The General C. Krulak Thread XIV

[Mazrim]

Is there such thing as a Villa Mumu?

[graham poll]

General is there any chance of getting bigger shirts in next year for us fattys? The 3XL looks like it's painted on. I haven't been a able to buy one for 5 years. Could we get a limited run of 4/5 XL?

General instead could there be a jog round body more heath for the fattys to loose a  bit.?

.BODYMORE WASNT A PUN!..

[Risso]

General - did Gareth Barry leave any kits behind, they would probably suffice for the posters above.....

[sfx412]

General Krulak here:

2.  Not sure where the rumors are coming from re. no spend from Randy....certainly not from the Club or the Manager.  I think the key is to look at the "track record" and let the actions speak for themselves.  I can assure you, this is not something that Randy would or should hold a press conference about.  The last thing in the world we want to do is tip our hand before the summer.  Not buying a ST based upon a rumor makes little sense to me.

Thanks General, its about time someone agreed with me if anyone can criticise money spent in the last few summers I'd like to see their argument. I may not be 100% confident in Mon but Randy gets my vote. Pity their isn't an owner of the year award RL would walk it

[ktvillan]

General. I'm a bit wary about analogies to wars and battles.  Battles are indeed all about winning, ugly or otherwise, no more no less.  Football, however, is a sport  and an entertainment industry and thus is surely meant to have an element of,  er, entertainment.  I know big business has pretty much taken the game over now but the way we play is very important to some of us, as well as winning.  If that's seen as moaning well so be it.

But talking of battles, here's a hypothetical question for you -  if you went into battle with the same tactics and personnel, time after time, and they weren't working, time after time, would you continue fighting the same way over and  over again?  Or would you try a different tack, or at least try to introduce an "element of surprise"?   Just wondering like.

[ckrulak]

General Krulak here:

1.  Villa MuMu...someone has been to Hawaii!!!

2.  Not sure about Barry kits...he probably took them all with him as a memory of his time with the finest Club in the world.

3.  ktvillan:  Understand your views re. battle analogies.  Unfortunately, I spent a good part of my life in the Forces and those analogies come easy to me...particularly since I do believe that sport and battle have many similarities.  To answer your hypothetical question:  Most successful commanders fit their tactics to their troop's capabilities...and don't try to undertake tactics that their troops are not best fit to carry out.  In all the discussion re. tactics and personnel, I think this aspect is missed by many.  If our squad was made up of players with a superb first touch and great control, we may play more like a Arsenal.  Our players have superb pace, they have the ability to cross into the box, they have the ability to head the ball into the net from a cross, etc. etc.  Each team has its own "personality" based upon the capabilities of its players.  The good managers understand the strengths and weaknesses of his lads and play to the strengths.  We are not the only team to do so!!  I watched the ManCity v. Arsenal game.  It was NOT exciting football but it was very tactically entertaining as both Managers tried to impose the strengths of their teams against the weaknesses of their opponents.  This is what we try to do each game.  Our ability to stay in the games (discounting the 7-1) validates the fact that we are, indeed, playing to our strengths.  It seems to me that if the Manager went away from the strengths of his players and asked them to play in a manner that doesn't capitalize on their strengths, we would be in serious trouble.  Again, I don't think any of us know more than our Manager.  He sees exactly what we see...good and bad.  BUT, he knows his players FAR better than we know them and employs his "troops" to the best of their ability and capability.  Instead of being critical of his tactics, it might be worth trying to walk a mile in his shoes and try to understand the rationale of his actions.  He has proven to be successful!

4.  To the Moderators:  I seem to have lost a large number of my posts.  I have posted over 1100 messages on this site and yet am only recorded for 900+.  Is there anyway you can go back a resurrect the proper number?  The truth is, the other sites I am on all register more than 1100 messages yet the site I started with (H&V) has me in the 900's....something happened.

[ozzjim]

Re the posts, I think when historical threads are compacted or archived to another place the post count goes down as those ones are essentially lost. There was a time years ago before marriage and children I had thousands and thousands of posts, but alas H&V has moved twice or more since then and many of them lost. Nature of these places unfortunately. Mac or Martin will no doubt explain better.

[Malandro]

General Krulak here:
4.  To the Moderators:  I seem to have lost a large number of my posts.  I have posted over 1100 messages on this site and yet am only recorded for 900+.  Is there anyway you can go back a resurrect the proper number?  The truth is, the other sites I am on all register more than 1100 messages yet the site I started with (H&V) has me in the 900's....something happened.

Unfortunately the posts you mentioned had to be removed.
Although very funny and about our nearest neighbours, they were not suitable for some of the younger subscribers.

[Mazrim]

Ooh you rascal.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Interesting post, General.

I guess it could be argued General Douglas Haig was "proven to be successful". Like Haig's troops, nobody can doubt the commitment of our own, they've done us proud yet again. Whilst we may be playing to our strengths, I'd argue that we aren't playing to all of them, just the basics, we're a lot more talented than we pretend to be.

I've been encouraged throughout the season by the comments by our manager that he wants to address these issues. Hopefully he'll see that the cavalry are limited compared to machine guns and tanks.

[ktvillan]

General I understand what you are saying about playing to our strengths, but I would mention a few points as food for thought.

First,  unlike many generals, the resources the manager has available are entirely of his own choosing.  I know you can;t really comment on this but one of the "complaints" quite a few of us have is that he hasn't generally tried to sign players known for their superb touch and close control, qualities which many feel are essential in the modern game, especially for breaking down stubborn opponents at home.  And for entertainment value.  The very top teams all have these kinds of players and I believe that if we want to join them and stay there, these are the kind of players we are going to need.

Second, I don;t think I'm alone in thinking that enough of our players have the potential to be much better technically with a bit of good coaching and to be a little more creative and multi-dimensional if encouraged.  

Third, the low number of home wins and goals suggests that this approach  is not really a strength at all when playing at home. It works pretty well away though.  

Fourth,  I've tried many times to "walk a mile" in the Manager's shoes, and somehow I always end up back in the 1970s with a bad case of neurosis. And the manager's shoes.

[ckrulak]

General Krulak here:

1.  ktvillan and others:......and that is why horse racing is popular...because of differences of opinion.  I understand all viewpoints but just have a slightly different view based upon my knowledge of MON, his program, his scouts, his coaches and his practices.  I see him continually working to help the lads improve...on and off the Pitch.  I believe he evaluates our side...measure the opponents and does his best to prepare the lads to win.  To think that, somehow, he is blind to what is happening at home...or away...is naive.  He is doing what he feels is best for the Club...and has shown considerable progress for our Club in the past few years.  Some fans are frustrated because they see what they feel are "obvious moves" and "obvious changes in tactics."  I can only believe what is obvious to those fans may not be reality to our Manager as he views his Squad during practices and games and as he views our opponents.  Again, I would urge all of us to get through this season (a very successful one by my count) and let the Manager do his job...with support.

[Rotterdam]

Evening General.
Are you watching the SKY programme 'Pacific'? If so, what are your thoughts?

[SoccerHQ]

General, have you been to any games lately? Probably not as you haven't been in the best of health lately? What about Randy, was he at the derby? Are you planning to both attend the Blackburn game?

[Risso]

General, can I suggest you contact Mac or Martin regarding your post count, as I've no idea what happened to them.

I don't know, getting involved in pointless arguments with Dave and then worrying about your post count, it's like you've been on here for 10 years!