12 Sep 2016 19:45:15
Some good analysis by carragher on MNF on how pogbas eagerness to get forward left fellaini isolated against silva and de bruyne.
Highlights the issue which will probably plague us for the rest of the season. Do you curb pogbas attacking instinct to keep the team solid or allow him some freedom and protect him?
If its the former i would honestly us rather have signed milner or henderson lol.
12 Sep 2016 20:05:22
I am pretty sure we didn't pay a world record fee for Pogba's to sit in front of the back four. It will take a while for the team to gel, but we will be OK.
I like all the positivity on the site at the moment, but I have to say I agree with what (I think it was AJH? ) said earlier - I thought in all honesty City looked way ahead of us and gave us a lesson. We may have shown some heart and desire after going 2 nil down, but in terms of ability and technique they were far superior. Yes, on another day it could have been 2-2, but it could just as easily have been 4 or 5 - 1.
Pep is a good manager. Not the genius from another planet that some some out, but with the talent that City have I still see them as the bench mark. If he can get them playing as a team, and it certainly looked like it on Saturday, rather than a bunch of individuals, they will be a very good side.
We will be up there come May, but I still think we are short in a couple of key areas to be honest. But certainly better than the last 3 years ðŸ˜.
12 Sep 2016 20:19:57
You don't spend 100 million on a player to stick them in a holding role. Pogba is box-to-box and plays his best in a three man midfield with one holding player. We should be building the side around Pogba's strengths and that means three in midfield.
12 Sep 2016 20:35:08
Lets just say you are right Danny, not saying you are not by the way, which 3 in the middle and which 3 up front?
Generally speaking i'm not a massive Rooney fan but i like to think I'm honest enough to judge all players fairly on how they play game by game.
So that being said I really don't think he's been that bad and judging on the 1st 4 games i wouldn't drop him.
Now obviously that can change and Miki will hopefully get much better but right now i wouldn't play Mata, Martial, Miki or Lingard in front of Rooney.
I would certainly play Rashford in front of him and think it's time for him to start regardless of age or names, as he's simply one of our better players every time i watch him play.
So who would people play in midfield 3 and front 3 right now in terms of form?
Herrera Fellani Pogba, Rooney Ibra Rashford for me.
12 Sep 2016 20:37:22
I think that's the thing that irks most fans about the derby betty. We can all hold our hands up and say city were the better team but we definitely did contribute to our own downfall.
I agree we will be up there come may because we won't be facing teams of the quality of city every week and in all honesty the way we are set will help us break down the lesser sides in the league.
But even against the likes of spurs, liverpool, chelsea, arsenal and everton we will get exposed if we persist with this system.
Definitely a blessing this happened so early on in the season because we all know mourinho will probably be hurt by the manner of the defeat just as much as the fans if not more and will learn from it.
13 Sep 2016 02:32:14
I agree with that completely Charlton red. Maybe after some blistering performances in cup matches someone else pushes Rooney out. But not yet for me. Plus Herrera has played his way in with the added benefit that Pogba has more freedom.
13 Sep 2016 09:34:43
we played 433 in the second half and pogba still struggled .
he had a bad game, it happens even to the best .
he is good enough to play in a 4231, i just think oeople are expecting a bit to much from him .
de buryne played cm for city and managed fine, on saturday he had a good game and would of played well, left right or in the 10 .
if he can play cm so can pogba .
13 Sep 2016 10:07:36
I think Herrera's performance in the second half might make Mourinho rethink things a little. Playing Herrera at the base freed up Pogba and Fellani to move forward, and this is when we where at our most dangerous. If we were to make this switch permanently I would hope the number of long balls would reduce in comparison to large parts of the second half.
13 Sep 2016 11:02:09
DSG on the bit about 'pogbas eagerness to get forward left fellaini isolated against silva and de bruyne. ' Shouldn't that be when our defense steps up? Esp either of Blind or Bailey. Why sit back and invite them in?
13 Sep 2016 11:25:01
Obviously he can play as a holding player, but that isn't how you get the best out of Pogba. The reality is that you don't break the world transfer record to play a player in a less effective position. The future is Pogba in a less constrained midfield role.
In response to Chorlton, at the moment I'd play Rash right and Tony M left. We need pace on the wings to stretch defences - Miki and Memphis could also step up, but Rooney and Mata just aren't quick enough to play fast attacking football and should be phased out.
13 Sep 2016 12:53:45
2 in midfield was a mistake, we were overrun in the first half.
Rooney was a long way from being the worst player but I don't see him staying as a first choice. Right now I'm assuming Ibra starts and I think Rashford has to. Ibra's experience with Rashford's pace would be lethal.
If we play 3 in the middle I don't see 1 being Rooney, if we play 2 then that leaves Rooney, Martial, Lingard, Mata, Micky vying fir 2 spots.
13 Sep 2016 13:49:10
I think we have to switch to three in midfield.
With the talent we have in the centre of the park, playing three gives us the opportunity to properly utilise that talent at our disposal.
13 Sep 2016 19:31:03
Danny, how about Usain Bolt, if its just pace of the player that excites you :D. Martial has been nothing short of disaster in the few games that he has played. He has almost done a Rooney this season. On current form, Rooney plays.