I think that United players feel better protected for having a mentally strong manager. Especially the young players. Since 1992, I cannot think of a time when "the pressure has got to us".
Good thread, @Swarbs, The very same thing you blame on rafa losing his head is the very thing he is accused of in his entire tenure, too defensive rotation ect now it was all down to the rant. Liverpool failed that season because they failed ot get 1 goal in 4 of their draws to make 4 points 12 points. It IS that simple. As for Keegan, the guy is obviously fragile mentally, he's proven that, he is too emotional to be in that game, it had nothing to do with mind games, he cracked under the pressure. Mancini, the mere suggestion he puts more effort into lashing out at fergie instead of winning games is probably the stupidest thing posted this year. imho mind games have more effect on fans and the media than managers and players, I mean that managers and players have a lot goin on but fans and the media can sit on this and see it as far bigger than it is
Then maybe you should look at the 0 3 Milan game, should look at the chelsea league wins and the arsenal league wins, there was certainly pressure in those seasons and it did get to the team, they flet the pressure of being chanpions and losing their title slowly over 38 games when they are pretty much used ot picking it up every year, the more you win it the harder it is losing it. If you dont believe me, then I can tell you if united and liverpool dont win the league this year, who'll be more cut up, you or me?
Last season there was little to choose between Utd, City, Chelsea and Arsenal in terms of the quality of their squads and their teams. Chelsea, in particular, were close to being unchanged from their 09/10 double winners. Utd were probably the best, but not by a nine point margin - that is down to the manager. This season City are largely recognised as having a better team, although not as much squad depth, and Utd are still top. No. Cos Liverpool are a bag of **** this season But if SAF was in charge of City, then I expect the gap between City and Utd at this stage would be around 8-10 points. Of course they aren't in the same game you muppet! Where were Utd when City drew with Stoke? Playing in a different game! Come on, it's a simple concept, you must be able to grasp this... True, but then the rotation etc hadn't hurt Liverpool up to the point he made his rant. Yet within a month of him going off on one Liverpool had dropped off the top of the table. I'm not saying the rant caused a total collapse, but it definitely affected his judgement and contributed to those dropped points. I agree, but then the psychological aspect has definitely affected him. Why else did he play Tevez for 25 minutes against Chelsea, during which time he was City's most effective player by a long way, and yet only give him 15 minutes against Stoke despite Tevez being fitter by then? Net result = points dropped against Stoke. I agree with this too - the media blows a lot of it out of proportion, but it still has an effect. Even if all it does is serve as a distraction, that distraction can be vital in a tight title race. Wouldn't say any of those was down to pressure apart from Arsenal's win in 98. Kaka was simply unplayable in the 3-0 Milan game, and in 02, 04, 05 and 06 we dropped off the pace way before the pressure really came on. It was only 98 where we had a big lead and cracked under a flawless Arsenal chase. Tho' you could say we cracked a wee bit in 2010 after Chelsea got their dodgy win and we then went on to drop crucial points at Blackburn. Not sure your argument follows there as Liverpool don't have a chance. The better comparison would be which of Utd or City would be more cut up if they didn't win the league? Utd who won it last season and know they'll get another crack in the future, or City dreaming of their first title in 40 odd years? And Liverpool were definitely more cut up about not winning the title in 2009 compared to Utd not winning in in 2010...
