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

[paul_e]

Kevin's last line is the key.  If you're going to think your tactic is so good that it will work often enough that you don't need any backup then the results need to back that up.

If you don't win enough games to reach your goals then your tactics clearly aren't as good as you thought.

[Michel Sibble]

If a manager had only one tactic in his bag, they really shouldn't be managing a five-a-side team, let alone one in the Premier League.

[ozzjim]

Fascist Bill's comments on the fitness and preparation of Sunderland tie in with a lot of what we heard whispered when MON was here too. Strange indeed.

[usav]

Fascist Bill's comments on the fitness and preparation of Sunderland tie in with a lot of what we heard whispered when MON was here too. Strange indeed.

I think we heard everything from being overworked in training to no tactical preparation.

Personally, I just think he was overrated.   

[eastie]

Di canio has hit out at sunderlands lack of fitness - another swipe at the o Neill reign .

Paolo Di Canio last night took a swipe at his predecessor Martin O’Neill by claiming the Sunderland players are not fit enough.

He admitted his new team could not last the pace after surrendering a half-time lead at Chelsea, and insisted he will have to work them much harder if they are to stop their alarming slide towards the drop zone.

“It’s not the fittest team in the world,” said Di Canio. “But we are going to work and give them more energy in the next few days and weeks.

“It was impossible because physically we spent a lot of energy in the first half, we had fantastic discipline, the players are working hard.

“This team at this moment is not a team that can play Chelsea for 95 minutes. In the next few weeks we will do more work and extend the physical condition.

[rob_bridge]

Di canio has hit out at sunderlands lack of fitness - another swipe at the o Neill reign .

Paolo Di Canio last night took a swipe at his predecessor Martin O’Neill by claiming the Sunderland players are not fit enough.

He admitted his new team could not last the pace after surrendering a half-time lead at Chelsea, and insisted he will have to work them much harder if they are to stop their alarming slide towards the drop zone.

“It’s not the fittest team in the world,” said Di Canio. “But we are going to work and give them more energy in the next few days and weeks.

“It was impossible because physically we spent a lot of energy in the first half, we had fantastic discipline, the players are working hard.

“This team at this moment is not a team that can play Chelsea for 95 minutes. In the next few weeks we will do more work and extend the physical condition.

Wow wow - what a shock. MON not fit - probably because he overplays the same ones week in week out.

When he was managing Celtic even then they were pipped at the end for a few trophies by Rangers IIRC (2 Leagues and a couple of cups).

Thankfully Lambert played in Germany so hopefully we don't have that bad habit. Their players seem to bounce through major tournaments at the end of seasons - until they play Spain or Italy that is.

[john e]

makes you wonder what Bibs and Cones have been doing all this time while MON is keeping his feet warm ringing around to see who can be his next overpaid overaged british signing

but then Cones isn't there anymore and there's only so much you can do with a few bibs

[supertom]

Di canio has hit out at sunderlands lack of fitness - another swipe at the o Neill reign .

Paolo Di Canio last night took a swipe at his predecessor Martin O’Neill by claiming the Sunderland players are not fit enough.

He admitted his new team could not last the pace after surrendering a half-time lead at Chelsea, and insisted he will have to work them much harder if they are to stop their alarming slide towards the drop zone.

“It’s not the fittest team in the world,” said Di Canio. “But we are going to work and give them more energy in the next few days and weeks.

“It was impossible because physically we spent a lot of energy in the first half, we had fantastic discipline, the players are working hard.

“This team at this moment is not a team that can play Chelsea for 95 minutes. In the next few weeks we will do more work and extend the physical condition.

Exactly the same thing Houllier complained about when he joined. Of course he ended up alienating most of our senior players by telling them they were fat bastards. Dunne and Collins in particular didn't like that.
It doesn't surprise me to be honest. I do think if the attitude of some of Sunderlands more big headed experienced players is the same as some of ours from 2 years ago, PDC will struggle to keep the dressing room on side. That said, with his character he's gonna alienate most of them at some point any how.
But who cares, he'll be managing them in the championship next season.

[olaftab]

A comment on the Sunderland forum:
 Re: Villa
Villa have Bent and Benteke to choose from, we have Graham and Wickham. Di Canio will have to make quite an impact to get us out of the shite. O'Neill has fucked us over good and proper, the Jan transfer window was a nightmare.


Read more: http://www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=772504&highlight=villa#ixzz2Ptz3VJgJ

[Somniloquism]

Di canio has hit out at sunderlands lack of fitness - another swipe at the o Neill reign .

Paolo Di Canio last night took a swipe at his predecessor Martin O’Neill by claiming the Sunderland players are not fit enough.

He admitted his new team could not last the pace after surrendering a half-time lead at Chelsea, and insisted he will have to work them much harder if they are to stop their alarming slide towards the drop zone.

“It’s not the fittest team in the world,” said Di Canio. “But we are going to work and give them more energy in the next few days and weeks.

“It was impossible because physically we spent a lot of energy in the first half, we had fantastic discipline, the players are working hard.

“This team at this moment is not a team that can play Chelsea for 95 minutes. In the next few weeks we will do more work and extend the physical condition.

Invest in Red Bull shares, a large order coming in from the North East apparently.

[andrew08]

Anyone notice this on the Sky commentary last night?

'The last team to keep a clean sheet at Old Trafford in the league was Martinoniellsastonvilla'

&

'The last team to win at Old Trafford was Tottenham Hotspur'

sigh

[Mister E]

Thankfully Lambert played in Germany so hopefully we don't have that bad habit. Their players seem to bounce through major tournaments at the end of seasons - until they play Spain or Italy that is.

Funny, our predilection for conceding late on and / or from winning positions did make me wonder whether the fitness regime under Lambert was flawed ...

[Jon Crofts]

A comment on the Sunderland forum:
 Re: Villa
Villa have Bent and Benteke to choose from, we have Graham and Wickham. Di Canio will have to make quite an impact to get us out of the shite. O'Neill has fucked us over good and proper, the Jan transfer window was a nightmare.


Read more: http://www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=772504&highlight=villa#ixzz2Ptz3VJgJ

I cant help but read that site with a Sid The Sexist voice in my head.

[Brend'Watkins]

Anyone notice this on the Sky commentary last night?

'The last team to keep a clean sheet at Old Trafford in the league was Martinoniellsastonvilla'

sigh

In fairness to MON that result at ManU for me was the biggest highlight of his tenure here.

[eastie]

Anyone notice this on the Sky commentary last night?

'The last team to keep a clean sheet at Old Trafford in the league was Martinoniellsastonvilla'

sigh

In fairness to MON that result at ManU for me was the biggest highlight of his tenure here.

5-1 over blues for me but there were a few great games in his reign.
3-2 at everton , 6-4 blackburn too and plenty more.