Moyes is a good manager, don't get me wrong, but the Utd job is a big step up for him. He won't be used to the level of scrutiny that he'll receive and it'll be open season on his private life. He's done very well in his career so far, but this is a different test for him altogether. Constant flow of games, constant pressure and every move analysed to death. Time will tell if he can do it or not, but we all knew that Ferguson could, as he'd proved it repeatedly. As for the old manager having some sort of influence on officials now, is that actually a serious claim? He'd look ludicrous and he'd undermine the current coach. His shadow's long enough as it is, isn't it?
Nope its as ridiculous as those claiming he ever had any influence on referees. As for Moyes, hes improved as a manager everytime hes stepped up. I'd say hes done the manager thing properly. Learned his trade lower down, working with tiny budgets and worked upward improving all the time. Compared with those who start in the top jobs and are considered brilliant because they won stuff with the best team of all time......
How many times did he get banned for slagging off unfavourable refs? How many times did officials end up in the lower leagues after a Man Utd loss? How many officials ended up effectively blacklisted for big Utd games after an unfavourable result? How many times did we end up with 'controversial' decisions from Clattenburg and Webb in games against Utd? You'll be saying that he didn't act like a dictator to reporters next.
Ooooo ive done this before. Under my old account though so might take some time finding it. Lets just say it shut Liverpool fans up. Turned out it was all bullshit. Infact Liverpool had more influence and more referees who were banned from taking charge of their games. Some referees never officiated again after crossing Liverpool. Same of Chelsea and Arsenal. Never did Spurs. Funnily enough, Moyes had quite the influence on refs himself. Cant remember the name but one ref never officiated a Everton game after an incident in a Merseyside derby. Think he got Clattenberg banned/demoted as well. And **** reporters... vermin that they are. We have our own TV channel so if he needed to get something to the fans he could. Reporters can **** off.
I don't understand how United fans can talk up Fergie as the GOAT, then act as if everything will be fine once he's gone. Either he was an excellent manager or he wasn't, I think we all know the answer to that. I will not boldly predict United's complete demise from top level football as I did with Liverpool under Benitez especially, as people were predicting Chelsea would sink into the abyss once Mourinho left, yet the opposite happened. What I do believe though, is that United will be a lot closer to 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and even 6th than in previous seasons, certainly last anyway. Most football fans/pundits alike would agree with the following: - Chelsea & City (the two nearest challengers to United) have bolstered their squads. - Chelsea & City will both start the season with better managers than they had last. That's before we've even got to Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool. As of today, Arsenal haven't lost a key player for the first season in ages, Spurs have signed a top drawer midfielder and have absentees returning to fitness. Liverpool have also strengthened. Moyes (and United fans) would have been praying for an easier start, maybe Hull & Norwich at home and a gimme fixture like Sunderland away thrown into the first 6. Already, Swansea is a must win game for Moyes. If United fail to win that game, it's a big ask to beat Chelsea (by which point City could be 5/6 points ahead before a ball is kicked), then all of a sudden you have to go to Anfield, which has been a poor hunting ground for United,of late, and Moyes). Titles can't be won in August/September, but they can be lost. Just ask Arsenal (11/12) or Liverpool (09/10).
I don't think that pointing out that Liverpool do it too is a defence, to be honest. Clattenburg was banned from Everton games because he got caught blatantly changing one of his decisions because Gerrard told him to. Pulled out a yellow card, had a word with Liverpool's captained and then changed it to a red. That was after failing to send Kuyt off for a ridiculous two footed challenge.
Utd haven't replaced Keane and it has been very evident in the past two seasons that there is a great need to fill the gap. That was an issue under SAF, but it is one that Moyes has already identified. In fact, he's said he wants to sign two top quality midfielders. Of course it would be wildly optimistic to think that Moyes will immediately have the impact SAF did. But whether and to what extent he can bring success does not depend on him imitating SAF. No other club will have SAF either; other managers have had success without being SAF! There are precedents for the successors of great managers both succeeding and failing. Liverpool had the blueprint for success in the 70s and 80s and there are many parallels with the modern Utd in the way the club plans for its succession. Liverpool's period of domination eventually ended when the game changed and they didn't keep up. Utd still lead the way. The only meaningful competition in the last 7-8 years have been the clubs bankrolled by billionaires. Moyes has a lot in his favour.
Given that people were pointing out that your midfield wasn't the strongest in the league, wouldn't you say that your manager agreeing with them helps their case?
Rumour is we have ordered a 72" LED from argos Dave. Its why Woodward had to fly back urgently. It was a secret but you just had to let it slip Dave. Why Dave? Why?
Who? What sort of influence do you think he'll have and has he been bought as a replacement for Holtby or to free him up to play another position ? Don't know much about him to be honest, but Twente won 65% of their games with him in the team as oppose to 25% without, so that suggests that he has a positive influence on the game What do you guys make of this signing ?
No idea, but we needed wing reinforcements now that Bale doesn't play there. Never heard of him until we expressed interest, so can't claim to be excited about the player.
