Has Fergie lost his edge?

[prymetyme]

Man United as all of you know hasnt been playing to well this year and seems to be loosing there edge. This could be because Fergie isnt as hard as he used to be. It used to be if they lost to a team like Middlebourough he'd tell them if they lost again he'd let the fans into the dressing rooms to show them how they feel about it, now it seems to be like he just says we could have played better. Im not trying to start a bashing thread on Sir Alex, because he has done amazing things for Manchester United and I love him to death for what he's done im just saying maybe like Keane its time to let go, he has been here for a while...

[Invincible]

This could be because Fergie isnt as hard as he used to be....
Lol sorry couldn't resist.. :p

[MtP07]

Hasn't this already been covered???

[tscboys]

I really hate this, United need a player with passion out there..I know people ********en my age who could get out there and do a better job than these pro's..their passin', shootin', and everythin' else is horrible. I pray that someone lights a fire up under their ass, for it's our only chance left..

[TheYank]

I really hate this, United need a player with passion out there..I know people ********en my age who could get out there and do a better job than these pro's..their passin', shootin', and everythin' else is horrible. I pray that someone lights a fire up under their ass, for it's our only chance left..
How do you rate Smith's passion? Rooney?

[prymetyme]

Rooney plays the game with more passion then most players, and his bookings back that up

[TheYank]

Rooney plays the game with more passion then most players, and his bookings back that up
Yeah, I agree, I think the same can be said for Smith. While some may make a case that it hurts more than helps, and bad cards for dissent do, I think ultimately the passion those guys have is a good thing. I think Smithy's work ethic/passion is why Keane is backing him as his replacement in the midfield.

[tscboys]

there's a difference between passion, and stupidity..smith has stupidity, passion is gettin' that yellow when your back is against the wall and forcin' your way out and changin' the way the game goes..

[TheYank]

..smith has stupidity..
explain what you mean, because I've seen Rooney do some pretty stupid stuff as well, granted he's much younger than alan but I was surprised by your "lack of passion" coments on smith.

[tscboys]

he doesn't do it at the right time..he does it when he gets too frustrated, and it doesn't seem to have the effect on the rest of the team it should..it pumps us fans up, but the rest of the squad on the field just yell at him for gettin' a yellow...and yes young wayne has done some very very stupid stuff

[qazwsx]

I don't think its Fergie's fault. I beleive he hasn't got a great deal to work with and is battling manfully with players like Fletcher, Miller, O'Shea, Wes Brown, etc who really aren't the quality of player that Manchester United needs to reach fans expectations of the side.

[Mac_Howard]

Alex is a manager from earlier times and I think that his "hairdryer" treatment is much less effective with today's "superstar" players than it was with players who came up through the youth system automatically respecting him.

I don't think it gets the response it used to - hence Keane's frustration.

[Motterman]

Has Fergie lost his edge?

Fergie on Jose:

I like him. If you talk about other parts of his club, that's different, (:cool: ) but his management skills have been good for the game, refreshing.

"He has opinions to make. I don't mind that. Some I agree, some I don't. I don't think it has done Chelsea any harm. He has given Chelsea a profile they never had.

"He is the type who will come in and have a drink with you after the game, no matter what the result, and I appreciate that. Very seldom do you get the opportunity to sit down with managers.

"We have to get used to Jose's observations. It's amusing. I quite enjoy it."

Fergie on the lack of confidence

"Ability-wise, we have the capacity to win the game."

"There's no question about that. But there is a lack of confidence.

"If you take the foundation of the team the other night, I had four players of 21 and under. And O'Shea's 23 and Wes Brown was playing his first game for four months. Not ideal circumstances. And young players don't have the level of consistency that older players have.

"But we can't rest them. At the moment they are going through the mill, playing every game for us. No complaints. Great. The kids have done really well.

"Anyway, whatever team I play, it's going to be a hard game. We are playing a good team.

"But we have good ability. I am going to trust it. I am not going to let them down. I am not going to make any changes. Maybe one change. Of course, we would love to have the experience of Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Gabriel Heinze, but we don't."

Fergie on Wenger the voyeur:

"I'll tell you what he is, and it's got nothing to do with vision."
:eek:

Fergie on England withdrawals:

"The radio always says that. They think I've got something against England. They think I hate England. Nothing could be nearer the truth.

Fergie to the press on Sunday marking 19 years in charge:

"And are you bringing me a present, you miserable so-and-so."

Chelsea and United:

“We can’t allow Manchester United players to be demolished by criticism from fans.

“If we have a good start and the crowd really gets going then they are a formidable lot and I don’t think they will let the players down.”

“Wayne is not bothered by any of it. You can take players like him to the Nou Camp or the Bernabeu Stadium and it doesn’t affect them. It makes you wonder if they have blood or ice water running through their veins.”

“We have enjoyed a lot of the trappings of publicity and trophies in the good times.

“So when you lose a couple of games you are naturally going to be criticised.

“You can shout and scream and say it is all so unfair — or you can go out and win football matches and get the confidence going again.

“I still certainly think that, ability-wise, we can win this match.

“The players’ attitude has been good and they are all trying their best.”

“If we are trying to get a player we have to be quick before Chelsea find out.

“I think they would be happy just to buy someone to keep Arsenal and ourselves away from them. (:mad: )

“They can do that because they have got so much money. Even if I had all that money at my disposal I’m not sure I’d spend it all because it is important to still have a healthy youth system.”

“They are the best team in the country and worthy winners of the title last year.

“Their form has been exceptional and they are on a very good run. They are even more consistent than we were at any time in the 90s.

“But, having said all that, I do believe we have the ability to beat them.”

“We know they’re a side that will defend to the death.

“They’re always hard to break down, they play a lot of long balls and hope you make mistakes at the back. This is our a big chance. A chance to show other people they can be beaten.”

“We stopped Arsenal on 49 games. We made sure of that.

“There are similarities with this match. But I think Chelsea are made of sterner stuff. We need to start well and make them think a bit.”

Quotes from RedNews, btw.

[GrodZilla]

Alex is a manager from earlier times and I think that his "hairdryer" treatment is much less effective with today's "superstar" players than it was with players who came up through the youth system automatically respecting him.

I don't think it gets the response it used to - hence Keane's frustration.

I agree with you... The class of 92 prolonged the past in United. In a good way, although it brought us one of englands biggest egos(David) even he always worked his heart out on the pitch, he is a star, but he always knew that he was nothing compared to the club. It gave us an edge as the rest of the EPL changed, the foreign players had another attitude towards the game. But as we had a core of Manchester players with a love for their club we always had the advantage from the start.

I don't think that either SAF or Keano can really cope with that. SAF can handle a big ego, he was just great with eric who may have been the mos arrogant player ever to be at OT at that time. But I think he struggels when that kind of attitude becomes the norm. And even Eric was smart enough to understan the magnitude of THE CLUB.

But hte fact that the "hairdryer" does not work anymore is a sign that the palyers does not respect Keano and SAF as they used to, and in my eyes that is part of the problem and ot also makes them fools. Because if anyone knows what it takes to win its Roy and Sir Alex, that's my 2 cents...

[NYCgeezer]

Ha!

[Vermont Red]

As the article that was posted on another thread showed (in which the tactical decision to attack Chelsea down the flanks and avoid Makelele), Fergie hasn't forgotten how to manage. The energy may have been due to the opponent, but the tactics were all Fergie.

[Dark Savante]

As the article that was posted on another thread showed (in which the tactical decision to attack Chelsea down the flanks and avoid Makelele), Fergie hasn't forgotten how to manage. The energy may have been due to the opponent, but the tactics were all Fergie.
I totally agree. Quieroz doesn't pull any strings imo. He merely goes with the bried he is told too and drills the players about each system the manager wants. I'll say it all along, no-one tells SAF how to run a team.