23 Mar 2015 11:59:51
So here's a where I'm at. First off, fantastic result yesterday and I couldn't have asked for more personally. We were by far the better team and we deserved those three points. I feel now (as long as nothing crazy happens) CL football is secure. I think the Gunners will quash any hope Liverpool have left.
Fair play to LVG when we needed him to get it tactically spot on he has risen to the occasion. Having said that the criticism he has come in for this season was very much warranted whether that be from fans, pundits or ex players. I actually think the criticism has helped him a lot and that's the reason we are seeing the team set up the way it has been.
Although LVG would never admit it because of his arrogance he has changed his style and tactics because of his critics. He doesn't have to admit it, but I am glad he acknowledged it before it was too late. Without the criticism we would still be trying in vain to implement the 3-5-2 disaster.
Lastly, Mata and Herrera have been stand outs the last two games. Both players have been championed by the fans to start games throughout the season and now we are seeing why. It makes me wonder if we played with this set up the majority of the season how many of those draws would be wins?
Like I said I think we have got there in the end and I am glad the manager has come through for us and not let his ego rule the roost.
23 Mar 2015 12:15:19
I agree with you JMB.
I actually didn't want Mata anywhere near the team as he didn't contribute at all when he started previously, kind of like Januzaj. However he has done what all class players do, not sulk but try even harder to prove the doubters wrong when given the chance. Respect to Mata and Herrera, especially Fellaini & Young. I hope ADM learns from them and applies himself, maybe Rafael will if given the chance.
Having seen us deliver I am hopeful that LVG maintains whatever it is he has been doing, picking players on form has to be vital if we are to not have similar problems to what we have encountered all season.
I knew we were capable of this and that is why I was so frustrated with his meddling. Maybe the future isn't as dark as I thought it would be with this guy in charge, but we will see what happens when RVP returns and how he sets us up against Villa.
I'm happy for once!
23 Mar 2015 12:19:58
Ah so you and Beast are the reason he changed the tactics, I knew he wouldn't have done it because he knows what he is doing!
23 Mar 2015 12:33:57
GDS2 - it is something we will never know. But he has meddled constantly, we were all clamouring for Rooney to be up top, Herrera in midfield, (most Mata, but not me) wingers and a back 4. This happens 'EVENTUALLY' and look what happens.
He has tried a lot out, but the pressure was building and he needed to start compromising. Maybe a coincidence, maybe he learnt from advice, or maybe it was part of a master plan. I know if my life depended on it I would not say he had planned this all along.
That said, if he carries on having us play with this tempo and having some of our weaker players performing out of their skin, then nobody can have any complaints.
I doubt SAF wanted 4 years of rubbish before it clicked, he didn't plan that, but some people will argue it was needed.
23 Mar 2015 12:36:32
he should play the same team which will be the 3rd straight game.
23 Mar 2015 12:48:29
GDS2
I agree with some of best views. I also said a few weeks ago the unavailability of players due to injuries might actually force him to play our best line up and and a saving grace in hindsight.
RVP being out has given allowed Herrera to play on a regular basis and boy he makes a huge difference IMO and rooney played in his proper position.
It will be interesting to see what he does when RVP is back and if he boas back to Rooney in Midfield, herrera on the bench and RVP on top, for me it is a disaster of a line up
23 Mar 2015 13:05:22
Sure maybe SAF and Giggsy are calling the shots now and LVG is just a frontman
23 Mar 2015 13:15:58
First of all as I said previously, we had over 50 injuries to contend with.
Secondly, we bought 6 new players, 5 of whom were from overseas. These people need to settle, learn the language, buy houses, re-locate their family and children.
So you wanted LVG, who himself is new to this country and the PL to come in, take a team that finished 7th last year, with not a clue in the world and very short on confidence, to then just pick the team when most of the back four was injured and play out of our skin.
Can you not see how ridiculous that makes you sound? If you went into a new job in Italy, with no knowledge of the language, culture or the company you're working for, will you be at your best from day 1?
23 Mar 2015 13:25:37
Nomidfield - Most of the players he signed have not been involved in the past 2 games. Herrera he didn't even fancy until recently, so it's hardly like the bedding in of new players is to blame. Maybe picking players on reputation and trying to fit square pegs in was the reason.
Maybe he has realised that he inherited some very good players and he should play them where they have played all of their careers with tactics they naturally enjoy - fast attacking play!
Injuries will have been a problem, but the squad has depth. his main problem was formation, slow play, RVP, Rooney playing deep and to be fair not having a settled CB partnership.
23 Mar 2015 13:43:25
Thing is Beast, in some areas the squad has depth, in. other areas it's weak . LVG has obviously been trying to find a line up and tactics which give us the right balance between defence and attack and for the first half of the season doing it with an injury crisis to deal with .
If you had your way he would have been gone at Christmas and we'd have been back to square one.
23 Mar 2015 13:43:29
I have no idea why folk feel my post is a dig at LVG. Have I not stated on three seperate occasions that he is coming to the fore and getting his tactics correctly?
Pardon me if I'm wrong but wasn't this whole forum, the media and the fans at Old Trafford disgruntled by the 3-52 and the omissions of key players? Didn't we all have a moan about Rooney in midfield, Di Maria playing striker and the slow tempo?
Yes we had injuries but who didn't? Did we have 50 players out at the one time? And this bull about taking over a demoralised team, give me a break. We have one of the best three squads in the league. Players who have umpteen accolades to thier name. We added two World Cup finalists, a champions league winner and one of the hottest goal scorers in Europe.
This isn't a rant. I'm over the moon for LVG that it has come good at this stage but to give excuse after excuse for his faults is farcical.
23 Mar 2015 13:43:39
One thing we can all agree on, I think, is that Valencia, Young, Smalling and Fellaini - players who have come in for a slating - have all improved immeasurably during the course of the season. Some credit has to go to the management for that.
At the beginning of the season we had all those injuries plus, I do think LVG came into the league unaware of its inherent style and fierce competitiveness. He was probably sufficiently arrogant to have ventured into the job with the firm belief that he didn't need to do his homework, and that the league would ultimately bow down to his obvious brilliance. The first sign of his adaptation came with Fellaini, when he started to recognize the value of his size and physicality.
With the injury to RVP and with Falcao's lack of form, he has been forced to revert to Rooney up top, and that, along with a generally healthier squad leading to some consistency, has been the final piece in the puzzle - or so it would seem from the last 2 games. Whether he would have reached this conclusion on his own, who knows. But, as they say, it's better to be lucky than good.
Arsenal can do us a couple of good turns. They can beat Liverpool and lose to us. If they do and we can win our next 2 home games as well, we will surely be back in the CL next season. I for one will then be glued to these pages to see what squad changes get made during the summer.
23 Mar 2015 14:19:44
Yeah Beast, you also stated two weeks ago that LVG was a clown
23 Mar 2015 14:20:57
JMB,
I think if you re-read this paragraph:
Although LVG would never admit it because of his arrogance he has changed his style and tactics because of his critics. He doesn't have to admit it, but I am glad he acknowledged it before it was too late. Without the criticism we would still be trying in vain to implement the 3-5-2 disaster.
You may realise why people think you are still having a go at the manager. Is there no way he changed the tactics because things weren't working? He has tried different things earlier in the season but many of them didn't work so he went back to the boring football that was still getting results and making us difficult to beat.
It felt like you were saying nice things about the manager but couldn't resist doing it in a backhanded way, like 'yea he's done well but only because we told him what to do', like he is on here reading the page after every match. I think there is more than a slight possibility that he is just adapting to the Premier League and the players are adapting to his methods, you've called him arrogant all season but as soon as we start winning he's now not arrogant any more because he is just doing what he has been told to do by his critics.
23 Mar 2015 14:57:08
If RVP has been fit, I have absolutely no doubt that Rooney would still be in Midfield and Herrera would be warming the bench. It just goes to show there are fine margins involved.
Credit to LVG for sorting it out, but as GCU says the injury to RVP has forced his hand somewhat. If he can get our fringe players doing as well as this it would be fantastic if he can get our very best players lifting their own games to this level.
The World Cup didn't help him with his prep, but Giggs has a job to advise about opposition and what to expect, (I watched an interview where he explained that was his job). So either Giggs is at fault for LVG's naivety or there is no point in having Giggs as a number 2 as he is not listened to by the gaffer. Either way I expect Giggs will be gone in the summer, just a theory but I see little point in him being there, unless he is happy being a punching bag. haha
23 Mar 2015 14:59:31
He deserved to be called a clown. But even clowns can be funny at times, rather just annoying!
23 Mar 2015 15:24:25
LVG favoured formation has always been 433, he has said this on a number of occasions and that he was forced to change it because of injuries to certain players. If some would of listened they would of heard this.
It's no coincidence that we have a near fully fit squad and we play better and it's 433!
I don't think anyone can be classed as wrong in this argument but some might be big enough to admit to being a tad hasty when condemning him as a flop etc.
It's amazing what a few wins can do ain't it lol.
23 Mar 2015 15:41:17
He could have played 4-3-3 all season. Never have we not had the players to do so.
Up until Spurs he epitomised the word "flop", but every floppy can pick himself up now again if the motivation is right!
23 Mar 2015 19:01:29
He could of done beast but maybe he thought we might not be in this position now if he had?
U must remember the lack of confidence we had when he took over.
23 Mar 2015 19:26:38
Fair point Chris. let's just hope he has the formula now, if he can do it with our fringe players just imagine what he should do with World Class talent.
23 Mar 2015 19:44:31
Hang on a minute did we just agree on something together??
I feel a friendship brewing lol
{Ed025's Note - get a room.. :)
23 Mar 2015 20:22:23
Bloody hell ed are u being punished? Editing the United page? Or is it u are missing me and my quirky ways already?
I would pop over to the Everton page for some of my worldclass bants, but your boys are a savvy bunch I have to admit.
{Ed001's Note - punished? You know he loves it on here, especially after you have beaten Liverpool! You know what they say, once a blue, always a Manc, just ask Mr Rooney....}
24 Mar 2015 06:54:18
Haha fair point that mate
{Ed001's Note - though he has been flirting with those Arsenal boys recently, he is such a tart!}
24 Mar 2015 09:03:50
I think he's just on there waiting for Dags jokes, gaining some material for his comedy duo act with Ed002, he's the comic and Ed002 is the slapstick rodeo clown :)
{Ed001's Note - I would pay to see that duo, so long as Ed025 promised not to tell jokes! His gags are worse than Dags, that is how bad they are. Whenever anyone tells a bad joke on our editor's widget we always tell them to pass him back his joke book.}