Rotating the team for every game.
We're a couple of weeks away from the cup final and probably only 4 players are guaranteed a game.
Rado, MacGowan, Fojut and Dixon.
The others know that no matter how they play in the preceding games they might not be picked for the final.
I've always thought that having a settled team was what every manager aimed for with the occasional change as needed.
Jackie apparently knows better.
Hard not to disagree with Ivan's comment in an earlier thread when he suggested that Jackie picks the team blindfolded.
Every United supporter I've spoken to is fed up with team selection, tactics and use of subs.
From looking at 3rd place in the league we'll probably have a fight to stay in the top 6.
Particularly if the players are becoming as disillusioned as the supporters.
Jackie FFS stop,.........
posted on 22/2/15
I suppose it's a fine line between constantly keeping the same system & line-up when it's not working (like we did under Houston) and constantly changing it to find something that works, like we are now.
I do think McNamara is being too clever for his own good - something that pretty much every manager in history is guilty of. Trying to out-think the opposition manager rarely goes well, and you just end up confusing your own players rather than theirs. If his favoured 4-2-3-1 system isn't working, then he should find a way to make it work. He's managed it before.
posted on 23/2/15
Totally agree.
At first I was fully understanding of what he was trying to do - we have a young team and he was trying to manage them and watching them during the week to see if they were maybe dropping off for a wee bit.
But now it's just 3 or 4 changes minimum every single week and by this stage of the season you want a settled team.
That selection on Saturday still angers me. Three defensive midfielders at home to St Johnstone ffs.
As for the fans....I think we need to take a look at ourselves to be honest. The atmosphere at Tannadice on Saturday was awful from the very start. As the players came out for the second half I stood up, clapped and shouted 'Mon United'. I think I was the only person in the Eddie Thompson stand to do so. The fans need to stop sulking at what happened on deadline day and get behind the team again.
posted on 23/2/15
The ticket sales for the cup final would possibly suggest that the fans are not now sulking about deadline day. The people I talk about United with are just fed up of the manager and the teams he picks.
Maybe if he came out and explained to the fans why he changes so many players for every game we'd all be happier.
But it appears his philosophy is that he's right and we're wrong.
The next few weeks might define his future with United.
Three defeats against Celtic might be the last straw.
I'm not sure too many supporters would bother if he left or was sacked.
posted on 23/2/15
Folk always come out for a cup final.
I wouldn't want him to leave. Not now anyway. I personally think there's been a little bit of an overreaction, and articles like the one in the Record today don't help with that.
Having said that, I'm not going to pretend I'm delighted with his performance as manager either. I think there are a number of issues with him, issues that are long standing and that he has failed to address.
I'm in full agreement though that we need a settled team. Or at least the core of the team needs to be settled. I have a little bit of sympathy with the fact that Paton and Rankin have both suffered big dips in form which really hasn't helped that.
Would I be bothered if he left? I wouldn't be devastated, but I'd be concerned as to where we went from there. You just need to look at Motherwell to see how things can change very quickly.
posted on 23/2/15
I think sacking the guy who has overseen several million in player sales wouldn't be the best move from a business standpoint. At present, how many managers in the SPFL would you swap for McNamara?
I see McNamara as more of a Levein figure than Houston. Whilst Houston was tactically inept and made many poor signings, both Levein & McNamara made many quality signings. Unfortunately they're pretty stubborn tactically and again are too clever for their own good, and that tends to stop their quality signings from playing to their full potential.
posted on 23/2/15
Hobo,
I understand your argument and I wasn't advocating sacking the manager and I doubt if Thompson is even considering it yet.
Its perfectly feasible that we'll lose all three games to Celtic which would leave only third place to play for.
And given recent form I wouldn't see that as likely.
We have a decent squad of players who aren't performing and a manager who seems to think changing the team every week is the answer.
Could be the players are as frustrated as the supporters in not having a clue as to what the team will be and what they have to do to keep their place.
We're only 6 points ahead of Dundee although with 2 games in hand.
ICT tomorrow will be a tough 90 minutes.