Our unbeaten run was always going to end, as was our recent excellent record of goals conceded.
So now it's gone with a bang, we'll build again. Even if we get every aspect of the re-building process right first time, it's going to take time.
Martin, you're going to need to stock up on patience. Destruction is always a much, much quicker process than construction.
It's wearin thin, tes. It's not that we don't get the results, it's the way we go about things, or don't rather. Here we go - Blackpool x 2, Stoke, Wolves, Blackburn, Newcy, Wigan1-1 x2, narrow and somewhat lucky wins at home against Fulham and WBA, the list goes on. None of these sides could beat us on quality, none. Yet they do, and quite frequently so. Why? Because they want it so God damn more than we do. I honestly don't think it's more complicated than that. We don't have the will or the ability to bring that will out when needed. The reasons for that is probably many. I'll list a couple below:
* The GH and Rafa years. Both managers firm believers in a perspective where scientific calculation and analysis will ultimately provide the winning equation. A highly instrumental perspective that runs anatema to the more collective approach adopted by Fergie. Over time, our squad has been unable to gel in a natural way leaving players confused and drained of confidence when asked to step forward.
*The players. As a result of having instrumental managers, it's no wonders our players have been short on character. True there's Gerrard, Carra and Kuijt. But other than that most of our squad for most part of the 00's looked content with things no matter what. Heard this anecdot as a kid back in the early 80's Sir Bob had it, it wasn't diffcult to spot a good player. It was a matter of weeks. Finding out whether he had the social abilities and qualities, howeve, could take up to two years. More of that me thinks.
I don't know. But my feeling is we need to start all over. We need to throw away the idea we're a top side. We need to accept it'll be 4-7 years without European footy where, instead, we're building for the future. Or we can harp on like this falling behind little by little as the seasons goes past. I don't mind spending a few years in the midtable region as long as there's a clear and coherent plan, as long as you can see slow but steady improvement in accordance with that plan. This shine-a-light we tried for over a decade must come to an end that's all that really matters to me right now.
