24 Oct 2016 14:46:13
I just want to make a few points about yesterday.
I am not going to sit here and start slating individuals. We were poor. No one will dispute that.
It seems to me that the manager is caught in two minds: he wants to be more expansive but doesn't believe he has the team to be expansive and defensively coherent at the same time.
I am not sure if being more expansive his idea, or a prerequisite of the job; but I for one would rather see Jose adopt his own exclusive brand of football, based around a strong core and fast transitions of play. For that to be achieved, he has to use an out an out holding playing, which would allow the likes of Pogba to be more attack minded. Three candidates spring to mind: TFM, Spider and Carrick. My personal preference would be TFM. IMO, the lad is tailor made for the role. He is strong, extremely quick, and seems to read the game well. He could cover a lot of ground and give some permanent protection to the back four.
With regards to the back four - for me - Darmian and Shaw have to be first choice full backs. It's their natural roles.
Rashford should start up top or should not start at all. His development will only be impaired by playing out of position. I can't see why he can't be alternated with Ibra.
Lingard and Fellaini should not start in games against quality opposition. They are not good enough IMO.
Miki and Martial need to come into the starting 11. We need an injection of pace and quality, and both of them have those qualities.
There seems to be a genuine problem with the conviction of some of the players. This lack of belief has become terminal and needs to be expunged from the club.
The manager needs to display his panoply of skills. He can't afford to procrastinate on certain players. He needs to be ruthless and try to cut out the roots of the problems. But it seems he seems some what hesitant to take the gloves off. That could mean dropping players like Ibra, who has stopped being a threat to the opposition in recent games, and giving Rashford a run through the middle; but would he risk upsetting Ibra?
I still believe Jose is the man to lead us forward. I think he needs to be given time to impose himself on the team. But he could help expedite that process by sticking to his core principles.
I am not sure what is going to happen Wednesday. Both clubs are going through rough patches. Both will want the win to try and bring some much needed confidence. I just hope we go out there and give it everything.
24 Oct 2016 15:42:07
Need to get set with real starting 11. He is still not sure which is his best. Shouldn't be more changes other than injuries and genuine fatigue. Need to pick players on form, rather on name. And first priority always has to be a clean sheet. counter attacking goals will surely come.
I remember 6-1 and approach then after by SAF.
And I feel 4-4-2 of fergie is still best over any managers formation than after.
24 Oct 2016 16:12:25
I agree, mate. We need to get a settled starting 11.