If City win the quadruple then it's not even a discussion, however, if Watford do win the FA Cup and finish 7th, what do you think of Gracia's chances of becoming the manager of the season? If City win the Premier league and CL with the Carabao Cup already in the bag, then it will still go to Pep. But if Liverpool win the league, and City don't win the CL, then there's every possibility Javi could win it. You could only really have Pep, Klopp, Gracia and maybe Nuno Espírito Santo in the running. I can't think of any other candidates really, at this stage, unless Spurs or United win the CL, then of course Poch or OGS would come into the equation.
Outside chance of Warnock if Cardiff manages to stay up. That team was barely top half Championship quality last season yet he somehow managed to get them promoted, to keep them in the division whilst barely strengthening at all would be a massive massive feat. But then again such feats are often overlooked at these sort of awards.
He'd have to get 7th AND the FA Cup to stand a chance, but for me he's already manager of the season (unless Pep does the quad). For what he's achieved in comparison to what was expected back in August, no-one comes close. - NES has done well but plenty were predicting a 7th place finish for them. - City challenging on four fronts is not a surprise. - Spurs winning the CL would be incredible, but let's face it, it's Spurs (I'll caveat that by saying I'd love to be proved wrong, would be an amazing achievement for Poch) Absolutely no-one, not even the most optimistic of Hornets fans (I mean, look at the state of this thread: http://wfcforums.com/index.php?threads/watford-related-predictions-2018-2019.54852/), seriously predicted anything like the season we are having. Top half seemed like a remote possibility, if the stars aligned, but highly unlikely due to the lack of investment in defence. An FA Cup run is always possible, but the final? We've had a fairly kind run of draws, but would anyone have batted an eyelid if we'd gone out from the 4th round onward? Manager of the season should be the one who does most with what he has. That is Javi.
Vic's was actually outstanding. Alcacer choosing some industrial backwater in the Ruhr over leafy Herts is the only thing that really let him down.
Considering how the media and general bias favour the usual suspects, Watford would have to play the entire final juggling sticks of fire and win, finish 7th, win every leauge match from now till the end by an average score of 5-0, and run through the town with sticks chasing snakes out of the city parameter to even stand a chance. On a less cynical note - yes he deserves it.
It’s pretty simple. If city win the league their manager wins If Liverpool win the league their manager wins They are the only two possible candidates and the only two routes to winning. Absolutely preposterous to think otherwise now the beloved Wolves are out of the cup
If they give MOTS to our gurning fool it will be a travesty. Pep should get it, for next season as well.
If Liverpool win the league Klopp will get it. Healed two decades of hurt etc etc etc. Nobody will bat an eyelid at expenditure. Pep needs quad imo with his Petro Dollar advantage. Gracia should get it really with Nuno second but he won't.
In a strange way, I came away with more respect for Nuno than before. Now, he got it wrong at Wembley (and certainly isn't up to the level of Javi), but that game hit home that Wolves really don't have much in reserve. Hadn't been following them that closely this season so I kind of played down their achievements on the basis of how much money they've spent, but he's done a fine job to get them to the brink of a possible European spot. Javi MotS for me so far, unless we tail off and City/Liverpool do something mental
I think Javi should be in with a serious shout for this accolade, but I doubt he will get it as one of the MONEYBAGS BIG TEAM managers will probably get it, which IMO would be a travesty
Wolves seem v one dimensional. This one dimension is good but they always play the same formation. A thoughtful manager, such as Javi, will find ways around it. Also, I was surprised by Nuno losing it towards the end. Kicking bottles around like a kid. Javi's calmness was, I am sure, instrumental in our comeback.
Although this is a bit out of date https://talksport.com/football/483205/number-of-injuries-suffered-premier-league-club-this-season/ The Wolves subs on Sunday show lack of depth, which is not unexpected for a promoted team, however they have also been quite fortunate with injuries this season, otherwise they probably would be a bit further down the table.
Not sure. I would have thought a natural LB of the Holebas/Robbo mould, but with a 10x worse disciplinary record.
We're still in the hunt for a Europa League Injury League spot, but it makes good reading to see us not running away with it like we had been for the past two seasons!
I for one really hope he returns to the forum just before we play Maccabi Tel-Aviv in the Europa League...
Even if we get battered in the final, 7th place should be enough to get Javi MOTS. George Burley got it at Ipswich when they finished 5th despite them not coming close to winning anything, and Liverpool winning the treble. Well let's hope, but to be even having this discussion so late in the season shows how fantastic this one has been...