Very interesting point of view. This is carefully planned spin. First relatives, second John Jensen (formerly Arsenal and assistant manager to Laudrup in Getafe), interesting what will be in store for tomorrow: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/former-arsenal-midfielder-john-jensen-3152344
The players should have performed better but they didn't, for whatever reason that was I cant say. I dont really know why we had the change of manager but I do think it was all about back room stuff anyway and not about our performances even though they could have been a lot better.
Somebody posted an analysis the other date (forgive me for not having the name handy as I am writing this), but the crux is that when measuring performance on an opposition basis we are two points better off than last season, still in the FA cup, and playing in the quarter finals of the Europa. Things were better than last season with the challenge and difficulties of schedule and injuries - job being well done I would say.
I couldn't disagree more. Our football this year has been mostly dire - a complete lack of desire, bite, or threat. I believe we were sleepwalking to relegation while ML was busying himself on his foreign sejours. We've been teetering on the brink since November - our form has been getting progressively worse and ML seemed incapable (or disinterested) to do anything about it. I think we'd have lost against Cardiff and Stoke and be in the relegation zone if the Board hadn't pulled the plug. Already we're playing with more zip, pressing the opposition (at last!), retaining possession for more than 2 passes (at last!) and looking like we can actually do some damage to the opposition (at last!). ML had his moment in the sun, but I for one am hugely relieved he can take his Danish media entourage and fan club to some other unsuspecting club in Europe.
Already? we have played a crap Cardiff team - we won as expected, a straw man could have one that game. We got a draw at Stoke - nothing marvelous, nothing much different, tons of possession no finish in the final third. Everton Fiasco. The Everton Fiasco was the first real challenge. The first game against top flight opposition. The match in a competition we had a chance of winning or moving on and some optimism of doing quite well. It was a fiasco from beginning to end - from team selection to game management.
And the team will have their moment in the darkness , like we are Cardiff and the end justifies the means without questioning the people pulling the strings .
What fiasco, team plays weakened team in the cup, whilst trying to maintain their PL status. How is that a fiasco. I am sure somewhere there must have been a club who has played a weakened side in a cup game or are we the first ones to do it.
Most would have excepted , even if they didn't like it , a weakened team. But an absolute "Weak " team just doesn't fly.Throw in no minutes for Bony and I smell a thrown game .
You mean the crap Cardiff team that beat us in November, when we were utter ***** and managed to roll over and die? You mean the Stoke City team where we have never scored a single goal (let alone got a point) in the PL previously? Garry Monk is clearly prioritising the Europa League. I can live with that. It's better than prioritising you little jolly to Paris after getting dumped on your pampered arse by West Ham.
No doubt that "unsuspecting" club will finish in its highest ever league position, win its FIRST EVER major trophy and compete in Europe. It will also probably benefit from recruitment via foreign leagues and derive a player asset profit in the region of £25/30 million. I feel SO sorry for that poor "unsuspecting club".
Dont forget the Stoke team, Who we had played twice before at the Brittania and lost 2-0 on each occassion.
The same players who have actually started playing under the new manager. Like it or not, we've been shocking this season. Forget last season, it's in the past. It's been clear for all to see that ML has been singularly incapable of managing the team this year. I enjoyed last season but since Wembley, ML's head has been on the next project. His record is the same at every club - one good season then either sacked or resigned the next season. Coincidence?
Well if the stories on our side are true, he wasn't at training to be working hard. Have we panicked? No way, he's had a year to turn things around and he looked clueless in his attempts to try and turn our premiership form. Given the way we have improved under Monk, it makes you ask the question where would be now if the decision was taken earlier on in the season.
The manner in which Laudrup had the rug pulled from beneath him , and the manner in which some want to sweep it all under the carpet might be fine for the "Blind Faithers " , but not good enough for those who care which direction the club is being steered behind the scenes . As for the team selected yesterday , I got a sneaky suspicion were not out of the woods yet and expect to be questioned by the FA.
We haven't heard nothing from the Laudrup camp. Everything I've read our heard about the goings on at training and behind the scene with transfers etc make ML out to be a bit of a kn@b. I'm prepared to rely on the decisions of the board who have steered us to where we are today, unless something official comes out to change my mind. Hopefully the truth will come out soon and clear this saga up once and for all.
