Conversations with my son aged 31 and my father age 93, and between us we have 150 years of watching Burnley, both ended on the same note as to promotion – “ it’s Burnley you know something will go wrong“.
So Henry, please don’t tempt fate by praising any of our players or manager until we’ve won our next two games!
Your summary of the Amorim & United predicament is spot on. It was apparent from early on that he didn’t have the players for his preferred system.
What has ensued since then has been nothing short of hubris. I’m concerned it may have an adverse impact rolling over to next season.
A player like Garnacho, statistically was better off than Ronaldo at the same stages in their careers, now looks devoid of confidence and less effective in Amorim’s system.
3-4-2-1 can work, but it will require a complete overhaul of the squad, plus the style will most likely be similar to LVG’s style. Personally & selfishly, I would like to see United play enterprising, fast football.
What the predicament suggests is Ineos never actually had a plan. All the talk of ‘club game models’ clearly wasn’t true when they brought in a coach who plays a completely different formation to what was previously being built.
People will say 4-2-3-1 wasn’t working, but the situation was more nuanced than this - a coach who had too much influence on recruitment who primarily scoured the Dutch league for talent, and had a fundamental gap in his man management. I believe those were the more fundamental issues than the system.
Totally agree. Acknowledging youth and wingers should be good for most teams, especially United. Maybe if United have a strong DOF the head coaches will be appointed who play with some understanding of club identity. It’s a balance
Certainly the appointment of Dan Ashworth felt significant. I don’t know enough about his experience, but his CV is highly credible.
I suspect his exit may have been a consequence of Ratcliffe wanting to get more personally involved in football matters. I recall a piece in the press post Ashworth’s exit stating that ‘he’ (Ratcliffe,) would take a view on transfers. That and the way Ratcliffe publicly appears to be the face & CEO rather than Omar Berrada suggests there’s an underlying corporate governance issue at the club.
United have always played with wingers. Garnacho is one. I wished he’d be allowed wide and told to keep taking on his full-back. Squad needs an overhaul but at risk of losing Garnacho? Be a pity.
One of my greatest frustrations in the post Sir Alex Ferguson era is the apparent need to completely change how the club plays. We seem to largely favour the ethos and philosophies of fashionable managers.
While he came unstuck in the end, the Solskjær era felt like Manchester United.
I know a club’s past can be a double edge sword, but the Ferguson & Busby eras were more similar than they were different. I think a club can win in a way that is true to its values without having to adopt the formation/style of the day. The Treble winning United side while incredible, weren’t actually the best technically when compared to European counterparts - but they were undeniable.
I’d like to see United try to follow that blueprint.
Usual quality from you on a Monday Henry. Lots of variety. Spot on about United. Amorim has to adapt more now. That system won’t work. The players look like they hate playing in it. Garnacho can’t play that role. He is a winger. Time for Mount and Fernandes to play behind a striker if that is what Zirkzee and Hojlund are. Did Man Utd really pay £72m for Hojlund!!! Crazy. Eriksen in midfield with Ugarte was such a poor choice. Both can’t run. Mainoo is good to have back. Newcastle just destroyed them in midfield. Easy. You just can’t keep losing games and not try something. Maguire a miss at back with De Ligt. I still think they will beat Lyon.
Pereira has been superb since he took over although they were under achieving under O’Neil who got a bit to big headed snd ha head of himself after last season and going on tv with these tactical masterclasses.
Excellent point on Cullen. Really good player and every time I watch Burnley he seems to have a good game. Parker has done a brilliant job there. He is a good manager.
Malen an excellent squad signing for Villa. Does well when he plays. Unlucky with Champions League exclusion.
I don’t think w3 can ever doubt Van Dijk’s character. Made a mistake and responded. Hope he signs a new deal. Great player.
That free kick by the Peterborough lad was sweet I agree. Great win for them
Burnley - Every time I look at the GA column I have to look twice. 13 goals conceded? It’s completely unheard of. To have never conceded twice? Unbelievable. I’m fascinated as to how they would manage in the PL with such an outstanding record. With all the talk of the gap and 3UP 3DOWN like a Ryder cup momentum swinger, if they keep the defence who are so disciplined over a course of 46 games, let alone 38, maybe just maybe there is hope. Got to keep Trafford though and not let him replace Onana at OT.
Off topic, just listened to your podcast today Henry and to fit three important (obviously one more than others) yet completely unattached subjects, in less than 15 minutes should be congratulated. It’s the highlight of my lunch listening to these.
I watched the Man U game yesterday , not sure if their blob of a team is a surprise anymore . Those boys are not playing for that manager, Mainoo looked like he'd rather be anywhere else when subbed last throws of the game. Roy Keane's extensive comments on performances and culture were completely accurate, he's clearly angry and disappointed but who can see that club improving until they rebuild the stadium and Carrington. 5 to 10 years.
What a team Newcastle are, everything ManUtd are not and they haven't been able to unleash their full financial clout. The way they've dealt with Tonali's gambling problems has evidently been a success. He plays with loyalty, head down doing the business, a complete professional. Garnacho would do well to emulate a bit of that.
My young son trained at Cobham last week, what a place that is, 38 pitches and Ai tech-labs that you'd expect robo-player to emerge from in Kryptonite ice. Then I look at Chelsea performances and our culture and wonder why with all these fantastic resources we're not playing like Newcastle and can't turn over the tractor boys at home. Football management is a mystery.
Total mystery. Agree on United. Huge issue with culture. Ineos are high achievers but football’s a strange and different country to other sports. I never realised they’ve got 36 pitches at Cobham!!
I gave Graham Alexander the kiss of death by praising him last week so I’m saying nothing about EFL this week other than noting how consistently impressive the level of play and technical set up of the teams is (well done The Posh).
Conversations with my son aged 31 and my father age 93, and between us we have 150 years of watching Burnley, both ended on the same note as to promotion – “ it’s Burnley you know something will go wrong“.
So Henry, please don’t tempt fate by praising any of our players or manager until we’ve won our next two games!
Ok!! I’m a big fan of Parker. One of the good guys and as he’s showing a good manager. I hope you do it.
Your summary of the Amorim & United predicament is spot on. It was apparent from early on that he didn’t have the players for his preferred system.
What has ensued since then has been nothing short of hubris. I’m concerned it may have an adverse impact rolling over to next season.
A player like Garnacho, statistically was better off than Ronaldo at the same stages in their careers, now looks devoid of confidence and less effective in Amorim’s system.
3-4-2-1 can work, but it will require a complete overhaul of the squad, plus the style will most likely be similar to LVG’s style. Personally & selfishly, I would like to see United play enterprising, fast football.
What the predicament suggests is Ineos never actually had a plan. All the talk of ‘club game models’ clearly wasn’t true when they brought in a coach who plays a completely different formation to what was previously being built.
People will say 4-2-3-1 wasn’t working, but the situation was more nuanced than this - a coach who had too much influence on recruitment who primarily scoured the Dutch league for talent, and had a fundamental gap in his man management. I believe those were the more fundamental issues than the system.
Totally agree. Acknowledging youth and wingers should be good for most teams, especially United. Maybe if United have a strong DOF the head coaches will be appointed who play with some understanding of club identity. It’s a balance
Certainly the appointment of Dan Ashworth felt significant. I don’t know enough about his experience, but his CV is highly credible.
I suspect his exit may have been a consequence of Ratcliffe wanting to get more personally involved in football matters. I recall a piece in the press post Ashworth’s exit stating that ‘he’ (Ratcliffe,) would take a view on transfers. That and the way Ratcliffe publicly appears to be the face & CEO rather than Omar Berrada suggests there’s an underlying corporate governance issue at the club.
United have always played with wingers. Garnacho is one. I wished he’d be allowed wide and told to keep taking on his full-back. Squad needs an overhaul but at risk of losing Garnacho? Be a pity.
One of my greatest frustrations in the post Sir Alex Ferguson era is the apparent need to completely change how the club plays. We seem to largely favour the ethos and philosophies of fashionable managers.
While he came unstuck in the end, the Solskjær era felt like Manchester United.
I know a club’s past can be a double edge sword, but the Ferguson & Busby eras were more similar than they were different. I think a club can win in a way that is true to its values without having to adopt the formation/style of the day. The Treble winning United side while incredible, weren’t actually the best technically when compared to European counterparts - but they were undeniable.
I’d like to see United try to follow that blueprint.
Usual quality from you on a Monday Henry. Lots of variety. Spot on about United. Amorim has to adapt more now. That system won’t work. The players look like they hate playing in it. Garnacho can’t play that role. He is a winger. Time for Mount and Fernandes to play behind a striker if that is what Zirkzee and Hojlund are. Did Man Utd really pay £72m for Hojlund!!! Crazy. Eriksen in midfield with Ugarte was such a poor choice. Both can’t run. Mainoo is good to have back. Newcastle just destroyed them in midfield. Easy. You just can’t keep losing games and not try something. Maguire a miss at back with De Ligt. I still think they will beat Lyon.
Pereira has been superb since he took over although they were under achieving under O’Neil who got a bit to big headed snd ha head of himself after last season and going on tv with these tactical masterclasses.
Excellent point on Cullen. Really good player and every time I watch Burnley he seems to have a good game. Parker has done a brilliant job there. He is a good manager.
Malen an excellent squad signing for Villa. Does well when he plays. Unlucky with Champions League exclusion.
I don’t think w3 can ever doubt Van Dijk’s character. Made a mistake and responded. Hope he signs a new deal. Great player.
That free kick by the Peterborough lad was sweet I agree. Great win for them
Enjoy the week.
Burnley - Every time I look at the GA column I have to look twice. 13 goals conceded? It’s completely unheard of. To have never conceded twice? Unbelievable. I’m fascinated as to how they would manage in the PL with such an outstanding record. With all the talk of the gap and 3UP 3DOWN like a Ryder cup momentum swinger, if they keep the defence who are so disciplined over a course of 46 games, let alone 38, maybe just maybe there is hope. Got to keep Trafford though and not let him replace Onana at OT.
Off topic, just listened to your podcast today Henry and to fit three important (obviously one more than others) yet completely unattached subjects, in less than 15 minutes should be congratulated. It’s the highlight of my lunch listening to these.
I watched the Man U game yesterday , not sure if their blob of a team is a surprise anymore . Those boys are not playing for that manager, Mainoo looked like he'd rather be anywhere else when subbed last throws of the game. Roy Keane's extensive comments on performances and culture were completely accurate, he's clearly angry and disappointed but who can see that club improving until they rebuild the stadium and Carrington. 5 to 10 years.
What a team Newcastle are, everything ManUtd are not and they haven't been able to unleash their full financial clout. The way they've dealt with Tonali's gambling problems has evidently been a success. He plays with loyalty, head down doing the business, a complete professional. Garnacho would do well to emulate a bit of that.
My young son trained at Cobham last week, what a place that is, 38 pitches and Ai tech-labs that you'd expect robo-player to emerge from in Kryptonite ice. Then I look at Chelsea performances and our culture and wonder why with all these fantastic resources we're not playing like Newcastle and can't turn over the tractor boys at home. Football management is a mystery.
Total mystery. Agree on United. Huge issue with culture. Ineos are high achievers but football’s a strange and different country to other sports. I never realised they’ve got 36 pitches at Cobham!!
“The Portugeezer” 🤩
I’m sure it’s not original!! Joes might have invented it for himself probably!
Jose 👍
I gave Graham Alexander the kiss of death by praising him last week so I’m saying nothing about EFL this week other than noting how consistently impressive the level of play and technical set up of the teams is (well done The Posh).
So pleased for the Posh. Do really good work around here