Unai Emery

[rob_bridge]

On the whole the football has improved and our games are more exciting to watch than with the chancer in charge.  3 more quality signings in the summer and I think he can really kick us on.

But and this is a big but for me.  If he screws up in the cups again next then I’d want him gone. 

I didn't follow the progress of his Villareal sides until the latter stages of their Euro campaigns. So don't know if he was picking close to full strength sides from the very outset or mixing it up.

But with his record of domestic and European cup success it would be odd if he started doing something totally different here.

I'm still miffed at how we exited both cup competitions this season. But if we - somehow - make Europe this year and have a good go at that, I'm not going to be calling for his head when we have our usual FA Cup 3rd round exit to Yanited.

I am miffed by the Stevenage loss and will be forever,

Coming from a position of league weakness and ultimately like it or not the keep us in Prem League is the owners objective so League Cup this year was a sacrifical lamb

[tomd2103]

I don't think he'll be using games to assess squad players. I'll be quite surprised if we vary the starting XI at all unless out of necessity or rotating the trio of Buendia, Bailey & Coutinho. As much as I'd like him to get one, I don't envisage Duran getting a start. Similarly to why he's not packing the bench with kids, he's long enough in the tooth to know who is or isn't up to the job.

I actually thought the set up worked pretty well yesterday.  McGinn looks comfortable in the position he is playing and Ramsay brought a bit of energy to the team, even if he did give it away a few too many times.  Kamara getting injured is a big blow, but I actually think Dendoncker will do OK in that role. 

I would like to see Coutinho get a chance in the role Buendia was playing yesterday and wouldn't mind seeing Watkins partnered with Duran at times as well. 

[Drummond]

I love how animated and involved Emery is on the touchline. Always giving instruction, getting players into position, shows his frustration and happiness too. Having a manager that cares really makes a difference. Plus he doesn't stand there cluelessly letting stuff happen.

[SamTheMouse]

What I like is that he gets animated because he's sent the players out with specific jobs that they aren't doing.

It makes such a change from the likes of Bruce and Gerrard standing with their arms folded because, in reality, they haven't a clue how to influence proceedings and are just praying one of the players does something amazing.

[Risso]

What I like is that he gets animated because he's sent the players out with specific jobs that they aren't doing.

It makes such a change from the likes of Bruce and Gerrard standing with their arms folded because, in reality, they haven't a clue how to influence proceedings and are just praying one of the players does something amazing.

That's not entirely true, he does spend a reasonable period of each game sat down. I suppose there are times when you just need to sit and analyse what's going on.

[ChicagoLion]

What I like is that he gets animated because he's sent the players out with specific jobs that they aren't doing.

It makes such a change from the likes of Bruce and Gerrard standing with their arms folded because, in reality, they haven't a clue how to influence proceedings and are just praying one of the players does something amazing.

I hate to say it, but we saw quite a bit of that from Dean Smith.

[OCD]

On the whole the football has improved and our games are more exciting to watch than with the chancer in charge.  3 more quality signings in the summer and I think he can really kick us on.

But and this is a big but for me.  If he screws up in the cups again next then I’d want him gone. 

I didn't follow the progress of his Villareal sides until the latter stages of their Euro campaigns. So don't know if he was picking close to full strength sides from the very outset or mixing it up.

But with his record of domestic and European cup success it would be odd if he started doing something totally different here.

I'm still miffed at how we exited both cup competitions this season. But if we - somehow - make Europe this year and have a good go at that, I'm not going to be calling for his head when we have our usual FA Cup 3rd round exit to Yanited.

I am miffed by the Stevenage loss and will be forever,

Coming from a position of league weakness and ultimately like it or not the keep us in Prem League is the owners objective so League Cup this year was a sacrifical lamb

And look at the run of games we would have had. Stevenage, Stoke, Brighton, Grimbsy. Not to take Brighton lightly, who no doubt are very good, we should be winning those games.

Then the only other teams left are probably Man City, Man Utd and the winner of Sheffield United-Blackburn.

You imagine Man City will win it but it was at least a chance for a long cup run that can help with momentum in the league.

[Drummond]

What I like is that he gets animated because he's sent the players out with specific jobs that they aren't doing.

It makes such a change from the likes of Bruce and Gerrard standing with their arms folded because, in reality, they haven't a clue how to influence proceedings and are just praying one of the players does something amazing.

I hate to say it, but we saw quite a bit of that from Dean Smith.

To be honest we've seen it a lot from a number of managers we've had. The tactical changes and team shape we see from Emery is miles ahead of what we've witnessed for a long time.

[BC Villain]

What I like is that he gets animated because he's sent the players out with specific jobs that they aren't doing.

Sò did Tim Sherwood tbf

[London Villan]

What I like is that he gets animated because he's sent the players out with specific jobs that they aren't doing.

It makes such a change from the likes of Bruce and Gerrard standing with their arms folded because, in reality, they haven't a clue how to influence proceedings and are just praying one of the players does something amazing.

I hate to say it, but we saw quite a bit of that from Dean Smith.

Or players are executing the plan that has been worked on all week and the manager is letting them get on with it - just not very well in some cases. Emery was clearly pissed off with players not doing what they were meant to be doing, as well as telling the Holte End to chill out when we were passing around the back.

[Chris Smith]

What I like is that he gets animated because he's sent the players out with specific jobs that they aren't doing.

It makes such a change from the likes of Bruce and Gerrard standing with their arms folded because, in reality, they haven't a clue how to influence proceedings and are just praying one of the players does something amazing.

I hate to say it, but we saw quite a bit of that from Dean Smith.

To be honest we've seen it a lot from a number of managers we've had. The tactical changes and team shape we see from Emery is miles ahead of what we've witnessed for a long time.

I don’t think we’ve ever had a manager with such a clear focus on precisely what he expects. His animation is presumably because he’s implementing a major change to how we play and feels it requires constant tweaking. As the players get better at it maybe he’ll be more relaxed.

[paul_e]

What I like is that he gets animated because he's sent the players out with specific jobs that they aren't doing.

It makes such a change from the likes of Bruce and Gerrard standing with their arms folded because, in reality, they haven't a clue how to influence proceedings and are just praying one of the players does something amazing.

That's not entirely true, he does spend a reasonable period of each game sat down. I suppose there are times when you just need to sit and analyse what's going on.

True but if he's not happy he doesn't wait for halftime, or to make a sub, he makes sure the players know to change what they're doing.

[London Villan]

He was directly play at one point - I can't remember a manager being so animated since MON's time.

[Mellin]

Fourth in the league since game week 13. That might include Danks. Not checked.

[Luffbralion]

Not sure if it's been mentioned but Matty Cash explained in his interview that on Saturday both full backs were encouraged to get forward. This led to the goal and some other bright moments. Previously Unai normally has one full back staying back (eg Ashley Young in his recent appearances) whilst the other is given licence to attack.  Unai really does prepare (and alter things in the game) with great judiciousness. I like it.