24 Apr 2017 15:30:54
Hi Ed 1 not lfc related (thankfully as after yesturday things are toxic) but i was reading your best managers in the world currently list and wondered what you make of zidane?
Hes currently got RM at the top of la liga, playing some good football and looks like he will at least get to another CL final, do you think he's proven to be right choice after they sacked Rafa Benitez or is it all down to how things have been set up for him other than him being a good coach etc? I just find it strange how Benitez was made to fail so badly yet he's done "so well" with the same crop of players?
Thanks.
{Ed001's Note - they are not playing good football, they are top because Barca and Atletico have had very poor years. He has a lot to prove yet. I don't see the relevance of what happened with Rafa to do with anything, it was the same as Ranieri this season, players not wanting someone so being the knobheads players can be. Rafa was never in with a chance.
As for Zidane, I don't see what he has done so well? He has basically stuck to what Rafa was doing and been Zidane. Not because he is a good coach but because he was a great player that has their respect because of that. They are not going to down tools under Zidane as the fans would never stand for it.
This year is no test of his coaching ability, that will come when Barca are not in turmoil.}
24 Apr 2017 16:11:08
u r absolutely right Ed001. I saw the clasico and both teams were so horrible defensively and offensively both depended on individual qualitites rather than attacking as a team. All zidane has done is keep the dressing room happy. I am really hoping this time we see atletico vs juventus final in the champions league- the 2 best defences in europe.
24 Apr 2017 16:40:06
have to agree about seeing juventus v atletico in the cl final! and buffon winning it in the end!
thanks ed1 that's what i was thinking about it tbh but a lot of people seem to think he's the new messiah and such a wonderful coach, but i geuss being a brilliant ex player who played for the club so long will always win the respect from other players hence them playing for him more then benitez.
{Ed001's Note - it is difficult to judge any manager there at the best of times, it is an odd club, but he has done nothing but get lauded for the 'Casemiro switch' when it was actually Rafa that set up the team like that! If he was anyone but Zidane, there would be questions being asked about why they are not miles clear in La Liga, as Barca have been dreadful this year and Atletico have been having a rough season too. Also about his tinkering with tactics, formations and personnel, for no apparent reasons.
I really want to see Buffon get the trophy too.}
24 Apr 2017 19:43:56
On a related note, what is your opinion on Casemiro, Ed001? I've only seen him play a couple of times and both times he should've been sent off for a multitude of ridiculously rash tackles.
{Ed001's Note - not a fan at all. Average player put there purely because they have no one else to play the role.}