04 Sep 2018 21:12:19
I think Mourinho has changed his strategy. Not on the pitch necessarily, but off it. It's interesting as he's decided the best way to fight against Woodward is to get in line with the fans. This will strengthen his position within the club. I noticed recently that the fans have been chanting his name and I'm hoping he's building a good relationship with them. This could only be an improvement on what has been going on previously.

1.) 05 Sep 2018
05 Sep 2018 02:41:21
Bit of a shame that its taken him two years and his back fully being against the wall for him to realise that engaging with the fans could help with his popularity.

He spent his first two years rarely acknowledging the away fans and occasionally criticising the home fans for a lack of atmosphere.

2.) 05 Sep 2018
05 Sep 2018 07:24:47
Fully agree DSG. I've been saying that he's not the most clever man dealing with the press, woodward, the players or the fans. But i think someone has advised him on this.
He'll be doing it to further his cause re transfers. But mostly, he'll be thinking of his reputation.
Whichever it is, i would rather have him onboard with the fans than not.

3.) 05 Sep 2018
05 Sep 2018 08:55:42
I'd like it to have been a natural thing. At the minute it's like he has taken the mick for years as he walks around the local boozer saying what he wants and doing what he wants to anybody, then a group of outsider bikers walk in and are about to give him the kicking he deserves, so he then runs over to us and asks us to protect him as 'it's our pub and we should all stick together'!

He's a user, this switch is temporary whilst he needs us - a few wins or easing of tensions and he will revert to type - a leopard like Jose doesn't change their spots this late in their career. Once the media have something else to focus on, he'll get back to being who he really is.

That said, it looked a bit better on Sunday, fingers crossed the media hounding continues as I enjoyed one of our games for the first time in a long time.

4.) 05 Sep 2018
05 Sep 2018 11:41:41
Are we really saying that Jose has a lack of intelligence when dealing witht he press, woodward, players and fans?

Im not for one minute condoning his actions but its absolutely nothing to do with him 'not being the most clever'

5.) 05 Sep 2018
05 Sep 2018 11:57:49
Beast it is possible that you are right. But another possibility is that he has been under immense pressure, this is one of the most important years of his career and the team didn't start well. He was sacked from his last job, and hasn't proven much in his present. The style of football specially at the bigger clubs ( job opportunities for Jose ) has changed a lot and they will think twice before appointing him with all his media circus and outdated style of play. So it's a make or break season for him, such is the pressure. And then our team goes and loses to Spurs 3-0. At that point he's expecting the worst but he sees fans actually singing his name. Maybe that changed something. He obviously has his critiques amongst the fans but still while on the pitch these fans have supported whoever the manager has been. I just hope he doesn't get into all this media crap and focuses on he team and players.

6.) 05 Sep 2018
05 Sep 2018 12:35:19
I hope you are right Sailor. I totally agree he has never been under so much pressure, but this guy has a habit of biting the hand that feeds him. The fans chanting his name and supporting him on websites like this are really helpful to him at the moment without a doubt.

I think people earn support, some of our fans think becoming manager of the club automatically means they deserve unquestioning support. Each to their own and it's what makes this website so much fun to be on at times.

I also hope he finally learns to focus on what really matters and being in a tough spot means he should work hard to solve the problems, not obscure the issues or divert it away from what needs to be done. All of this is of his own making and from an outside perspective very easy to solve.

Shut your mouth, pick players in form, focus on attacking teams and help those players struggling (not throw them under the bus) - if more of the fans treated Jose how he has treated some of the players he wouldn't be in a job. Burnley could be massive, just hope we take the game to Watford and live up to our potential.

7.) 05 Sep 2018
05 Sep 2018 13:37:54
Beast, you're asking a mam who has won trophies at every club he's been at. He wasn't fast tracked to the top, he started as a translator. He's earned his ticket to the top dance and for people to ask him to change everything he's done to get him here is naive.


I know as a united fan we expect attacking football, flying wingers, almost beating opponents into submission but would you look at this team and try and play "you have a shot, we have a shot"? . I certainly wouldn't. We're so wasteful in front of goal at times and that back 4 can be got at if the team isn't set up right.

Jose has wasted a fair amount of money on short term fixes and I can understand the club wary of loading the team with 29 year olds, but the man needs to be supported in the transfer window. People can throw out the £400 million we've spent in the last few years but that's the going rate.

I think everyone associated with the club is fumbling the ball at the minute. Jose definitely is at times with his hostile approach to certain players and bizarre demeanour. Woodward hasn't backed him the way a he should be backed if we have aspirations of winning the league. The players have been hit and miss and struggle to find consistency and a large portion of the fans have ramped up the pressure on the team and the Spurs game was evident of this. They have a right to by the way.

The problem is when things don't go to plan, everyone reverts to their default mode and Jose''s one isn't particularly nice or helpful at time's but that's what's got him where he is.

This isn't meant as a dig to you Beast but your default mode is one of pessimism. You could fine fault in anything and that's not necessarily a bad thing. You want the best, I want the best, we all do. But I know when I see a positive Beast post, it's refreshing but I know the regular Beast is lurking in the corner ready to come out to play when the rubbish hits the fan. My laboured point being, let Jose Jose and just enjoy the ride. He might change for a while but it won't last. He'll do a Jose and win us the league, or he'll do a Jose and go out with a big pay off in November.

I think the positivity of the fans really is a huge factor in our title aspirations. I just hope everyone can get behind the squad because it could be just want we need for the manager and the players to find that extra spark to really kick on. There's a world class manager in there and there is potentially a team that can beat any one their day.

What's the worst that can happen?

8.) 05 Sep 2018
05 Sep 2018 14:43:25
Mumbles that is a very goos post.

9.) 05 Sep 2018
05 Sep 2018 15:12:58
Yes that is a good post Mumbles.

I suppose all I can say is that my general mood reflects the performance levels of the club compared to my expectations. There have been many instances over recent years where I have supported things that the masses have criticised (Luke Shaw in particular) - but generally I agree I am far more critical as I aim for perfection (or at least working towards it) .

We have had several years of severe underpeformance (from my perspective) .

One more thing - Jose has had an exceptional career, but I don't think he fits the club and I don't like how he sets the team up. Nowadays it is too easy to play against. Managers lose their edge, the evidence suggests he lost his some time ago. So whilst I concur that we should all get behind the manager and team during difficult times especially, it would be helpful if the manager throws us a bone or two - it seems to be a one way street!

10.) 05 Sep 2018
05 Sep 2018 15:35:58
Good post Mumbles.

11.) 05 Sep 2018
05 Sep 2018 21:32:55
Great Post Mumbles but the football is still boring. That's why Jose has to go.

12.) 05 Sep 2018
05 Sep 2018 22:53:37
Good post again mumbles.