|
Post by matt on Mar 11, 2015 22:26:13 GMT
He has my full support as I firmly believe he is the right man to make us evolve and make the transition to a more continental approach. Chelsea has just proven again why English football needs rebuilding ASAP. Yes, our domestic rivals may look better at the minute and may look more comfortable in the BPL, but I am looking forward to assessing the situation in a few years time.
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 11, 2015 20:49:19 GMT
I agree Nemanja, don't get me wrong. But apart from the quickness and dynamism of Arsenal's CM, I don't think they were that good a team and with better strikers/wide men we could have beaten them easily imo.
But I agree that some players simply aren't good enough, but what do we do? I believe one of the problem is also our inability to select the right players when buying (how we could go for Fellaini is still beyond me / Mata is a great player but he was never made for our style of play, especially under Moyes) or failing to spot the right prospects when available (Strootman, Vidal, Pogba, Nainggolan only to name a few). In that regard, I think our signings last summer were a major improvement.
But as you said there are still plenty of players needed to make us a great team again and I am relieved that we have LVG at the top to choose his players. He has my full support as I firmly believe he is the right man to make us evolve and make the transition to a more continental approach.
It's not a one-way road: we do need better players (quick fix), but we also need to change a footballing philosophy that has lasted for years under SAF (long-term fix). And you can't do that in one season. LVG can not be held responsible for the year we wasted under Moyes. LVG deserves a year of transition before anyone can make fair comments. That's how I see it.
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 10, 2015 17:23:19 GMT
I don't understand all the sticks we're getting. It was a good football game, and one massive defensive mistake as well as Di Maria's unforgivable reaction made it impossible for us to go through.
But all in all, we could most certainly have beaten them. They weren't superior. LVG is doing much progress, and I am already looking forward to next season as I am sure we will challenge for the title. To be fair, I am sorry for Di Maria, but his poor form at the moment is one of the reason why we're struggling because we lack a world-beater upfront. LVG's set up is perfect to get our wide attackers into good positions, but sadly Di Maria is messing with every one of the balls he gets. And when he doesn't, we score. Young is Young and you can't expect him to become a world beater overnight. Put two world-class wide-men next to Rooney, and we would beat that Arsenal team 5-2. And this is no exaggeration.
I am sad with the loss, but far from depressed, unlike in the Moyes's era. We're on the right track and I find it funny that everyone (media/pundits, etc) keeps criticising LVG at this point. Trust me, he will have the last laugh. Certainly not this season, but next year for sure.
Congrat's to Rooney, Rojo, Smalling, Fellaini and Valencia (despite his mistake he kept Sanchez at bay all game, and did fairly well). Di Maria however was a disgrace. I have no problem with a player struggling to find form, who is at least trying, but that behaviour of his is one of the reason why I would send him back to Madrid ASAP. I am afraid he lacks the bite to settle in this type of football.
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 8, 2015 19:27:48 GMT
Nothing concrete as usual, although that Nainggolan rumour would certainly please me if there is any truth in it.
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 8, 2015 19:25:01 GMT
Very tough choice. In terms of what we really need now, I would go either for Nainggolan or Schneiderlin. Nainggolan is a more aggressive player, and in many games he could certainly give us a massive boost. But Schneiderlin imo is more composed, and would suit LVG's tactical approach better I guess. So I'd probably go for Schneiderlin who is also a realistic option.
That being said, we're kidding ourselves if we think one CM enough. Carrick isn't getting any younger, and rotation will be needed next season. In my view, we need at least two CM's and LVG will need to be very wise when selecting them. It's high time we improved that area.
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 6, 2015 21:16:47 GMT
For example, Valencia didn't have a very physical midfield but still managed to beat Stoke if I remember well, or Barcelona for that matter. I completely agree but you're making unfair comparisons there. Valencia or Barcelona's CM can destroy more physical midfield because the team as a whole plays differently. They pass and keep the ball so much better that the opposition is worn out completely and their physical "advantage" is made useless. We're starting to move in that direction with LVG, hence why I actually think Blind (or Herrera for that matter) is a vital player for the next 10 years. But I am also aware that there will be tricky games where clever possession and passing won't be enough, especially in the BPL where opposition teams will counter attack us, and where adding that bit of muscles and athletic dynamism will make the whole difference. Hence why I believe we need to add that strong box-to-box. But Blind as LB is yet another issue for me. That's a position where I truly wouldn't play him against dynamic wingers like Chamberlain, Sanchez, Welbeck, etc. regardless of him playing there for the Dutch team. Yes, he could play there, but the defence needs to be completely sorted first, and you would need a third CB or a defensive CM to cover for Blind's lack of pace, there is no other way around it. I am just saying: Blind in a flat back 4 at LB against Arsenal? I would never do that, despite the many qualities of Blind. Because when the Ox' will be running at him at full speed, a good positional sense simply won't be enough imo. That's just asking for unneeded troubles. Blind, in my opinion, is an excellent CM, but not a LB in the English league. But I could actually see him take on that role, if needed, in more tactical games, in the CL for instance, or the world cup as you mentioned. The directness of English football doesn't suit Blind at LB, that's all I am saying.
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 6, 2015 20:06:51 GMT
Well, while I like Blind's tactical awareness and overal game, he doesn't offer the physical resistance we need in some games. Carvalho is a pure defensive mid, strong as an ox, an anchor to sit with one or two mobile CM in front of him. He could be a great player to buy, but we still need that strong box-to-box first imo. Blind and Carrick are both good enough to play Carvalho's role, but we miss another box-to-box to partner and/or cover for Herrera to balance the team properly. I assume you don't like Blind in the first team at all then? Why would you think that? I truly like Blind, he is one of the most clever player we have. But there is no wrong saying he has flaws to his games (mostly being "ahtletic flaws"), and that against certain opposition he may not be the profile you want. I stand by what I said about him playing at left back against Arsenal, or the fact that in more physical games I wouldn't mind a Schneiderlin instead of Blind. It doesn't mean I do not want Blind in the first team, far from it. As I said if you re-read my post: " Blind and Carrick are both good enough to play Carvalho's role, but we miss another box-to-box to partner and/or cover for Herrera to balance the team properly."
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 5, 2015 20:20:57 GMT
Well, while I like Blind's tactical awareness and overal game, he doesn't offer the physical resistance we need in some games. Carvalho is a pure defensive mid, strong as an ox, an anchor to sit with one or two mobile CM in front of him.
He could be a great player to buy, but we still need that strong box-to-box first imo. Blind and Carrick are both good enough to play Carvalho's role, but we miss another box-to-box to partner and/or cover for Herrera to balance the team properly.
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 5, 2015 20:15:26 GMT
Well, I am not surprised at Scholes reacting that way. Yes, we're not good enough yet, but there are very, very good signs now. His comments just show he is not able to move on from the SAF era. The type of football we played under SAF is going to get us nowhere in modern football, especially in European competition.
Yes, SAF's and Scholes's old style may be more entertaining (although that is very much debatable), but we were found out completely in those late years against better opposition. If Paul wants to stay burried in that era, so be it. His comments are becoming a bit ridiculous in the sense that the progression on so many levels, especially tactically, are there for all to see now.
LVG has already done a lot of ground work. He has spent 150M, so what? Do you expect the team to gel instantly? Besides, the players he has bought are very young and are a long-term investment. Give LVG another summer to fix what needs fixing, and watch us take the league by storm. I firmly believe we will challenge for the title next season, regardless of a top-4 finish this season.
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 5, 2015 20:04:09 GMT
My dad's in New York next weekend and I'm taking a mate who prides himself on seeing United win every time he's been to Old Trafford. This one's already in the bag. Why do you need to spoil it ?
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 5, 2015 20:03:03 GMT
To be fair, Blind at left back is a disaster waiting to happen, especially against the pace of Arsenal.
He is no where near dynamic enough to play that role in the BPL imo.
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 4, 2015 22:14:42 GMT
you just hope the prospect of facing all the top teams in the next few weeks gets them going enough to start performing, 'cause if they do what they did tonight they'll get stuffed against 'Pool and Arsenal in particular, doubt they'd do Spurs either That's certainly a valid view of looking at it. But we have put in some solid performances against the bigger clubs this season. I am not saying we will win or even perform well against them, but LVG's has shown that he can set us up smartly for those games. We won 3-0 against Pool, some say we were lucky, but it's very much debatable.We alsmot won 3-0 away at the emirates if it wasn't for Di Maria's miss, we outplayed Spurs away and could easily have won if RVP and Falcao had had a scoring touch. Even City didn't beat us comfortably at all. (didn't watch the Chelsea game so can't comment on that one). No one can predict how those games will turn out of course, but I feel more comfortable going into big games than I did under SAF's late years (not even speaking about Moyes here lol). Anyway it's going be a very exciting end to the season.
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 4, 2015 21:41:52 GMT
Thank God! These three points might be vital at the end of the season.
I think the progress is there for everyone to see, I am glad with what I've seen from the team recently.
Each game is also a sour reminder though of all the work that remains to be done. We are clearly lacking quality in depth as well as a few key profiles. LVG still needs a good summer imo to make this team complete. But I strongly believe we will get there eventually.
Well done to the lads, and my MOTM is Rooney, only for that last bit of pressing on Newcastle's defenders at the 88th minute. That's the spirit we need to get this team among Europe's finest.
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 2, 2015 20:44:06 GMT
Vidal at the top of his game is very much the player we need.
Not sure how "gettable" he is, especially if Pogba leaves Juventus, which looks certain to happen in the summer.
|
|
|
Post by matt on Mar 1, 2015 12:52:08 GMT
As long as Liverpool don't win, it's a good result for us.
|
|