Managers managers managers. I'm so glad that I'm a fan of Manchester United and the subject of managers (other than replacing ours eventually) never comes up...except to say...he's simply the best.
It's a rare occasion that anyone disagrees with Sir Alex and his take on pretty much anything. Yes, he's had some spats with officials and the FA love to bring out the stockade once in a while and try to use him as an example. But who always wins in the end? Sir Alex.
With the recent brouhaha concerning Wayne Rooney, the masses saw just how important a well-respected, grounded manager is. Wayne thought he would hoodwink his boss, the club, the fans, and most assuredly the press. The latter are hoodwinked every wink by the slightest nod from a player, glance sideways, etc. But not Sir Alex, and certainly not Manchester United. Wayne learned a hard lesson from the United faithful...show disloyalty and you will pay the price.
Could another manager have effectively quelled the issue other than Sir Alex? I don't think so. Possibly Arsene Wenger...he's taken abuse from Arsenal fans for years now (especially since they haven't won a trophy in over 5 years). He's always very measured with his comments and speaks candidly at other times. But he doesn't have the endorsement of all the Gunner faithful.
Why am I waxing about managers?
Because it seems every other manager in the EPL is on the chopping block. Maybe not Carlo Ancelotti at Chelski (or maybe so after today....read the middle of my blog). Roberto Mancini at City, Roy Hodgson at Liverpool, etc. etc. etcetera.
So this begs the question...is a manager that important?
I think a manager is important for identifying talent (to purchase and keep), selecting the team sheet, keeping the players in check (hard to do with the money they make), making the faithful believe, and encouraging the team to keep with it.
But when it comes down to it...a manager can't score goals. A manager can't defend a goal. A manager can't bang in a corner kick.
So if a team loses, who's fault is it?
According to most fans and clubs...the manager.
I despise everything about Man Poo...but I really felt for Roberto Mancini yesterday. I'm not a fan of Liverpool, but to see Roy Hodgson try to keep the tattered remains of the once-mighty Reds together when he's been given barely any glue...it's hard to watch.
These men aren't some yahoos from nowhere. Both have been successful managers at other bigtime clubs.
Both have a wealth of talent (City's the most expensive and highly-paid), so why is it that they falter so much?
The players.
I blame the players.
If a manager trains you, gives you a good team to play with and you can't seem to find a broadside of a barn with a scattergun, then I'm not seeing why that is the manager's fault.
This isn't just an issue in footy, it's an issue in all sports. If an NFL player makes 45 successful catches in practice, then muffs it in the game...why is that the coach's fault?
Regardless, it seems that Roberto Mancini and Roy Hodgson have numbered days at their clubs. Mancini did make some dubious subs in their 0-0 borefest yesterday, but the players had more than 90 minutes to find the goal and couldn't...subs weren't going to matter at that late stage.
Give the managers a break...they have a tough job, and most do it with dignity.
HUMILIATION
Chelski Torn Apart by the Black Cats of Sunderland
Ripped to shreds, torn apart, pawed in the face...pick your headline. You will read one of those tomorrow where Chelski is concerned.
Today, at home, the oh-so-blue Blues let usual mid-tablers Sunderland swagger in to Stamford Bridge and take three points from last year's champions and this year's table toppers.
Ballsy Steve Bruce (a former United man) has got some firepower on his club. My favorite...Danny Welbeck, who is on loan from United.
Welbeck made good on Stevie's belief when he scored in the 87' to put the game away, when in reality is was probably over at halftime with a 1-0 score.
All three goals were superb and well-planned, although the last one was courtesy of a big mistake by Cashley Cole, who basically fed the ball across the goalmouth for Welbeck to bang it home.
Something is amiss at Stamford Bridge. Could it be bad karma? Earlier this week their second in charge was dismissed during halftime of a Reserves match...by telephone. Ray Wilkins has been a staple at the club and was given full credit by manager Ancelotti last year for helping the Blues take the title away from three-year champs United.
So what has happened this year to change Chelski's minds? They were averaging 6 or 7 at the beginning of the season (against lower sides, mind you)...and now they are lucky to win by 1...scoring 1. Warren Barton, of Fox Soccer Channel, said today that the "players are fully behind him," and continued that, "maybe he has angered some by his demeanor at times."
Hmmm...I'm more inclined to believe that they weren't all that good and now that the season is underway and everyone has games under their belts, that it's not so easy to pick off the bottom feeders anymore. They were missing Lampard today (but honestly he hadn't done much before he was out with injury), and Terry was off the backline...which might have been a good thing since he's made mistake after mistake recently.
So whatever the problem, Sunderland took them to the woodshed and gave them a 3-0 beating with a big two-by-four. That's gotta hurt...even more than the fact that Arsenal is two points behind them and United three.
As SAF would say...it's squeaky bum time.
THERE'S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT UNITED
As I watched Fox Super Sunday today with Christian Miles, Warren Barton, Keith Costigan, and newcomer Kyle Martino...I was ready for the "United just aren't good enough, are they?" from the foursome...and was pleasantly surprised when all of them gave the Reds kudos for making a comeback when 2-0 down to Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday.
All agreed that United are slow starters, but shouldn't be giving up points so much. They also alluded to the fact that the Red Devils are still undefeated...the only team in the league.
Barton (a former Toon man) said that United have always been a second-half of the season team, and will find their legs and steamroll everyone. I agree. We have had a terrible run with injuries (just like last year), and with Valencia (my main man) off the wing...it's lost so much spark.
But it's more than that. As I've said many times on this blog...United are the last team I would want to be playing with two minutes to go. Down 1, 2, or 3 (rarely), they are playing to the death. They just keep believing in themselves.
Nemanja Vidic's goal and Obertan's near-winner are proof of that.
Come on you Reds...GET IN!
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