UEFA Champions League/Europa League 7/8/9 March *** Spoilers ***

[Bassmansam]

So you think that the clubs paying their managers millions of pounds a year are doing so for ***** and giggles. In a sport worth billions you think that the value of changing or keeping a manager is not a massive consideration.

Who decides what style the team plays, who motivates the players, changes tactics when the game isn't going to plan, figures out the other teams weaknesses and how to exploit them? How do you keep the egos in check, make sure players get on or at least don't negatively effect the team etc. Ultimately the manager is responsible for a huge amount related to the team. The players are the people that execute the plan and ultimately decide the results on the pitch but in a game with fine margins the manager can make a massive difference.

The problem i have is theres no way of really measuring a managers performance, it's all blind faith really. If Mourinho goes to Bournemoith will they suddenly become top four challengers? No of course not unless he also gets hundreds of millions of pounds to spend.

 

[fez]

The problem i have is theres no way of really measuring a managers performance, it's all blind faith really. If Mourinho goes to Bournemoith will they suddenly become top four challengers? No of course not unless he also gets hundreds of millions of pounds to spend.

I know what you are saying but the idea of a manager is that he gets the best out of players and improves them. He is the seasoning essentially.

A top manager won't make a crap team great but he might make a good team much better or a top team the best. He might change the tactics to stop the team shipping goals that are costing them games and give them a confidence boost.

You say it can't be measured but nor can most things in football. Passes completed? I could complete hundreds in a game and do nothing of note. Clean sheets for defenders or a keeper? Depends who is around them as to whether they will perform well as a unit.

 

[BaZ87]

The problem i have is theres no way of really measuring a managers performance, it's all blind faith really. If Mourinho goes to Bournemoith will they suddenly become top four challengers? No of course not unless he also gets hundreds of millions of pounds to spend.

Lets be fair, Mourinho's struggled to get into the top 4 with two of the most expensive squads in world football recently.

And why does everything have to be one extreme or the other. Of course a manager is limited by the players he has but better managers get more out of those players than poorer managers.

 

[fez]

Lovely stuff from Fellaini, Ibra and Mkhi

 

[Shamikebab]

Didn't realise it was an early kickoff, I thought he wouldn't risk Mkhi on this pitch.

 

[FrankJH]

very ity bity from both teams for the most part, not surprising given the pitch.

American commentators are going mental over Fellaini's chest down for the goal, personally think Ibra did more to set up Mkhi than Fellaini did but hey ho its an away goal so all is good so far

Don't think the ref has a clue what he is doing, blowing up over nothing , ignoring other fouls and choosing at random who the free kick should go to and yellow cards galore

 

[fez]

very ity bity from both teams for the most part, not surprising given the pitch.

American commentators are going mental over Fellaini's chest down for the goal, personally think Ibra did more to set up Mkhi than Fellaini did but hey ho its an away goal so all is good so far

Don't think the ref has a clue what he is doing, blowing up over nothing , ignoring other fouls and choosing at random who the free kick should go to and yellow cards galore

Ref has been odd for sure. Thought Ibra had fluffed the setup for the goal at first glance but it was actually a ridiculous bit of skill.

 

[FrankJH]

Lets be fair, Mourinho's struggled to get into the top 4 with two of the most expensive squads in world football recently.
.

and of course Utd playing (nearly) 1/3 of a league season more games in Europe already than 2 of the current top 4 has nothing to with it of course

(without including FA Cup and League Cup additional games)

Ref has been odd for sure. Thought Ibra had fluffed the setup for the goal at first glance but it was actually a ridiculous bit of skill.

I thought he had mucked it up to, but that little tap with his other foot was brilliant before the pass to Mkhi

 

[BaZ87]

and of course Utd playing 1/3 of a league season more games in Europe than 2 of the current top 4 has nothing to with it of course

(without including FA Cup and League Cup additional games)

You've played 12/13 games more than Spurs in Europe this season? And when you've got the most expensive squad in the history of football, a few extra games is no excuse.

 

[Shamikebab]

and of course Utd playing 1/3 of a league season more games in Europe than 2 of the current top 4 has nothing to with it of course

(without including FA Cup and League Cup additional games)

Not remotely an excuse. If we felt we didn't have the squad to compete we could have just played the kids/reserves and gone out early.

 

[fez]

Good goal for Rostov

 

[Shamikebab]

Urgh that is woeful defending

 

[Azza]

Well well well.

 

[dacads]

Didn't expect that lol, cracking goal.

 

[drunkenmaster]

What are the commentators on about, it anything it's handball by the other guy? Herrera saw him at the last minute, panicked, smacked the ball away and kicked him for good measure... then he panics again that he might get a card deserved card and pretends to be injured.

Herrera is such a diving, play acting little ****.

 

[Nate75]

Yeh I watched Herrera hand ball it. ..

Odd

 

[Shamikebab]

Clear dive there but no card

 

[ScottyJKB]

Some interesting refereeing in this game...

 

[dacads]

At least mourinho looks a bit more normal today

 

[Shamikebab]

Fellaini offside from a freekick...