Quote Originally Posted by Syn View Post
This is a key point - and one I've made a few times.

I think the only thing the manager should do is build a squad of players that are capable of winning trophies. Fill the team with quality players that could, over the course of 38 games, rack up 85-95 points. Then it is up to the players to 'earn' the trophies.
I sincerely believe AW shares this exact same belief with you Syn. And this is why he has/will never be able to defend a trophy of worth. I struggle to believe real top coaches like Fergie, Mourinho or Capello could ever share such a philosophy. I mean how could a Montpellier, Porto (that CL year) or more appropriately let's say a Denmark or Greece ever had won anything if the main criterion was just to fill the team with quality players.

Trophies mean nothing if you're merely a sideshow/afterthought in a title-winning squad.
You could say this of the manger you describe above who is no better than a glorified casting director.
That team would've won the title without you.
And this is why I have always believed (until recent happenings anyway) that if we got a top coach immediately after AW and managed to keep his team together, we'd immediately go back to winning ways.