I think you're getting a little too wrapped up in where a manager [let's short cut that to Koeman] might have his focus. The bigger picture is always out there. That's what Koeman is managing for. He doesn't need to focus on it. There will be plenty of moments where he can tweak and adjust the overall/bigger picture. His prime focus has to be on the next match. Then he has to sharpen his focus on the distinctive elements of that next match where he can gain advantage. What happens in the match after the match immediately in front of him is of relative little concern until this match is over. Hence his statement to the media that he takes one match at a time. Everyone does this. It's how you successfully compartmentalise big tasks. If you are always focussed on the overall bigger picture then the task can be too overwhelming. The catchphrase, one match/step at a time, is just a convenient way of talking about breaking a big task up into smaller chunks. So yeah, I do buy it.
I worded that wrong. I understand what you are saying about breaking things up. I don't believe that any manager is just looking a the next game though. Its just a way of brushing off questions they don't want to answer
No, I think they're answering fairly honestly. I suppose it depends on the question though. If you mean something like... Media: You're second in the table, Ronald. Can you maintain it..? Koeman: We don't look at the list [I'm lying], we take one game at a time. ...then I think you have a point. Then again, although we know he's looked at the table beforehand, he's digested it and not thought about it again until after the match. There will undoubtedly be times when the table becomes a bit more important to him, but if he concentrates on the upcoming match and gets 3 points that's as good as he can do, and the table looks after itself. There are managers who are loaded with bull. Wenger is one example, in the sense that he never gives a straight answer to any question unless it is a confirmation of his supposedly excellent Arsenal side. Otherwise he's posturing and hopping from one foot or another, and getting flustered more than any top flight manager I've seen recently. Koeman, by comparison, is quite unflappable, it seems. But then he's hardly been tested. His post match answers for the Liverpool and Spurs games were fairly straightforward though, imo.
One of Ronald's jobs is not to get carried away...he has to keep the team's feet on the ground...though they also seem to be one game at a time lads. The thing the table does do is inspire confidence. It is the best way for us...as said, the table will take care of itself. We are in a superb position....points on the board and a great GD (thank you, Sunderland)...we can't be touched if we keep performing. Koeman knows that other teams will come good and have the manpower to do it...his job is not to dream...that is what fans do. And (despite all logic) don't we all have a sense of 'what if....'
