The ‘new manager effect’ is a well known term in football.

The normal scenario tends to involve a team that is struggling for confidence and form reaching a crucial point in their season, followed by a chairman or owner taking a gamble on bringing in a new man to try and either keep their team up or push them over the promotion finishing line.

Sometimes to their credit, it works. Last season Sheffield Wednesday replaced Gary Megson with a few games of their season to go, despite still being in contention for an automatic promotion spot. At the time many called the sacking ridiculous, but the furore caused was quickly forgotten once Wednesday secured promotion a few games later. The gamble had paid off.

In Leeds’ case, there was no promotion to hang on to, just a slight fear of relegation to banish as quickly as possible. In fact, if it hadn’t been for our perilous form and ever lowering league position I’m almost positive we’d still be managerless. The truth is, GFH made the right call by bringing McDermott in when they did, he’s steered the club to two vital victories and ensured our Championship status. Job done, with an impressive display of decision making to boot.

What would be even more impressive is if GFH brought McDermott in knowing, or at least suspecting, that he’d make an instant impact on uniting the entire club.

For so long the club has felt divided, we might’ve all been supporting the club in unison but we’ve been a long way from singing from the same song sheet.

The unrest in the fanbase has been echoed on the pitch by the players who almost seemed to be doubting their own ability at times, but who could blame them considering the circumstances. Players like Tonge and Diouf were signed for their passing ability and then told to adapt to a completely different style of play. Our main target man was sold amid rumours of him causing trouble in camp and replaced with a player who couldn’t have had more pressure placed on his shoulders from the start. ‘’He’ll be a Leeds legend one day’’ said Warnock when asked about Morison.

Every game would end with increasingly repetitive interviews.  ‘’The lads are giving me everything’’ would often ensure a full house for anyone playing Warnock post-game-interview-bingo.

The problem was, despite the lads giving everything, there was always room for blame. It was never Warnock’s fault.

That, along with futile attempts at forcing his long ball tactics, was where Warnock made his biggest mistake. As fans all we ever ask for is honesty. We see the games therefore we can see the problems too, so for the man at the helm to come out and tell us that he ‘can’t fault the lads’ yet continue to do just that, with no mention of a plan on fixing the blatant issues on the pitch, or even an admission of fault, it was never going to end well.

With that in mind, we were crying out for someone to walk in and change the entire ethos of the club from top to bottom.  Someone with a plan, and a vision to buy into.

The effect Brian McDermott has had since he arrived suggests that he is the perfect man to do just that. Of course it is natural to get carried away when the going gets good, but after spending year after year looking around the club and seeing false optimism it is somewhat relieving to finally be able to believe that the good times are on their way back to Leeds, and not feel as though we’re building up to a fall.

McDermott wants the club ‘United’ and referred to the clubs anthem ‘Marching on together’ as being exactly what he’s all about. The man wants every fan, player and staff member on board with his vision, and after seeing the players respond with two impressive victories you can’t help but look forward with a great deal of positivity.

Together we can build, and if we can all get back to singing from the same song sheet that I referred to earlier then the sky really is the limit.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Marching on together has always been our anthem. If we can make it our philosophy, Leeds will well and truly be back.

United.

Twitter – @giddy_goose

[ad_pod id=’writer-1′ align=’right’]

One of the innate problems with the TV phenomena of rolling news is that events of importance (or things) aren’t always happening. That’s not strictly true of course. Things are always happening somewhere, to someone. A child is born, a heart is broken, a youtube video of a yawning kitten acquires another racist comment, but things that viewers care about, or might feasibly be expected to care about by TV executives, aren’t.

Rolling news on the other hand is always happening, and like an obese child between meals it needs to turn to cheaply processed crap to fill the void & sustain itself.

To rolling news, sport is already filler. The comparatively insignificant fluff piece tacked on the end of the hour’s genuine events. A whole channel dedicated to it seems indulgent at best, only marginally more insane than Channel 5’s Entertainment news, or anything on ITV2. What can you do when the things between the things that aren’t happening, aren’t happening?

[cat_link cat=”premiership” type=”tower”]

And so we get the mind-spasm that is Sky Sports News. Where filler is an art form, footage of 4X4s with tinted windows is a dramatic top of the hour teaser and for two days a year – in moments of almost Zen parody – their own reporters reporting the news, is actually news.

When the producer was asked to find pundits to fill up a few minutes talking about the 10 year anniversary of Roman Abramovich’s daring transfer swoop for Chelsea Football Club, I’d like to imagine they chose Matthew Syed with a full knowledge of the thoughtful, intelligent, antagonistic role he’d play. I say I’d like to, because if they did, the rest of the panel wouldn’t have equipped themselves so hopelessly, like gawping fish watching their beloved partners passionately ravaged by John Terry on the dance floor at their own wedding.

In what was intended as another banal smug fest with all the insightful debate of The One Show interviewing Status Quo about a Greatest Hits album, Times journalist Syed launched into a detailed, impassioned attack on the morality and consequences of Abramovich’s takeover.  If you missed it, take a look here.

Tony Cascarino, cast in the role of “For” – the mighty Norse God of incoherent sycophancy – to Syed’s “Against” looked particularly lost. Mentally dry docked by Syed’s tirade, and looked to by his paymaster brethren Jim White & Kirsty Gallacher to restore inane platitudes to the chaos of intelligent discussion that had carelessly broken out, Tony couldn’t find a foothold. For a good 30 seconds he was genuinely flailing – speaking, but with clearly no semblance of thought forming in his mind. Trying to grasp desperately on to a word that might feasibly fit with the last one he said. He was working his way through a sentence one word at a time. Like a child. It was fascinating to watch.

Gallacher fared worse. Finding herself deeper in a highbrow conversation than the London College of Fashion had ever prepared her for, she swung desperately what she hoped would be a sucker punch.

“That said, though, that said Matthew – I just wanted to pick up – I mean, you’ve said what you’ve said about the situation, the political situation, where the money came from; he HAS put Chelsea on the map, he’s put British football on the map whether it’s spending in excess or not. The reason for Premier League’s standing as one of the most exciting – uh you know – football leagues in the world now is surely because of Chelsea…?”

And a sucker punch it was. To everyone watching. To Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, and even Chelsea themselves, who’d been attracting the likes of Gullit, Vialli and Zola, and even won a European Trophy before the Russian had even journeyed to these shores to see the fabled Champions League tie that would allegedly spark his love of the game.

The sentence “he’s put British football on the map” should be a sackable offence itself on a channel where the minimum requirement should be to know at least a little about sports. It should be chiselled onto her gravestone. It should be shouted at her in the street. Of all the hand wringing that this kind of discussion wasn’t appropriate for a sports debate, THIS was by far the most offensive thing said.

And hand wringing there was. So accustomed to empty platitudes, easy questions and pally inside jokes have the viewing public become that any semblance of a serious discussion was viewed in some quarters as unfair. Syed wasn’t playing by the rules. They weren’t expecting it. There’s no place for that kind of thing on a sports show.

But why shouldn’t there be? Sky do punditry better than anyone, which is fine for their broadcast coverage, but how can it justify a 24-hour news program reporting largely on football when there’s no actual football on without engaging in anything more serious than Jim White’s Deadline Day Superhero fantasies and Joey Barton’s confused tweeting? Why should anchors and ex-pros be paid exorbitant amounts of money to sit behind a desk and give us less intelligent discussion than a reddit thread? Why should we have to watch a 20 minute segment celebrating the achievements of a man who’s only contribution to British sports is to be very rich and plough a lot of money into a football club, without asking any serious questions? Why should a network that already tries to whitewash football pre-1992 and whose coverage of sport not broadcast by them is pathetic and grudging at best (Wimbledon is relegated to a scroll bar and a segment that seems to be racing against a very small egg timer) expect us to accept it?

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

When Jim White ended the segment, untroubled by how well he’d helmed the debate, pre-occupied with thoughts of what cape to wear for the upcoming Deadline Day and whether his assistant had ordered the dry ice he’d asked for, the voice in his ear should’ve been telling him what great television that was. But judging by the sparsity with which they replayed the footage, something they regularly do whenever a guest is brought on to add another five minutes to an item in another example of news eating itself, they patently didn’t. It had to find its way onto the Internet for appreciation.

Whether what Syed said was correct or not, factual or embellished, Sky Sports News had neither the ability, nor the intention of discussing it. It was only interested in a hagiographical non-item it could report back on later. “Tony Cascarino says Roman Abramovich has been good for English football.” Roll VT. Another news pillow adequately fluffed.

When Matthew Syed let rip he didn’t just expose Abramovich, but also the failings, inadequacies and utter pointlessness of Sky Sports News.

[opinion-widget op width=”full”]

The deal to bring Andy Carroll to Upton Park was by far the stand out piece of business by the Hammers this summer. A loan deal was made permanent in a £15million move from Liverpool and it was hoped such a deal would give the striker a rebirth in the Premier League. However reports of a fresh foot injury in the last few days have highlighted the gamble West Ham made on Carroll; were Liverpool right to cut their losses?

An announcement about the latest injury to dog the Englishman was made by the club:

“Although it is in the same part of his foot as his previous injury, it is a new injury.

“West Ham United can confirm Andy Carroll suffered an injury to his right foot during his return to full training.

“There will be no prognosis until he has seen a specialist.”

This could still turn into something quite minor, but the inference is that the injury may actually be quite severe. Carroll has been a player notorious for his battles with injury and form, is the risks associated with the deal finally becoming a reality?

[cat_link cat=”liverpool” type=”list”]

Naturally every deal bears a risk, a player could break a leg on the first day of training, accidents happen. However, when West Ham purchased Andy Carroll they were well aware from first hand experience of the precarity of the striker’s fitness. This wasn’t a punt where the costs were minimal, even if £15m seems like small change in the modern era, it still represents a serious outlay for a club like West Ham.

Looking at the players they were linked with over the course of the summer, they could easily have captured a handful for the sum they shelled out on Carroll. I agree on his day the Englishman has the potential to be one of the best frontmen in the country, but were these risks too high to bear? Surely West Ham were better off with the pragmatic approach?

Of course it is easy for me to say all this with aid of hindsight, but the risks were plain for all to see. Is this reckless egotistical ownership at work?

From a Liverpool point of view they must be laughing. They may well have lost £20m on a player, but in reality recouping anything from the deal was going to be an achievement. Brendan Rodgers has been keen to sweep clear the remains of previous failed regimes and Carroll and Downing are no better examples of this.

Rather than keep an unhappy and unfit player on their books, they bore the losses and moved on.  A fresh start for the Northern Irishman effectively at Liverpool, and personally something he couldn’t have put a price on.

So whilst Liverpool seem to have learnt there lesson as they enter into an era of shrewd spending, are West Ham making the mistakes that Liverpool made in the past?

It is too early to pass judgement on the impacts of Carroll and Downing at the club, but clearly the former represents unnecessary risk for the club. Kuzmanovic, Borriello and Stankovic were all names linked to West Ham over the summer at a fraction of the price. Proven European experience at a fraction of the cost versus English inexperience and fragility. What was the smarter move?

Bringing in a host of names as opposed to one marquee deal balances the risks for a club like West Ham. I am well aware that the club have brought in Downing and Rat amongst others, but in reality the two Liverpool captures are the only standout deals. Are West Ham placing their hopes in too few?

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Andy Carroll may well regain his fitness and form, and for English football I really hope he does. That will never hide the fact that his move to West Ham was nothing short of reckless for the club.

Liverpool will no doubt be breathing a sigh of relief today, but for West Ham a painful dose of reality is about to hit.

Did Liverpool dodge a bullet with Carroll?

Join the debate below

[ad_pod id=’btsport’ align=’center’]

The day Billy Davies walked in to Nottingham Forest to start his second spell at the club, he commented on the “underachieving players” playing at “80-85% of their potential”.

Nine months down the line with Champions League and Premier League players bought by Fawaz’s cash, what has changed?

Three wins in ten and Billy Davies has now resulted to spending 11 minutes digressing his press-conferences into how the referee should be applying the laws of the game.

A first genuine doubt about whether Billy is the right man to take Forest forward, is entering the mind of a lot of supporters. After millions being spent in the summer, it was hoped The Reds would ‘do a Cardiff’, but once again, they seem to be settling down among the chasing pack.

Following a questionable performance against strugglers Middlesbrough, the previously impressive youngster Nathaniel Chalobah was added to the ranks, as fellow clubs looked on with envious eyes. Now though, he’s suddenly not the answer.

A reported £30,000 a week, Chalobah looks anything but interested. To add to the unsettled nature of the Forest squad, with endless rotation, David Vaughan was loaned in as a subsequence of the humiliating display at Yeovil, attempting to solve the problem of the ‘Guedioura role’.

Two very good players, but on the outside it looks as if they’re nothing but ‘panic loans’. Billy Davies in his first press conference also touched on his need to instill added confidence and belief into the players he has. Panic loans are hardly the action of a man who has faith in the current batch.

Leeds United, with loanee Dexter Blackstock, were giving Yeovil the seeing to that Forest couldn’t manage. At the same time, Billy Davies was using defender Greg Halford as his 2nd striker option, rather than Derbyshire, Cox, Tudgay and Miller. Not a huge boost for the strikers he opted to keep on, is it?

As Forest were reduced to 10 men against Blackpool, Billy spoke of his frustration that his tactics were thrown out of the window. Even with 10 men, the atmosphere around the ground was one of disappointment towards the latter stages.

With fifteen minutes to go, it was time to put the foot on the gas and create some problems for Blackpool, asking some questions. Slow on the ball, and walking at a snails pace at set-pieces, even when on the attack, and the tempo to a Forest attack was zapped.

In Billy’s first spell, it was understandable to see his side settle for a point. A midfield usually consisting of Paul Anderson, Paul McKenna and Guy Moussi and expectations could hardly be sky-high.

However, with Jamie Mackie, Gonzalo Jara, David Vaughan and Henri Lansbury now occupying the midfield, more is expected from Nottingham Forest supporters; and who can blame them?

Premier League and International experience, and you get the sense Billy Davies is holding them back a little. It’s down to Billy to adapt his tactics to mould this side into what it is on paper – one that should be ahead in the leading pack.

The January transfer window is approaching and the next two months are crucial to the future of Billy Davies and Forest. Approach the games in a similar manner, leaving yourself susceptible because of players being held back, and it may just be those players knocking on the door of their agents, wanting to be elsewhere.

Ten months ago Fawaz Al-Hasawi pulled the trigger on Sean O’Driscoll for being in a similar positon to the one Billy Davies is now. Millions spent since, hardly much progress made and seeds of doubt may be in the mind of the owner.

A new four-year contract for Billy Davies recently leaves the majority believing their relationship is perfect.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

To Fawaz, that may just be a Public Display of Affection not too different to witnessing Katie Price on the front of The Sun hand in hand with yet another husband, insisting that this one is ‘the one’.

Whether the four years means much to Fawaz will probably show in the testing couple of months ahead.

Nottingham Forest fans don’t want Billy Davies sacked. They don’t want vast change. They just want to see a lot better than what they’re currently seeing, and there’s no harm in that.

@will_forest to get in touch via Twitter.

[ad_pod id=’writer-1′ align=’right’]

There is a temptation, perhaps even pressure from outside to invest and reinforce when the financial riches are as boundless as they are at Manchester City.

Joe Hart, a tale of a goalkeeper who has lost his way, isn’t something so unfamiliar to the football world. Even putting aside his youth, which in goalkeeping years means he is well short of his prime, forces a look at those around England and Europe who have come across similar problems.

Costel Pantilimon has come into the starting XI at Hart’s expense. The Romanian, despite being on the books at City for the past two seasons, is relatively unknown to those outside of the club. We can pass judgement, create a series of events that could play out over the coming weeks or even months, but they’re unlikely to be too accurate or confident, such is the lack of exposure Pantilimon has had.

Pantilimon is the in-house option that every club, no matter their resources, has to utilise. Importantly, it’s also the best option when handling such a delicate situation. We all know what Hart is capable of from a talent perspective, so why should City discard him now, even after such high-profile blunders?

Neighbours Manchester United have been down this road too. David De Gea didn’t so much lose his way as fail to initially find it in English football. Once again, he was a young goalkeeper who needed to overcome mental obstacles rather than environmental. When you’re dealing with talents such as that, you have to look to the option that best offers the outcome of long-term success.

[cat_link cat=”manchester-city” type=”list”]

In de Gea’s case, United stayed true with their two goalkeeping options, rotating in Anders Lindegaard and easing the burden on the far more talented Spaniard. At this time, there is no doubt as to who the first choice is at the club.

Joe Hart needs time away from the spotlight, time to work on his mental game in private and inside the walls of Manchester City. Overcoming such a problem as an out of form goalkeeper is something that rarely goes to plan when done in competitive matches. It breeds nervousness, with the spotlight shining ever brighter and increasing the likelihood of failure.

Fraser Forster has been tipped as a quick-fix solution. So too has Asmir Begovic, with both the Celtic and Stoke keepers more than likely to be available in the coming transfer window.

But the long-term problems outweigh the short-term benefits. Hart will eventually come good. Even this short spell on the bench could be enough to kick start the England international’s career and see him firmly over the line.

Real Madrid are a good example to look at. Iker Casillas is out of the team and will not see any action in the league unless something seismic happens beyond an injury to Diego Lopez. The Spanish No.1 – Casillas has clearly not lost his place in Vicente Del Bosque’s side – will therefore move on, forcing the loss of not only one of the world’s best keepers, but also an icon for Real Madrid.

Comparisons to Casillas’ status would be premature and a little irresponsible, but Hart has the talent to leave a real dent in Manchester City if he departs off the back of the mistakes of the past year. There’s simply too much to give up by pursuing another goalkeeper.

Much of the same could have been said for Arsenal, who perhaps needed another goalkeeper, namely a veteran choice, to help in Wojciech Szczesny’s education and to shore up the backline.

What happens then when the club have two goalkeepers who are good enough to be first choice? It’s far too risky for any club to switch endlessly back and forth each week. And which high-end goalkeeper would be happy to sit on the bench for a prolonged spell, even if you tell him that the club may be going places with two strong choices? It simply doesn’t happen. As seen in the case with Real Madrid, Casillas will probably be off come the New Year.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Money and financial capability shouldn’t dictate how a club deals with internal problems. City are not in a bad way by any means. The inconsistencies they’ve faced this season are to be expected with any new manager. But working on the personnel they have will bring the most rewards.

Pantilimon is an able deputy for Hart, and certainly one who understands the demands of the club well enough to share some of the responsibility. But after the sea is crossed, it’s unlikely we’ll see such problems in Hart’s performances again. It’s simply part of the experience and learning curve, and one that doesn’t need rash transfer decisions.

Does the solution to the Joe Hart problem lie internally at Manchester City?

Join the debate below

Manchester United have insisted reports that Wayne Rooney has signed a record-breaking new contract with the club are premature, reports Sky Sports.

The Sun on Sunday newspaper reported that the England forward had signed a new four-and-a-half year deal worth a staggering £300,000 a week.

However, the club have stressed Rooney is yet to sign a new deal, reportedly worth £70million until the summer of 2018.

“There is no deal, which is why we haven’t announced it,” a United spokesman said.

Negotiations over a deal to keep Rooney at Old Trafford have been taking place for some time, and are believed to be ongoing.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a move away from United since the end of last season, when former manager Sir Alex Ferguson claimed he had handed in a transfer request.

He was heavily linked with a switch to Chelsea during the summer, and United’s struggles in the Premier League this season have seen his future questioned once again.

Journalist Charlie Wyatt – who wrote the Sun’s Rooney story – explained it further during an appearance on Sky Sports Sunday Supplement. 

“We are saying that he has not just agreed, but he has actually signed,” Wyett told the programme. “Obviously that has yet to be announced for Manchester United.

“I think he realises it is the best place for him still. I know others thought he might go to Chelsea or elsewhere, but I think (David) Moyes has had a series of meetings with him and convinced him to stay.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“I think Rooney will be the next captain of Manchester United and I think that it is a boost for Moyes. He is obviously going through a difficult spell.”

Click below to find out how mini can be mighty!

A box of Carlsberg Export from the supermarket: £12.

Official Adidas Brazuca replica football: £20.

Enough food for to feed your family and friends during the game: £45.

Showing your support for your country by proudly wearing the crest of the Three Lions: Pricel…well actually, it’s £90.

Football fans have been outraged by Nike’s announcement that the latest England shirts will cost a staggering £90 each, or a mere £60 for the “stadium” version (whatever that is). For what is essentially a white shirt with a tick and a badge, it seems more than a little extortionate even by modern football’s standards.

Stan Collymore and Joey Barton have been the most prominent voices in leading the protestations.

England fans on Twitter have been speculating as to what their £90 will actually buy them.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

In reality, they will be relieved to hear that it comes with the cooling technology required for the humid British summer. A worthy investment indeed.

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]

Louis van Gaal’s management qualities have never been in doubt; a CV including spells with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and a Champions League-winning Ajax side speaks for itself.

If David Moyes’ fatal flaw was struggling to shoulder Manchester United’s monolithic weight as one of the largest clubs in world football, in sharp contrast, his successor has forged a career out of handling big egos and even bigger expectations.

But having never plied his trade in the Premier League before, you would be excused for holding reservations over a manager whose reputation as a borderline psychopath tends to precede him – and often takes precedent over his trophy-laden managerial record.

Hence, the World Cup in Brazil is seen by many as the ideal opportunity for LVG to showcase his abilities with the Netherlands, before taking over official duties at Old Trafford. Thus far, the account van Gaal has given suggests he possesses all the right qualities to bring success back to Manchester United.

During Oranje’s opening World Cup fixture for example, a surprise 5-1 victory over Spain that will likely be remembered as the match of the tournament, LVG demonstrated a  mixture of tactical astuteness and ambition that Moyes decisively lacked last season.

La Roja enthusiasts will argue a subsequent 2-0 defeat to Chile suggested Vincente del Bosque’s men entered Brazil 2014 intrinsically flawed, caught between the tica-taca philosophy of the old guard and the directness of inexperienced internationals breaking through, such as misfiring striker Diego Costa.

But in my opinion, Spain were ripped apart by simple yet precise and intentional direct passes. From the first minute to the last, the Netherlands knew that Spain’s arrogance in possession, pushing their defence up to the halfway line, would eventually cost them dearly. In other words, van Gaal had them sussed before a ball was struck and his game-plan proved true with tremendous effect.

Likewise, rather miraculously, making the right substitutions has become a major factor in Holland’s World Cup campaign. Interestingly, 29 of 154 goals scored in Brazil have come from the bench – an unusually high trend for an international tournament.

But in that regard, van Gaal’s Netherlands have been particularly proficient; the Dutch have recovered from 1-0 down to win on three occasions, with four of seven goals from their last three games coming via the bench. A unique phenomena of an incredibly unique World Cup, perhaps. Yet LVG’s ability to positively change a match in his favour should not be overlooked.

Furthermore, a major concern for Red Devils fans last season was their side’s lack of goals. 64 from 38 league fixtures is by no means disappointing, but compared to Manchester City and Liverpool, both of whom finished up with over 100 goals each, it’s understandable how David Moyes quickly became viewed as a dangerously pessimistic manager.

Thus, Louis van Gaal will bring a return to more free-scoring traditions at Old Trafford. Not only were his Oranje outfit the top scorers in World Cup qualifiers, netting an outrageous 34 times in just ten matches, but they’ve also transitioned that proficiency into the World Cup. Their twelve goals from four matches is only rivalled by Colombia with eleven, whilst the rest of the pack, including hosts Brazil (9) lay some way behind.

A major factor in that goal-getting philosophy has been the form of Robin van Persie. In my opinion, another manager taking the Carrington helm could have soon resulted in the Dutchman’s departure – fitting him, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata into the same starting line-up is a disturbing conundrum yet to be solved; now 30 years of age, the former Arsenal star is by far the most expendable.

But if LVG can motivate the Oranje captain to maintain his World Cup form into next term, then issues of age or wage packages are relatively moot. The two have a unique bond, and the last time van Persie reached an equilibrium of fitness and form, he fired the Red Devils to their 13th Premier League title.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

But perhaps most importantly of all in regards to Manchester United – a club whose ethos was once immortalised by Alan Hansen’s ill-fated quip, ‘you can’t win anything with kids’ – van Gaal has constructed an impressive Netherlands side, despite lacking the quality of its many predecessors, centred around the ambition, fearlessness and energy of youth.

Just one player in the entire squad, Dirk Kuyt, is over the age of 30, whilst over half of the 23-man roster are 26 or under. Joel Veltman, Memphis Depay, Daley Blind and Stefan de Vrij to name a few have all been given the opportunities to impress, and thus far have completely thrived.

Of course, international football is incredibly different to club football and the expectations of the Netherlands national team can’t be justifiably compared to that of the most dominant club in the Premier League era.

But thus far, van Gaal’s efforts at the World Cup, through his impetus on youth, ambitious philosophy and astuteness to tactical detail, suggest he is everything the Red Devils want and need in a manager. Should those three integral pillars of management style be transitioned into his Manchester United tenure, a club which has consistently championed the promotion of young players and an attacking mentality, it won’t be long before the Premier League title returns to Old Trafford.

There was a period after Everton’s opener, as the chaos that tends to follow goals descended, when one couldn’t help but wonder whether this would end in another Arsenal collapse. Yet this game will be remembered for it’s contrast with Arsenal’s 3-0 loss in the corresponding fixture last season. This time Arsenal came back. This time Arsenal had character. Here are the THREE things we learned from Everton v Arsenal:

Stones will have to wait his turn

Stones excelled when deputising for the injured Jagielka last term, so much so that many speculated as to whether he would keep his place in central defence. Martinez included Stones at right-back for their opening fixture but Coleman’s performance against Arsenal would suggest that Stones is going to have to be patient for his next run in the team.

Ozil can’t be trusted out wide

Mesut Ozil is no orthodox winger but can be effective out wide once he’s not expected to do too much defending. Why Wenger then chose to pick the German here when facing a marauding full-back in Coleman is unknown. It’s beginning to feel like the Arsenal is going to have to play the German in his favoured No. 10 role or not at all.

Giroud needs to start

Arsene Wenger cited ‘World Cup fatigue’ in his explanation of why he’d left Giroud on the bench again but this is a hard reason to accept when those, such as Mesut Ozil, who went further into the competition and are back in the starting line-up. Giroud may not be the striker that many Arsenal feel they need but he’s certainly the best one they’ve got.

Manchester United currently find themselves in quite a strange position. Despite widespread strengthening of the squad over the summer, which saw them spend in excess of £150million – the most by any team in European football – a spate of injuries in defence, coupled with the decision to prioritise big-name attacking players over reinforcing their back line in their transfer dealings, has forced United boss Louis van Gaal to turn to unproven youth in the opening stages of the Premier League season.

However, the Dutchman is accustomed to dealing with youngsters, and may even relish the opportunity to do so again at Old Trafford.

Well-known for launching the careers of several world-class footballers, he gave Xavi and Andres Iniesta their debuts for Barcelona in his time there and now Van Gaal has a number of promising young players at his disposal, and may look to embrace United’s long-standing tradition of developing talent into potential champions. Though emulating the feats of Sir Alex Ferguson’s now-mythical Class of ’92 is a tough act to follow, here are five youngsters that may have important roles to play under Louis van Gaal at Manchester United.

[ffc-gallery]

CLICK ON JAMES WILSON TO REVEAL THE FIVE

[/ffc-gallery]

It could be worse Nando, you could be one of these guys…

[ffcvideo file=”TopFiveVideosoftheWeek” type=”mp4″]

Paddy McNair

This Northern Irish teenager was handed his first-team debut in the 2-1 victory over West Ham United over the weekend and impressed many with his assuredness in defence, especially when United sustained heavy pressure after going down to ten men. After initially playing in midfield for his local side Ballyclare Colts, McNair was converted into a centre back after signing for the Red Devils in 2011. An important member of United’s Under-21 side, he was picked for the side in the U-21 Champions League last season, only to get sent off for two bookable offences against Bayer Leverkusen – which suggests that McNair still lacks some maturity. However, this can only be expected from a 19 year-old, and judging by his promising debut on Saturday he may find himself involved in van Gaal’s plans with the first team again this season.

Tyler Blackett

A product of United’s academy having signed for the club at the age of eight, Blackett has been the most prominent youngster to be promoted to the first team ranks under van Gaal, having played in the first five league fixtures of the campaign. With his competitive debut coming in the season’s curtain raiser against Swansea City, it has been an exceptionally steep learning curve for Blackett, and his red card for a clumsy challenge on Jamie Vardy in the 5-3 defeat to Leicester City is a sign that the 20 year-old defender is still adjusting to life in the Premier League. Nevertheless, van Gaal seems to have faith in the youngster, and will doubtless have been impressed by his professionalism – he is known to have opted to train and work at the gym in Carrington even on days off. There has even been talk of an England call-up for Blackett, and with his contract at United expiring in the summer, van Gaal may wish to act quickly to ensure that his services are retained for the future.

James Wilson

Wilson burst onto the scene last season with two goals against Hull City on his first team debut, and van Gaal has high hopes for the teenager as well. First scouted at the age of seven, Wilson earned his call-up to the first team squad after a series of impressive performances for the Under-18 side, finishing the 2012-13 season as the U-18 league’s top scorer and scoring seven goals in six consecutive appearances for the team at the start of last season. After the Hull game, Ryan Giggs – the interim manager at the time and van Gaal’s current deputy – had the following to say about the 18 year-old forward: “He is a natural goalscorer but he has got more to his game than that. He can run at people, he has got pace and he is a clever player.” Such high praise from United’s most decorated player suggests that Wilson has a bright future ahead of him, and with van Gaal believing him to be a better prospect than the now-departed Danny Welbeck, he may have found the ideal manager to help him develop his game further.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Jesse Lingard

After progressing through United’s youth academy, Lingard signed a professional contract with the club in the summer of 2011. Four goals on his debut for Birmingham City whilst on loan last season gave an early indication of the attacker’s talent, and after another loan spell at Brighton and Hove Albion he was recalled to Old Trafford for the start of the new campaign. After an impressive pre-season, Lingard made his league debut for the first team against Swansea City, only to be substituted in the 24th minute due to injury. Such a setback was a cruel way for the youngster’s senior career at United to begin, but van Gaal’s decision to start the winger should at least give him confidence of breaking into the starting XI again in the future.

Nick Powell

Powell came to United’s attention in 2012 after excelling at Crewe Alexandra, and his goal in the 2012 League Two Play-off Final – arguably the finest goal the new Wembley has witnessed so far – showed precisely why the Red Devils were so keen on signing him. A £6 million deal was subsequently agreed in the summer of 2012, and Powell was quick to make his mark at Old Trafford, scoring on his first-team debut against Wigan Athletic at the start of the 2012-13 season. A loan move to Wigan then followed last year, during which the midfielder scored 12 goals in 42 appearances, and although he has once again been sent out on loan to Leicester City for the current campaign, there is no doubting Powell’s potential. Expect him to be involved in United’s first-team plans next season.