For me, this has become a "must win" game. It will define our team - not the manager - a man who has done good things at many different clubs before us, the reaction must be positive from the players. They are the ones who must listen to O'Neill and try to improve 100% for our club, the manager and mostly for us, the poor saps who will go and cheer them on. We are passionate about our club. Personally I love SAFC, not football really. If they can't step up to the mark this weekend, I for one don't want them there. It cannot be dropped on the toes of the manager all the time. These men are professionals. I am a professional in my field and always try 100% for my employers. They pay me. So. We must win. If not for us, for their own professional pride. Not enough of that was shown last night for me. End of sermon. x
Bollocks Bobby, O'Neill picks the team and tactics. As manager, and as in any other walk of life, he takes responsibility. It is his job to MANAGE the players and get the best out of them. That's his job!
Got to say that some of the players couldn't pass wind after a baked bean eating contest. 75% the fault of the players. As professional footballers on 20, 30 40, 50,000 per week they should be told to go out there and do what the hell they like and still be better than they have been so far this season. The managers job is surely done during the week on the training ground and the pre match tactical meeting. I for one can't believe that MON would ask his player 's to go out and have no shots, don't bother passing to a team mate. Kick every free kick and corner so hard that it goes straight out of play. YES, MON picks the team and decides the formation, BUT the players should be able to do better.
Ok, but we have seen all these players do better, 100x better then at present. So again, ultimately that is down to O'Neill. If they wont play for him then get somebody who they will perform for.
Who? Who will come anyway if we are a sacking club. We aren't Chelsea. We have a manager who allegedly is a supporter. Its the players' attitude that must change. x
Managers tactics clearly have something to do with it, but the players (admittedly) know they need to pull their ****ing fingers out, apply themselves to the game better and be more positive. I put the bulk of the weak performances down to the players, at least 75%. Didn't MON (and I'm not admonishing him - see what I did there?) try for 4-4-2 the other night. It worked for about 15 mins then the players arses fell-out when Boro had a go. I'm all for solid man management (remember what most of these players said about the bloke when he first came here, how great he was at getting the best out of them), but why do these lads need to be spoon-fed/cuddled/boosted up on a regular basis to kick a ball about and claim their extortionate wages. They all need to man-up for themselves for a ****ing change, they really do. Time to get Chopper Reid in for a team talk - if you ain't seen it, this is funny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EY7lYRneHc
They all have a responsibility to perform, players and manager alike and don't forget, MON will be on fantastic wages as well. Football is a team game and they must perform as a team and that includes the manager. I was looking for a reaction after the dismal derby game, it never happened the other night, now i'm expecting a reaction against Villa, i hope to **** we get one.
You're right. they all do, mate. but that's kinda my point. 25% manager, 75% players. i don't think either are performing as best they can..
