Time and fudging timne again we hire managers to do a job. THEIR job. We know what they do. In Mourinho and Conte's cases, we knew. In Ange's case, we knew. Ange has never been a pragmatist. He is what he says he is. Yet here we are, amidst an injury crisis, piling on him solely.
It's ludicrous really,
Of course he shares some responsibility but the idea that he is going to change the way we play for a few weeks/until we have more bodies fit and available, is ludicrous.
IF we want to dive into the blame game (I'll leave the obvious part of this equation which has resulted in 12 managers over 25 years) then spare a blame-directed thought at the football directorship of Munn and Lange, who obviously endorsed Ange and supported his philosophy, to the extent that our entire fudging CLUB plays this way, starting in the youngest academy sides!!!!
As a CLUB we committed to it! So it isn't quite as easy as, "Tell you what lads, couple of injuries, obviously you're a bit of a knacker in regards to who you're replacing so tell ya what, we'll go 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3, sit deep and hit 'em on the break; we'll be a counter-attacking side for a bit now. Fraser, welly it long a good dozen more times too while we're at it!"
Imagine the message THAT sends. The ramifications. It's about a lot more than the 95 minutes of senior professionals showing up/having enough senior professionals TO show up.
Again, I will go on record as saying that I am FIRMLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE DIRECTION because I long ago GAVE UP on us doing it any other way. Levy will NOT take that quick path (y'know, Solankes and Netos and Eze's in the SAME window - I am NOT judging, those are just facts). So I am OK with the learning curve.
But that means I'd like to see Lankshear given more, Archie in midfield, perhaps Dorrington at CB. I'll tell you, if Ange did that, there'd be anarchy in the stands because we do not have a spine of top core professionals strong enough to bear the weight of that responsibility. IF we were to take that approach wholeheartedly, IMO we will need a couple of Naybet/Davids-like signings to almost coach players on the pitch. You know, the Kimmich's of the world when they're a year older. OR we just have to trust the manager to fashion the squad which can be great in 18 months. But if we do that, there will be more ugly times.
I sadly do NOT think people have the stomach or patience for it. And when the moaning gets louder, when the press start whipping it up, when every fan/manager interaction is posted worldwide, when everyone bangs on about the stuffing we'll get on Sunday, well the trigger finger at the top gets itchy.
@Bedfordspurs I am not going orange green or whatever the colours are mate, I am just saying what I am seeing happening. It's sad and feels almost inevitable.
HERE'S where Munn, Lange, and perhaps Levy can score a major fudging win with me. Show some long-term confidence in the direction they have ALL endorsed with Ange and his way of playing. Be brave. GIVE him a goalkeeper who can use his feet in January, GIVE him a full-back he wants to use, GIVE him a LCB, and GET him a winger! Again, I don't see it happening BUT I am up for the shock...
