The Van Gaal Era: Preformance Checks/Kpis

[smat]

Maybe I have my tinted glasses on

You? No.

 

[Stevencc]

He's been alright but he's effectively playing for a contract and we aren't going to shell out £40m for a former world class striker whose movement and work rate is decent. At least I bloody hope we aren't, he needs to score shed-loads of goals. I know he's just come back from a serious injury, possibly rushed back, but he's not got long left to prove he still has the capability he used to.

 

[Rotimi]

The problem isn't the hype given. Every sporting club/franchise/etc in every sport in the world has fans guilty of hyperbole—excitement is a natural, human reaction. Every single one of us has been guilty of this. I think it's pathetic that any sporting fan get theirs knickers twisted by a excitement over a young talent.

The problem is the opportunities said clubs give for the youngster to warrant the hype. City fans don't hype many of their youngsters because everyone knows they'll be playing for Sunderland in two seasons once their stock has plummeted. The problem for these youngsters isn't the fans excitement for them, it's the clubs stockpiling expensive youngsters to sit behind a £500m squad.

Fair enough. I don't think it will stop anytime soon though, seeing as the price for new "wonderkids" keep rising every transfer window. I think youngsters at United will fancy their chances now, considering the amount of youth players van Gala has promoted this year

 

[Rotimi]

He's been alright but he's effectively playing for a contract and we aren't going to shell out £40m for a former world class striker whose movement and work rate is decent. At least I bloody hope we aren't, he needs to score shed-loads of goals. I know he's just come back from a serious injury, possibly rushed back, but he's not got long left to prove he still has the capability he used to.

If I was to decide his fate, I wouldn't pay that amount for him, based on his performances. With the wages he's on, we shouldn't be making excuses for him at this stage of the season

 

[Humongous Fungus]

Maybe I have my tinted glasses on but I think Falcao has been very good thus far, hes only played about 13 games, only around 8 or so have been from the start. I would be concerned if he wasnt getting into positions or contributing in any other way but he is, he needs a run of games, when he got 3 or so games on the bounce around Christmas he scored twice, he assisted, he tracks back, drifts wide, hes a real team player. The goals will undoubtedly come, hes been a little unlucky in front of goal last couple of games but I think it stems from eagerness to impress, as his confidence returns, the goals most certainly will, his movement is superb, should be first choice for me, would love to see him and Rooney get a run up front with Herrera and Di Maria supplying.

Well done guys.

He's basically a poor mans Tevez.

 

[Renegade]

“I said to my players I was squeezing my ass but I knew that was the wrong expression,” Van Gaal said. “I meant I have twitched my ass on the bench because we were out of balance. We won against West Ham playing 4-4-2 for instance but all the time it was twitching your ass and I don’t like it.

I don't like reading about it either Louis. Sort your shit out. The more the season progresses with Van Gaal playing 3-5-2 and playing his two best players (Di Maria and Rooney) in reverse of where they should be playing, the more I think he's completely deluded. He's just being stubborn at this point.

 

[Christian Slater]

He's not supposed to be comfortable watching us play, that's not how we do it. You're going to have to take risks if we're to impose ourselves in attack. Have faith in the forward players to win the game.

 

[Steady]

Anyone ready to admit they were wrong about Moyes yet?

I'll say it again; the biggest difference between the two is simply how they carry themselves in the media. As far as tactics, if Moyes was considered one-dimensional and stubborn, I dread to think how LVG would be described.

Be honest, van Gaal is more more a 'Manchester United manager' - a vacuous cliche in itself - than Moyes ever was.

 

[Christian Slater]

Nobody was wrong about Moyes and if LVG carries on like this he'll end up just like him.

 

[Smudge]

Anyone ready to admit they were wrong about Moyes yet?

I'll say it again; the biggest difference between the two is simply how they carry themselves in the media. As far as tactics, if Moyes was considered one-dimensional and stubborn, I dread to think how LVG would be described.

Be honest, van Gaal is more more a 'Manchester United manager' - a vacuous cliche in itself - than Moyes ever was.

I think you're right really. Moyes loves being an underdog and doesnt know any other way, he's at his best being the underdog. And that generally means coming out with some pretty ridiculous statements in the press sometimes that just play down him and his players. Always did that with us, and while it annoyed quite a few of us, there were plenty of Everton fans willing to eat it up. United fans were never going to settle for that. The only real difference with Van Gaal is that he can talk the talk. 90% of the time it seems to be utter bullshit he talks, and he is one of the worst losers I think Ive seen in the Premier League. But he's bullish and brash and the press gobble it up.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Why is someone bashing Man Utd for giving youth a chance? Surely that's what we should be wanting all the clubs in the Top flight to be doing.

Not seen much of United this season but all you Man Utd fans what was the expectations before a ball was kicked with the money LVG has spent? Was it to challenge or was it to just regain a place in the top 4? If it's the latter I think he will do that this season but not sure he's the right might to take United back to being number 1 in the country.

 

[Christian Slater]

I think you're right really. Moyes loves being an underdog and doesnt know any other way, he's at his best being the underdog. And that generally means coming out with some pretty ridiculous statements in the press sometimes that just play down him and his players. Always did that with us, and while it annoyed quite a few of us, there were plenty of Everton fans willing to eat it up. United fans were never going to settle for that. The only real difference with Van Gaal is that he can talk the talk. 90% of the time it seems to be utter bullshit he talks, and he is one of the worst losers I think Ive seen in the Premier League. But he's bullish and brash and the press gobble it up.

Completely agree about Moyes, that's why we were so good away from home last year. He simply didn't know how to change that philosophy for home matches.

 

[Humongous Fungus]

He's losing it big time, apparently everything is against them. Cambridge are in the 4th tier of football, should be spanking them let alone winning with the money he's spent.

 

[SALTIRE]

 

[silkyman]

Why is someone bashing Man Utd for giving youth a chance? Surely that's what we should be wanting all the clubs in the Top flight to be doing.

I wasn't bashing the club for giving kids a chance. Good on them. I was commenting on the media and fans who always go overboard the second one of these kids does anything half decent. A year ago some people were clamouring for Jazzyjeff to renounce his Albanian and Belgian roots to wait three years and play for England. He's since scored once in a year, become a bit part player and was about as effective against Cambridge as Phil Jones, who, unfortunately, was born here so we're stuck with him as an international for some reason.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I wasn't bashing the club for giving kids a chance. Good on them. I was commenting on the media and fans who always go overboard the second one of these kids does anything half decent. A year ago some people were clamouring for Jazzyjeff to renounce his Albanian and Belgian roots to wait three years and play for England. He's since scored once in a year, become a bit part player and was about as effective against Cambridge as Phil Jones, who, unfortunately, was born here so we're stuck with him as an international for some reason.

That's the same at any of the big clubs though. Not just Man Utd

 

[Stevencc]

Yeah but Silkyman doesn't care unless it's United.

 

[Destruction]

I think you're right really. Moyes loves being an underdog and doesnt know any other way, he's at his best being the underdog. And that generally means coming out with some pretty ridiculous statements in the press sometimes that just play down him and his players. Always did that with us, and while it annoyed quite a few of us, there were plenty of Everton fans willing to eat it up. United fans were never going to settle for that. The only real difference with Van Gaal is that he can talk the talk. 90% of the time it seems to be utter bullshit he talks, and he is one of the worst losers I think Ive seen in the Premier League. But he's bullish and brash and the press gobble it up.

How are Evertonians finding life after Moyes?

Worried where this season is heading yet?

 

[silkyman]

That's the same at any of the big clubs though. Not just Man Utd

It's never quite at the same level. The hyperbole around Janujaz was hilarious. There's hype at other clubs, like at Tottenham about Kane. But the lad's actually doing something to earn it. The comment which sparked this was basically that Falcao can get lost so Wilson can play more. After his first goal of the season. In January.

 

[silkyman]

Yeah but Silkyman doesn't care unless it's United.

Weellllll it was in a thread about United commenting on a United fan talking about a United player, so I'm not quite sure what you want there.

 

[Renegade]

Yeah but Silkyman doesn't care unless it's United.

Weellllll it was in a thread about United commenting on a United fan talking about a United player, so I'm not quite sure what you want there.

Awh, now it feels like TFF. <3

 

[DarkSithLord]

Man Utd goals scored after 25 games -
2014-15: 38
2013-14: 44
2012-13: 58
2011-12: 56
2010-11: 53
2009-10: 51

And there lies our problem this season. For the money simply not good enough

 

[sl1k]

Man Utd goals scored after 25 games -
2014-15: 38
2013-14: 44
2012-13: 58
2011-12: 56
2010-11: 53
2009-10: 51

And there lies our problem this season. For the money simply not good enough

Yes, but you can obviously see why Van Gaal has set up that way. He clearly has no faith in his defence, why else would he play defensively with Manchester United??

 

[silkyman]

If only he'd had some financial backing to go out and sign some defensive players

 

[sl1k]

Only he does. That'll be dealt with this summer don't watch that

Only then will I decide whether LVG is up to the job or not. I have complete faith in him though. We should be a very attractive team going forward.

 

[SALTIRE]

In the meantime though you are looking rather gash!

 

[Whitechapel]

Manchester United would probably be playing better without LvG, and I mean without replacing him. Honestly think they would play better with no manager at all than compared to having LvG

The quality in that team should be challenging for the title and not scraping around at Cambridge. The only reason he's not taken more critisism is because other teams have under performed this season leading to United hanging about in the top 4.

 

[Toffee_Joe]

How are Evertonians finding life after Moyes?

Worried where this season is heading yet?

I was more worried a few weeks ago. Since then we have shown some fight. Especially West Ham away in the cup. A point to Man City isn't bad and we should have beat West Brom. Its not good. But I don't think we will get sucked into the relegation battle any more. Secure our league position then have a run in Europe.

 

[Avatar]

I was more worried a few weeks ago. Since then we have shown some fight. Especially West Ham away in the cup. A point to Man City isn't bad and we should have beat West Brom. Its not good. But I don't think we will get sucked into the relegation battle any more. Secure our league position then have a run in Europe.

do you think its more down to Martinez or down to playing in the Europa League?

 

[Toffee_Joe]

do you think its more down to Martinez or down to playing in the Europa League?

Blaming the Europe would be lazy I think. We have had some injuries to key players. Teams seem to be better prepared for our full backs bombing on. We made defensive mistakes at the beginning and I think that rocked the confidence of the side. Martinez has struggled to get that back. I am a big fan of him. Said that though we would be doing better if he didn't continue to waste players, like Eto, by shoehorning them into wide positions.