22 Dec 2018 21:43:01
Well 5 Goals some nice football, good work rate, a lot of work to be done, but what does that say about Jose, apparently just about everyone and there dog was unhappy with Jose, he really needs to take a good look at himself, but as he says its not about him, Merry Christmas Jose and Family. try and smile for gods sake.

1.) 22 Dec 2018
22 Dec 2018 23:50:25
Good managers evolve and change with the times. Mourinho refuses to change and I don’t think he ever will. Do you think Ferguson had the same tactics when he retired as he did in the early 90s. Modern players are much more suited to an arm round the shoulder approach rather than the strict disciplined approach.

2.) 23 Dec 2018
23 Dec 2018 01:11:52
When the eagerly anticipated team sheet was announced you'd have been forgiven for looking over to the bench and wondering where Mourinho was hiding.

On paper it looked a conservative selection. There was no Dalot, Fred, Mata or even Pereira. Neither Gomes or Garner had made the bench. I bet Jones's selection set some hearts fluttering and I can imagine Young's inclusion didn't inspire excitement in many. This after all was more or less the same team we'd seen toil for most of the season however that's where the comparisons stopped.

The front three played higher with more freedom, mobility, fluidity and pace. They played quicker, faster, interchanging short passes and positions for once sending the other team into a spin. They were supported well by the powerful Pogba whose influence steadily grew as the game progressed. The full backs were significantly more advanced, they showed real desire to make forward runs and support the play. Out of possession we pressed and harried with great energy, enthusiasm and purpose. We did not retreat or drop deep. We kept the pressure on right until the end and it was certainly our most impressive and commanding performance of the season.

Whilst Martial, Lingard and Rashford will rightly take the plaudits I felt we saw the real Victor Lindelof this afternoon. Afforded to play in his preferred position as the right sided CB his use of the ball was brilliant. For once he had the confidence to attack the space, step into midfield and I saw his real potential for the first time. Defensively he was more aggressive and willing to engage further up the field. He pressed well and competed better both physically and aerially. Jones was also solid and if he can stay fit is actually a decent player. Something to build on maybe?!

Cardiff contributed to their own downfall, they showed us too much respect and were too passive. They allowed us easy possession of the football and our confidence grew from there. They actually set up like we did under Jose against the better teams and were simply our run, out fought and out manoeuvred. We will face sterner examinations but with the risk of sounding cliche you can only play what's in front of you. We wouldn't have witnessed such an expensive and energetic game with Mourinho in change and we were a joy to behold at times.

Moving forward I hope Ole learns from the mistakes made by Giggs during his short stint as caretaker manager. On paper we have a favourable run of fixtures over the festive period and a real opportunity to put a string of results together. Whilst I understand Ole may want to give other players a chance and experiment with systems and formations like Giggs I believe this would be a mistake. What we need is a period of stability and continuity. A chance for players to develop partnerships, relationships and understanding. Ole has given himself a wonderful platform to build on. I wouldn't like to see too many changes come Boxing Day. Possibly an extra attacker in place of a midfielder, maybe Sanchez or Mata however that is something that can be done with 20-30 minutes to go hopefully with the game already won. The FA Cup will provide opportunity for rotation for now we just want the feel good factor and football to continue. Those grey skies are looking a little brighter already. A welcome early Christmas present thank you Ole. Keep up the good work.

3.) 23 Dec 2018
23 Dec 2018 03:27:09
But my bet is that he will win a trophy with his ancient approach before we do.

4.) 23 Dec 2018
23 Dec 2018 06:06:08
Well said DLIB couldn’t agree more.

5.) 23 Dec 2018
23 Dec 2018 07:04:46
Good post DLIB.

United Addict, he might, but that doesn’t mask the growing crisis at OT that he was causing. We can argue about whether he is past it or not but whichever is the case, he never was, and never will, the right man for our club.

6.) 23 Dec 2018
23 Dec 2018 08:15:18
United Addict, that will entirely depend on where he gets his next job. Many people have said Real Madrid or Inter Milan are the most likely destinations. However it is Wolves where the odds of Jose being the next manager where slashed. A betting ploy? Or just people jumping the gun due to the Mendes link?

Either way beyond Real Madrid and Inter Milan maybe PSG are the only other top team that would hire him.

Barcelona or Bayern Munich won't go near him. Juventus, Chelsea, Liverpool or City won't either, mostly because they currently have very good arguably better managers.

Jose has been a great manager, yet he looks like a man on the edge of falling off the plateau of the very best current managers and falling into that category of previously great managers. It has happened to many managers before, LvG, Wenger and Capello are obvious examples.

If he doesn't learn to adapt to modern football he risks becoming irrelevant, outdated and defunct.

That's not to say he won't win anything ever again, LvG and Wenger have both won the FA cup in the last 5 years. However, success as a great manager isn't measured in domestic cups but in league titles and UCL wins. Will Jose win another of those? Probably not unless he adapts his style or goes to a league like Ligue 1 with PSG where there isn't serious competition for the league title.

His last three jobs have gone exactly the same way, poor style on the pitch and falling outs with both players and club employees. The Special one has become the Sulky one. If he is to return to the pinnacle of football management he needs to re-find what it was that made him special and adpat it to the modern landscape. I hope he does, it would be a shame to see such a good manager and great football character fade into insignificance.