody can be sure how Giggs will do. I think it's just for United to see if he's worth the risk. It can't be any worse, that's for sure. I ain't sure how willing United will be to spend the sort of money they NEED to spend to back him though, and If they do give the money, is Giggs able to know how to spend it?

[zahidf]

Funny letter from football 365 saying why Giggs should be permananet manager

'Forget 'experience' when it comes to appointing the next Utd manager. Experience is merely a probability that someone is good at certain traits - Moyes was experienced in BPL anyway, but was inadequately experienced in the areas that mattered. In fact, there are three factors that Giggs should be judged upon and in my opinion, I think he is a better candidate than what most people thinks.

1) Influence in the dressing room - This is perhaps where Giggs will fare better over van Gaal. I would argue that no realistic managers out there would be more experienced in how United works, and as influential. Giggs is a United man and players throughout the whole first team and academy recognises that as gospel. While van Gaal would rule with an iron fist - and there's no guarantee how the players would react to that - and a CV of trophies, Giggs would rule with the confidence that he is United's/Ferguson's/fans' favourite son and after all, Giggs is no stranger to winning trophies through and through himself.

2) Tactical understanding and qualities - This is what separates the Guardiola from Moyes, Simeone from Bruce. This is also where English coaches seem to be lacking by far. Often, managers get their tactical philosophy from their playing days; and clearly Giggs and Co will excel in this area. As Giggs matured through his ages, he shifted from being an individualistic player to being a brilliant team player with an eye for efficacy. Would you think Giggs would be happy with the 81 crosses played against Fulham? I doubt so. While Scholes was playing, he often hated losing the ball, and rarely did so. As a coach, these traits would then translate to the team. In fact, under Moyes, defenders like Evra and Vidic often average pass completion of 75% - 80%, while interestingly, against Norwich, the same players averaged around 90%. Clearly a shift in instructions, even if it's just one game.

3) Micro management of players - Possibly an area of suspect for Giggs, but how he deals with sulking players, egos and motivating them day to day will be critical. Ferguson was a master in this and van Gaal clearly has more experience in this respect, having managed title winning squads throughout his life. This is one area that Giggs is relatively green at, but yet it is possible that he might be good at it or learn quickly on job. It's would probably be something only the United team and hierarchy can judge upon.

In conclusion, Giggs is indeed a decent choice for the full-time appointment and I think the so called 'lack of experience' is simply a lazy judgement of his abilities. While there is definitely risk in his appointment - so too with van Gaal, the potential rewards of possibly grooming the next manager of 10-20 years should not be overlooked as well. With van Gaal, things may have to change drastically after three years, while with Giggs, we are looking at potential long-term stability in the mould of Ferguson's.

Gabriel, MUFC (Had Giggs been the Chosen One, it would be more believable), Singapore

[thetime]

Nobody can be sure how Giggs will do. I think it's just for United to see if he's worth the risk. It can't be any worse, that's for sure. I ain't sure how willing United will be to spend the sort of money they NEED to spend to back him though, and If they do give the money, is Giggs able to know how to spend it?

Edited April 29, 2014 by thetime

[eFestivals]

I think he is a better candidate than what most people thinks.

and I think this geezer is a better stupid than what most people thinks.

[DomDom1984]

This is a genuine question. I have no idea to the answer. What experience did Guardiola have before he took the Barcelona job?

Giggs will be in the frame by default. Even if it's just to give a respectful glance to him and bypass him, he'll be in the frame.