Let's start with friendlies... Moyes' friendlies record ---------------------------- 13 July 2013 Thai All-Star XI N 0â1 - lost 20 July 2013 A-League All Stars N 5â1 - won 23 July 2013 Yokohama F. Marinos A 2â3 - lost 26 July 2013 Cerezo Osaka A 2â2 29 July 2013 Kitchee N 5â2 - won 6 August 2013 AIK A 1â1 9 August 2013 Sevilla H 1â3 - lost LVG's record ----------------- 23 July 2014 LA Galaxy N 7â0 - won 26 July 2014 Roma N 3â2 - won 29 July 2014 Internazionale N 0â0 2 August 2014 Real Madrid N 3â1 - won For those who claim that it is too early to say Van Gaal is the real deal, you only have to look at Moyes' friendlies record to understand that he means business. What is even more telling is the quality of the teams Moyes played last year compared to current US tour teams. Already, Van Gaal has won three of four matches played and drew the other one during regulation. Compared to Moyes, he won total of TWO matches out of seven. Personally, the press conferences featuring Moyes were actually more piss taking than the dress. He never got real about the abysmal tactics and moral. Further, his references to United as "them, they" in the first half of the season showed his complete lack of control over the team. Compare that to LVG and you can tell which of the two would succeed and which one would fail. From what I've seen so far, I would mark United down for top three finish this season. As for last season; I'm sort glad that it happened the way it did. I can't say that I was particularly happy with Fergie's last few years, especially in Europe. We got stuck with an old brand of football and didn't move with the times while the likes of Barca and Bayern applied science to football. Ironically, Bayern started breaking out when LVG took over and they built on top of that when he left to eventually rule Europe again. Going forward, I am very excited about this coming season that's about to take off and I firmly believe that United will be back to competing at the very top again after the break of last season.
Totally agree about being excited for this season and comparing the friendlies. It may not be a popular thing to say but I don't blame last season all on Moyes (whilst as the boss he is responsible), I think some players let him down too. I'm hoping for the best, but for me personally .......... it's too early to tell
Lets not get drawn out of context with this. All we are doing is comparing friendlies against friendlies. All will be revealed only when the premiership starts, and I admit its a far better start than last year. So far so good, BUT nothing so far has been a truly competitive game. On sound bytes LVG is way ahead of Moyes, but sound bytes don't win matches or premiership titles
The players look confident and willing to play for LvG, so it cant get any worse* * not a Metth jinx I hope
Think of a leader that needs to inspire a team of 23men. I think most of the players must shake their heads whenever they listened to Moyes during a media conference. I remember Moyes losing one of the early games and literally came out to warn the fans of more days of the same to come. I couldn't believe my ears. I was absolutely gobsmacked. Moyes was simply out of his depth and I for one blame the club's management for ever thinking it was a good idea to appoint him. They should have told Fergie to shove Moyes up his ass when he made the suggestion.
The team looked like a bunch of headless chickens last season, from pre-season to Moyes's very last game in charge. Many of them were being played out of position in a formation that they didn't seem to understand. Players are still being played out of position but at least they seem to know where they're supposed to be and what their key responsibilities are! Tactically LVG is clearly miles ahead of Moyes and the players seem to have a respect/fear of him that Moyes could never command. It won't be worse than last season but I think the same would be true if my 5 year old daughter was put in charge of the team. Hopefully it will be considerably better. We still need a commanding centre half, I don't think Vermaalen is it. Anyone see that interview with Vidic after the Inter game when he was asked if he'd have stayed at United had he known LVG would now be the manager? He smiled and said that was all in the past. So yes then. Shame.
I'm a tad excited about the season. Though without any other additions to the squad we should scrape fourth. If we get Vidal and hummels and reus, I'm hoping we can win the league. di Maria talk has gone quiet.
As each day goes by some must be feeling a little more srupid. Seems our players are not ****, they just were not utilised correctly. They had no leader and no purpose. They do now, we are a team again. Even though its early days we are looking good. Confidence is clear to see. To think some of our own fans thought we were **** based on some useless ****er named dave.
The only two players I have lost patience with is Nani & Anderson. Both have had one excellent game, followed by several mediocre games. Fletcher has suffered from illness, and if he can get back to full match fitness, all the better for us. Fellaini isn't the enigma some fans make him out to be. He was superb at Everton, and has played well for Belgium. Maybe he will get a fair crack of the whip under LVG, and in my opinion deserves a second chance. Cleverley, Young, Zaha, Smalling and Jones seem far more committed. In all fairness to LVG he has got effort and application out of the squad so far, and with the exception of Herrera, ( not included Shaw as he hasn't featured yet) its the same squad that SAF cantered to win the prem less than 2 years ago. LVG also works on the basis of blooding young players, so we might well see some "unknowns" becoming household names.
Even though Dave was above his head, the players had to take some responsibility. Some of the most senior players had given up and were clearly s**t. How do you explain key goals being conceded last quarter of games? We have to accept that some of our best long serving players have been instrumental in getting us where we are now. Yes, it is looking better, but LVG is right when he says that his work to put things right is massive. And no I don't feel stupid. Because some of the players playing for us were playing s**t and couldn't give a damn. They cannot blame it all on DM. And if United does not recruit more top players and go on to do the premiership and the FA cup double, I will hold my hands up and say I may have been slightly harsh on the players...
Unless I am mistaken, Fellaini is still a United player. Napoli want him on loan, but want subsidy to his wages. With that sort of blackmail, we would be better off keeping him for the "physical" games against the likes of Stoke, Sunderland, etc.
I'd still be very worried by that defence. I know LVG will probably play 8 at the back but still no replacements for Vidic or Rio yet.
UIR, as much as you may be right, you may also be wrong. I personally am backing you for top 4. But remember in November last year when you did that thread about how things weren't going to plan for your rivals, and that everyone thought you should be out the race and mid table, but how Moyes was slowly pulling it around and quietly you were slowly climbing the table and would challenge for the league etc. Well that didnt really work out did it? I think some Liverpool fan put it in their signature for months afterwards..... I wouldnt get ahead of yourself. Friendlies are meaningless, I remember in 2010 Chelsea having a sh!te pre season, losing most our matches, then went on to win the double that season
Just saying. You just know that, if by Christmas United are struggling, there will be a Liverpool fan with UiR's quote in their sig. Pre season friendlies really mean **** all, I cannot stress that enough..... 1) Players aren't match fit 2) Opposite end of the spectrum, players are tired from Internationals 3 Or those tired players are rested, forcing teams to field weird amalgamations of first XI and reserve players. 4) Managers test run new tactics they wouldnt dream of trying during the season 5) New players just joining the squad and need time to train with their team mates, and get an idea of what their new manager wants from them or 6) Its Pre season, so players just dont give a ****.
Your points are redundant. Winning matches gives confidence to players in manager's method. What is learned in those matches directly flow into the next. Moyes won only two of his friendlies and that was telling sign for his tenure. My guess is that you're not willing to accept United as a credible team out of fear that your team would be a victim of their inevitable improvement.
Then your guess is wrong. United will do what United will do, regardless of whether Bodanki from Not606 fears them or not. I have seen kick ass pre seasons end in abject failure come season time, and like wise, totally forgettable pre seasons end in a triumphant season, Just my observation from watching football for the last 30 years.
The simple fact is that this pre season compared to last is like a breath of fresh air, we are actually beating bona fide European teams instead of losing to select 11 teams in Asia. It is impossible to not be enthused and see that as a huge improvement. Beating Liverpool would be the icing on the cake, 'friendly' or not, and give some genuine impetus going into the start of the season. van Gaal is a clear improvement on Moyes but before anyone says 'it's the same team', it isn't. There players who needed to go have; Giggs, Ferdinand and Vidic, and much needed strengthening has taken place in Herrerra and Shaw's arrival. Evra has also gone so it's not really the same team at all. Of the players last season I personally thought were not doing the shirt justice some have left, Fellaini is not playing, Nani is not playing, Cleverly remains to be seen as he's not played that much and Young has been transformed. So, that's only Young in my eyes who has changed in any shape or form, the rest still have a lot to prove. Anderson and Bebe aside, who I haven't considered as United players for a while, I personally never said the rest were ****.
Your point isn't exactly a strong one...yes a winning preseason is better for confidence than a losing one but it's as B says a lot different to win against other teams dicking about (like Your own of course) with players, formation and tactics than games that actually matter. Lose the first two or three real games and that preseason confidence is for squat. It may well be that VG has started a new successful phase for you but it could just as easily be a nice sunny bounce of relief it's a new season. Soon see. Lol. Your last sentence smacks of more crossfingered hope than any Bodanki typed. "Inevitable"? Lol......
