I have come to realise, in the last year or so, that our players are quite lightweight(literally) in comparison to our main rivals, Chelsea and Man City. Against those teams, most of the matches, we tend to lose the midfield battle. Our midfielders Carrick, Cleverly, Anderson, Giggs, Scholes and Kagawa are not as physical as City's (Toure, Milner, Barry, Garcia, Rodwell) and Chelsea's (Mikel, Lampard, Ramires, Marin. Oscar). I don't think our players stand any chance if there was to be a bareknuckle fight between the teams. Anyway, I'd like to the list our players in the order of their physical strength, the ability to outmuscle other players. Vidic Phil Jones Rooney Valencia Ferdinand Smalling Rafael Evans Welbeck (not sure, but he's clever in holding the ball and tackling as well) Anderson Buttner Carrick Evra vanPersie Hernandez Scholes Giggs De Gea (lol) Nani Young/Kagawa Cleverly
Toure for Man City is a beast with regards to strength - Id go as far as to say his strength alone is stronger than Carrick, Cleverly, Anderson, Giggs, Scholes and Kagawa put together. That's what you need to invest in is a strong midfielder that is brutal such as players like - Keane, Viera, Lucas (although not this season, since back from injury), Gerrard... Basically a CM that wont take any ****, and get's stuck right in. In all honesty you don't have a player like that or even close to that style of play. But hat's off to you as you've proved that's not vital in winning the league, as I truly believe you 100% have it in the bag this season.
I doubt Keane was ever really that strong, but the man was so determined he would put everything into every challenge. I miss our 99 midfield.
If there were to be any addition to our team, I'd vote for Toure even ahead of CR7 and Messi. While Silva and Mata wriggle through and around the opposition defenders, Toure just bulldozes through them, he's a T-Rex. Phil Jones showed some Keane traits while playing against Madrid but at the end of the day (lol, hate that cliché), he's a defender.
If we get Victor Wanyama we will have the right balance between power and skill in our midfield. James Rodriguez appears to have strength on the ball, if he does come to replace Nani.
Rooney too has the potential to fill that slot, except that he needs to tweak his game a little, less loose passes and less temperamental. Wanyama should fit in well. Rodriguez, haven't seen much of him. Is he rumoured to join United, according to the Mail, the Sun or Goal.com?
Our scouts haven't stopped watching him so who knows. Also Xavi and Iniesta aren't your hardest men but they can keep the ball or take it off you.
