mickyg Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 Our record of getting into the Champions League semis over the last decade is fantastic. Also we've done well in the FA cup and the Europa win was nice. In terms of the league we have also done well in the last decade. But somehow we seem to perform better in cup competitons. Have I got this right? Maybe there is a statistical way of determining if this is true or not? Is geting into the top four of the CL more difficult than getting in the top four of the Premier League? I would think it is - at least when you take a 10 year average view. If it is true that we are a better "cup side" then what explains it? Maybe because we get more up for the big nights and the intensity of knock-outs? And the flip side of ghis would be that an away game against the likes of Palace orQPR in the league doesn't get the juices flowing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mactheknife Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 I think a big factor is that most of our main strengths are mental attributes: teamwork, desire, work rate, belief and adaptability. These are traits many 'big teams' have moved away from in recent times. Instead there has been a more fashionable move to glatico style teams like Madrid or City, or pretty football plan A only styles of Barca or Arsenal early Wenger years. So we have something different for these teams when we play them in cups. It does not mean we will win every time, see City's record against us, but we have something different which gives us a good chance. Though in the league many teams use the traits we specialise in as their blueprint. This creates a leveller and therefore makes it more difficult for us. It is no surprise we have lost to the likes of Stoke, Palace, Newcastle and Everton who among the best teams and hardest working in the league opposed to more talented, player for player, mid table-lower end sides ( I know Everton are not mid table) like Sunderland, Swansea, WBA and Fulham. This is why I fear Athletico because they hold these traits along with great work rate and tactical discipline and flexibility. It is why Liverpool are also the real deal as they have found a terrific combination between the two Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izanagi Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 We just have some very mentally strong players and a manager who is the master of psychological warfare. If you manage to make Pep Guardiola snap during a press conference you know you have a PhD in pissing people off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icecoolguy22 Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 We haven't got the consistency yet, maybe that make us a 'cup ' team? I mean a team capable of beating PSG, Arsenal, United shouldn't be losing to Villa, Palace etc, regardless of the referee. The big games are easy, because everyone are up for it. This will take time. The great thing is once Jose get through this season and sign a few more players, we will be really, scarily good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluehatter Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 No doubt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SydneyChelsea Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 We go into cup games as underdogs and little expectation. We are not afforded that luxury in the league. Our record against big teams across all competitions is fantastic; it is truly part of the club's culture to rise to the occasion. However we've seen league titles derailed by the inability to beat plucky smaller teams, and given our exits against Liverpool/Inter/group stages it's a mentality not isolated to the EPL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uno Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 Under other managers I would say yes. Under Jose I wouldnt agree. I think we are doing better than what we should be this season and that is because of Jose. Like United last season, Fergie won them the title and this season without him they wont even make it into the top 4. I fully expect next season to be the one to win back the league title. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big blue Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 we have been a good cup team for 20 years. Jose is the one to replicate the cup form in the league, which what makes us title challenges again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Englishman Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 (edited) We've always had the players to do well in both league and cup. But to win the league you need a good manager, have to be consistent for 9 months, and you need a proper squad. Many times we've hampered ourselves with poor managerial choices, then sacking them when it's all going wrong, or starting a season with an inadequate squad. It's no conincidence that since we got that right this season, we've made a serious challenge in both. Edited April 9, 2014 by Englishman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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