StartingPrice
Chief Sardonicus Hyperlip
- Feb 13, 2004
- 32,568
- 10,280
Because 'Arry and AVB are very different propositions: 'Arry was all about picking the squad up, moticating them, get them enjoying playing the game again - therefore you should expect an instant affect. And that tells the fallacy in this part of your argument. Redknapp had already had 3/4 of a season to get to know the players, get them motivated, get them used to his methods. And he wasn't, in any way, expected to make any alterations in the way we play. AVB, on the other hand, is a coach, and he is being brought in to try to take us that one step further - and that requires, as many said while Redknapp was not quite breaking the glass ceiling, tactical nous and attention to detail. AVB hasn't had 3/4 of last season to get his methods working, get to know his squad, etc. And he is expected to implement some modifications to our playing style.
Under these circumstances, I think we should expect something of a teething process - I think that is only fair (even by direct comparison with Rekdnapp, who, like I said, got 3/4 ofthe season before to get working in). In other words, we may get off to a slow start, and that may handicap us in terms of finishing in the top 4. But, AVB pays attention to things like core fitness, and promises mroe effect squad rotation. If these methodologies work, we shouln't look knackered and bereft of ideas at the back end of seasons. In other words, if we finish strongly, it would be a positive sign that AVBs approach was taking effect. Should we really be talking about ditching a new coach straight away when if there are positive signs, just because he had a slow start (that wouldn't be totally unexpected, or beyond comprehension).
And the whole purpose of this appiontment, so far as I can tell, is to break through that glass ceiling that Redknapp couldn't. So, maybe Redknapp got top4, maybe he would have got top 4 this season, but our CL appearances may have been sporadic, and we may never have got any closer to competing than that. By appointing AVB, we are looking to appiont someone who will be able to break that glass ceiling - so the question, really, is would you prefer a manager who had us hangin around the edges of the top 4, have some exicting memories from our sporadic CL appearances, but never get any closer to the top teams, or risk missing the top 4 this season by hiring a coach who is ultimately going to push us into contention with the top teams?
So, not really as straightforward as saying Redknapp got 4th, so AVB must do so in his first season (and to repeat, again, it wasn't really Redknapp's first season, was it).
