It's not Sherwood!

[Toronto Villa]

When being critical of a manager for not having a plan B, then far better managers have issues with that. Look at Mourinho right now. He barely has a plan A. Look at LVG who's being lambasted for being quite average despite spending billions to build his team. Sherwood is still learning and like Risso my nagging issue is his over dependence on Gabby. I don't know what he sees. That and I really hope Kozak is brought in somewhere as well as Gil as soon as he's fit. I want him to have a ruthless streak in team selection and ultimately his ambition should be at minimum a European qualification even if we ultimately fall short. I certainly want him to state his remit as staying in the league or anything survival related. I'm fucking tired of that. Look up not down.

[Monty]

I think that's really really stretching it, TV. Those are immensely successful managers who have proven again and again that they can set teams up and change matches effectively, and they're just having some difficulties. To just say 'LVG is average' or 'Mourinho doesn't have a plan A' just doesn't quite make sense.

With Tim, we don't have that background, so we're learning about him all the time. However, even the Spurs fans who liked him said he wasn't that great with substitutions, and we're noticing that ourselves.

[Toronto Villa]

Monty that's not the point I'm making though. I'm saying that even the very best get trapped tactically. The better ones just figure it out faster. I didn't call LVG average but his team for the immense investment most certainly is. I'm sure they will improve but Man U hardly look world beaters or remotely a side that will be challenging for the title. Because relative to the investment that's what they have to be doing.

With Sherwood, since his arrival he's made good decisions and tactical changes and as we have seen a number of not so good ones. He should have done more yesterday and I've said a few times I don't like this current formation because for me the players play too far apart in the final third and they appear cohesive. It doesn't help that Gabby isn't smart or good enough to play up front as the primary forward.

As they work together one can hope that they come together. But he has to drop Gabby because you can have a book full of plans A through Z. If your players aren't bright and don't make runs into space especially the forwards it won't matter one bit.

[ChicagoLion]

i thin if you look at Sherwoods last 6 competitive games and the decisions he has made, it is not looking to clever is it?

[pauliewalnuts]

How does Mourinho barely have a plan A, out of interest?

He strikes me as the manager who, more than any other, plans *everything*. Quite the opposite to not having a plan A.

[ez]

I am far from convinced by Sherwood myself, I said it when he got the job, and I am still feeling that way now, but although the manager might be the same, so much has changed in the time between then and now that the entire "we've been shit for 10 (or whatever) games now" approach is meaningless.

Well yes, I'd agree with that.

But recognising that similar mistakes are being made both at the back of last season and at the beginning of this season is perfectly valid.

It might be valid but totally meaningless. Last season was entirely about convincing a poor side that they were capable of more. It worked in that we achieved what we needed to do to stay up and we had the cup run as a little bonus.

This time it is all about rebuilding. Not only replacing the under performers but also arguably our three best players. The majority of sides take a few weeks to get going at the start of the season, look at the current champions for instance. For us you have to factor in the huge turnover in players with the majority of the signings being new to the country.

It is going to be a few months for a team to emerge from the collection of individuals and it will only be then that the concerns about Sherwood can be assessed.

Let's hope the extra training helps with that.

[Toronto Villa]

How does Mourinho barely have a plan A, out of interest?

He strikes me as the manager who, more than any other, plans *everything*. Quite the opposite to not having a plan A.

That's not what I said though. Prior to today's victory his side certainly didn't look the Chelsea we are accustomed to and he wasn't able to make adjustments and could have lost both. So even for someone as smart and successful as Mourinho he can have moments where despite incredible resources he cannot affect change. And as I said the good ones like Mourinho just adjust quicker. Something Sherwood needs to learn to do.

[pauliewalnuts]

How does Mourinho barely have a plan A, out of interest?

He strikes me as the manager who, more than any other, plans *everything*. Quite the opposite to not having a plan A.

That's not what I said though. Prior to today's victory his side certainly didn't look the Chelsea we are accustomed to and he wasn't able to make adjustments and could have lost both. So even for someone as smart and successful as Mourinho he can have moments where despite incredible resources he cannot affect change. And as I said the good ones like Mourinho just adjust quicker. Something Sherwood needs to learn to do.

Sorry, I thought you said:

When being critical of a manager for not having a plan B, then far better managers have issues with that. Look at Mourinho right now. He barely has a plan A

Prior to yesterday means two games. Just as it is ridiculous to draw any conclusions re our team on the basis of two games, it is the same with Mourinho. If you're basing it on more than two games, then you're looking at last season, a season in which Mourinho won the league.

I'd imagine that those criticising Sherwood for not having a plan B are also not doing it on the basis of the two games prior to yesterday (one of which we won).

I am unconvinced by Sherwood, but I am definitely not about to start making judgements on him based on a handful (if that) of games with his "own" squad, but by the same measure, dragging Mourinho in as an example of a man who made tactical errors when he's a manager known 99% for his immaculate planning and tactics, and has a trophy full of silverware to prove it, just cheapens the discussion.

[Toronto Villa]

Thank you, so you agree with me Mourinho makes tactical errors too. His career win percentage is 67% and just around 70% at Chelsea, so even if his preparation is immaculate during games it doesn't always translate. And the point remains that all managers have been challenged tactically in games and I imagine at some point when they lose games fans of those sides accuse them of not having a plan B. I have heard in recent weeks Everton, Arsenal and Man U fans say exactly that about their managers. And I reiterate the point, Sherwood has to continually improve and make less mistakes and make better in game decisions. He's had good moments and poor ones and yesterday he could have done a lot better.

[Dante Lavelli]

One bonkers thing about yesterday was that it was 30 degrees and we only made one substitution.  That is not tactical but simply absent minded, especially when the bench was pretty strong.

[KRS]

Completely agree. I commented on the match thread before kick off how strong our bench looked for the first time in ages. It was negligent of TS not to use that to our advantage particularly the way the game was panning out...and especially with Gabby still on the pitch.

[Hookeysmith]

A few times now he has commented that the first half is to soak up pressure and then go at the opposition 2nd half

I don't like that approach at all - way too negative

Could it be that when he was a breath of fresh air when he came in he took games on with a fearless approach knowing he would either live or die - now has he turned like most prem managers into a cautious "Don't lose" mentality

[citizenDJ]

If it's true that just staying in the league is his remit, then I suppose it's a possibility.

[Drummond]

So basically we just need to keep on sacking managers unless they win almost every match.

I struggle with people making judgements so early into his job at our club. He has signed 10 new players over the summer, who've hardly had a chance to play together yet and despite all those changes people are criticising him. He did what most people have been crying out for, making  a positive substitution, yet still he gets flack for it. He had a punt and it didn't quite work out, our last few managers would have taken off an attacking player and put another defender on; just to keep the score down.

[Ron Manager]

Its probably just me but just lately Tim Sherwood has started to look a little haggard, don't you think  You must have to be very mentally strong to cope with the job at any level so much hangs on your decisions and your decisions alone. I wouldn't fancy it at all.