Maddock: O'Neill tops Kop hitlist

[DeeTheDog]

but to be fair most of his teams don't make much of an attempt to play football, its more about stifling the opposition and bombarding the box with crosses and outmuscling teams. Adebayor is a different kind of footballer to carew and the like. In my opinion its not the way to win chamionships playing that way!

I have to disagree, Villa are one of the highest scoring teams in the Premiership. Take Carew from their from their front line, what other player would be described as a brusier. You play what you can afford, with a bigger budget I'm sure O'Neill will one day when the Premier league championship to go with his Scottish Championships.

[Shaggy]

I have to disagree, Villa are one of the highest scoring teams in the Premiership. Take Carew from their from their front line, what other player would be described as a brusier. You play what you can afford, with a bigger budget I'm sure O'Neill will one day when the Premier league championship to go with his Scottish Championships.

Harewood.

[DeeTheDog]

Harewood is a bit part player. I'm referring to their starting 11.

[Shaggy]

Harewood is a bit part player. I'm referring to their starting 11.

Are you talking about bruisers in their front line? Cos if so, well, they only play with one. One bruiser, Carew, who usually makes way for the other bruiser Harewood. Of course they have Agbonlahor and Young buzzing around either side, but still.

In terms of their starting XI, their entire back four are 6ft+ brick ****houses – Mellberg, Davies/Knight, Laursen, Bouma. Four centre backs.

Up front they have Carew and Harewood (the latter has somehow been pivotal of late).

His Celtic teams were the same - built around a huge lump up front (Sutton followed by Hartson).

[simey85]

Are you talking about bruisers in their front line? Cos if so, well, they only play with one. One bruiser, Carew, who usually makes way for the other bruiser Harewood. Of course they have Agbonlahor and Young buzzing around either side, but still.

In terms of their starting XI, their entire back four are 6ft+ brick ****houses – Mellberg, Davies/Knight, Laursen, Bouma. Four centre backs.

Up front they have Carew and Harewood (the latter has somehow been pivotal of late).

His Celtic teams were the same - built around a huge lump up front (Sutton followed by Hartson).

I watched that game they had against newcastle all their goals came from a corner and one penalty...it was painful to watch they possess no guile anywhere and only for the set pieces they created absolutely nothing. I think o'neill was very lucky to inherit a henrik larsson at celtic who was in his pomp!

[Ben_Itez]

Seems like a nice bloke and very passionate but I too wouldnt want him anywhere near our club.

How about that Rafael Benitez bloke....won a few trophies with Liverpool and reached 7 finals.

[Shaggy]

I watched that game they had against newcastle all their goals came from a corner and one penalty...it was painful to watch they possess no guile anywhere and only for the set pieces they created absolutely nothing. I think o'neill was very lucky to inherit a henrik larsson at celtic who was in his pomp!

Same when we played 'em at Anfield. Created precisely NOTHING in open play but scored from two set pieces. I don't recall Reina having to make a save aside from the two poxy goals.

His teams are horrible. Okay they're relatively successful and this season they've scored quite a few goals, but I've no interest in achieving things his way.

[DeeTheDog]

His teams are horrible. Okay they're relatively successful and this season they've scored quite a few goals, but I've no interest in achieving things his way.

Such football artisans, shunning successful football in favour of the myth of beautiful football.

Success in football is beautiful, the most beautiful thing. Were the victories at Old Trafford courtesy of Danny Murphy's set pieces or a Riise rocket not interesting? A fifth European cup courtesy of penalty shoot out and a penatly rebound.

The only reason we are waxing lyrically over United and Arsenal's football is that they are currently successful.

[simey85]

Such football artisans, shunning successful football in favour of the myth of beautiful football.

Success in football is beautiful, the most beautiful thing. Were the victories at Old Trafford courtesy of Danny Murphy's set pieces or a Riise rocket not interesting? A fifth European cup courtesy of penalty shoot out and a penatly rebound.

The only reason we are waxing lyrically over United and Arsenal's football is that they are currently successful.

But do you not think that they have proved quality attacking footballers playing good attacking football is the way to win the league?

[Shaggy]

Such football artisans, shunning successful football in favour of the myth of beautiful football.

Success in football is beautiful, the most beautiful thing. Were the victories at Old Trafford courtesy of Danny Murphy's set pieces or a Riise rocket not interesting? A fifth European cup courtesy of penalty shoot out and a penatly rebound.

The only reason we are waxing lyrically over United and Arsenal's football is that they are currently successful.

I understand the point you’re getting at and, the late 80s team apart, we’ve never been like Arsenal are now anyway. Not ever.

But we did always ‘pass and move’. I want to see pass and move back at Anfield, not ugly route one. Shoot me with a massive gun.

[BFG]

But do you not think that they have proved quality attacking footballers playing good attacking football is the way to win the league?

But did Mourinho's Chelsea team not prove that hustle and bustle defensive play is the way to win the league?

The way to win the Prem is to be the best team over 38 games regardless of your style of play. It's been won by both offensive and defensive teams in the past and will be won by both in the future.

[Dhav]

according to graeme hunter on irish radio this morning, mourinho is the man in the frame to take over IF benitez goes in the summer. he really wanted the job before chelsea came on the scene as he views it - in his own egotistical fashion - as the tailormade job for him: big club. down on their luck in need of something special.

well he should have thought about that before getting caught up in those ridiculous antics of his

BTw, Martin O'Neill? Thanks but no thanks

[dww]

But did Mourinho's Chelsea team not prove that hustle and bustle defensive play is the way to win the league?

The way to win the Prem is to be the best team over 38 games regardless of your style of play. It's been won by both offensive and defensive teams in the past and will be won by both in the future.

I thin that is unfair to a lot of what Mourinho did. they would shut up shop but especially when they had Duff and Robben in the team Chelsea played devastating attacking football. It's just that they then shut up shop and were also prepared to grind out results when one of the above were injured or the opposition played well.

Arsenal have done the same: for most of the games this season that I have seen they have played less than a half of beautiful football. They even scored three long ball goals in a week a while back. It is about having effective variations in your game but you ultimately need the knowledge that you can score goals against anyone and the feeling in the team that you will do it no matter what the circumstances.

[rudedog]

It never did Shankly any harm with Keegan feeding off Toshack..

bleargh - what a horrible mental image you have just invoked

[simey85]

But did Mourinho's Chelsea team not prove that hustle and bustle defensive play is the way to win the league?

The way to win the Prem is to be the best team over 38 games regardless of your style of play. It's been won by both offensive and defensive teams in the past and will be won by both in the future.

Just becasue they worked hard didn't mean they were defensive. They played some brilliant attacking football at times. Just becasue they could defend a lead and close games out doesn't mean they were defensive. They had players that were quality up front. At the end of the day no-one will win the league with just a group of hard workers, its the magic up front and ability to break teams down that wins leagues!