by Fergus Houghton-Connell
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| David Moyes: worried? |
For the past five years, the two Manchester clubs have dominated the Premier League. But this season, after eight games, Manchester City are fourth and United are eighth, already eight points behind league leaders Arsenal. So why, all of a sudden, are the Manchester clubs suddenly barely competing for Champions League football?
Don’t blame the selection, blame the mentality
United manager David Moyes has only made one change to the league winning team over the summer, bringing in Marouane Fellaini, and his team selections have been very similar to Ferguson’s last year. Yet now he is accused of bad tactics because he is playing veteran Ryan Giggs instead of Shinji Kagawa. Last season however, Giggs had a storming campaign; surely Giggs is the safe option?
The story is slightly different for City, with manager Manuel Pellegrini bringing in stars such as Jovetic, Jesus Navas and Fernandinho. Yet the team still has the same core of players in David Silva, Aguero and Kompany at the back and they aren’t performing at their best.
Confidence has surely taken its toll here. Manchester United seem to have very little of it and when confidence is low, everything seems to go against you. Against Southampton for example, United were looking at wrapping up the three points with a simple 1-0 victory, yet the Saints managed to scrape a last minute goal to earn a draw. United’s mentality this season just seems a bit negative. Maybe Moyes has done something in training that has disgruntled the players, we don’t know, but United need to pick up their attitude soon, otherwise it could be a long season.
Without a doubt, Arsenal and Liverpool are having storming starts to their campaigns, punching well above their weights. Both of these teams have made excellent summer signings and have had some of their youngsters really mature into world-class players, with the likes of Ramsey for Arsenal and Coutinho and Sturridge coming good. Maybe the benchmark for Champion contenders has changed, leaving United and City behind the pace. If that is the case, then maybe Moyes and Pellegrini should have made more effective signings in the summer.
Overall, United’s problem lies with the managerial change. Losing Ferguson has taken a huge toll on the team and their confidence has shattered as a result. Unless they can find that winning prowess, they are going to have a very long season. City’s problem on the other hand I think lies, very simply, with Vincent Kompany, their captain and centre back. When he plays, City seem unstoppable. Yet recently he has suffered an injury and their defence falls apart without him. If Kompany can stay fit, I think City’s problems will end very soon and we could see a league winning side back in Manchester.
No mention of the vastly underused Wilfried Zaha, a proven master on the wing. Moyes is too scared to change anything for fear it will break what Fergie did, yet by not doing anything the team is falling apart! Moyes needs confidence in himself. The switch from a relatively quiet position at a decent Everton side to the behemoth that is the tourist-populated, internationally-dominated "Theatre of Dreams" as a once famous England captain once referred to it, may have been too much of a climb for him. But what choice did they have? United have always been about stability- they've had it for years under Ferguson. It seems as though they feel the cut-throat world of managerial instability is below them. A sense of snobbery in the Premier League? Perhaps. Moyes was the longest-serving manager available (apart from Wenger, but then he's not going anywhere quickly, is he?) and they wanted that stability. Stability over confidence is what has led to this downfall.
ReplyDeleteBut, with Fergie watching on motionless, focused, gum-chewing, they will still get the same old treatment. Referees giving penalties miles outside of the box? Ashley Young diving, then getting defenders red cards? Same old United. Same old Old Trafford. The only way to end this? A bit of instability. Not what United want.
`We'll race you back to London...`
Personally, I think it's the summer signings. Zaha's potential is limited to that of a decent player, but quite a way short of world-class. Fellaini again, decent player, but nowhere near world class. 6th place finish for United this season.
DeleteIt would be very interesting to find out why there mentality is down
ReplyDeletei agree as a surporter of man utd we are on the fall of domination and may miss out a champions leauge sport
ReplyDeleteI think their mentality is down becuase of the change of manager, even though he plays more or less the same style. Whereas for City, I think they need more time to gel as a team.
ReplyDeletewhat does gel as a team mean they beat man u 4-1
Deletei think that it is the managers folt because the formation, tactics and team line up might be new or dodgy or they have to get used to a new manager. because this sudden swap i think man utd are not going to make the champions league.
ReplyDeleteWhilst I agree that the two Manchester clubs aren't doing as well as last season, I think some other clubs have got better. For instance, Arsenal have been coming around 4th in recent years yet now they are pushing for the title. Everton, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham are all also competing for the Champion's League much more than before. It might not be a bad thing that the Manchester teams aren't doing as well as it makes the leauge more interesting and exciting.
ReplyDeletecity are 2nd explain that Robert
Deleterubbish manchester city are top of the premier league as a true man city supporter i will show my true colours and say city will win the carling cup ,premier league and win the fa cup when city have aguero back no one will be able to stop them becuase literally everyone in the city squad is scoring .aresenal city's main rivals have been injury struck and have lost walcott for the rest of the season and ramsy for 1 or 2 weeks. COME ON U BLUESSSSS!
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