12 May 2018 12:49:48
As the curtain closes on another Premier League season it's a frustratingly difficult one to assess.

The optimist's will point to progression, our highest league position since Sir Alex retired, win tomorrow and we'll break the 80 point barrier, 25 league wins, 18 clean sheets and finishing second above L'pool, Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal can be considered a decent campaign especially with an FA Cup final to look forward to and possibly more silverware to add to the cabinet, however many of us feel disappointed and disillusioned.

Some will argue that the football has been poor, disjointed, lacking rhythm, intensity and often overly cautions and boring. Supporting Utd this season has been a tough slog, joyless and unentertaining. Fall outs with players, harsh public criticism, self proclamation, a refusal to accept responsibility, constant team changes, no settled formation, sullen, fractious press conferences and flirtations with other Clubs have led some to question whether Jose is the correct man to take us forward.

I see merit in both arguments and have fell into both camps at various points throughout the season, Optimism often turning to despair and vice versa.

I think since Sir Alex retired we have lost our cavalier spirit and confidence. We often look consumed with doubt and paralysed by fear. Our football has lacked courage and belief and become almost robotic.

I am enthused by our results, I do see progress but I also see all the other stuff as well. I think at this time we need stability and despite the poor football I think the results should buy Jose more time.

Looking forward to next season I'd love to see a fresh approach. There is a time and a place for tactical, pragmatic stuff but football is a simple game. We have good players, sometimes all that's needed are simple words, encouragement and trust. Your better, go out and win the game. Be brave, be confident, trust in one another, express yourself, match their effort and your quality will win the game.

Come on Jose is doesn't always have to be a tactical slog. Cheer up you've got the best job in football. Meet us halfway and let us be entertained again.

1.) 12 May 2018
12 May 2018 14:02:04
Good post dlib. Sure we have improved plenty. This season in the league we have overtaken Liverpool Chelsea arsenal and spurs. Despite the lack if depth in the squad and poor options in a few positions.
Some players are doing very well others are good for a game bad the next game. I hope the football improves when we get in some proper full backs and strengthen in midfield.
Good positional improvement no real consistent football improvement. If we win the cup we will have had a good season. Lose the final it will have been an average season.
We beat every team In the league this season so we are not too far away. But we are not close to being entertainers yet.

2.) 12 May 2018
12 May 2018 14:39:01
Yeah kind of how I feel Ken!

I just have a niggling feeling that it won't really matter who we sign if there isn't a slight change in approach.

I've nothing against tactical, pragmatic football in the big games but the rest of the time we must be braver, play with more intensity, work harder and not let games just drift by.

I'm still not convinced we're ready to mount a serious challenge next season and in reality I don't expect Jose to change. Having said that I think there was an impressive stat that I read recently that we've won every league game when we've took the lead. I think it was something like 20 games so in theory if we can start quicker and get in front I suppose it's possible.

I think the main problem is we don't really know what we're going to get. A slow start, more public spats, fallings out and implosion is almost as likely as us stringing a consistent run of games together.

3.) 12 May 2018
12 May 2018 14:42:01
Dlib nice post, a well balanced view.

Despite positive results and a high placed finish, there were too many major lows this season, making things all too joyless. That's based on performances on the pitch as well as from Jose.

A mobile, intelligent central midfielder and two attacking full backs this summer, coupled with a more positive, energetic approach and we'll be happier fans all round.

4.) 12 May 2018
12 May 2018 23:33:29
Wonderful post DLIB.