01 Dec 2016 14:34:08
We have a squad theoretically capable of winning any competition we enter. What separates a winner from the rest is attitude and confidence: a frame of mind. The post-Ferguson era has been devoid of the right mental qualities. The margins between success and failure are often very small - a Stevie G slip, for example. You need some players with a bit of swagger. We've been missing them. That's why Mourinho wanted Ibra and Pogba. The Mata's and Herreras of this world are excellent players, but they cannot win the league for you.
It may be too late to win the EPL, or even make the top 4, but don't write us off yet. Players whose last couple of years have been fraught with failure are starting to play to their potential. Now we have a big squad capable of weathering a few injuries and competing on multiple fronts.
So stop being so hypercritical and neurotic. It feeds into the players, and it may also contribute to the expectation of failure.
A final word on Luke Shaw. Get off his back folks. Full recovery goes beyond the physical repair. The mental side takes longer. And those of you who may think Mourinho doesn't want him should remember that there was much talk of him going to Chelsea before he ultimately signed for us. We have enough depth to give him this year to regain his confidence and full match fitness.
01 Dec 2016 15:38:11
Very good post Shaw.
01 Dec 2016 16:06:37
I don't know about that. Quite a few people have been making excuses about Jose not having the squad which explains the terrible league position, but now you write a post about how he has the squad it's just the mentality (I agree with that wholeheartedly which is why I am very annoyed about how we have faired so far) . The ones with the swagger have been very poor performers for the most part, Pogba hasn't unpacked yet it seems - so we have their X factor to come as well!
Don't forget Moyes was unlucky to get knocked out of the League Cup semi final against Sunderland (DDG major error, funnily enough), then he had us the better team against Bayern in the CL QF's. It's hard to know if he had us playing better or worse than Jose on the whole (not just the past few games) because of LVG in between. But these past 3-4 games we have improved a great deal, I'd reserve judgement for the next 6 games, as we have a habit of playing a blinder then looking rubbish again.
What we say on here will not effect the players whatsoever, if it did for whatever reason then they are too weak to be in the public limelight plying their trade - plus the mainstream media do 10 times worse.
Last night was fantastic at times, let's see what happens Sunday before we start throwing praise Jose's way (he wasn't evening managing them last night), because this is the worst league start for a generation and as you say I think we have a squad capable of winning the league, it's just how he manages them that will make the difference.
01 Dec 2016 19:20:32
Beast,
You've got to be kidding about Moyes, we were an absolute embarrassment at times in that season . The likes of City and Liverpool walked all over us and as for being unlucky against Sunderland, luck should never come into it if we're playing Sunderland in a two legged tie.
01 Dec 2016 21:04:25
Haven't we been an embarrassment at times this season, remember the 20 odd games before this recent good form? Moyes had a few good very good games, a lot of very bad ones granted. He did better in the league so far, he did just as well in the cups, I think we played better at the start under him than we did under Mourinho as well.
Mouninho has only recently let the shackles off, and remember who we have played and in what competitions as well.
{Ed025's Note - thats a bit negative if you dont mind me saying beast, whether you like it or not jose is the manager and to be fair things are improving, how about getting behind the manager and the team and seeing how far he can take you this season...you never know you might just enjoy it mate..
01 Dec 2016 21:16:45
Hi Ed - I am totally behind the manager, I am also being positive about a former manager. Moyes wasn't as bad as some make out, he followed SAF, had Mounrinho performed as he has after SAF most fans would be after him! I'm happy with the recent style, I hope it continues, but we shouldn't big Jose up just yet, it's unfair if you ask me.
{Ed025's Note - im not asking you to big him up beast...just to give him a shot, some are expecting miracles but he has only been in the job 5 minutes and even though im not his biggest fan he will need time mate, moyes never got time either and the microwave supporters demanding instant success got him sacked, at this rate you will have more managers than players..
01 Dec 2016 21:21:09
I think your talking rubbish here beast. With any luck weer would be 6 points beget off if we had got what we deserved v stoke burnley and arsenal.
And of course Jose was managing them last night. He prepared the team Took half time and called the changes.
These have got to be some of your poorest posts for a long time mate.
01 Dec 2016 23:17:17
Things are definitely improving but please give Jose and the team breathing space to succeed. Let's all just enjoy the ride which will have highs and lows but at least it won't be boring.
02 Dec 2016 07:03:39
Beast mate, your posts have always been logical/ resaonable. But not this one mate.
I understand you want to emphasize it is too early to start praising Jose but for that the things you have said is a bit strange.
02 Dec 2016 09:38:04
after the same amount of games moyes had more points than jose .
i agree moyes was no where near as bad as people make out but the fans who had known nothing but fergy had a melt down when we were not pushing for the title . just like now .
i actualy think jose has a far better squad than moyes did .
02 Dec 2016 10:53:14
Exactly my point jred. I am surprised people are saying my posts are crazy, when it is a proven fact that Moyes started better and it's beyond reasonable argument that we struggled up until recently to look anything like a top team under Jose. I appreciate it's in vogue to be nothing but positive following 3-4 good performances, but I am looking at the season so far, not just the past few weeks.
I like all of us want us to maintain the performance levels and really enjoyed recent quality on the pitch, i'm just pointing out that there is a long way to go yet and a few good performances don't mean everything is great. Even LVG had a few good games, Moyes certainly did (Leverkusen was one of the best performances I have seen for a long time) . Things don;t look far away from clicking properly, but we have been saying that for a few years now.
Jose has a lot of advantages, let's hope he makes the most of it, starting with Sunday.