The year a team died
On 8th May 2013 Fergie announced his resignation
at the end of the season. On 9th May United announced that his
successor would be David Moyes, manager of Everton since 2002 with whom he had
won nothing.
On the face of it for one of the biggest clubs in world
football to choose a manager who had not previously won a trophy was a major
surprise. However most commentators focussed on Moyes’ personal qualities and
beliefs and the feeling he had done the best job possible with limited resources
at Everton, in justifying the appointment. The idea being that he had a good
youth setup at Everton and his players were instilled with a positive work
ethic that got the best from them, which would transfer to Old Trafford and
continue Fergie’s strategy.
At this point it is worth recalling that Fergie himself had
invited Moyes to his house, told him of his resignation and that he would be
his successor in a manner with echoes of North Korea or Cuba. Fergie would be a
director and still part of the club which had disturbing undertones of the mess
at the end of Busby’s reign. You couldn’t help feeling that Fergie didn’t want
to let go completely and he saw in Moyes someone who he could work with. Both
of similar backgrounds, being Glaswegian with long playing records in Scotland.
Had Mourinho come in it was impossible to think he could
have worked with Fergie’s presence around the place. Also a rumour was that
Charlton did not consider Mourinho a United type. Anyway he was probably always
going back to Chelsea as United had shown no sign of wanting him.
So United got Moyes and immediately it was difficult to
think of us as doing anything more than, at best, treading water. No real
prospect of kicking on in Europe. Indeed you would not think of the world’s top
players wanting to join Moyes rather than Mourinho.
Moyes brought his backroom team from Everton which led to
the removal of Mike Phelan and, of more concern, Rene Meulensteen who was very
well respected as first team coach. Now Phil Neville is first team coach in his
first managerial job.
Pre-season was mixed, slightly disappointing if anything and
concluded with a 2-0 win over newly relegated Wigan in the Commmunity Shield at
Wembley.
Summer transfer activity began with the signing of an obscure
young South American full back, and almost ended there. Despite talk from Moyes
of a number of signings nothing happened until the last minutes of the transfer
window when we signed Fellaini from his old club for £27m. Had we signed him
before 31stJuly he would have cost £23m because of a buy out clause.
But it expired so we paid £4m more and didn’t have him for the first 3 games.
This, of course, smacked of him being our second or third choice.
We chased Fabregas in vain all summer. Herrara of Bilbao failed
at the last. Baines of Everton did not happen. We were also linked with Ozil,
De Rossi, Kadeira and Modric. None of them happened. Clearly, as all the fans
knew, we needed 3 top class midfielders. What went wrong? Well, David Gill, the
chief exec left for UEFA and was replaced by Ed Woodward who took charge of
transfers. Here’s part of his Wikipedia profile.
In 2005, Woodward advised Malcolm Glazer and the Glazer family during its successful takeover of Manchester
United. The Glazer family then recruited Woodward to join the club
in a "financial planning" role.
In 2007, Woodward was given charge of the
commercial and media operations of Manchester United. It was in this role that
Woodward is credited for United's success in tying up lucrative sponsorship
deals with companies around the world. In 2005, the club's commercial revenue
was £48.7 million. In 2012, it stood at £117.6 million.[2][3]
Woodward was appointed to the board of directors
and named executive vice-chairman of Manchester United in 2012. After the
retirement of CEO David Gill the
following year, Woodward was promoted to the top operational role at Old Trafford in a restructuring of the club's
boardroom. Woodward was succeeded by Richard Arnold as the club's commercial management
director.[1]
Woodward's first transfer window, where
Manchester United completed the signing of Belgian midfielder Marouane
Fellaini from Everton,
but failed to acquire other transfer targets, was described as being
"disastrous" by The Daily Telegraph.[4]
With his background advising the Glazers he did a great job
saving them money.
So the owners and board of Manchester United put the playing
future of the club in the hands of a financial planner and a trophy less
manager. Hardly a good long term strategy. It’s hard not to think of it in
these terms :- we had one of the best managers in the world with an experienced
staff and professional management support. That’s been replaced by people who
are completely untried at this level. In an effort to compete with United both
City and Chelsea have recruited top level executives who know football, and
experienced managers who have properly trained and experienced staff. Then they
have sourced and recruited top class players. They needn’t have bothered as
United have simply thrown away their advantage through either complacency or tight
footedness. In the business world you would never replace a highly successful
chief executive of a huge company with someone from a smaller concern with no
real outstanding achievement behind him. Nor would you allow him to replace the
deputy chief executive and several members of the successful management team
with colleagues from his old company, one of whom had never been in management
before. This would be simply unthinkable but has happened at Manchester United,
one of the biggest football businesses in the world. Can it be right either for
the football success or the long term profitability of the club?
Moyes’ other summer business was about keeping Rooney from
the clutches of Mourinho at Chelsea. He managed to do this despite announcing
that we needed Rooney in case Van Persie got injured!
The season started well enough away to Swansea. On the back
foot for the first 20 minutes, United went ahead through Van Persie, swiftly
followed by a tap in from Wellbeck. 2 cracking goals from the same duo sealed
the victory with Swansea getting one back after clumsy defending by Wellbeck on
the edge of our box. Rooney came on for the last half hour and looked good
although ostentatiously not joining in goal celebrations. It was business as
usual. Midfield Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley and Giggs.
For the first home game against Chelsea Rooney started and
was given a tremendous reception by the crowd. Both sections of it as Chelsea
fans were trying to encourage him to join them! Mourinho’s Chelsea came for the
point and got it. In a tight game there were very few chances and, clearly,
more creativity was needed by United. Interestingly Rooney had a couple of long
range shots when he could have played in Van Persie, and perhaps he was looking
to make a point. It was United’s first goalless draw at Old Trafford since May
2009 but not a bad performance against a Chelsea side intent on defending. Moyes
made 1 change from the Swansea team.
Next game was Liverpool away and Rooney got injured in
training so did not play. Liverpool had started the season with two 1-0 wins
with Sturridge scoring in both and this was to be their third. United fans were
more nervous before this game than for a long time against Liverpool and it was
featured that Moyes had never won at Anfield. Sturridge scored in 3 minutes
from a scrappy corner with United’s defence on the back foot. They never looked
like scoring again. Missing Rooney badly United again could not break down a
team determined to defend. It was very tempting to say that under Fergie United
would have had more fight & belief that they could come back from behind.
So no goals in 2 games and few chances. Depressingly Moyes announced that he
thought “they” had played well and you could see why “they” were champions. No
“they” didn’t play well and David shouldn’t it be “we”? 2 changes.
After 3 games we had 4 points. In terms of team selection
you couldn’t fault the back four with Raphael out and Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic
and Evra playing well. In midfield Cleverley & Carrick have started all
games, Giggs 2 and Valencia 2 with Zaha and Young 1 each. Van Persie and
Wellbeck have started all up front and Rooney has started once in a 4-3-3.
Carrick’s been his usual efficient self but Cleverley’s looked out of touch.
Giggs has had moments of pure genius but can’t boss a game any more. Valencia
has looked more positive when pressed into action as full back than when on the
wing and the other 2 wingers have looked lightweight. Van Persie has not had
good service at all and only Rooney has looked the business when he’s played.
Since the Swansea game Wellbeck’s flattered to deceive as he did all last
season. Kagawa has just made a brief sub appearance and seems totally out of
favour. With Rooney out his best position was available but he wasn’t played.
Similarly Nani has had one sub appearance whilst Anderson’s come on twice and
Hernandez once.
Overall we seem 10% slower when building attacks giving
defences time to organize & we need to get the zip back in our play.
Maybe Moyes is still to assess the players to determine his
best team and get them settled down. Just hope its quick.
Let’s look at the squad :
Goal De
Gea, Lindergaard, Amos
Defence Raphael,
Jones, Smalling, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Buttner, Fabio
Midfield Zaha,
Valencia, Young, Nani, Giggs, Cleverley, Carrick, Anderson
Hole Rooney,
Kagawa, Fellaini
Striker Van
Persie, Wellbeck, Hernandez
Goal seems to be covered with De Gea having a strong season
last time & good cover.
Similarly with defence although we do seem to have players
who are injury prone in that area.
For the rest of the team we need to establish the system of
play. If we’re having 2 wide men as we normally do then we’ve 4, not including
Giggs, to choose from. Zaha’s been bought on the strength of his performances
last season so it makes sense to play him and Valencia if the coaches can find
a way of getting Valencia to play more positively and directly like he used to.
Otherwise play Nani. I don’t think Young’s good enough.
In the centre mid Carrick is a must and I think Fellaini
needs to reposition himself alongside.
This leaves Rooney and Van Persie which must be our best
attacking combination.
Hernandez must be our supersub to change things round when
needed.
Wellbeck needs to do a lot more than he has before I’d make
him a regular.
Kagawa is a ready made alternative to either Fellaini or
Rooney & may be better than Fellaini if given an extended run , which he
won’t get.
Giggs can change a game in the last half hour but I’m unsure
what Cleverley brings to the team.
Anderson has had his chances.
Saying all that what we miss most is a box to box midfielder
who looks after defensive duties a la Keane and an inventive hole player like
Cantona. Maybe Fabregas and Ozil would have filled those gaps.
After the international break we’re back with a home
lunchtime kick off against Palace, who are bottom. Rooney’s been pressed into
playing with a band round his head to protect a split forehead. Fabio’s been
given a go at right back as Jones is still out and Anderson’s given another
chance in midfield.
Palace simply sat back and we couldn’t get through them. Our
most inventive ploy being Young’s attempts to gain a penalty by falling which
eventually worked. The penalty was tucked away by VP and in the second half
Rooney scored from a free kick but we created few chances. Predictably Anderson
was crap and Valencia unassertive whilst, apart from winning the penalty Young
did nothing. VP unfortunately is feeding only off scraps.
Things got better when Fellaini and Januzaj came on. The
latter in particular showed very positive signs.
Overall we can only say we’ve beaten the bottom team 2-0 at
home and, despite them being down to 10 men for the second half, we couldn’t
score a single goal from open play.
Moyes is happy with the result. 4 changes.
Next up is Bayer Leverkusen at home in the misleadingly
named champions league.
Smalling in at right back, Fellaini for Anderson &
Kagawa for Young.
All three played well and Rooney had a terrific game with 2
goals and a hand in Valencia’s. Valencia was very positive for once and
Smalling excellent behind him although not getting so far forward which
probably encouraged Valencia to attack more. After Leverkusen equalised we
looked shocked but when we scored again our confidence returned and we breezed
home.
Thinking about this game it was clear that we had more room
on the ball as we weren’t pressed as much as in the Premiership. Maybe we’ve
been sussed out over here and that’s why we’re doing better in Europe. 3
changes.
City murdered us at the Etihad 4-1 and weren’t flattered. VP
was out injured and replaced by Wellbeck and Young came in for Kagawa but it
didn’t matter. It was men against boys. We don’t have the character any more to
withstand an onslaught and retaliate. What’s happened to us? Obviously the
Fergie effect but what is that? Motivation? Fear? Tactics? Or do we also have
to look at the coaching and the effect on team spirit of Moyes not seeming to
know his first eleven? Anyway Rooney scored a great free kick to give us at
least one good memory. 2 changes.
Capital one cup against Liverpool and we fielded a weakened
side against their more or less full strength and won with a Hernandez touch in
around half time. The young team performed well as a unit and that’s clearly
the key to improvement. Hopeful again after the City result. 8 changes.
Hopes dashed quickly by second successive league defeat,
this time at home to West Brom. A team that we should always beat. They got a
couple of excellent goals abetted by poor defending and we struggled to create
chances. Rooney got another free kick so yet again no goal from open play.
Essentially though it was an even game and they got the breaks. 4 changes. Need
to sort out a settled midfield.
Away to Shaktar and looking comfortable at 1-0 with a good
Wellbeck goal we conceded late on for a draw that emphasised defensive weakness
and lack of resolve. 7 changes.
Back to winning ways against a poor Sunderland team who went
into the lead early on through a Vidic error in defence. The win came through 2
goals from Januzaj on his first start in the league. 4 changes.
Home game against Southampton who had started the season
well. A seemingly good performance with little luck after striking the bar
twice and Rooney and VP working well together. VP scored and we seemed
comfortable only for them to equalise in the last minute. Again. 2 changes.
An early own goal gave us a 1-0 win at home to Sociedad
although we were far from impressive. 4 changes.
The most weird home game followed against Stoke. They
scored, VP equalised, they scored again and we seemed to have no answer. Then
Rooney and Hernandez both scored with 10 minutes left and we hung on. 3-2. 4
changes.
Against Norwich in the Capital one cup Moyes fielded a
strong team, probably thinking it’s our only chance of winning something, and
came away with a 4-0 win courtesy of goals from Hernandez (2), Jones and Fabio.
Seems like away from the Premiership we can put together decent performances.
Maybe it’s because we’re allowed to. 9
changes.
Away to bottom team Fulham and raced to a 3-0 lead in 20
minutes through VP, Valencia and Rooney. After that nothing and you wonder why
we didn’t push on more. Fulham got one back in second half. 6 changes.
A nothing game away to Sociedad. VP missed a penalty and
Fellaini got a red card. 6 changes.
We now face a home game against the leaders Arsenal. If we
lose we are definitely out of the title race. This is the most important game
for a long time. And we win through a header from VP after a Rooney corner.
Resolutely we keep Arsenal out. Not impressively entertaining but an
improvement on everything that’s gone before. The papers were saying well of
course United had never really been out of contention. 4 changes.
After the win against Arsenal the away game at Cardiff was
looked forward to as an opportunity to kick on and we started well with a
Rooney goal. Then they cut through our midfield and Campbell scored but we got
another with Evra from a corner just on half time. Giggs came on with 20 to go
and looked our best player. As time ran out we looked to be comfortable with
the 2-1 lead but in extra time they scored with an unmarked header from a free
kick. 2-2. Another late goal conceded. 5 changes.
The crucial European game away to Leverkusen was won 5-0
with goals from Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Nani & an own goal. It was a
confident performance and everything went our way. Strangely the Germans looked
very timid and disorganised. It was a difficult game to analyse but I won’t get
as carried away with optimism as some are. Giggs was the star of midfield.
Rooney created 4 of the goals. 4 changes.
Next to White Hart Lane to play Spurs who had been beaten
6-0 by City last week. They were resolute against us though and we could only
manage a draw with 2 goals from Rooney as his fine season continues. Probably a
decent result for us and it means we are undefeated in 8 games. 3 changes.
Now the first of 2 successive home games against teams
having good runs and this was Moyes’ old team Everton. Well we created very
little and were undone close to the end through poor defending so the
undefeated run ends. 3 changes.
Need to win now against Newcastle 3 days later but it’s the
same sterile performance and the same 1-0 defeat. So 2 teams that haven’t won at
Old Trafford for donkey’s years have both broken their duck in quick
succession. 6 changes.
After 22 games in all competitions let’s have a look at some
stats. Midfield is the big concern so we’ll see what’s going on there. So far
11 different midfield players have been used in 21 different combinations. Only
1 has been repeated, that of Valencia, Fellaini, Giggs & Kagawa and in
those 2 games we drew 0-0 with Sociedad and lost 1-0 at home to Everton. So
it’s safe to say Moyes has not decided on his best midfield. Valencia’s played
the most with 14 and Carrick is on 13 which, without injury, would have been
more. Anderson & Young have played in 4 and 2 whilst the others have played
between 6 and 10 each. This leads to saying that Moyes favours Carrick and
Valencia and doesn’t like Anderson or Young. The other 7 come and go often for
no apparent reason. This has got to be a big problem. The midfield is the
engine of the team. If it’s running smoothly then it facilitates the creation of
chances and supports defence in resisting attacks. To run smoothly there has to
be stability, consistency and balance. To throw separate, random components
together and expect smooth running is folly but that’s what is happening.
Stability and consistency are provided by deciding what system or style to
play, selecting the players that best fit that style and sticking with it until
it is tested and fails or it succeeds. Changing personnel every game, which has
been the case all season, is a formula for failure. The players never get a
chance to build an understanding and are dispirited by the uncertainty. Nor is
the manager able to assess how players relate to each other in real match
situations over a period of time. The other condition of balance is part of the
system that covers the creativity in midfield but also the ability to break up
opposition attacks before they reach our defence. To be successful both elements
must be present. This will be a function of the style of play but also the
style of the players involved.
Looking at the defence we’ve conceded 19 goals in 15 league
games, which isn’t terrible but of those we’ve let in 3 late on to draw 2 that
we would have won and to lose the game against Everton. All of these have been
sloppy goals and clearly indicate lack of concentration. Having said that the
big problem is the lack of goals scored so let’s look at the attack.
We’ve 4 strikers : Van Persie, Rooney, Wellbeck and
Hernandez. It’s difficult to judge these players because the service from
midfield has been sadly lacking. Rooney, however, has been tremendous. He’s got
10 goals in all games including a penalty and 3 free kicks. He’s also created
numerous goals for others and his all round game has been of the highest order.
Without him we’d have been in dire straits. He’s different from the others in
the way he drops back and finds space but gets forward as well. Wellbeck should
be doing the same but he suffers from a lack of a football brain and too often
is in the wrong place or chooses the wrong option. He flatters to deceive. At
times looking world class but mostly appearing naïve. Hernandez is a good
finisher who is simply not getting enough opportunities in the box. The same is
true of Van Persie although he is a more expansive player but still suffers
from the failure of midfield to get the ball to him quickly enough. He has
sustained injuries that have also affected his play during the season.
All of the above is said knowing that substantially the same
players that won the league by 11 points are still here so what has happened to
them? It must be something like a lack of belief. Maybe they lack belief in the
new management which causes them to lack belief in themselves. Maybe they are
let down by not having a system of play that they believe in or maybe they are
unsure of their position in the team as there are too many changes. Whatever,
it’s clear that the spirit, resolution and fight are lacking compared with
previously.
After the 2 home league defeats we have Shaktar Donetsk at
Old Trafford in the final champions league group game and we need to avoid
defeat to go through as group winners. Well in the first half they ripped
through us and, but for terrible finishing could have scored 3 or 4. We had
chances too but, unfortunately, they both fell to Young who made a hash of 2
wonderful opportunities. Started feeling sorry for him as his confidence must
be shot till I remembered how much he must be on and then I felt angry. In the
second half we showed a lot more fight which, I think, was partly due to the
opposition tiring after an energetic start. Eventually we got a goal through
Jones that sealed our place as group winners. On reflection only Jones in
midfield had a good game with a spirited display and a goal. Ferdinand was
awful and gave the ball away as last man at least twice. Maybe age catching up.
Actually Evans did well also and covered for Ferdinand a few times. So you have
to say great results in Europe in contrast to very poor in the premier league.
As I’ve said we get closed down in midfield domestically which we don’t seem
able to get past whilst in Europe the teams aren’t able or configured to do
this for more than a small part of the match. 5 changes.
In the League we’re playing away to Villa who are in the
middle of a poor run. They start brightly but Wellbeck gets a poacher’s goal
after 15 minutes and they pretty much fold. We started to put some good moves
together which will do our confidence some good but Villa were no test at all.
Wellbeck got another and Cleverley scored a good one. 4 changes.
I’m away for the Stoke game in the Capital One cup at the
Brittania. By the sound of it pretty straightforward with Evra scoring and
Young’s goal being special. Not just because of the quality of the goal but
also because Young scored without falling over. 3 changes.
Last game before Christmas is West Ham at home, which I go
to with my two sons who are home for Christmas. It’s a chance for them to see
us live for the first time this season and we can discuss the game from the
same standpoint afterwards. After a bit of bluster from them we quickly got on
top and, without having to play well, they rolled over. Wellbeck and Januzaij
both scored from acute angles after good build up play and Young stuck in a
good one late on. Encouraging. Our discussion after the game was cautiously
optimistic, hoping that we hadn’t just had a win over a very poor team. Time
will tell. 2 changes.
Boxing day at Hull. Who has celebrated Christmas the more
and who is still hungry? Answer within 20 minutes as Hull flew into a 2-0 lead
due to, charitably, poor defending. No let’s be honest it was pathetic
defending. No composure in centre of defence and don’t clear when given chance,
also very bad marking from crosses. Anyway soon got back at them and eventually
won because they can’t defend either. Smalling header, o.g. and great Rooney
volley. 2 changes.
Last game of a crazy
year at Norwich. They being a team of mixed results. Anyway we won 1-0 thanks to Wellbeck coming on and
scoring after injecting more pace and urgency than anyone else on the pitch had
been showing. That doesn’t mean that Wellbeck’s better than anyone else because
in many games he’s started he’s been as lethargic as everyone else. Just weird
how sometimes subs have an impact that they would not have if they started the
game. . 5 changes.
New year begins against Spurs who are not doing that great.
Not long having sacked Villas Boas as manager they have now appointed Tim
Sherwood on an interim contract. So would not expect them to be super confident
on the back of managerial changes and poor recent results. Anyway they pasted us.
For the first time this season I realised we did not have a clue how to play.
They simply put men behind the ball and we had no idea how to play through the
middle. When we tried to play down the flanks their big guys at the back soaked
everything up. They only counter attacked a few times but when they did they
found our weak underbelly to score easily through the middle. Two free headers
were enough to win it for them. Wellbeck’s consolation goal was delightful but
not sustaining. 4 changes.
Now we have the FA cup and maybe this is a chance to forget
league form and try to do well enough to win the trophy. We have Swansea who
have only won 1 in their last 9 games. At home. Come on. Even a pessimist like
me knows we’ll blow them away. However relatively poor we are this is not a
game we stand a chance of losing. Particularly as we got beat last time out and
we’ll want to respond to that. Of course this is just the arrogance of a team
that has had it too good for too long and consequently we lose 2-1. Not much in
it. Maybe a decision goes their way but not an unfair result. Good goal by
Herandez from Buttner’s cross. Apart from that few chances were created though6
changes.
Ok now we play the bottom team Sunderland in the Capital One
cup semi. Their ground but they have only won 3 league games this season.
Doesn’t stop them beating us 2-1 though. Penalty they shouldn’t have had is nor
relevant. No big team currently would need to rely on a single decision against
a team as poor as Sunderland. Another flat performance which is now the norm.
We might win the odd game against teams like this but can only see us being
slaughtered against the best teams. . 7 changes.
Chatted about this with a couple of (non United) mates last
night and a few consensual thoughts came out. Must point out that some may have
been aired by me before… anyway.
Why Moyes?
Continuity, similar philosophy to Fergie, can continue to
work with Fergie, good youth policy at Everton. Cheaper than Mourinho for
Glazers and less likely to demand transfer spend.
Why not Moyes?
Not won anything as a manager. Would disrupt successful
coaching staff. Not a top manager.
Managerial selection process.
Rumours abound but, whether or not Fergie chose his
successor, one should expect the owners and directors of Manchester United to
have been rigorous in deciding how, when and who in terms of the succession. It
does seem that they left it to Fergie to wait for the moment and then say “
that’s it”. However any professional business would have insisted that the
incumbent gave due notice of resignation and then the management would have
taken the time to search properly for a successor. It’s not implausible that
Fergie could have given a year’s notice so that Moyes or someone else could
have worked with him for that period.
What has happened is akin to the CEO of a major corporation
retiring and being replaced by an MD of a medium sized organisation. Then the
deputy MD (Meulesteen) is sacked and replaced by a graduate trainee (Phil
Neville). Almost as alarming is that the under 21s are coached by Butt and
Scholes. Great players but not yet great coaches.
What’s going Right?
Rooney is better than at any time over the last two seasons.
Having said that he’s playing too deeply. Surely Mr. Moyes could point this out
to him.
De Gea looks the business as the best keeper in the prem.
Januzaj is a player.
What’s going wrong?
$64m question. First of all more or less same players. How
can a manager mess up a bunch of players that just won the prem by 12 points?
If he did nothing at all you would expect the players to continue their style
and be close to previous performances. However he hasn’t done nothing. He’s
changed the coaching team. The team that was so successful has gone. The
results of the current coaching team are there to be seen. Same players, less
success. Injuries have not been kind but mostly caused during training. Can’t
be too hard about that but it’s another factor. I’m sorry but I’ve got to say
it. Phil Neville on the bench just looks embarrassing.
How is the team playing differently?
What did Fergie bring? Organization, motivation, spirit,
strategy , Know how.
Clearly Moyes was not going to be as good as Fergie in some
respects.
However it’s not clear how and why he should be worse.
Organization is what you would expect from an experienced
premiership manager at at least an high as level as before.
Motivation is an essential element in a manager, which may
be a little below the best but still at a high level.
Spirit comes to play when results go against you. It’s
character and the ability to fight back. Not yet apparent in United this
season.
The strategy of a team is demonstrated by the players
ability to form a cohesive unit. They know how they are supposed to play and
are able to mesh to the best effect. Once again this has not been demonstrated
by United this season.
Know how seems to me a combination of confidence and ability
and is the remaining ingredient that United are lacking.
Summary at season’s half way point is that whilst the
support for Moyes is overt and considerable, and in a way wonderful, beneath
that there is a real concern that things have slipped disastrously
Obviously Fergie had, for whatever reasons, allowed the
squad to reduce in quality. Moyes, however had the whole summer to make
reparations. Everyone knows he did nothing until signing Fellaini as a last
(desperate ?) measure in summer. It’s not unreasonable therefore to consider
the United squad on 1/10/2013 as Moyes’ squad. No one can then blame the
players for results as the manager has to accept responsibility for the players
he has chosen, If this needs to be investigated further then look at Martinez
at Everton and how he’s been able to elicit performances from players that
Moyes left behind. Players that no one would have suggested were better than
the players that Moyes enjoyed at Manchester United.
It’s really difficult to see where Moyes goes from here.
He’s getting nothing from the players and has said he doesn’t expect any
signings in the January transfer window.
Many United supporters think the only way out is to replace
him with a really top guy.
Back to the league and we have Swansea at home again.
Nothing in it at all in first half as Januzaij is played up front with Welbeck.
Switching Kagawa into centre and Januzaij on wing in second half makes us play
better and we win with goals from Valencia and Wellbeck. Moyes is applauded for
making the change at half time. No-one points out that his original selection
was ill judged. 3 changes.
Still no movement in the January transfer window. We all
know it’s not the best time to buy but we’re in a mess and we need help. Rooney
and VP are not yet training so we’ll go into the Chelsea game lightweight up
front again.
Start off well against Chelsea. Good tempo. Couple of
chances. Then Jones misses a tackle. Eto shoots from 20 yards. Deflection takes
it over De Gea. Soon after a poor clearance gives Chelsea a chance to get the
ball in the box to Eto who is unmarked as defence has forgotten he is there.
Inept defending from a corner gives Eto his hat trick. Hernandez gets one back
when its too late. For some reason Moyes has picked Januzaij in the middle
again with Young on the left, despite us improving significantly against
Swansea when Januzaij went onto the left. Young was anonymous. You have to
wonder what on earth the manager was thinking. You also have to wonder whether
they do any defensive drills in training as basic understanding is not there. 3
changes.
If a manager’s job is to sign the right players, choose a
winning style of play, adopt the best tactics, organise the team, motivate the
players and inspire them with confidence to get the best out of them then Moyes
is failing in every respect. Add to that his unfortunate and, at times, inane
utterances and you have to worry.
Here comes the 2nd leg of the league cup semi at
home to Sunderland. Needing to overturn a 1 goal deficit we lead 1-0 at half
time through Evans. We can’t create another so go into extra time needing
simply to hold on to go through on away goals. With 3 minutes to go De Gea
makes his first mistake of the season & spills an easy shot for them to go
in front on aggregate. In the last minute Hernandez equalises & we go to
penalties. To epitomise our new found lack of confidence we fail to match
Sunderland’s tally of 2. Probably the worst penalties ever. 4 changes.
Our new £37m signing Mata starts against Cardiff with Van
Persie returning. VP & Young score in a tepid 2-0 win at home. 8 changes.
Which is better the we can do away to Stoke, losing 2-1 with
VP replying to two long range Adam efforts. Far too much space given to Adam.
It’s become a trait that we back off in midfield whilst all the top clubs have
their midfielders harassing the opposition. Moyes said we were unlucky. Again.
4 changes.
Still we could hardly fail to beat the bottom team Fulham at
home with Mata, VP & Rooney all starting. Of course we did fail, drawing
2-2. They took the lead in the first half & held it till 75 minutes when we
got two in quick succession. We then sat back & Fulham scored with the last
kick of the match. We made a record number of crosses, not one of which led to
a goal. 3 changes.
Arsenal away did not look promising but they seemed as
subdued as us in a sterile 0-0 that either side might have pinched but neither
deserved to. 2 changes.
So in 2014 we have played 10, won 3, drawn 2 and lost 5. Of
the 10 teams we’ve played 3 were in the top 6 and 7 in the bottom 6. Closer to
relegation form than Champions league form. Since buying Mata we’ve got 5
points out of 12 despite 3 games against bottom 3 teams. Moyes is still no
nearer to knowing his best time with Mata seeming to complicate matters as he
tries to accommodate the ex-Chelsea player.
I’ve thought all through the season that Moyes doesn’t know
his best team, especially in midfield. This is borne out by looking at the
number of changes per game that he’s made. In 38 games he’s changed an average
of over 4 players a game. De Gea has played in 36 games so he’s changed almost
half the team each game. In fact there have been 5 or more outfield players
changed in 12 games and 4 players changed in 11. By observation most of these
have been in midfield. He’s never played an unchanged team. It’s not like these
changes were only taking place early in the season when he was getting to know
the players. The changes are evenly spread and as recently as January 28th
8 changes were made for the Cardiff game. Clearly not playing a settled side
means the players don’t achieve the natural intuition that comes from playing
regularly together. This leads to stilted play in midfield and mistakes caused
by misunderstanding at the back. Also it makes it difficult for midfield to
link up instinctively with attack. Therefore confidence becomes low which
perpetuates the cycle. For me he should decide on his best 11 and select it
consistently now barring injuries.