New manager thread

[kris90210]

I'm sure it won't have escaped FSG's attention that Villas Boas' name isn't being met with the same criticism as Martinez. I think there's a very good chance that he'll get the job. The whole Chelsea thing *has* to be a big worry though doesn't it.

[marcus50bucks]

Can you not just bring them back to life?

I wish I could mate.

[Exiled_red]

I'm not sure it is about it being beyond his level but I do think it is a problem that he showed absolutely no pragmatism at Chelsea. No matter how much one dislikes Lampard, Drogba etc. you have to accept they are good players capable of winning a lot of games if the right tactics are used. AVB never compromised and his results suffered for it.

Our squad is less good and no more suited to his idealised style of play. If we do plump for him I think there is no chance of challenging for 4th next season. If he's the one we go for we need to back him for at least two seasons come what may. The record of FSG doesn't imply they want to do that.

I think if a club had the right players or gave him long enough I think he would be a success, for us I predict a disaster.

Agree though that it would be great to see him prove his Chelsea fan critics wrong (and the sniping journalists).

I think we could be in the battle for the top 4 (not saying we'd ultimately make it though), but I think the difference is Chelsea expected to challenge for the title and the failure to do that appeared as a a step backwards. With us I don't think it's likely we'd fall any further back that we are at the moment, so I think we'd be more suited to the development of a long term plan while also making some progress from where we are at the moment in the next season. This would gIve the new manager whoever it is more time beyond next season IMO.

[Rowan]

I'm not so sure - recently Gerrard has been rubbish out of possession. Lucas is an interesting one as his 'standing in the right place' approach to the game would either be ideally suited or get utterly ****ed up by the approach IMO (I tend towards the former but I'm a Lucas fanboi). I think you might be right about Henderson though.

In a lot of ways I see dealing with Carragher/Gerrard as one of the big challenges for an incoming manager. As is integrating young players. I think AVB might be good for the latter task.

I agree on Gerrard and thats why I'd have him as near to the top of the pitch as possible. But the Chelsea team he picked up was so woefully equipped for a footballing philosophy that embraces quick attacking football it's unreal. Their starting centre backs, unlike Agger and Skrtyl, aren't suited to a high defensive line, and their midfielders lacked the dynamism and defensive acumen to cope with a pressing game. I think Di Matteo has shown that if you want any success then you need to have them sitting deep and then lumping it. Park that bus and take your chances. The fact that the players knew this too was the end of AVB's chances.

We are a better fit in almost all positions on paper, D dubya dubya but I can see the Carra thing being a thorn in his side for sure.

[Bender]

I'm sure it won't have escaped FSG's attention that Villas Boas' name isn't being met with the same criticism as Martinez. I think there's a very good chance that he'll get the job. The whole Chelsea thing *has* to be a big worry though doesn't it.

player power bombed avb out and shaggy said mourinhio txt the chelsea players didn't help

[Vermilion]

Decisions Decisions and Possibilities No?

many many possiblilities for thees cloob yes, No!?. imo.

ok, everyone write their posts Rafa style from now on.

[dww]

I agree on Gerrard and thats why I'd have him as near to the top of the pitch as possible. But the Chelsea team he picked up was so woefully equipped for a footballing philosophy that embraces quick attacking football it's unreal. Their starting centre backs, unlike Agger and Skrtyl, aren't suited to a high defensive line, and their midfielders lacked the dynamism and defensive acumen to cope with a pressing game. I think Di Matteo has shown that if you want any success then you need to have them sitting deep and then lumping it. Park that bus and take your chances. The fact that the players knew this too was the end of AVB's chances.

We are a better fit in almost all positions on paper, D dubya dubya but I can see the Carra thing being a thorn in his side for sure.

Will Gerrard accept that sort of role though? I guess playing a high line and squeezing him forward from a nominally more central position might work.

For me Luiz is ideally suited to the style. The problem in that area was almost exclusively about Terry IMO (both as player and untouchable). I agree with you that Di Matteo has rightly decided that it isn't a fight worth getting into and adopted a policy that suits the old duffer. He's still a decent player and exceptional on field leader. For me Carragher and Gerrard perhaps represent some of the same problems but without the top organisational skills of Terry.

It is an interesting idea that our lack of success might make players more open to new ideas (or in the case of Rafa old ideas that they had become tired of).

[lickedlollipop]

AVB or Rafa for me as well.

[Fredo]

Will Gerrard accept that sort of role though? I guess playing a high line and squeezing him forward from a nominally more central position might work.

For me Luiz is ideally suited to the style. The problem in that area was almost exclusively about Terry IMO (both as player and untouchable). I agree with you that Di Matteo has rightly decided that it isn't a fight worth getting into and adopted a policy that suits the old duffer. He's still a decent player and exceptional on field leader. For me Carragher and Gerrard perhaps represent some of the same problems but without the top organisational skills of Terry.

It is an interesting idea that our lack of success might make players more open to new ideas (or in the case of Rafa old ideas that they had become tired of).

Terry isn't that 'old' thought surely? He's just turned 30 hasn't he?

[Exiled_red]

Terry isn't that 'old' thought surely? He's just turned 30 hasn't he?

According to wiki he turned 31 in December

[Atherton red]

I'm somewhat disappointed at the head of steam that seems to be building up for AVB. I recall tales last year of him requesting the chelsea team to run over and celebrate with him upon scoring. Hmmmm.

For me, whilst I can understand the desire of fsg for a young enthusiastic coach with new ideas, a 34 year old seems too young to me. Carra, stevie, bellamy, dirk etc all expected to take instruction from a peer rather than someone they would be looking up to.

If we're to persist in this approach, i'd favour Martinez with his 3 years prem experience over AVB.

If it was my choice though, we would have rafa with carra in a player/coaching role and Sammi hyppia brought on board should he find his job in germany finished in a couple of years.

[kingfunk]

many many possiblilities for thees cloob yes, No!?. imo.

ok, everyone write their posts Rafa style from now on.

[Mattshark]

I'm somewhat disappointed at the head of steam that seems to be building up for AVB. I recall tales last year of him requesting the chelsea team to run over and celebrate with him upon scoring. Hmmmm.

For me, whilst I can understand the desire of fsg for a young enthusiastic coach with new ideas, a 34 year old seems too young to me. Carra, stevie, bellamy, dirk etc all expected to take instruction from a peer rather than someone they would be looking up to.

If we're to persist in this approach, i'd favour Martinez with his 3 years prem experience over AVB.

If it was my choice though, we would have rafa with carra in a player/coaching role and Sammi hyppia brought on board should he find his job in germany finished in a couple of years.

Really, massive amount of no to that.

[Fredo]

According to wiki he turned 31 in December

Ah sorry, my bad. I think a central defender can hold it together up to 33/34, so he's still not there yet.

[dww]

Terry isn't that 'old' thought surely? He's just turned 30 hasn't he?

According to wiki he turned 31 in December

Fair enough - more past it. His injuries seem to be making him less and less mobile and it was never his primary strength.