Alert: FC Porto vs. Manchester United | 4/15/09 | CL QF, 2nd leg [R]

...............VdS
Rafael - Rio - Vida - Evra

.............Carrick
.......Anderson - Giggs
Ronaldo .....................Park

............Rooney

Wouldn't mind if you switch Fletcher for Anderson - either way we need some energy in midfield and I don't think you can play Scholes and Giggs together any more for that reason.

Possible that he may start with Neville and bring Rafael on later owing to lack of match fitness. However, I feel Rafael may get the nod over Neville owing to Nevilles poor form and the need for us to attack. Just hope that Ronaldo is told to track back for a change.

Think SAF will go for Park as we need a midfield five and he seems to favour Park in European matches. His form was poor in our last match, but his workrate will be needed. Wouldn't mind if he went for Nani, maybe in front of a Portugese crowd and cameras he may lift his game.

 

"Crazy Cat"? No.

 

I try to ignore all the "United is favored by UEFA bullshit, but when ridiculous things like this happen I always wonder...

United was handed the easy road (Yeah it was a draw, i know), and now that the road isnt so easy, Porto's coach gets a ban. Even if what he did WAS bannable, why the hell THIS game? Of all games, THIS one. Why not last? Why not in the Portuguese league?

I'm still confident in Porto, but this IS a blow and a loss to the team, no matter how you look at it. Coaching isn't just watching, it's talking, it's making changes, it's being WITH your damn team.

 

I fail to see how that helps us in any way.

 

Then you, out of respect, are an idiot.

One of the most vital parts to coaching is being there DURING the game.

 

Because the wrong doing happened in the Champions League, not the Portuguese league.

When we drew Porto, I knew it was going to be a hard tie. It isn't so scary compared to the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but I knew it would be a hard tie.

There is no such thing as an "easy tie" or the "easiest tie out of the lot".

 

Right right I forgot, how silly of me to think that the players would be drilled on tactics prior to the match, while being given orders by the coaching staff during the game(who themselves are receiving orders from the manager in the stands by phone). I guess they'll suddenly forget how to play and no one will be there to scream at them. How idiotic of me.

 

Oi don't call him an idiot.

The manager can still call his assistant to instruct can't he? It has happened before.

Plus, there are coaches there who work with players day in day out. I am sure they know how the manager would want things, and I am sure that they would know what is best for Porto in a match. It is not like you have lost Hulk or one of your best players for the match through injury/suspension.

 

You're not an idiot.

 

Of course it's not the end of the world, but you can't say it makes no difference. I don't even know who Porto's assistant is, maybe he will do better than Jesualdo, but it's not like the coach being banned is a non factor. It changes things, even if slightly

 

Let's not be so harsh. Vince is an idiot.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What he said.

 

I mean, imagine how screwed United would be if Fergie wasn't on the bench and instead had to stay in touch with Phelan via a cellphone. The team would absolutely fall apart without Fergie sitting quietly on the bench chewing gum.

 

I can't believe how utterly stupid I was for not recognizing that fact. It's almost mind boggling actually.

 

Some coaches prefer talking to stride and rosy cheeks, though.

 

I don't know if I've ever seen a coach talking to stride.

 

Some coaches prefer talking RATHER than chewing stride, and having rosy cheeks

 

I don't know if I've ever seen a supporter who doesn't know who the assistant manager of their team is. Have you?

 

Hey Vince, what to do you do on a phone? I talk but I'm wondering if I'm atypical.

 

Not every team has the media exposure or money of Man U. I haven't lived in Portugal, I was born here, and if you haven't noticed, Porto doesn't reach the news as much.

 

Well VR, I tend to talk on my phone as well, although I can't see why.

 

Sinister, if you ever gain access to the Internet then you will have access to this site.

http://www.fcporto.pt/English/Index_eng.asp

 

So a coach could talk to his players, or to stride, even if he wasn't on the bench?

 

Most people coulnd't care less who their assistant manager is. I have a friend playing for the team who doesnt even know his name.

U17 team that is.