02 Dec 2024 05:00:40
now we get into a really tough stretch of games that we need to pick up points. We have
Arsenal away
Forrest at home
City away
Spurs away
Bournemouth home
Wolves away
NC at home
Liverpool Away
Its unfortunate that RA will be playing this hectic schedule without really getting a lot of time with this squad. I suspect our season will depend on how well we do from these games.
If we can lose only 2 from these games I think we have done very well.
02 Dec 2024 07:18:15
At the same time it will show his credentials and ability to adjust on the fly. I personally think it’s a good run of games as it will truely show where we are and can realistically expect to be. Would rather that than a false dawn after playing bottom teams.
02 Dec 2024 08:53:20
1 game at a time that's what the manager says.
02 Dec 2024 09:12:49
This period will really show if the players listen to what RA wants and if their mentality is stronger. Weaknesses will be exposed and a lot may depend on how many injuries/ suspensions the squad gets.
02 Dec 2024 09:18:02
Looking at how he has rotated the team so far I think he will utilise the whole squad during this period. Some players will get more minutes as they have taken to Amorims methods better but by the Liverpool game everyone will have had a chance to impress (I think we may see some of the younger players as well) .
Whilst the results may be up and down over this period it will mean that going into the January window the club will know what if any additions they need.
02 Dec 2024 11:19:07
Some players returning to form and a manager with a clear style and idea. I think we will do alright in the next few games.
02 Dec 2024 12:01:08
I'm feeling confident.
RA is really getting a tune out of the players expected to provide a goal return and that massive step shouldn't be overlooked.
In 3 games under RA, Rashford's got 3, Hojlund's got 2, Zirkzee 2 and Garnacho 1.
Of those 4, only Garnacho (2) returned goals from the 4 games under Ruud.
From ten Hag's 13 games this season, Rashford got 4, Hojlund got 2, Zirkzee 1 and Garnacho 5.
Under RA so far, we average 2.66 goals per game.
Under Ruud - 2.75.
Under ten Hag this season - 1.46.
Imo, the reason our strikers failed under ten Hag is clear - the wide attackers he preferred simply didn't put in enough work for the central striker. Now, if we use Rashford as an example being played as one of the tens, there's no room in the RA system for an attacker to hide.
We will need to see rotation between Hojlund, Zirkzee and Rashford up top, just as we'll need to see the same between Rashford, Bruno, Garnacho and Mount as the 10s.
Arsenal will be the first real acid test for how well the players respond to high-level pressure in the RA system.
I think we'll see Shaw at LCB trying to prevent Dalot getting skinned by Saka too badly, we should surely see Casemiro next to Ugarte, we might even see Zirkzee and Rashford keep their places.
While we'll be weak on our left flank, Arsenal might also be rather weak on their left if Calafiori doesn't make it - the game could easily be won by whoever of Saka and Amad performs best.
Moving forward, we have enough players to be rotated sensibly.
Before the turn of the year there are 18 PL points available to us, I'd expect the objective to be a return of 12 minimum.
If we could get 12 points from the games against Forest, Bournemouth, Wolves and Newcastle, we could be in the top 6 come January.
Under ten Hag this season, we were all desperate to feel some positivity, something to get our inner ids feeling the Panini/ Subbuteo feels, get us enthused - but we felt flat, to me the games felt like stale reenactments with little more oompf than a gaggle of Larpers.
Under Ruud, and now under RA, the positivity has returned, the workrate has returned, the fight, the spirit, the small doses of that special something which makes a fan feel the game.
Under RA, we now see the application of an identity, a footballing structure that has purpose. The positivity is growing amongst the players within this new performance culture, we need to reflect the upturn in application from them by showing our appreciation and support while also being positive.
Obviously, we could stink the house out throughout this run, but I'm feeling confident - I'm even feeling confident about our visit to them drawn to the Asda, maybe we can give them a Rollback.
02 Dec 2024 20:33:37
Stats are meaningless after 3 games against relegation candidates and a Norwegian team on level with a league 1 team. Arsenal and the upcoming fixures will be a better reflection.
02 Dec 2024 21:12:22
Arsenal are a class above anyone we have faced recently. Will be a hard match and realistically we are not close to their level. They have had a few years to perfect their patterns of play. Their squad is settled and players know their roles and have built partnerships all over the field.
Its entirely possible Utd surprise us all but more likely that they win easily.
03 Dec 2024 00:04:48
Math troll,
Bodo/ Glimt are a decent side doing well in the EL and are not on league 1 level, what a pathetic thing to say. No surprise though I guess, all of your posts are the same, assume you’re an opposition fan.
03 Dec 2024 01:09:45
And now arsenal away in the cup! Time to see what this formation is all about, quite the run of games ?.
03 Dec 2024 06:49:50
just saw that what a lousy draw. Its a bit of baptism of fire. On a positive note this is the healthiest the squad has been in years.
03 Dec 2024 09:19:38
Would prefer beat good teams rather than fodder to get to a final.
03 Dec 2024 11:47:03
Math
Oh dear, you strike again. Perhaps you should rename yourself GOTCHA.
The stats I mentioned are respective of goalscoring, not the opposition or what quality you and your soapbox believe applies to 'lesser' teams.
The first batch of stats are reflective of how well the squad's 'goalscorers' are doing compared to before. The next batch simply reflect the obvious. Then I opined - is that not what we're on here for?
Since you like to bin off stats so readily, I'll remind you of the last time United actually played a real League One side - Barnsley at home in the Carabao Cup in September, 7-0 win.
7-0 and 3-2 - yes, they're very similar scorelines, aren't they?
03 Dec 2024 15:11:51
Why does Math not post anything on your own club page? Or do you use a different login?
04 Dec 2024 09:28:50
I think this run of games will be perfect.
It's a good mix of harder and easier games, which should help the players adapt to the new system. Easier games will let the players focus on the system more, and harder games will really test the players and expose flaws to work on in training. We will drop some points, but if it helps get players into the flow of the system more quickly, it's worth it.
The main thing IMO is to get us ready for January. If the players can get more used to the system, without dropping too many points, then in January we can hopefully get in a lwb and be ready to kick on from there.