Blogger: #14
When the final whistle blew at the Etihad stadium, the scoreline read "Manchester City 4 Manchester United 1". A lanky, ginger haired man stood pensive on the touchline. His future was thrown into doubt when his present had barely begun. "Moyes Out" (you thought I was talking about Ron Weasley, didn't you?) was trending on the glorious site we call Twitter. It was almost as if people felt sorry for Paolo Di Canio and wanted to afford him company wherever sacked managers go to. But really, Moyes should be given time, and no, it isn't because that will bring the United kingdom to ruin (See what I did there?).
At the end of last season, when the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson retired, the rest of the Premier League rejoiced. *fancy voice ON* He who had ruthlessly slain all who stood before him finally gave in to the entreaties of time.*fancy voice OFF* While there undoubtedly was relief, as United look certain to enter a rebuilding phase, there was also a poignant note struck with the fans of one of United's greatest rivals: Arsenal. The great man at the helm at the Emirates, Arsene Wenger, is no spring chicken, and the North London giants are likely to face a similar situation when Wenger finally hangs up his boots. The situation at United is of great interest to me as an Arsenal fan, and the knee jerk reaction from sections of the United fanbase is not wholly unfamiliar to one who's accustomed to hearing the jeers emanate from the stands from Arsenal's own faithful. This is my take on the whole scenario that United currently face, and Arsenal are likely to face in the near future.
Now, let me make it clear. I do not like Manchester United. I don't. I hate their talismanic no.20. I hate their left back, I hate their fans posting 'GGMU' whenever they're let anywhere near a keyboard. I hate their fans, I mark them all down as snobby, ignorant, fairweather blockheads whose only defense against any argument put forth is that they have 20 league titles, concluded with a (you guessed it) 'GGMU'. I do a disservice to fine, upstanding United supporters such as #18 and #7 in the previous statements, but they can stuff themselves for all I care (sorry guys). BUT, as much as I hate to admit it, United are the club Arsenal must become. Sure, as far as the playing field is concerned, the rivalry has mellowed. (Largely down to us dropping away, but I'll gloss over that). But off it, the clubs are very similar. We're not run by sugar daddies. We rely on our commercial deals, on matchday revenue, and are established worldwide brands. But United are bigger. Ivan Gazidis, CEO of Arsenal, said during the summer that he'd like us to reach the level Bayern Munich was at, he could have easily said United instead. Yes, Manchester United are the club whose level Arsenal want to reach. Another common link the clubs had till last season was that two outstanding, long serving managers were at the helm, and had revolutionized each club. Fergie's gone, Moyes is in. Sure, he's not the most glamorous candidate, but he's a solid manager who has every chance of making the step up to be counted amongst the elite. Though if the fans lose patience, things could turn ugly.
Here's where being a United fan can be strange for most people. 20 odd years of success has whipped patience out of most of you lot, hasn't it? That, there is likely to be a two or three year cycle during which Moyes implements his own blueprint and you fall behind your rivals is something you might find a little hard to digest. If you have a Gooner buddy, I would recommend you go up to that fine citizen and get your shoulder patted and be informed that the said citizen has been in the same predicament that you are currently facing. We know cycles, we know patience, us Arsenal fans. The move to the Emirates hamstrung us. The cash flow became a trickle. We're finally out of the wilderness and honestly, I can now see why Wenger said this. We've emerged as true contenders. Okay, sure it's too early to tell, but we're now a force to reckon with on the transfer market, and things can only get better from here. But there were moments when the fans were seething and wanted him (Wenger) out. The impatience has been growing, boos have become frequent, and there's a real danger that United will go off the tracks if they give in to what I hope is a very vocal minority. Remember 8-2? Everyone wanted him (Wenger) out that season. The club stood by him. The opening day defeat against Villa was poisonous. "Wenger Out" became the motto again. The club stood by him. United stood by Ferguson and it would do the club well if its fans stood by David Moyes. Five games and the jury's out. Hell, the jury ought to be getting out of bed right now, groggily wondering if last's night revelries were perhaps a little too excessive. Not bloody examining Moyes' credentials. Yes, that is a shit way of putting it.
A couple of seasons is what Moyes will need to make it out of Ferguson's shadow. Granted, it will be a frustrating period. But that's what makes success sweeter. The hard times. You've had it lucky with Fergie, make Moyes feel lucky to have you. Back the manager. Correction, back YOUR manager. I'm off to place a large bet on United winning the league now that I've made my thoughts public. #Jinx.
I know hashtags don't work on blogs. Tell me that in the comments section.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
#14
P.S. Don't ask me why I do that.
When the final whistle blew at the Etihad stadium, the scoreline read "Manchester City 4 Manchester United 1". A lanky, ginger haired man stood pensive on the touchline. His future was thrown into doubt when his present had barely begun. "Moyes Out" (you thought I was talking about Ron Weasley, didn't you?) was trending on the glorious site we call Twitter. It was almost as if people felt sorry for Paolo Di Canio and wanted to afford him company wherever sacked managers go to. But really, Moyes should be given time, and no, it isn't because that will bring the United kingdom to ruin (See what I did there?).
At the end of last season, when the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson retired, the rest of the Premier League rejoiced. *fancy voice ON* He who had ruthlessly slain all who stood before him finally gave in to the entreaties of time.*fancy voice OFF* While there undoubtedly was relief, as United look certain to enter a rebuilding phase, there was also a poignant note struck with the fans of one of United's greatest rivals: Arsenal. The great man at the helm at the Emirates, Arsene Wenger, is no spring chicken, and the North London giants are likely to face a similar situation when Wenger finally hangs up his boots. The situation at United is of great interest to me as an Arsenal fan, and the knee jerk reaction from sections of the United fanbase is not wholly unfamiliar to one who's accustomed to hearing the jeers emanate from the stands from Arsenal's own faithful. This is my take on the whole scenario that United currently face, and Arsenal are likely to face in the near future.
Now, let me make it clear. I do not like Manchester United. I don't. I hate their talismanic no.20. I hate their left back, I hate their fans posting 'GGMU' whenever they're let anywhere near a keyboard. I hate their fans, I mark them all down as snobby, ignorant, fairweather blockheads whose only defense against any argument put forth is that they have 20 league titles, concluded with a (you guessed it) 'GGMU'. I do a disservice to fine, upstanding United supporters such as #18 and #7 in the previous statements, but they can stuff themselves for all I care (sorry guys). BUT, as much as I hate to admit it, United are the club Arsenal must become. Sure, as far as the playing field is concerned, the rivalry has mellowed. (Largely down to us dropping away, but I'll gloss over that). But off it, the clubs are very similar. We're not run by sugar daddies. We rely on our commercial deals, on matchday revenue, and are established worldwide brands. But United are bigger. Ivan Gazidis, CEO of Arsenal, said during the summer that he'd like us to reach the level Bayern Munich was at, he could have easily said United instead. Yes, Manchester United are the club whose level Arsenal want to reach. Another common link the clubs had till last season was that two outstanding, long serving managers were at the helm, and had revolutionized each club. Fergie's gone, Moyes is in. Sure, he's not the most glamorous candidate, but he's a solid manager who has every chance of making the step up to be counted amongst the elite. Though if the fans lose patience, things could turn ugly.
Here's where being a United fan can be strange for most people. 20 odd years of success has whipped patience out of most of you lot, hasn't it? That, there is likely to be a two or three year cycle during which Moyes implements his own blueprint and you fall behind your rivals is something you might find a little hard to digest. If you have a Gooner buddy, I would recommend you go up to that fine citizen and get your shoulder patted and be informed that the said citizen has been in the same predicament that you are currently facing. We know cycles, we know patience, us Arsenal fans. The move to the Emirates hamstrung us. The cash flow became a trickle. We're finally out of the wilderness and honestly, I can now see why Wenger said this. We've emerged as true contenders. Okay, sure it's too early to tell, but we're now a force to reckon with on the transfer market, and things can only get better from here. But there were moments when the fans were seething and wanted him (Wenger) out. The impatience has been growing, boos have become frequent, and there's a real danger that United will go off the tracks if they give in to what I hope is a very vocal minority. Remember 8-2? Everyone wanted him (Wenger) out that season. The club stood by him. The opening day defeat against Villa was poisonous. "Wenger Out" became the motto again. The club stood by him. United stood by Ferguson and it would do the club well if its fans stood by David Moyes. Five games and the jury's out. Hell, the jury ought to be getting out of bed right now, groggily wondering if last's night revelries were perhaps a little too excessive. Not bloody examining Moyes' credentials. Yes, that is a shit way of putting it.
A couple of seasons is what Moyes will need to make it out of Ferguson's shadow. Granted, it will be a frustrating period. But that's what makes success sweeter. The hard times. You've had it lucky with Fergie, make Moyes feel lucky to have you. Back the manager. Correction, back YOUR manager. I'm off to place a large bet on United winning the league now that I've made my thoughts public. #Jinx.
I know hashtags don't work on blogs. Tell me that in the comments section.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
#14
P.S. Don't ask me why I do that.
Description of united fans was spot on. Although I can't say the same for your trust in Moyes. There was an article I read in another website that said Moyes is too ordinary and docile and I agree with the author of that page. It said every legend has this fiery something that sets them apart and you can just tell that they're going to shake things up. Ferguson definitely had that, we all know how passionate he can be. Wenger was a different kind of genius ( / nut at times ) and I think he has been a little slow adapting to recent changes in the football world. To substantiate my opinion on Wenger, I challenge you to name one signing he has made above 15 mil other than Ozil, ever. On signing Ozil, Wenger has finally stamped out his 'principles' and this was long overdue. Nice article though. Here's the link to the other article about Moyes I referred to- http://www.football365.com/john-nicholson/8902577/It-Isn-t-Too-Early-To-Judge-Moyes...
ReplyDeleteRe. Wenger, he's never really had the funds to make that sort of signing till recently. But yeah, he is a little uptight about spending cash.
DeleteRe. Moyes, well, Ferguson handpicked him to be his successor, there must be some reason behind the man's reasoning, and the shake up you mention isn't always going to be a good thing. Why fix what isn't broken. I am not sure if you are aware of this but Wenger earned himself the moniker "The Professor" because of his extremely calm demeanour early on. He was ridiculed, his pedigree was questioned, and he was written off as a nobody. ("Arsene Who?" was the headline in a paper whose name I forget). We all know how that turned out. Guardiola comes across as a docile, ordinary man, doesn't he? There is every chance that given the resources he now has, David Moyes will do well. Time will tell, and I think he should be given that time.
Some reasoning behind the man's reasoning just sounds stupid. My bad :D
DeleteNow Guardiola is not a very apt comparison. I don't mean docile like the way they conduct themselves (maybe I did a little bit and realised it was stupid). I meant their ability to influence a team. Guardiola came out of nowhere. He was in the second year of his managerial career and pulled off a treble. Moyes we have known for a long time, 10 long years he's been at everton. He is without doubt a first rate manager and what he has done at everton is brilliant. Yet I don't know if that qualifies to be called extraordinary. Maybe it does, maybe he will steer united to no.21 but like you said we'll just have to wait and watch. And I'm not taking any bullshit about Wenger not having funds. Even prior to the emirates shift Wenger was cheap. Heck I'm not even convinced that he has loosened the purse strings after Ozil. Even sunderland and Cardiff spent close to 30 mil this season so this year doesn't count; but it's a start.
DeleteI know I'm hitting out at Wenger too much but it's because I have this prejudiced image of him that I acquired from a couple of guys who introduced me to football and I can't get it out of my system. So I can't help it.
DeletePrior to the Emirates shift, Wenger did spend quite a bit. 10 million then represented greater value than it does now. Also, the reason for the Emirates shift was to make signings such as Ozil possible. I fail to see your point though, so what if Wenger doesn't spend?
DeleteMy point is he never wanted to bring any stars into the team from the time he took over. He would get someone half decent or young and help them become really good. In 2000 he sold Overmars for 20 mil and got Pires to replace him for 6. Around the same time united was splurging 20 for Rio. This approach is commendable and used to be effective but times have changed and good young players are at a premium with teams like City heavily investing on improving their youth squads. Also the club attracted more players at that time because they were one of the champions league heavy weights but now you've got more competition on that front too. I think Wenger is finally starting to realise that and so has come to terms with big signings.
DeleteWell. Being a Manchester United fan, I'd say your perception was insanely honest. Though I did hate that part about Manchester United fans which is normally exaggerated since I'd go by the notion 'every club has shit fans. who isn't noisy when your club is performing well on the pitch?' And the fact that you realized, even Arsenal would face such a situation in the future (when Wenger retires, that is) has to be appreciated. Success tastes better when you've had the hard times. I know it. WE know it better than anyone else in fact. And that #jinx in the end, you have given the answer yourself. I'd love to hear you spending the money you'd win on the bet, come may.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
Every club does have shit fans. In the very next sentence I acknowledge I'm doing a disservice to the United fans who run this blog. It's a bit tongue in cheek, that part. I'm not quite sure how you'd know it better than anyone else considering what Arsenal and Liverpool have been through in recent times. And for the money being spent, I'm an Arsenal fan :D
Delete