On Postecoglou, and it's not Ange, unless you know the bloke,in the same way it wasn't Boris ir this warped modern day bo!!ocks of calling people we don't know by their first name. The debate was always going to be somewhat obvious, if we won the Europa.
Lose, and it was didn't deliver on this second-season trophy success, and also presided over a shocking PL campaign. Easy decision for Levy to make.
Having won the Europa, many of those who were sure of what they wanted to see are now on the fence, or because of 100 minutes, thinking differently. I think that's partly/mostly emotion, short-term memory loss and taking some massive leaps of faith.
Indeed some pundits are now saying a bit of pragmatism on Postecoglou's part can see him take his philosophy (whatever that may actually be), onto better things, and that he has earned the right. One being Micah Richards, who provides entertainment and unstinted humour, but is someone who is hardly what can be considered a football connoisseur. My view or opinion for what it is worth.
One thing Postecoglou can't be accused of is not talking straight or knowing what to say. I certainly don't buy into "it doesn't affect me" that he often comes out with. His actions, especially when this season's PL record has been scrutinised makes that assertion incoherent.
Wednesday was great. The relief and sense of 'at fcuking last' was palpable, and will run for weeks and months but it did not match the emotion of the Ajax game 6 years ago, where it was excitement that was off the roller coaster scale.That is not to diminish Wednesday in the slightest as opposed to compare it to how I felt after the Ajax match.
I remain very clear. Postecoglou should be dismissed. The Europa had possibly 6 to 8 teams who could win it, with us being one. Realistically you can only face 4, once you get to the knockout stages. We faced 2 of those who were going to be winners, and beat both. Bodo were not one of the teams expected to win the thing. The same applies to the CL. Realistically 6 to 8 teams can win it, nearly every season. One of them won't be us next time round by the way.
This season has been blighted by injuries, like none before, but we have also been so bad in the PL. We have lost to terrible teams, we have barely laid a finger on the top teams, except for a couple of freaky results. We have literally become whipping boys, knowing before many games that we would be beaten.
I don't see discernible patterns of play or coherence, and nothing looks like the product of good coaching If it did, if we had finished in the top 8, then it's a very different story. 17th for crying out loud, and even if you allow for Postecoglou's carefully constructed justification, that's surely not acceptable.
On Wednesday, I don't believe there was a grand plan, in taking a goal lead, and defending it. What we saw was survial and some degree of hope. I think I was one of the first during the week who said if we went one-up, that towards the end we might see Danso come on as part of a back 3. Not rocket science.
What Postecoglou has done is make it easier for the next manager, who no longer has to overcome the hurdle of winning something, who can come in and seek to build something of substance. To make the most of the talent. To demonstrate an ability to combine the demands of Europe with something a damn sight more reflective of a squad's capability than 17th in the PL, with the only teams below you having just been promoted. Is that where this club should be, regardless of Cup triumph? What happens next season if/when 3 of the spoken back 5 aren't available, as is likely for various reasons?
People need to consider carefully what Postecoglou said in victory. What does he do next season? Again concentrate on Europe and the CL, where we will have next to no chance and supposedly sacrifice the PL again? Why will it be so different? He is simply using the catastrophe of the PL, and covering it up with the Europa success, which was glorious but does it really justify the weeks and months of dirge that preceded it?
Does it make it alright, and critically what is there to make anyone truly believe? We weren't just abject for pretty much all of this season but since VIlla away last time round.
United and Ten Hag provide very recent insight into failing to make the right decision at the right time. Strip out the personalities. We were far worse in the league this year than United were last year, and look where they have fallen to since.
Mine would be a massive thank you for delivering us our first trophy in 17 years, and getting the monkey off our back, and goodbye. The risk in keeping Postecoglou is far greater than the presumed benefits. I refuse to do sentimental, exemplified by a quite pathetic and embarrassing Postecoglou apology thread.
To references of costs in paying compensation, that's nonsensical. Up to 5 million pounds, probably spread over however long, and with all the money generated from being in the CL etc, or agreeing a slightly lower cost for a player. Easily absorbed and covered.
Posters are funny, fickle and fearful. I can sense that because Postecoglou has given us long awaited success that quite a number are now seeing things that aren't there. This was not prioritising the Euroopa per se , but accepting we were failing badly in the PL. We kept trying. There was no Plan B, as different to what is best now.
It's run its course. Postecoglou made good on a bold statement. Let's move on.. Identify someone objectively better. At least that's what I would do.
