22 Apr 2023 12:51:10
Thursday was a disaster from the first whistle. Everyone who stepped onto the pitch including the manager consistently made the wrong the decisions.

Iv been a champion for De Gea on here over the years but he was abysmal. But what I found peculiar was how on this site and others he was taking the majority of the bullets. This is probably people echoing Robbie Savages 90 minute abuse of Dave while obsolving Maguire of all his sins.

Put in prime Schmeichel and we still would have lost that game. The keeper will be replaced soon but I seen Nevilles response that the GK position is more important to fix than the striker? Madness.

Never good getting knocked out of a cup competition in that fashion but if we can stumble over the line and get top 4, these types of games are critical for Ten Hag to know who he can trust. Martial, Sancho, Maguire, Mctominay, Weghorst are not good enough for a club with our aspirations.

There's a second list of De Gea, Fred, Lindelof, Elanga, AWB that will have question marks too but may be saved for another season.

We were missing 4 out of our 5 best players on Thursday and the drop off is huge. Ten Hag has also made a few mistakes over the last few months too. The Weghorst experiment has been a disaster. The man offers nothing and I mean nothing when he plays.

There was always going to be games we'd be well beaten in, it's never nice but we're on the right track. It all depends on top 4. Secure that and we'll be in a good position going forward. You learn a lot from games like that, hopefully the lessons are sinking in.

1.) 22 Apr 2023
22 Apr 2023 13:59:17
Mumbles

How much stick did I get for what I said about Weghorst before he signed.

The lack of spine in more ways than one was a comment I added on here after Thursdays debacle. I have supported DDG, whilst pointing out his strengths and weaknesses. We cannot afford the mistakes and lack of command any longer. I think time has come to change direction. CB is obvious, Varane needs to be available more, but HM is clearly not the answer if trying to either build from the back or playing a higher pressing line. CM, Cas needs a top partner, that simple. I also think we need 2 strikers, one of which must be very top level. It shocks me that Martial is still seen as potential, yet been here years.

That’s the spine of the team, but we also need players with spine. As you know I have been supporting 55 years, watching many teams without this level of player quality, yet so many of the players in those poorer teams gave everything to the shirt. In 1979 I was at Maine Road when we played probably Liverpools greatest team, yet our players gave everything. The lack of heart from half the team on Thursday was disgusting, that’s unacceptable.

ETH, up and down so far, more ups definitely moving forward, we won a cup and if we get top four it’s a good season, but he has to learn from these experiences, can’t keep making the same mistakes next season. It was obvious DDG can’t pass, the coach should be looking to have the ball cleared medium or long, where there is any doubt. Yes long term the plan is to pass out from the back and beat the press, but you also have to play with what you have got. Still. Lots of positive things to build on.

Lastly, tomorrow. City are on the way to a treble, our treble, we have to be there in the final to meet them. In 1977 we were the “Scouse busters” denying a treble. We cannot accept anything less that 100% against Brighton, who will be very tough to get past.

2.) 22 Apr 2023
22 Apr 2023 14:49:46
Mumbles, the hyperbole is a little much I agree. However, I've been saying since EtH took over that we would need a new keeper to fully embrace the way he wants his team to play.

I don't believe that the keeper position is more important than the striker position, based purely on the fact that we don't actually have a striker at all.

However, after signing a striker then a keeper should be the second priority. It is the position that when everyone is fit and available then replacing DDG in the starting 11 with a keeper suited to playing out from the back and sweeping would be the position that would see the greatest impact on performances and results.

3.) 22 Apr 2023
22 Apr 2023 15:59:06
You were right Red Man. I was one of the posters who came to his defense when he joined. The rest of the players were ticking when he joined. Rashford on fire, Garnacho and Anthony were doing well. The midfield was purring and we were on a good run. I was giving him the benefit of the doubt but I have no qualms holding my hands up and admitting i was wrong and way off the mark with him.

Shappy, me and you have gone back and forth over De Gea. I do think there are better goalkeepers out there I just think there are more pertinent issues in the squad. I'll probably need to hold my hands up with this situation too.

4.) 22 Apr 2023
22 Apr 2023 18:00:26
Mumbles, for me the only more pertinent position is the striker position.

Looking at our current best 11:

DDG, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Bruno, Antony, Weghorst, Rashford.

Clearly Weghorst is the biggest issue, although Martial does come in for him for on during the three weeks he is fit each season.

Lets say we get Harry Kane for arguments sake and stick in in the starting 11:

DDG, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Bruno, Antony, Kane, Rashford.

Now which player in that 11 do you think you could replace and see the biggest improvement?

For me it has to be DDG, He is the one that makes it difficult for us to play out from the back, the one who stops that 11 from playing a high line due to his inability to sweep, his inability to dominate his box or clear crosses that make us susceptible to conceding set-pieces.

The other options are Dalot at RB and Eriksen in midfield. I really don't see an upgrade on Dalot making a huge difference to the side. I think an argument could be made for Eriksen, especially for the big games where competition in midfield is tougher. Yet for the majority of the games each season I don't think it'd make a massive difference. For me the issue in midfield is more about squad depth than quality.

Personally I feel the best way to rebuild a squad is to start with the starting 11, get them right first, then fill out the squad with quality to rotate around or offer more tactical flexibility.

5.) 22 Apr 2023
22 Apr 2023 18:11:24
You're probably right in that respects Shappy. I think if Diogo Costa is available or maybe if Leeds go down get their keeper, otherwise wait a year.

Midfield is an issue this summer. The drop off in quality is huge in my opinion.

6.) 22 Apr 2023
22 Apr 2023 19:50:22
Shappy I bring in someone like Frenkie Dejong or equivalent quality to partner Casemiro and Eriksen. Bring in Rivelino equivalent (1970 WC winner), Kane and replace DDG.

4-2-3-1
Ball playing GK
Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw
FDJ (EQUIVALENT), Casemiro
Anthony, Eriksen, Rivelino (EQUIVALENT)
Kane

I am not a fan of Martial, Rashford or Sancho.

7.) 22 Apr 2023
22 Apr 2023 20:22:38
MM, the great thing about this site is that we all get to voice our opinions. None of us are right or wrong, it's just different points of view.

I think we need to sign 4-5 players this summer, I think we all agree on the positions, GK, CB, CM, CM and ST. It's just the priority of those that I think we differ on.

My view is that a Striker is the highest priority, with Goalkeeper second, then Midfield and Centre back. With either another midfielder or striker depending on who leaves.

8.) 22 Apr 2023
22 Apr 2023 21:42:20
I don’t think many will say the first 11 can’t go toe to toe with the best. It’s the rest of the squad that’s very average.

9.) 23 Apr 2023
23 Apr 2023 00:47:39
Maestro fair to say that you are not a fan of Bruno either?

10.) 23 Apr 2023
23 Apr 2023 03:45:00
UA i like Bruno but I prefer Eriksen over him for No 10 role.

11.) 23 Apr 2023
23 Apr 2023 06:25:54
As someone said above, need a couple of top signings but with top mentality! Every signing ETH has made seem to have the right attitude! We just need to rid the club of the usual suspects who let us down time and time again, the ones where losing doesn’t seem to hurt enough! Martial Maguire and Ddg have epitomised our mediocrity prior to ETH so if we were to replace them down our spine I think we would be looking really good!
Then imo a midfielder and full back and we’re good!

To go Maguire awb ddg martial telles Henderson Bailey mctom fred elanga tuanzebe williams jones.