The Dutch man went to great lengths to disprove Sam Allardyce’s accusations of long ball tactics
We all fondly remember the day in January 2009 when Rafa Benitez strolled into a press conference, took a document from his back pocket and began to talk about ‘facts’. What followed was a detailed rebuttal of Alex Ferguson’s accusation that Liverpool had benefitted from an easy ride from the schedulers, while he also had a lash at Ferguson, referees and mind games.
Today’s display by Louis van Gaal may not go down in the annals of football folklore like Benitez’ did, but perhaps it should.
In the aftermath of West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday, Sam Allardyce said that in the end, West Ham couldn’t cope with West Ham’s ‘long ball tactics’.
The comment was typical Big Sam, trying to both do down an opponent while patting himself on the back for his own tactical nous. It was also, we reckon, partly in jest and for the headlines.
Anyway, the Manchester United boss didn’t think it was too funny and at his press conference today he brought a four-page pamphlet of facts to address the allegations.
Van Gaal very indignant. Ended up telling us to take it off him. “Copy it and present it to Big Sam.” Here is one: pic.twitter.com/kHsc4gjU9s
— Daniel Taylor (@DTguardian) February 10, 2015
Here is the full ‘dossier’.
Louis van Gaal produces a dossier of stats at his media call, after ‘long-ball’ claims http://t.co/FaEP01PFS1 #mufc pic.twitter.com/YO9UJZfs4o
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 10, 2015
The crux seems to be that while United were playing it long, they were mainly sideways not forwards.
Of course, now we are all talking about the fact sheet rather than the disjointed display (if you want our view on the Van Gaal playing philosophy in the wake of the West Ham game check out our piece here). Clever stuff from Van Gaal if viewed in that fashion. Or it is a meltdown if you prefer to think he is losing his grip on the job at hand.
Either way, the facts and figures from tomorrow night’s game with Burnley will be eagerly awaited.
UPDATE: Here is video of Van Gaal explaining his ‘long ball’ rebuttal and producing his dossier
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SBt55F-T2o
