good stuff from the irish independent in which (imo) he hits the N on the H regarding january transfer moves: "It could be that already O'Neill has identified certain weaknesses and he will not be reluctant to point them out to his new American owner Ellis Short. However, O'Neill is enough of a politician to avoid any precipitous moves that might endanger the current surge of well-being. When he broke with another American investor in English football, Aston Villa's Randy Lerner, it was in the belief that vital progress was being lost through a failure to significantly re-seed a team that needed a fresh injection of talent and proven achievement. Such an argument at the Stadium of Light can comfortably await the close season. By then, O'Neill will have sifted short-term reactions to a new challenge, and new leadership, from clear evidence that certain players have the right levels of self-confidence and talent to help form a successful future. For the moment O'Neill, as Clough was all those years ago, is happy that his players have responded to some of the most fundamental demands on a winning team". I love this bit as well "Having paid more than £300,000 for Derry man McClean, Bruce announced that he was one for the future. O'Neill took one look at him and announced that the future was now".................... http://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...d-believing-could-united-be-next-2981463.html
And there lies the difference between Bruce and MON. Even though we've struggled all season on the left wing, Bruce wouldn't act, MON takes one look at the lad, has a word, boosts his confidence and chucks him on. The kid responded and for now at least we have a threat from the left wing. It's called Man Management, something Bruce was ****e at.
Great read. Thanks for pointing this out. I liked this bit: "The most crucial job of a manager," says O'Neill, "is to inspire the players to show the best, to remind them of the qualities that first made them professionals. Pride is quite a big part of this." and the last part: "Now there is a bracing symmetry in the fact that O'Neill has found a challenge at the club which, as a boy, he revered along with its Irish Cork-born superstar Charlie Hurley. Plainly it could be his last, even if it is also true that he has surely represented his credentials to a Manchester United who now must be worrying about Ferguson's long-term ability to deal comfortably with changing times, and resources. If this is O'Neill's last stand as a front-rank manager he could not have made a more promising start. It is one which has reannounced the basis of all great managerial careers. This is the ability to lift players to new levels of confidence in their own ability. It's the knack of making them believe." I would add that MON has also got the knack of making the fans believe again, which is a great achievement, looking back just 6 weeks to the mood in the SOL and on forums like this. But he is right, the future is now and tomorrow's game will (hopefully) show us and the world how much MON means business here.
At last, an intelligent piece of journolism. The English press should take note instead of filling their pages with ****e from a stool in the pub.
Thanks for the post as I've been away a bit & have tried to catch up quickly & this is the best I've read to date. Quick as ever Billy Happy New Year lads
