Comments on: Ronaldo: I Can Learn From Ferguson Criticism

By: Dave Mack

Dave Mack — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 13:25:43 +0000

I agree with all the sentiments expressed but while not wanting to be too soft on Ronaldo I do think we have to cut him some slack in view of all that has “come at him” over the last 12 months. (That needs explaining!!)
I honestly can’t remember any footballer never mind one is his early 20′s who’s had so much personal success and world attention in a single season. Forty two goals, the double, PFA player of the year for the second time, world player of the year, capatain of Portugal, etc etc. The truth is there would have to be something odd about Ronaldo if it didn’t go to his head!

I believe his problem this season is that he’s tried too hard to live up to his image of what the best player in the world should play like. Without making this post any longer … it’s not what he thinks it is and my hope and belive is that with SAF’s help he’s slowly starting to understand that.

If Ronaldo can now go on to finish this season in the form that he hit last year, I think it will prove to be a huge turning point for him and his career at United. Fergie will be vindicated for sticking with him, Ronaldo will know he’s truly being “looked after” and he might just realize his potential to be the all time best.

The alternative (and I’m hoping Ronaldo and his advisors see this) is that he goes to the circus in Madrid and his form and career evaporate as he again tries again to live up to a mistaken image.

By: corea

corea — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:12:42 +0000

@ Giles Oakley

think it’s brilliant that United fans were singing even after the 1-4, but it’s also true that thousands had left, some of whom have since apologised on this very site. I can’t understand people who leave early. I’ve never done that, ever.

—-

sad, very sad. i watch games on TV and sometimes what i hear and see don’t make me proud.
such is the nature of some of our supporters. they can afford to pay for the season ticket and leave the game when they want to.
And i think even Scott can’t deny that the times have changed.
I will be extremely happy if someone will prove me wrong.

By: Giles Oakley

Giles Oakley — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:50:59 +0000

Yes, I’m 63 and still playing, except I’ve just had to have 2 eye operations with a third to come which has kept me out recently. I can’t quite ‘roll back the years’ like Giggsy, but I can still Bend it Like Beckham – on a good day anyway…Actually I play right back and my pals call me Gary Nev on a good day, and Phil Nev on a not such a good day. On atmosphere, my QPR pal was only talking about City last night, not generally. I think it’s brilliant that United fans were singing even after the 1-4, but it’s also true that thousands had left, some of whom have since apologised on this very site. I can’t understand people who leave early. I’ve never done that, ever. Carrick, Rooney and and other players have been asking for more support, saying how important it is, so those of you able to go to OT, let it rip! I’ll be at Wembley, so I’ll do my best there.

By: King Eric

King Eric — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:31:42 +0000

Ps got to agree with Scott on the subject of fans and atmosphere.

By: King Eric

King Eric — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:28:53 +0000

Giles – Kinda related to your post but are you not in your sixties? (seem to remember you saying you were or late fifties). Still playing football, you must keep yourself extremely fit. Respect.

By: Scott the Red

Scott the Red — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:20:35 +0000

Giles – do you go to OT much? Not because I’m questioning your support for the team, but I’d like to think that someone who was a regular at OT wouldn’t let a QPR fan rip us on our atmosphere.

The Liverpool crowd, the Kop, the best fans in the World, at Anfield BOOED Liverpool off the pitch after they drew 0-0 with West Ham this season. Compare that with us who sung our players off the park after getting battered 4-1 by Liverpool.

And don’t even get me started on City. I’ve watched plenty of City games, more when they played at Maine Road, and they’re the most miserable bunch of fans I’ve ever come across. The away fans don’t need to do the slating, they can’t help themselves from slagging off all their players. They never sell out the ground (apart from when we’re there) and they showed up for Hamburg. Well, United fans can show up in massive sound for our biggest games of the season too. And when it’s not the biggest game of the season, we’re still a lot louder and more supportive than the media and ABUs would make out.

I understand your point about getting behind the team. I do get behind the team. There are plenty of players who have had shocking games this season or just generally aren’t good enough, but they work their bollocks off for the team, so allow it as a wobble, or poor form, or just generally not good enough ability. Ronaldo is the only player I have singled out for repeated criticism because he hasn’t worked hard enough. If he continues to work hard like he did against Sunderland and Porto, I will support him, regardless of whether he’s scoring every week or not. If he reverts back to how he was, I will criticise him, regardless of whether he’s scoring every week or not.

By: Giles Oakley

Giles Oakley — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:06:28 +0000

Fair reply, except I’m not saying you shouldn’t criticise, something I have taken care repeatedly to say. I criticise United myself, so why would I try to stop anyone else, especially as it would make no difference? Nor am I trying to get you to make out how everything is perfect, equally pointless.In previous contributions I have tried to analyse what’s been going wrong with Ronaldo, which acknowledges there is a problem. I don’t quite agree with you about the issue, but that’s neither here nor there, as I wasn’t trying to shut you up. Actually my main target was other contributors, not you.I don’t believe any of our individual comments makes much difference, but sites like yours set the tone and create a mood not only among immediate readers but beyond in a ripple effect, sometimes because the wider media pick up on things (not always attributed) and eventually have an effect on the players. I thought there was something very alarming about how quickly some United supporters panicked after Liverpool, which was gleefully picked up by our opponents. Others have clearly agreed with me that there was too much negativity, not from you specifically, but generally, and I think others who have been attending matches are conscious that this is a real factor. Today I was talking to one of the people I play football with, a QPR fan, who’s absolutely not ABU, and he spontaneously asked , ‘What’s wrong with the Old Trafford crowd? They never seem to get behind the team like Man City did last night? They only sing when you’re winning!’ He noticed the amazing difference to the crowd after Macheda scored.His explanation was that United fans are spoiled by success, that we expect to win everything and sit back waiting for it to happen. To rub it in he went on to say, ‘Bet you wish you’d got the Anfield crowd behind you!’ There’s very little I can do as an individual except use words to try to make a difference. I’m sorry if that seems to be demanding party-line propaganda and a silencing of dissent, as I’m honestly not up for that. All teams are only as strong as their weakest link which is maybe why I get protective of some of the ‘squad’ players, who need all the support we can give them when they are knackered or having to play out of position and in unfamiliar line-ups. If you look at the successful seasons and the un-successful ones you can clearly see that at some point there’s a wobble. It’s how the players handle that that counts, and the fans have a big part to play in that. In as far as your blog is one of the few ways to get through to other supporters I think my plea to think carefully about what is said is not unreasonable. But please let’s not fall out over this.

By: Scott the Red

Scott the Red — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:39:41 +0000

Giles – I’m not being touchy at all, I’m just trying to highlight my feelings on what you’re saying. It’s not like every single post I make on this blog is tearing Ronaldo to shreds but even if I was, I can’t agree that it would make ANY difference to how he performs.

Of course we share the same aims, wanting United to do well, and of COURSE I actually want Ronaldo to play well and try. I was made up to see how he did against Sunderland in just those 20 minutes. When Ferguson revealed after the game he had a word it made sense, because Ronaldo’s effort was SO different to how it’s been all season.

But as a blog, this is supposed to be reflective of what is going on at the team. I’m not going to pretend every player is perfect and every performance is brilliant just so it can have a positive effect on the fans and players. Firstly, because I don’t see how my blog effects either of those things and secondly, it would be entirely pointless for me to never criticise and only praise, because that is not reflecting reality, so what’s the point?

By: Giles Oakley

Giles Oakley — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:27:45 +0000

Good points Jake, and don’t worry, I don’t think my views make a jot of difference, at least on their own. But I do think collectively these sites do have an impact and you could see there was a period when United fans really did lose their nerve getting things completely out of proportion. And that mood spread to the team. I was at the Fulham defeat and it was so clear to see, with lesser players looking scared to get the ball, at least until Rooney came on and so nearly turned it round. That’s when the fight-back began.It’s not any single one of us that makes an impact, but together we do. That’s why it’s important what people say at this critical stage in the season. I’m not asking for propaganda or trying to shut anyone up, just telling it as I see it, just like everyone else.

By: Jake

Jake — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:46:00 +0000

that was a response to your first post btw