Hate to say it but I thought we’d struggle even more without Shelvey but in 1.5 games so far we’ve looked a far better and balanced unit. Could Rafa have stumbled on a midfield combo which can now kick on? Diame has another good game.
Think shelvey might have a fight to get his place back I saw many a shelveyesq pass from Ki today The pass to kenedy for him to cross to Rondon
I thought Diame looked knackered and needs a rest. He breaks up play well but as an actual footballer he’s not that good. He’s an athlete and an awkward player to play against.
Ki is better, more consistent, can tackle and doesn't lose his rag. Plus he actually looks for the offensive pass. Hate to say it but we are a poorer side with Shelvey.
The thing is ki actually picks the right passes at the right times. He plays it simple when needed and is a calming influence. Shelvey is always looking for that Hollywood pass.
Ki is a good player. He hasn’t got the fitness yet though so hopefully he can kick on and get match fitness. It’s no coincidence that the two games we have won he has played well. I would still like more around him in midfield to keep the ball more.
This is bollocks. We were talking about how Shelvey was the heart and soul of the midfield in the second half of last season and should be playing for England. Most players have runs of form between periods of inconsistency particularly at the level we can afford. Anyone who thinks Ki is going to be consistently good only needs look at his previous clubs to know that won’t be the case. He is in good form now so make the most of it - when it dips bring Shelvey back. Would say you are more likely to get a 10-15 game good run out of Shelvey than you will from Ki. Shelvey can be frustrating when his passing game is not on but I would rather go and watch a player who is trying to create chances with inherently risky long balls than one who just plays short simple passes. While players like that are always needed you need someone who will try something different as they are the ones who unsettle defenders.
You mean like the guy who started this thread: https://www.not606.com/threads/jonjo-shelvey-an-apology.359356/ You are the epitomy of the fickle fan - one minute you are praising the guy, the next minute slagging him off. Players go through dips in form. By all means drop them when they are in the dips IF there are suitable replacements but stop writing them off for ever or building them up as gods when they are on form. Noticed Lascelles is coming in for the treatment now. I will start supporting Man Utd fulltime if you don’t stop.
I switched footballing sides... Shelvey views and also switched broadband providers and house insurers. A change is as good as a rest R KID. On a serious note if you actually read that thread you’d see I was referring to his temperament on the pitch and disciplinary record. They do have spec savers in Manchester no?
It's good to have the competition. I think a slight shift to defending higher up the pitch has been the main factor, Schar has really helped here. We had been playing so deep and Shelvey goes and tries to get the ball to get us forward and ends up being pinned down too far back.