weebittight

Too young to retire but he is a throw back <old-fashioned > full back who needed upgrading long before Martinez darkened the doors of GP. I want to hug him for his tenacity < an kill him for his shanked of floaty crosses that led to nothing>. A promotion chasing team could do worse than employ Hibbert.

Yeah I thought what I meant was obvious but I'll try to make it clearer

 

He must take the credit of course for finding the perfect way to utilise Messi (although let's be honest, he's good everywhere), for promoting players from the cantera, for taking advantage of the fact that they had been playing possession football since they were young, etc. These are no small feats. But people seem to credit him with creating this high pressing, possession based tiki-taka football that Barcelona are now known for, when this philosophy had been present at the club at all levels for years. Most of the players he started had already had years to gel as well (again, he knew this and that's why he selected them).

 

As for Mourinho and "after that he was not exactly given chopped liver to work with". Well, no he wasn't, but like I said above it was on merit because he won the Champions League with Porto, and he was also given the Porto job because he did well with Leiria.

He was but Porto were underachieving with some very good footballers - some of whom Mourinho took with him on his travels thereafter - and I have already tipped my cap for same. For someone with two left feet ie a failed player - Mourinho certainly made the most of his opportunities so fair play to the **** I just don't like him - and I refuse to believe everything he says is a "Clever mind game" as some suggest. Sometimes he is just a crasse little pugnacious git.

Back to PG. He obviously showed some nous for coaching to go along with his reputation as Barca great so getting the gig so early in his career isn't really luck I would suggest. Different class as an individual but that apart you have to give credit to him for making the transition from player to coach so smoothly. I don't believe anyone could simply have taken over and be ensured of success with Bara as is being suggested by a few people.

Your apparent tone and accompanying "Smilie" not appreciated.

Putting the right players in the right palces eh? I'd have thought that was the key. I once shifted a girl from centre forward to left back - much to the consternation of her father - a US postal worker who pinned me up against a wall with his chest but I didn't give a fuck and the team improved. The kid liked playing left back an I put her on pens and free-kicks She actually scored more from full back. But enough about my own coaching genius.

I loved Cloughie and what he did will never be replicated. But do not understimate the qualities of Guariola. If anyone can make Bayern even better it is him. Maybe he should start posturing, adulterating and gouging people in the eye < from behind> like Mourinho. How so many fawn to this particular cock. On the subject of him. You cannot but admire what he did at Porto - well except for the time-wasting, injury feigning and diving antics he encouraged < continued with the likes of Drogba and Robben at Chelsea>. After that he was not exactly given chopped liver to work with was he?

I would argue that PG would do a better job with Fulham than Jol btw. I imagine Messi would help them greatly too.

I don't think Goldilocks is a horse's hoof to be fair. He has a couple of kids so he has at least had sex twice with a woman. Chelsea fans will be asking themselves where all that agression last Saturday was hiding since he joined them. Have to say Vertongen has fallen in my estimation with that injury feigning act.

After last night "Shoot from anywhere" might be a good instruction.

Bound to be a reaction after the footballing lesson by Bayern. Hopefully they are still shell shocked.

Great manager, doesnt have the ego that ensure perma clashes with players. He dropped Messi once to rest him, Messi threw his toys out the pram as he wanted to play - guardiola simply took it as a learning "you don't rest messi when he doesnt want to be rested". That would go against the likes of many wanna be fergies... the thing is Fergie knew the players he had to tolerate to a certain degree.

 

Players will respond to manager when they know their voices are heard and they can be treated like adults.

 

There's a fine line between becoming a disciplinarian with troublesome players and taking on board feedback from good professionals

 

Guardiola was the manager united should have got - fergie waited too long

Yes. You are only going to be short term if you manufacture arguments to get what you want a la Jose. He will inevitably fall out with almost everyone but because he can point to great success it doesn't seem to tarnish him. I much prefer the dignity of PG

Seems Guardiola had a lot of hurdles to overcome and changes to make in his early days with Barca. When he "inherited" Messi for example the boy was playing on the right wing.

He is the top man/best coach for me. Tweaked a few things that will make Bayern even better I think. Reacted positively to criticism from ex Bayern players <who are always ready with an opinion> instead of taking the hump.

Seems he took the year out partly because Mourinho had dragged things into the gutter towards the end of his time with Barca and added to his burn out. United should have done everything they could do get this chap. Perhaps they did.

I'd take a draw but I honestly think we have a chance against most teams home or away with an improved team and a plan B. City blow hot and cold. Lets us hope it is the latter on Saturday. Looking forward to what will be a real test for the new look Blues.

I thought he should have closed Cabaye down quicker for his goal personally but he had a solid game apart from that.

I'd give the credit to Cabaye's shooting ability for this goal. McCarthy wasn't that far off him and he still found the top corner.

He will be tapped up when on duty with Engerland - that's for certain.

He certainly looks like the real McCoy. The Happy One looking like a bit like plum currently. Plank Brother One < Neville> and The Eunouch < Carragher> waxing lyrical about the all round game of this lad. Please let him stay healthy for the whole season.

Their two goals took the gloss of it a bit but I think most of us would have taken a win of any kind before kick off. Hard for us to keep up the high standards of the first half and for the Deluded Goedies not to show some element of fight in the second. Cabaye is a good footballer. Very pleased with the start, the unbeaten record and the improvement in the quality of our play. Martinez is a breath of fresh air.

No issues last night re not being in their face when not in possession. Newcastle always likely to make a fight of it in the second half after a rollicking from the Slimy Toad <Pardew>. First goal was a wonder strike and the second down to Baines being over-matched in the air and Jagielka being beaten to the knock down.

Long term absentees of pick up subsiduary injuries when returning.

Yes - Stones was playing regular football for Barnsley at RB but has been tipped to be a central defender. Looks like he is not far off ready based on the glimpses I have seen.

He certainly is a stubborn ******.

I think he got carried away with the win over Le Merd and thought he could just trot out any combo against The Baggies and get a victory. I have said this many times before about Moyes but i think it is still appropriate - his best selections are often forced on him through injury or suspensions ie he could n't pick his nose when he has something to pick from. I tipped my cap to him when he departed but I am not sorry he's gone.

Teacleov a make-weight in a deal for another player eh. What did we pay for him again?

Going to have to record this one and watch it later. Double jobbing sucks my friends as many of you will understand.

I fancy us. They are not without talent but they do not have our heart. A home goal for Drogba Junior in a comfortable 2-0 success.

Irish league teams <part-time football> used to employ a strategy away from home in Europe where they actually conceded the half and didn't press until the ball crossed the half-way line - case in point Crusaders narrow defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in 1976. The Crues played their normal game at home and lost 5-0.

Not sure if my friend was being sarcastic about my post but I am merely suggesting that for one reason or another it is hard to stick like glue to an opponent for ninety minutes.

Phil Neville continues to annoy me even though he has nothing to do with Everton any more. I need to relax a bit.

On Liverpool - I think Suarez will torment teams once he shakes off the ring rust. Kelly is fit again which is a major bonus for them and they have Johnson and Coutinho to return. No cup distractions for The Sh*te so I think they will push hard but probably come up short of fourth place.

On United - pleased as The Wizard will be there are still more questions than answers. Jonny Evans was man of the Match but he let a ball just drift over his head at one point - which Suarez mis-controlled. Nothing to blow the skirt up other than Rooney and Van Persie - possibly the new youngster who is knocking on the door. Maybe they can get something nice for Christmas.

I believe Sunderland pulled the plug on Martin O'Neill too quickly. I have no doubt he would have kept them up. The players were complaining that he gave them too many days off but when they had it the other way with Mussolini the same ******* were moaning again.

Di Canio is a sandwich short of a picnic. Him standing in front of the mackem faithfull last Saturday gesturing and pouting was Mourihoesque and embarrassing.

I kind of like Gus Poyet but that gig is a poison challice.

United are standing the same distance away too, so maybe it's just modern coaching as I can't see Moyes' changing United players approach so quickly.

 

Anybody still playing coached footy ?

I'd have thought the instruction would be touch tight at set pieces or in the defensive third. If you are touch tight in central midfield it would negate transition and deny space when you retain the ball - as some have alluded to already.

I have coached at semi professional level in N.Ireland and at both youth and college level in the USA.

I think we rode our luck in the Chelsea game but I don't think there was any lack of defensive intensity. It is still early in the season so it should not be surprising that some midfielders have lost their man a few times through fatigue - but since we now have a proper transition aspect to our play there will occasions when we will be exposed. I expect the players to adapt quickly and the fact that we are unbeaten and have had a couple of clean sheets suggests we are not as likely to be scored on as is being suggested.

You have got to take your chances. Not our night. Coleman close with a lovely left footed effort but should have scored with another on his favoured right. More strong running from Lukaku. And young Deffo looked tricky. Disappointed to be out but wins at The Cottage come rarely for us no matter what team we put out.

Changes to the team expected from both sides. Home advantage usually decides our games with The Cottagers. Maybe we will pinch it on penalties.

I think The Happy One's pure stubborness will prevent Chelsea from winning the title. For example If he cannot accomodate a talent like Mata into a team with currently no potent forwards btw he is a ****.

So then;

City

Chelsea

United

Arsenal

Spurs

For the drop - Fulham, Sunderland and Palace

Definitely top ten for Everton - which would be acceptable for the new manager's first year in charge.