23 Jan 2015 10:51:14
LVG has been trying to explain his decision to play the 3 at the back system to the media and quite frankly, has made it even worse. He knows that we create more chances with 4 at the back and a diamond in midfield, but since we are giving away a few chances too, it makes him twitch on the bench and nervous and he doesn't like that. So for more "balance" in the team we are playing the system that we are. Also he is playing Di Maria up front for more pace in the attacking positions and to stretch the opposition.
Now a few of these comments are a bit bizarre for me because :-
1. Apart from the freak capitulation at Leicester, we have defended just fine with 4 at the back. I'm "twitching" far more watching the 3-5-2 than the 4 at the back. We concede quite a few chances with 3 at the back as well by virtue of Rooney and Mata not being proper central midfielders and losing the ball. Also playing Carrick instead of Blind in front of the back 4 makes us more solid.
2. Di Maria's pace is completely useless as a striker since by the time he gets the ball he is nearer to the goal, with his back to it and up against big strong center backs and ends up losing it.
Why not instead play him and Januzaj out wide supporting Falcao up front? Surely that would "stretch the opposition" as Van Gaal wants to and also utilize Di Maria's pace and Januzaj's skill one against one on full backs? We also have excellent attacking full backs complement that in Shaw and Rafael.
3. We look far more "balanced" with 4 at the back. With 3 at the back we look completely defensive and out of balance. There isn't a player on the pitch who is comfortable with that system.
4. Most of our goals playing the 3-5-2 system have either come from a bit of luck / set pieces (Southampton away) or opposition making defensive errors (Liverpool home) or just being poor defensively and putting us under no pressure (Newcastle home).
The remaining times we have had to either had to change it to 4 at the back to score or lump it up to Fellaini.
We defend better because of sheer numbers at the back as we sit deep and in turn completely nullify our attack. In short, no balance.
To me, this feels like a manager who is too scared of losing rather than wanting to create chances, control the game IN THE OPPOSITION HALF and win like a big team should. It is all a bit confusing to me, because Van Gaal clearly understands the issues but is coming up with incredibly ridiculous solutions, something which is not expected from a manager of his experience. Even Daley Blind admitted that they didn't play great football with that system in the World Cup and that it was the team's togetherness that got them through.
I would love to hear what the posters who seem to be backing LVG have to say about this.
Lvgs quotes are on the team page .
Makes for strange reading
I think some of what he says gets a little bit lost in translation.
He basically said what most have said on here: He think three CB's gives us more defensive solidity. And he is probably right. That said, I think we could make a 4 man defence - and still play the attacking football - work if we were able to field a consistent back 4.
23 Jan 2015 11:40:07
The quotes are a little odd, do we not think any press conference quote from a master at manipulating the press should be taken with a pinch of salt though? In the latter years Fergie made some outrageous statements in press conferences and everybody got angry and it was all rubbish.
What is the value in LVG giving away all of his thoughts and saying what he really thinks in a press conference?
I find just listening and enjoying rather than analysing press conference quotes is the way to go but that's just me, each to their own.
I think the general rule is if it not what you want to hear, take it with a pinch of salt .
If it is what you want to hear it must be true.
In this case the comments tie in with what you see on the pitch imo
So when he says something that everyone fundamentally disagrees with, it is just "manipulating the media"? Rubbish, why would he need to manipulate anyone at this time, we all have eyes and he is saying what we all know?
Everyone has figured him out, there is nothing of significance lost in translation. He is simply attempting to defend his decisions, which everybody has a right to do. It is hard for him because yet again he is putting his own "twitching" ahead of what is best for the team. His own philosophy ahead of what is best for the club, his own favourites ahead of better players.
To do well in most things you often have to go through a pain barrier, it's quite clear LVG would rather feel all safe with his nil-nil and hope somebody pulls a rabbit out of a hat, than go through any form of distress.
He hasn't got the minerals for the job if you ask me, he is too afraid to change things and to think we called Moyes defensive!
GDS2,
You are clutching at straws there mate. Anyone who watched the press conference could see that LVG meant every word he said. He is always honest and straightforward with the press. If he doesn't want to answer he just says that he won't answer.
He isn't a Sir Alex or Mourinho who make the media dance to their tune and manipulate them.
23 Jan 2015 12:48:23
RF,
I think he is exactly that, he has had the media in the palm of his hands for a long time, he knows how to manipulate and his press conferences are entertaining as hell.
Find me a time where I have believed everything LVG has said in a press conference.
It appears to be the jred, Beast and REDFAITH Show on here at the moment, all posting and shouting down anyone with any optimistic positive thoughts, sure you guys are enjoying yourself but it is getting a little tedious.
@GDS2
I don't know about jred and Beast, but i certainly don't enjoy admitting that the team I support is playing poorly, that its manager isn't playing the right tactics.
Optimism and positivity is one thing, and just being completely blind to what is happening and saying everything is fine is completely another. In the past I have defended the indefensible in Cleverley and even Anderson! I'm sure you remember. Supported Carrick through the times he was witchhunted, Sir Alex when his transfer strategy was questioned and I gave Moyes the benefit of the doubt because I knew it wasn't just him to blame but the squad we had was not up to standard and we had messed up in the transfer market and failed to deliver his targets in the summer.
But there is a line, and I have said this before. LVG has a great squad, top players and all the ingredients to play the way a top team should be playing, he comes with the reputation of being an arrogant winner, yet I don't see little improvement after massive summer spending. Most of the team's problems this season are created by his tactics and a few due to injuries (I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt there).
I am optimistic that he will change though, he has to or we won't finish in the top 4 and he will be gone. If we fall out of the top 4 in the next couple of weeks, I think that might give him the kick up the backside a little bit to look to what he has been doing and change, because he won't have any option but to attack.
I believe we have the squad to finish 3rd and I still believe we will do that. There is no need to point out names and call people out about being pessimists though. Some are just not as forgiving and ignorant of the problems. That is what this page is for anyway, to have a healthy debate and exchange of different opinions.
23 Jan 2015 13:37:13
I've given up posting a positive opinion mate lol, it just gets swallowed up with the same responses all the time.
See u in July.
Redfaith, agree with you, but Shaw has been injured a lot of the season and Rafael. The less said the better, he plays one game and misses ten, so we cannot reply on him at all.
We nee to move for a RB before a CB in my opinion. I would offer Southampton whatever it takes to get Clyne as he is very reliable, can play the overlap and is a superb reader of the game.
Redfaith
Agree 100%
He (LvG) simply doesn't trust the CB's to play a 442 diamond. The current CB's make him nervous. So he believes three is safer than two which inevitably means sacrificing an attacking player for a defensive player. It does seem he lacks trust in the side. I guess Clyne and Hummels could mean moving to a 442 diamond, but until then it's going to be a 532.
NoMid, I agree, Clyne and Hummels for me would make a massive difference. Having a beast/leader like Hummels sorting the defence would improve the others mentally too. Rafael is unreliable both because of his injuries and his rashness. Clyne matches him in all departments and has the brain to go with it. Hummels is experienced, he's captain material and his presence in the defence would have a massive influence on the other defenders. Clyne, Jones, Hummels and Shaw could become a very good back four if Jones and Shaw could stay fit. Clyne and Hummels for me would be two top notch signings.
23 Jan 2015 16:44:02
Redfaith,
I quote 'being completely blind to what is happening and saying everything is fine'.
I don't really think anybody is doing that, but I keep being told that we are. I have said many times I think most people are giving LVG a chance and are 50/50, but if anybody says anything positive they are shouted down. It is getting a bit ridiculous.
Gds
Check out some of shappy posts.
Its not about being positive or negative its about given an opinion and discussing it .