The Martin O'Neill thread (with added sacking #2188)

[richl]

Still no wins in March for pubehead

[Somniloquism]

Still no wins in March for pubehead

He won last year in March. Probably because he only had them from December so didn't have the chance to run the first choice 11 into the ground before then.

[dave.woodhall]

He's reminding me of Ron Saunders in 1986 - the game's changed, he hasn't and he can't understand why his methods don't work anymore.

[Damo70]

He's reminding me of Ron Saunders in 1986 - the game's changed, he hasn't and he can't understand why his methods don't work anymore.

Sunderland aren't great but I'm not sure they deserve to be compared to the Blues or Albion '86 vintage Dave!

[Davey B]

I know that pundits like Lawrenson and Savage change their minds depending on which way the wind is blowing that particular day and Sunderlands form makes MON an easy target but our old mate Robbie on 606 reckons Sunderland are falling way below meeting the basic criteria that MON has always demanded of his players and 'Chappers' is hugely damning of their performance as a team and individuals today. The criticism seems to be aimed at attitude and effort as opposed to just playing badly.

Davey B? You can usually be counted on for a fair, balanced and honest take on things.

I was at the game today Damo, and from what i witnessed today i think the above from Chappers, Lawrenson and Savage is a tad unjust. For the previous 3-4 games i would agree, but not for today. I went today, expecting a proper drubbing, but thought the team performance gave quite an improvement in effort to the previous games and to be honest feel a bit hard done by not to have a point. Confidence is still low, and at times it is frustrating to see moves opening up, only for someone "not" to make a run into the opening space. Johnson is getting a lot of stick, but i watched that lad closely today, and when he is beating a man or two, which he did several times today, there seems not to be an outlet for him. I thought Graham played quite well, and that the team worked hard. Not an inspiring performance by any means, but for me it showed light at the end of the tunnel.

[eastie]

I know that pundits like Lawrenson and Savage change their minds depending on which way the wind is blowing that particular day and Sunderlands form makes MON an easy target but our old mate Robbie on 606 reckons Sunderland are falling way below meeting the basic criteria that MON has always demanded of his players and 'Chappers' is hugely damning of their performance as a team and individuals today. The criticism seems to be aimed at attitude and effort as opposed to just playing badly.

Davey B? You can usually be counted on for a fair, balanced and honest take on things.

I was at the game today Damo, and from what i witnessed today i think the above from Chappers, Lawrenson and Savage is a tad unjust. For the previous 3-4 games i would agree, but not for today. I went today, expecting a proper drubbing, but thought the team performance gave quite an improvement in effort to the previous games and to be honest feel a bit hard done by not to have a point. Confidence is still low, and at times it is frustrating to see moves opening up, only for someone "not" to make a run into the opening space. Johnson is getting a lot of stick, but i watched that lad closely today, and when he is beating a man or two, which he did several times today, there seems not to be an outlet for him. I thought Graham played quite well, and that the team worked hard. Not an inspiring performance by any means, but for me it showed light at the end of the tunnel.

I watched the game and to be honest had the feeling utd could step up a gear if they needed, sunderland had one real effort on 90 minutes and look a team devoid of ideas and class- you are a great man davey but I fear your team are in worse trouble than villa and your relationship with mon will end in relegation .

[Dave]

That looks just like one of the posts we made when he first arrived with you.

[Damo70]

I know that pundits like Lawrenson and Savage change their minds depending on which way the wind is blowing that particular day and Sunderlands form makes MON an easy target but our old mate Robbie on 606 reckons Sunderland are falling way below meeting the basic criteria that MON has always demanded of his players and 'Chappers' is hugely damning of their performance as a team and individuals today. The criticism seems to be aimed at attitude and effort as opposed to just playing badly.

Davey B? You can usually be counted on for a fair, balanced and honest take on things.

I was at the game today Damo, and from what i witnessed today i think the above from Chappers, Lawrenson and Savage is a tad unjust. For the previous 3-4 games i would agree, but not for today. I went today, expecting a proper drubbing, but thought the team performance gave quite an improvement in effort to the previous games and to be honest feel a bit hard done by not to have a point. Confidence is still low, and at times it is frustrating to see moves opening up, only for someone "not" to make a run into the opening space. Johnson is getting a lot of stick, but i watched that lad closely today, and when he is beating a man or two, which he did several times today, there seems not to be an outlet for him. I thought Graham played quite well, and that the team worked hard. Not an inspiring performance by any means, but for me it showed light at the end of the tunnel.

To be fair, I thought Sunderland looked like they might do something in the second half. Just as the six minutes added time was shown I had someone call round regarding work and I was relieved afterwards when I found out it had ended 0-1. But like I say, Sunderland are bottom of the recent form table so they are ripe for the Lawrenson types to bandwagon jump and have a pop. And let's face it the media love 'Arry and QPR more than Martin and your team. I just thought Savage's comments as an ex MON player were interesting and 'Chappers', who is reasonably balanced was quite damning.

[Lizz]

Article from yesterday's Independent - Martin O'Neill: 'Sunderland need me now more than ever'.

[Damo70]

I should point out I haven't heard any quotes from Lawrenson on the Sunderland game. I was just giving him as an example of someone who states the obvious and kicks teams when they are down. I would take  his appearance fee to turn up at the MOTD studio tonight and say "Well you know, they are struggling and the big concern is they don't score many goals and you have to say at the moment they are in danger".

[Davey B]

I know that pundits like Lawrenson and Savage change their minds depending on which way the wind is blowing that particular day and Sunderlands form makes MON an easy target but our old mate Robbie on 606 reckons Sunderland are falling way below meeting the basic criteria that MON has always demanded of his players and 'Chappers' is hugely damning of their performance as a team and individuals today. The criticism seems to be aimed at attitude and effort as opposed to just playing badly.

Davey B? You can usually be counted on for a fair, balanced and honest take on things.

I was at the game today Damo, and from what i witnessed today i think the above from Chappers, Lawrenson and Savage is a tad unjust. For the previous 3-4 games i would agree, but not for today. I went today, expecting a proper drubbing, but thought the team performance gave quite an improvement in effort to the previous games and to be honest feel a bit hard done by not to have a point. Confidence is still low, and at times it is frustrating to see moves opening up, only for someone "not" to make a run into the opening space. Johnson is getting a lot of stick, but i watched that lad closely today, and when he is beating a man or two, which he did several times today, there seems not to be an outlet for him. I thought Graham played quite well, and that the team worked hard. Not an inspiring performance by any means, but for me it showed light at the end of the tunnel.

I watched the game and to be honest had the feeling utd could step up a gear if they needed, sunderland had one real effort on 90 minutes and look a team devoid of ideas and class- you are a great man davey but I fear your team are in worse trouble than villa and your relationship with mon will end in relegation .

Thanks for the kind comment Eastie! I didn't feel Man Utd could step up a gear today, from what i saw i feel that Ferguson had his eye on Monday's game with Chelsea, and saw us as a potential banana skin. They done their job and got the points, all credit to them for that, but due to our poor form of late i really do feel that today, the prior deserved criticism is unjust. We lost in a relatively tight game by a deflected goal to the Champions elect. We weren't played off the park by any means, and as i've said, i expected a thorough whupping today. We are in the mire, that's unquestionable. We may go down, but i don't think we will. If we can build on what i witnessed today, then when the Newcastle, Villa, Southampton and Stoke games come around, then we are in with a shout in my opinion. Fancy us for a point at Everton now.

[Damo70]

I think the Newcastle/Sunderland game is about a bit more than pride and bragging rights now. Newcastle seem to be the team nobody throws into the mix, but I reckon they are in the battle.

[Davey B]

I think the Newcastle/Sunderland game is about a bit more than pride and bragging rights now. Newcastle seem to be the team nobody throws into the mix, but I reckon they are in the battle.

Agree Damo. I think we'll get a point there. But it wouldn't half be "quite nice" if we could steal the win and drop them right in it!   

[eastie]

Breaking news- martin O' Neill sacked! The myth is over.

[kipeye]

Crikey-that does end it.